the competition begins
"move out of the way!" i heard a shout from outside of my door. suddenly Nikki came charging in Teddy following close behind. "where are the others?" i asked sleepily rubbing my eyes. "back at home, i needed to come tell you something," she said almost out of breath, "you are making it out to be more than it is," Teddy said in frustration, i looked at them both in complete confusion,
"whatever are you taking about?" i said now began growing irritated that i had been woken from my sleep and was yet to know why. "Laurie came into the bakery this morning with Louise and i overheard them making plans for a sleepover, just them by the way," she said, i felt my eyes widen and my stomach drop. i had to put a strong face one, like the boy said yesterday, nothing official. "whatever, i'll just come back on my own," i shrugged, Teddy looked at me shaking his head,
"Louise and i have not seen each other in a while, we thought it would be a nice idea, but i will just come back if you want," he said, there was obvious annoyance in his voice. i shook my head,
"do whatever Laurie, i am probably going to have an early night anyway," i lied.
"Laurie," he mumbled with a roll of his eyes, his words under his breath, he then walked out and closed the door.
Nikki came closer and sat on my bed,
"you are a good friend Nikki," i said pulling her into my arms, she smiled proudly. "i know," she chuckled.
"you should her seen the way she flirted with him this morning Blair; he didn't even try to push her away or anything, i was shocked. i thought there was something blossoming between the two of you finally," she continued. i gulped deeply, "i guess i did too," my shoulders shrugging with my words.
"i can stay here if you want? we can just do something else while the others go to their house," Nikki said but i shook my head. "if he wants to have sleep overs with Louise i don't wait to spoil his fun, the least i can allow myself to do is have some fun of my own," i smiled. Nikki nudged my shoulder, "Alfred seemed quite fond of you," she laughed, i rolled my eyes,
"of course he did," i said sarcastically.
-
Nikki and i had took a carriage to the Lexington's estate, Teddy followed closely in the one behind. the others had all made their way their prior in the day. we arrived at the manor, it reminded me of my own in England, i was shocked that i'd never seen it before. "bloody hell," Nikki said looking at the large gates, "reminds me of your place," she then said, great minds think alike.
we were escorted in by one of their staff, as we walked through the marble walls of the great home i began to wonder just why i had never heard of this family before. we were lead through some large oak doors finally stopping to see the group with great smiles on their faces. the room was large and filled large sofas and chairs, alongside giant cushions and other comfort items. "finally," Enzo chuckled looking to us, we sat down with the group, i was next to Nikki and Manon while Teddy avoided me after greetings and made a beeline to sit next to Louise who had a smug look on her face as she watched my every movement.
"right, the chefs are cooking up a storm, it should be ready soon, so in the mean time i think we should all get to know each other more," Alfred smiled while rubbing his large hands together. "never have i ever? with shots," Louise said walking to the liquor cabinet and pulling bottles and glasses, Teddy was quick to rise to help her, the gentleman in him always taking over. "never have i ever, kissed someone in this room," Louise said with a smirk, i must say i was confused when she took a shot, well everyone in the room took a shot but Alfred, which was obvious for some but her eyes following mine made me suspicious. "new rule, we vote for someone to explain their drink every round," i said quickly, the group nodded.
without even another breath i shouted, "i voice Louise," i smiled, the rest of the group cheering and shouting Louise's name. she smirked and shrugged her shoulders, "i guess i will tell, Laurie and i actually kissed this morning," her words made my whole head feel light. my breath was sucked from my body. really? this morning? i thought we had something. i looked to the boy who's eyes were planted on the floor, he finally looked up and my glossy eyes and instantly diverted his guilty frown.
"never have i ever had a crush on someone in this room," Manon smiled nudging my shoulder, she knew what she was doing, she had already planned the perfect revenge for me without even letting me in on it. "he will get his karma," she whispered before taking a shot of her drink. everyone in the room took a drink this time, even Alfred. "i vote Blair," Manon perked up, "as do i," Enzo and Nikki said at the same time. "Blair, Blair, Blair," Jo and Tessa chanted together, "i guess it's Blair then," Louise said, Laurie not lifting his head from the floor.
"well, i kind of met this really sweet guy in Italy, and i think watching him write all day by the lake with the sun kissing his skin kind of gave me a little crush for him.
i guess his personality now adds to it a little," i said smiling at Alfred, "boy who i was expecting but i am honestly living for this," Tessa clapped with a wide smile.
Alfred smiled at me and shot a joking wink, i watched from the corner of my eye as Teddy rolled his eyes at the interaction.
the alcohol was not reaching my brain and i felt myself growing more and more infuriated as i thought of Laurie and Louise kissing. "never have i lied about loving someone," i said, my voice almost echoing through the room, "guess i'll drink to that, i'll never know why i told Justin Francis i loved him when i was 16," Tessa laughed remembering her days of fun at our old school. "do not get me started on Justin Francis," Manon started laughing uncontrollably remembering the days Tessa would try and hide from him as he searched for his 'true love' on the school campus. "drink up, it's happened more than once Laurie," i mouthed silently to the boy, he shook his head, "once," he mouth back and drunk.
that was a lie, he told Julia he loved her as well as telling me that he loved me, unless he really did love her before i came.
"drink, do not give him the satisfaction," Nikki whispered, i nodded and shotted my drink. Louise watched as i placed my glass back down, her smile causing me to feel uneasy.
