THE LEFTOVERS

24. Farmers Market

"12 eggs please," You said to the lady behind the desk.

You looked over at James who stood a couple metres away staring at the various stations. The two of you had been fairly quiet from this morning, both trying to find the right way of communicating with each other. No one was about to step on someone else's feet. It was somehow embarrassing finding that silver lining. You paid the lady and grabbed the eggs in your net as you walked past him, giving him a soft nod to continue walking.

"You okay?" You said looking up at him.

He nodded as you began walking down, as you came to the plant area. You smiled weakly as you looked around. There were so many to choose from, however you knew what you were looking for. A plant that was hanging down, that you could have in your bedroom. You found one that you liked and looked around for how to get it down. James was still in his own little world. You tried to tip toe, when suddenly someone familiar stepped up in front of you.

"Let me help you with that," The guy said around your age, bringing the plant down.

Bucky shook his head as he came back to himself, looking over at the two of you.

"Thank you," You said, trying to figure out where you knew the guy from.

"No problem," He said, finally looking down at you.

He laughed low.

"I feel like I know you," the guy said.

Bucky rolled his eyes, such a basic flirt.

"I feel like I know you too," you said, laughing low.

He reached out giving you the plant, but still held onto it as you reached out for it, both holding the plant. Bucky crossed his arms. What is going on right now? Did you really let another guy just flirt with you, right in front of him? Yes, you had agreed to only be friends, but c'mon. The wound was still open.

"Oh god, how embarrassing, I know where I know you from," He said laughing.

You tilted your head curious, waiting for him to continue.

"We met at the club around the corner from Thomas Street, a month ago," He said.

You laughed low trying to remember him. Guess you had drank too much, cause your memory couldn't sort him out. You went out weekly to that club, it was hard to track down. You looked out at the other plants. Was he a bartender there perhaps? Well if that was the case you would've known him better with regard to how much you used to go there.

"We made out," He laughed as he let go of the plant.

Oh shit. Right.

You grabbed your hands around the plant before you suddenly felt Bucky standing right behind you. Too close.

"Oh, I'm sorry, is this your boyfriend?" The guy said taking a step back.

"Him, noooo, nooo, no, he is not my boyfriend, ah ah, not him," You said not realising how dramatic you came off. You looked between the guys as you spoke, taking a step away from James.

"We are complicated," Bucky said, pressuring a smile on his lips.

"We are friends," You said, nodding your head as you looked up at the guy.

Bucky really disliked your tone. You made it seem like it was totally impossible that the two of you were together. Like a distant dream of a concept. Which was beyond stupid. You had literally woken up together in the same bed this morning. It sounded like you despised the idea of him, the way you spoke of him. Not only that, the fact that you met this guy a month ago, means that you met around the same time the two of you had started to get to know each other, which was even more ridiculous.

"Anyway, my name is George," He said, offering you his hand.

"I'm Y/n," You said, shaking his hand.

"I am James," Bucky suddenly bursted out, taking George's hands after yours.

Jesus, he was acting like such an idiot.

"Could I... Could I get your number by any chance? We could meet up for a cup of coffee or somet-" George asked.

"Y/n doesn't drink coffee," Bucky said with a smile.

You looked back at James, shocked by how childish he was being. You didn't even wanna go out with the guy, and you were going to dismiss him, but you truly wanted to do the opposite with the way James was behaving. The guy seemed very nice, but you weren't attracted to him. The only reason you kissed him that one night, was because of what James had told you the night before, to not be afraid to be intimate. George was already stained with the thought of James, which was why you didn't want to see him.

"I'm more of a tea person anyway," George said, the guy was too kind.

"I'm sorry for my FRIEND, and I would love to drink tea with you, but I'm currently not seeking anything beyond friendship at this moment," You shut in before James had the chance to shoot in any stupid comments.

George smiled weakly as he turned around and gave you a card.

"The plant is on me, let me know when you wanna drink tea," George said.

You gave him a soft smile with a nod, as you put the card in the bag. You began walking away from the stall. You were silent. You didn't want the George to hear what you were about to fire upon James. To say you were annoyed was an understatement. You were angry. Who was he to be acting that way in front of others. You didn't own him anything. You barely even knew each other.

"So how many other guys are you drinking late-night tea with?" James said.

Okay, you had enough. You turned around, facing him as you stumped your feet.

"It's fucking tea and biscuts," You almost shouted in a whisper.