In Spite Of...

Chapter 2

Contrary to Blair's desire to simply be nonexistent, she could sometimes mentally admit she liked to exist. But it was during the simpler days. Those rainy days that died down in the evenings. That made it humid outside, far to warm to wear a jacket.
And she didn't like that the weather decided to change so drastically. For today was a grocery shopping day.
She'd tromped down the few blocks it took to get to the local grocery store. Some of the cashier's greeted her when she walked in. They were well aware of Blair's habit of shopping later in the day.
The store was almost empty aside from the cashier's and she was glad. The evening never brought the same fresh fruits and veggies her way but it felt more comforting being around no other people.
Her feet carried her through the aisles slowly and methodically until she reached the produce section. She walked along it, stopping to inspect each produce closely. She chose some strawberries, a couple of onions and garlic cloves. The next section contained tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers and zucchini.
She was careful to choose items with lower prices. Picking quantities that would hold her for the month.
Her focus on the task kept her from noticing someone creeping by. It was to late to react when she turned to face Clark.
After the other day she didn't think about him at all. It wasn't as if she could avoid him with the fact that he was her professor now. But it would have been nice to not see him during shopping time. It was far to sacred.
"Blaire Bear." he greeted smoothly.
She grimaced at the old nickname. It rang in her head but in Clark's younger high pitched voice. She'd have preferred it that way.
"Um, hi." Blair responded. "What are you doing here?"
He shrugged with feigned innocence. "Just going grocery shopping. What are you doing?"
Blair shrugged. "Shopping." And she grabbed her basket and turned to walk away.
Clark followed like the golden retriever he used to be.
"I'm glad I got to see you the other day."
"Mhmm."
"I didn't know you got into college. What with the talk of traveling I thought you'd be halfway across the world or something." Clark teased.
It seemed lighthearted. Nothing mocking or rude but it annoyed Blair. She kept walking at a gradually quicker pace. Clark's long legs were able to keep up quite effortlessly.
They stopped around the deli area and Blair faced him. "What is it? What do you want?" She tried to smile or at least show some kind of pleasantry. It might have been obvious she didn't want to talk to him but the least she could do was be polite about it.
Her attempt at a nice smile made Clark chuckle. "You've changed Blaire Bear. Where did your soft girlish demeanor go?" He leaned against the deli case. His hand on his chin as he examined her, a glint in his eye. "I've missed you you know? How have you been? How's your pop doing?"
She looked around the empty area. Her eyes took extra care in surveying the many colors of every item. All blurry with the distance but pretty in a weird sense.
"Um, great." Blair told him.
"Cool. I hope his backs doing better these days."
"Mhmm."
They stood in silence. Blair shifted and fidgeted with her basket. Clark stood taller now with his hands on his hips. Feet apart like he was some dad looking out at his kids playing soccer. Lips pursed as if the imaginary game was going just fine.
After a moment Blair turned to walk away again. She felt a hand grab her arm and she slightly turned.
"Blair we should hangout again." Clark sounded excited.
She tried to pull away and he let her arm slip from his grasp. He placed both hands firmly behind him and continued smiling.
Blair turned fully to look at him. She raised an eyebrow and gave him a small shake of the head. "No thanks."
He chuckled quietly. "Why not?"
Her mouth quirked up as she started to back away. "I've got classwork and stuff. And I'm sure you're busy enough with your job as a professor now."
"Not at all," Clark said following after her. His steps fell in line with hers. "Have you tasted the new seasonal drinks yet? We could get the hot pumpkin ones. I haven't had one in so long."
"Ah...uh...Sure." Blair stuttered out.
They made it to the register and she was trying to figure out why he was still hanging around her at this point.
He didn't say a word as the cashier checked her out. And he followed all the way to her apartment complex. When they got to her floor she was ready to say something.
But Clark walked to a door down the hall. He pulled out a set of keys and opened the door. With himself halfway in he waved off Blair.
"Night neighbor. Let's get together sometime okay?" he chimed before closing his door.
She stood there for a moment looking  blankly at the closed door before shaking her head. She turned away and went into her own apartment.
It would be a blessing to avoid him as much as possible.