"never have i ever been the second choice," she said, her voice so full of venom yet sounded so sweet. "sip sip," she mouth to me, everyone else was so shocked by the question that they didn't see her movement. i quickly took my drink back and swallowed, to my surprise Alfred followed. he smiled at me and nodded his head, "twins i guess," he chuckled. "i vote Alfred to tell his story," i said, he smiled softly, "if you're comfortable," the group nodded in agreement. "i once met this girl in Italy, i may have developed crush for her. the day she left i was ready to ask her on a date yet she never came back and i soon found out that after she fell for another," he said his eyes never leaving mine. "but i see that it may have changed," he added with a soft smile. we were staring into each others eyes sweetly for a minuet or so before Teddy stood and loyalist announced, "i am assuming food will be ready?" he said clapping. "indeed," Alfred smiled nudging Laurie playfully.
"i heard that you'll be returning to your home alone? surely that can't be safe, you must allow me to at least assist you, or you may stay here as Laurie will be anyhow," Alfred said walking beside me, behind the rest of the group. "i really should not, i do not want to be a pain, but that you ever so for the sweet offer," i smiled placing a grateful hand on his shoulder. "i insist," he smiled, "you may sleep in the room attached to my own, i'm sure it's smaller than the one you sleep in at home yet i assume you may want to be closer than the west wing, Teddy had taken the last room in the East for tonight," he said continuing to walk.
"you're ever so sweet Alfred," i smiled up to the boy, "but i must not, i have no clothes, no sleepwear, nothing," i said but he shook his head. "i think you may be unaware that my mother is a dress designer, we have an excessive amount in every size you could think of in the lower group level," he chuckled. my eyes widened. "you just show me," i said taking both of his hands and jumping in excitement. he looked towards the group who were turning the corner into a another room. he held my hand tightly and began to run with a hearty laugh. i smiled as he pulled me through the great halls of his home.
we travelled down some stairs and he pulled a cord by the door. four lights flickered on revealing a room almost every young girl could have dreamed of. dresses in all colours imaginable, i felt my feet taking me around without consciousness. "it's beautiful Alfred," i said with a sigh, "thank you," a woman's voice came from the stairs of the room, i quickly turned in shock to see who i assumed was his mother. "oh mother, i was just letting Blair see your work, she's quite amazed," he chuckled, i blushed lightly as the mother came closer to me.
"i must say, you're a beautiful girl Blair, no wonder sweet Alfred here would not stop taking about you at dinner last night," she smiled with a small laugh. "much to Louise's disappointment," she chuckled under her breath. i do not think i was meant to hear that, but it did make me smile. "you must tell Blair that she had to stay the night, i just can't let her travel home alone," Alfred said to his mother, she nodded quickly. "Blair dear, i can not let you leave my home alone, if anything happened i would blame myself," she said taking my hand softly and walking me down the isles of dresses.
"you're a blue girl aren't you?" she smirked, i nodded looking at the amazing selection of the sky coloured pieces in front of me. "how'd you know?" i smiled,
"i can just tell," she winked with a smile before pulling a dress from the racks.
"a gift," she said passing the dress to me but i stepped back, "i mustn't," i said holding my hands up but she shook her head. she softly placed the baby blue dress in my arms, the lace sleeves were held to the wrists by soft blue silk, the dress flowed softly with small gems situated in the middle of spaced out lace flowers. it was a work of art.
"you're too kind ma'am," i smiled, "i must at least give you something in return, how much would this retail for?" i asked but she again shook her head, "a friend of my sons is a friend of mine, and friends pay no price," she said pulling me into a soft hug. "we better be getting back to the group," Alfred chuckled, "i will get this sent to Alfred's room," his mother took the dress from my hands with a small smile before waking out.
we made our way back to the group who were delving in on the immense amount of food at the insanely large dinner table.
"finally," Tessa said patting a seat next to her, i joined her while Alfred took a seat near Enzo, "you know i am pretty confused, one week he loves you and is ready for marriage, then the next week he just pretends nothing happened," Tessa sighed watching Laurie and Louise talk quietly. "tell me about it," i laughed.
"so where did you guys disappear off to?" Nikki winked knowing exactly what she was doing. "the basement," i chuckled, knowing it would cause confusion to the people who had no clue what was down there. "to see the dresses," Alfred chimed in, reviving a glare from Laurie.
"you guys better be getting off soon, it's getting dark," Laurie said looking from the window, "actually i am staying tonight, with Alfred," i smiled. Teddy looked at me with furrowed brows as did the blonde girl next to him. "but the guest room in our wing is taken by Laurie?" Louise said still with furrowed brows,
"she's staying in my room," Alfred smiled to me. this was when Laurie's face completely dropped. "clothes?" Louise chimed in again, "mother gave her one of her dresses," Alfred chuckled. Louise's face was now mirroring Laurie's.
"what?! mother gave one of her dresses to her! HER! she barely knows the girl and is handing things out willy nilly!" Louise shouted with a stomp of her foot, i looked at Tessa who was trying not to laugh while Manon and Enzo were both almost crying from trying to hold their laughter in.
"told you," i said to Laurie causing confusion to the group. "it was one time Blair, calm down, it's not a witch hunt, leave the poor girl alone," his voice irritated me. "the poor girl! i haven't said a bad word to her, look at her, she's steaming at the ears because of a dress!" i shouted now. Louise was still full of fury, i looked at her with a fake smile. "sorry Alfred but i think i will have to leave," i said standing and beginning to walk away. he soon chased after me and took my hand softly, "please do not let my obnoxious sister ruin your night, i would like to know you better, please give me the chance," he said looking directly into my eyes. "i guess i will stay for you," i chuckled looking at him.