Our Sour Memories

Chapter 2 - The anticipated reunion

Lemongrab and Esme were dropped around the back of the castle to be let in through the private tunnel, so was to not be seen by the public in case the candy people panicked. Walking through the narrow, dull passage, Lemongrab could feel sweat start to drip down his forehead. In a matter of moments he was going to see his co-ruler and creator again and the doubt suddenly overcame him like a tsunami. Each step along the dusty floor kicked up more emotions that Lemongrab still didn't understand. These steps got closer and closer together until he stopped all together. Esme turned around to see him standing in the middle of the path, staring blankly at the floor. "Come on Lemongrab, being late won't be a good first impression." Esme stated. However Lemongrab gave no response. "Still worried they won't trust you?" Lemongrab still kept his lips shut. In reply he slowly nodded his head. Esme walked back to him and places her hand on his shoulder, rubbing it gently to comfort him. "Hey, don't worry. I promise everything will go as planned"

"What plan is that?" Lemongrab asked softly.

"Oh yeah, sorry I didn't tell you. Well, there is a small room up ahead where I told PB and Lemonfriend to meet us." Lemongrab lifted his head to meet her soft eyes. His expression had faded in to a deep concern. "What's wrong with that?" Asked Esme.

"Well, princess bubblegum is easy to talk to. She was my creator and I know exactly what to say, but with Lemonfriend, I have no idea. Now that I... Have these complicated emotions towards him what if I mess things up and it all goes terribly wrong. I'll lose him forever. I will be heart broken. I know I really hurt him before, but I would hate it if he ever went away." Lemongrab stared back to the floor and crossed his arms. Esme kept silent for a few moments. She had never seen Lemongrab like this. He was like a child who lost his mother. Lonely and distressed.

"You're just nervous; I promise everything will be fine." Esme smiled at Lemongrab and gave him a friendly hug for confidence. He embraced the hug and a small smile crept across his face. "See, you think you haven't changed much, but 13 months ago you would have never let me do that. Why, you wouldn't even shake my hand." Lemongrab chuckled lightly and wandered over to the room with Esme by his side. He thought to himself, he could do this.

As they opened the door to the room, they noticed it was empty. No sign of anybody. However in the room there was a pink wooden table and chair set that looked ancient. Two windows were opposite the door and had detailed, stain glass drawings of flowers, vines and birds on them. Curtains were more or less drawn and they were tied back by large strings of strawberry laces. Through small gaps in the windows, you could see clearly outside to the back of the castle. Below the windows a soft, dusty sofa was placed exactly between them. It was pearl white. Probably made out of marshmallows, since the whole Kingdom was made of candy. The same sofa was sitting to the left of the other, facing the table. Scattered around the room, paintings and pictures were propped against the walls. This was obviously not a room in use. Maybe just for storage. There was also a gap in the wall that lead to another little room. It was darker and more private, like a bear den. Lemongrab started to gaze at all the paintings, taking in the beauty of the art work. Esme glanced at the clock and realised it was almost time. "They will be here in a minute, how you feelin'?" Lemongrab turned to her and shrugged his shoulders.

"Better but still have butterflies." He confessed.

"That's normal, don't worry." Esme smiled and patted his on his back. Time started to creep by, a second turned into a minute. A minute into many. The clock continued to tick, but no sign of PB or Lemonfriend.
"I knew it! They don't want to see me." Lemongrab jumped up from the sofa and started to pace up and down the room. Anticipation took over him and he couldn't settle.

"I'm sure their coming. They are probably just as nervous as you are." Esme explained.

"No, they're scared of me." Lemongrab snapped. "To be honest though, even I was scared of me, what I had become. They must have been terrified... Especially Lemonfriend. I can't believe I..." Lemongrab's words trailed off, his eyes started to tear up from the memories engraved in his brain. Taking a deep breathe in, he calmed himself.