Chapter 29
Bon Voyage
Tristan and Deimos were asleep in Tristan’s bed. Tristan was lying on Deimos’ chest with his arm over him. Francis was sleeping in the crook of Tristan’s legs and Oliver was spread out on the foot of the bed.
Suddenly, a loud, piercing scream filled the upstairs, jolting Tristan and Deimos awake. Tristan threw off the covers, grabbed his glasses, and put them on as he marched from his bed and out of his bedroom to investigate.
He went into Ivy’s studio to see Ivy in tears.
Ivy: “LOOK AT WHAT SHE DID!”
She pointed to a giant Ivy head with a shit-eating grin and a speech balloon that said, “OOOH, MONEY!” drawn on Victor’s charcoal piece. Deimos came in and folded his arms over his chest.
Deimos: “That was your emergency? A silly woman drew on your porn of your ex’s father?”
He asked dryly.
Tristan: “Deimos, we weren’t dating.”
Deimos: “Not officially.”
Ivy: “Why do you care? You’re in love with each other!”
Tristan: “Anyway, can you erase her drawing?”
Ivy: “No, Tristan! She did it in marker! SHE RUINED IT!”
She bawled.
Deimos: “I think she improved it.”
He said dryly. Tristan turned around to hide his smirk.
Victor came in dressed in his plaid housecoat.
Victor: “What is it, darling? What did Deimos do?”
He asked tenderly.
Deimos: “...Me?!”
He asked sharply. Victor looked at the scribble and looked at Deimos.
Victor: “Why did you do that, Deimos?!”
He asked sharply.
Deimos: “I didn’t do that, Mr. Trémaux.”
He fired back. Tristan furrowed his eyebrows.
Tristan: “Papa, don’t jump to erroneous conclusions! This isn’t something Deimos would do!”
He snapped. Victor drew back.
Deimos: “I wouldn’t deny it if I did, though.”
He shrugged.
Ivy: “CELESTE DID IT!”
She exclaimed. Victor turned to her and raised his eyebrows.
Victor: “Why would she do such a thing?! I gave her colored sidewalk chalk!”
He folded his arms and huffed.
Deimos: “Yes, Mr. Trémaux, you gave that to her, so she shouldn’t have done this.”
He said dryly.
Victor: “Tristan, you have to speak to her about this and Deimos about telling her to do this!”
He said sternly.
Deimos: “Yes, Mr. Trémaux, it’s my MO to tell people what to do instead of doing it myself. Where are you getting this from anyway?”
He fielded scathingly.
Tristan: “Papa, I don’t have a say in what Deimos or Celeste do and Deimos didn’t tell her to do this; she did this on her own.”
He said firmly. Ivy threw her arms up, grabbing the artwork.
Ivy: “I’ll go deal with her myself!”
She huffed. Deimos and Tristan watched her go. Victor knit his eyebrows and followed her.
Ivy’s heart sank when she stumbled into the kitchen and saw empty pop-tart boxes and Oreo wrappers across the floor. Her ire soared when she saw the limited edition chocolate espresso ice cream container rolling across the floor.
Ivy: “...Are those MY groceries?!”
She trembled.
Ivy: “What the hell is YOUR problem?!”
She snapped at her.
Celeste: “Did you buy them or did Victor buy them?”
She asked. Victor entered.
Victor: “I did! I bought them for her, not for you! If you want food, you buy yours or ask my son!”
He said firmly.
Victor: “I don’t appreciate the drawing you did on her artwork!”
Celeste: “Why not? It’s true, though, isn’t it?”
She shrugged. Ivy glared at her.
Ivy: “No, I’m not some gold-digging leech, like that stinky-foot bitch!”
She snapped.
Victor: “It was something she did for me! Something special to US!”
He cried.
Celeste: “It’s you naked. How is it special?”
She asked evenly.
Ivy: “It’s none of YOUR business! Stay out of our business and mind your own business. Don’t you have your own problems to deal with? Why are you here wreaking havoc?!”
She fired at her.
Celeste: “Tristan said I could stay. It’s his house.”
She drawled.
Tristan stormed in.
Tristan: “That’s right! No one runs anything by me, so why should I? I’m returning the sentiment!”
He snapped.
Victor: “Tristan, she ate her groceries and ruined her artwork!”
He cried.
Tristan: “Get more groceries for her, Papa. Make another art of you baring it all. Make it more special! I don’t see how a drawing of you is special, unless you mean it was an act to stroke YOUR ego!”
He shot his forefinger at him. Victor drew back.
Victor: “I don’t see how this is selfish, Tristan! If anyone is selfish, it’s you and your friends! You don’t care about my happiness and how I feel!”
He cried. Tristan growled at him.
Tristan: “First, you invited CRAIG to live in MY house knowing what a pig he is, and NOW THIS!”
He barked. Victor shrank and embraced himself.
Ivy: “I’m nothing like Craig and you know it!”
Victor: “Don’t do this, Tristan…”
He sobbed.
Tristan: “No, Papa, it’s imperative you listen to me.”
He said through clenched teeth.
