Nyrel was walking down the busy streets of the city. He was a thin, sickly-looking young man, with thick glasses that made his eyes appear larger than they actually were. As he walked, he passed by a flower shop, and something caught his eye. He peered inside and saw an old woman behind the counter, surrounded by colorful flowers of all shapes and sizes.
"What do you want, young man?" the old woman asked with a gentle smile.
Nyrel assumed she was the cashier and possibly the owner of the flower shop.
Nyrel, with his thick glasses, looked around him.
The old woman kept her smile, but inwardly she was wondering who the strange young man was.
He had an absent look; he looked unhealthy, and his body seemed too thin for his age.
"Of course, young man! It's a flower shop!" the old woman laughed.
Nyrel's expression remained unchanged. He looked around at the different flowers
"For whom, are you buying flowers, young man? Could it be your girlfriend?"
She asked, trying to tease Nyrel but-
"For my mom, dad and sister. They are dead now."
Nyrel said in a neutral tone.
The old woman lost her smile.
Out of all answers possible, she didn't expect him to say that, even less in that impassive tone but she could understand his emotions. The feeling of losing someone important could change drastically people.
"Choose anything you want. It will be free for you."
Nyrel nodded, but he didn't change his expression.
As Nyrel walked into the flower shop, he was greeted with a delightful array of flowers in different colors and scents. He couldn't help but admire the beauty that surrounded him. Soon, his attention was drawn to a bouquet of pure white flowers. He moved closer to the flowers and examined them carefully.
"Oh, they are lilies. They are flowers symbolizing purity and rebirth," said the woman behind the counter, noticing his interest.
"Rebirth…" Nyrel muttered, lost in thought.
The woman smiled warmly at him. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
Nyrel looked at her and then back at the lilies. He picked three of them and handed them to the granny. "I will take them."
The woman wrapped the flowers carefully in paper and handed them back to him. "These are beautiful flowers, and they will surely bring joy to whoever receives them."
Nyrel nodded, thanked her, and left the shop, feeling a sense of contentment wash over him.
….
….
Under the scorching sun of summer, the air was thick and oppressive. The sweltering heat made everyone's clothing cling to their skin, and their water bottles were always within reach.
Amidst this heat, a young man of eighteen was rushing through the streets. His glasses were thick, his hair disheveled, and his figure unremarkable. He carried a bag on his back and clutched three pure white lilies in his right hand.
Nyrel, as he was called, was running towards a large building that housed the city's most renowned IT school. Today was the first day of his classes, and he was already late. He had lost track of time admiring a flower shop and had intended to take a shortcut through the city's graveyard. But, realizing his tardiness, he abandoned the idea.
As he rushed down the street, he suddenly collided with another young man, who was also heading towards the academy. The other guy was built like a tank and was of the same age as Nyrel.
Nyrel stumbled and fell to the ground, losing his grip on the three white lilies he had been holding. He groaned as he tried to stand up, brushing the dirt off his clothes.
"I-I'm sorry," he stuttered, hoping to defuse the situation.
However, the blond-haired man he had collided with didn't seem interested in forgiving him. His voice dripping with disdain, he sneered, "Are you blind even with your glasses, nerd?"
The man's two friends laughed at the insult, but they also seemed eager to get to their destination.
"Jayce, come on, we're running late," one of them said, trying to steer him away.
Jayce ignored his friends, shoving Nyrel out of the way. As Nyrel stumbled and fell to the ground once more, Jayce strode off, clicking his tongue in irritation.
Nyrel winced in pain, his glasses lying on the ground next to him. The flowers he had intended to bring to his family's tomb were scattered around.
"W-Where…?"
Nyrel fell on his butt and groaned in pain. He scrambled to pick up his glasses and the white lilies he had been carrying, but before he could do so, he heard a voice calling out to him.
"Are you okay?"
It was a girl's voice, and Nyrel turned to see a normal-looking brunette girl his age, with glasses and a braid.
The girl picked up his glasses and handed them to him. "Here, let me help you."
"Thank you," Nyrel replied, relieved to see his surroundings clearly again.
The girl then noticed the lilies scattered on the ground.
"A-Are these yours?"
She picked them and gave them to Nyrel.
"Thanks."
Nyrel thanked her and picked up the flowers from the girls' hands.
"You are also starting in the academy?"
The girl asked while hugging the few books on her hands close to her chest.
She was a timid girl but somehow she felt at ease with Nyrel.
"Yeah, you as well, I guess."
Nyrel said, and they both started to walk to the academy.
"Y-Yes! I-I am Shayna, pleased to meet you."
Shayna reached out her shivering hand.
She knew that having a friend was important if she was going to remain at that school for four years. Nyrel seemed simple like her, so she used all her courage to talk and try to form a friendly bond.
"..."
Nyrel was shocked that a girl was talking to him for that long.
Until now, no girl would try to talk to a gloomy guy like him.
He felt slightly happy, so he accepted the handshake.
"Nyrel Loyster."