Citrus [completed]

Chapter 27

Earlier that day, I had to make a stop in the city. Dr. Phillis had prescribed me a few meds she thought would help me a bit with anxiety and I had to pick them up. Blair had offered to come along and we headed out early.

It was a quick chore but I had to stop by the grocery store along with getting distracted by different mannequins in stores that we walked past. Blair was more than willing to stop in a shop, even walking out with a few bags for herself.

Afterward, we wandered the streets of New York. Blair would occasionally wave towards terribly hidden paparazzi. It wasn't until Blair had bags all the way up to her elbows and my feet started hurting that I saw something out the corner of my eye.

I stop dead in the street, Blair almost running straight into me. "James," She rages, her bags swinging as she avoids colliding with me, "Warn a girl before you pump the breaks." She fumes but I only vaguely hear her. That's because I found something that screamed Nessa.

And there, inside a tiny jewelry store was a necklace on the window display, that belonged to Vanessa Colby. Even if she didn't know it yet.

🍋

"Stop laughing and help." I wheeze as I fan in the air. This, however, does nothing as Glory and Blair grip at their sides. The grey smoke floats dangerously high and I worry about the fire alarm. I quickly rushed over to all the windows and opened them as high as they'll go.

This is a disaster. The dinner I was trying to make for the picnic I had planned for Vanessa lay burned and smoking on the counter. I stare in dismay as I stare at the pan of macaroni and cheese, knowing that those hopes had literally just gone up in smoke. It looked like me and Vanessa would be eating peanut butter and jelly.

I deflate incredibly as I stare more at the dish. The mac and cheese was clearly burned to the pan and would be a bitch to clean. Glory finishes laughing, while Blair pulls her phone out. She's probably going to take pictures and I can't care enough to protest.

"Maybe we can fix it," Glory says hesitantly. It sounds more like a question than a statement. Blair snorts before her flash goes off as she takes the picture.

"It's pass fixable. Call 1-800-delivery." I swat at her with the spoon in my hand. She dances away, quietly laughing.

"You know stabbing me in the heart would be less painful." I hiss over at her before turning back towards the stove.

"Don't be dramatic," Blair says, reaching around me to poke at the burnt food. I drop my head into my hands and resist tearing my hair out with my hands.

"Vanessa is going to be here soon. I don't have time for another attempt." I miserably state as I look at the clock. She would be here in a few minutes.

"I don't think our apartment can handle it." Blair looks at my face and steps back. She must see that I'm contemplating swatting at her again. One thing Blair Montgomery is is smart.

I leave the kitchen defeated, as I collapsed back onto our sofa. I stare up at the ceiling as I try to figure out what to do. I told Vanessa to not make a single thing, to let me take care of her. I regretted it already, knowing that I couldn't cook.

I had even snuck and snapped a picture at one of the easier looking recipes Vanessa had made from her cookbook. I had bought all the ingredients from the farmers market and it was all going well until I had to start assembling them.

"I wanted this to be perfect. I want her to look at me and see that I can do this," I groan loudly at the ceiling. I feel more than to see Glory come to a stop by the couch.

"I'm sure Vanessa will understand," She starts hesitantly, her eyes darting back to the kitchen as if she was scared the fail dish would rise to life and attack her. I couldn't rule out the possibility.