Tristan: “YOU are going to replace Ivy’s groceries. As for Celeste… defacing Ivy’s art, Ivy can either paint over it, leave it, or do it over. She could lock the door so no one can enter but her.”
He said coolly.
Ivy: “That’s not fair! Why do we have to replenish and replace what she ruined?!”
She snapped, pointing at Celeste.
Celeste: “I don’t know, life isn’t fair. I didn’t touch those crappy TV dinners in the freezer. You can have those.”
She drawled.
Ivy: “No, YOU can have those! I don’t want that garbage!”
She snapped.
Oliver: “I can go through the door and let Celeste in!”
He growled. Victor turned to Oliver with tears in his eyes.
Victor: “Even Oliver hates me now! My son and cat grandson hate me!”
He cried. Ivy comforted Victor.
Ivy: “They don’t hate you. They’re just upset right now.”
She assured him. Victor ran away in tears up to his bedroom. Ivy sighed and went after him.
Celeste blinked. Tristan removed his glasses to rub his eyes and put his glasses back on. It’s too early for this nonsense, Tristan thought.
Celeste: “Is he taking whining lessons from Blair or some shit?”
She asked wryly. I don’t even know what Oliver said, Tristan thought.
~
At the Donati manor, Blair and Ashley were on the backyard patio discussing what to do for Thanksgiving. Blair put the pumpkin pie recipe card in the organizer for Ashley.
Blair: “Pumpkin pie is a must!”
Ashley: “Wow, pumpkin in a dessert?”
They gaped at him wide-eyed and intrigued.
Blair: “Yes, when we got groceries the other day, I told you about it!”
Ashley: “I know, I’m just amazed is all ‘cause we ate pumpkin as a dinner vegetable, so I’m totally excited to try it as a dessert!”
They smiled.
Deimos and Tristan came in.
Tristan: “Hello, Ashley, we’re here to pick up our macarons.”
He smiled and waved. Ashley eagerly shot up from their seat with a smile.
Ashley: “Ah, yes, your meowcarons are ready to go to their furr-ever homes now!”
They skipped into the kitchen to retrieve a woven basket with a paisley ribbon around it. A small card was attached that read “Baked by Branch.” Tristan raised his eyebrows. He was always impressed by Ashley’s presentation of their baked goods.
Demetrio came in pacing.
Demetrio: “This is most dreadful news, Blair. Our chef, Mario, had to return to the old country to visit a relative at the hospital. I am sympathetic to him but I have no one to cook for Thanksgiving!”
He threw his arms up. Ashley knit their eyebrows.
Ashley: “Oh no! I hope Mario will be okay!”
Blair: “Ashley and I are going through recipes! They could cook!”
He offered. Ashley’s eyes sparkled.
Demetrio: “No, Blair, they’re making the desserts! This is too much for them!”
He waved his hands around.
Deimos: “Hey, Blair, you could cook and help Ashley around to make up for them listening to all your whining.”
He said dryly. Tristan snorted.
Tristan: “I’m sure Ashley doesn’t mind after dealing with Maxx.”
He patted his shoulder. Blair glared hatefully at them.
Blair: “I don’t cook, you beatniks!”
Deimos and Tristan gaped at Blair as if he had three heads.
Tristan: “Try not to steal one-liners from your grandfather’s movies too much, Blair.”
He said dryly. Ashley scratched their head.
Ashley: “Uhh, what’s wrong with being a self-expressive artist?”
Tristan: “Ashley, hehehehehe, he’s repeating a line from an old movie; he doesn’t know what it means. It’s an outdated term.”
He explained. Deimos rolled his eyes.
Deimos: “Blair, there is a world outside of this house.”
He spat. Blair glared at Deimos. Ashley sighed, longing to explore the world outside of this house.
Syliva interjected.
Syliva: “Instead of reancting ‘Who’s Line Is It Anyway?” I propose a solution, Demetrio. I think Ashley will greatly approve.”
She nodded. Demetrio clapped his hands. Ashley’s eyes widened with curiosity.
Demetrio: “Of course, Sylvia! I would love that! This bantering will not solve anything!”
Deimos: “You don’t think?”
He asked dryly.
Sylvia: “He should be here any moment now.”
She said genially.
Ashley: “Oooh! I’m excited!”
They beamed, clasping their hands together.
They heard the door open and Lazaros stepped through wearing a sequin magenta suit.
Deimos: “A little overdressed, are we, Lazaros?”
He asked dryly. Ashley froze and their eyes sparkled at the sight of Lazaros in his magenta suit twinkling under the chandelier.
Ashley: “...H-hey, Lazaros… wow, you look like a psychedelic disco ball!”
Lazaros winked.
Lazaros: “This is a special occasion, Deimos! Sylvia invited me to help Ashley cook for the Donatis!”
He spread his arms. Ashley’s eyes widened.
Ashley: “Oh wow… we’re going to cook together?!”
Tristan: “Now it makes sense.”
He nodded.
Deimos: “If you’re helping Ashley cook for the Donatis, what about Thanksgiving with Makayla?”
Lazaros waved his hand. Ashley frowned and bowed their head.
Lazaros: “Why are you asking about her, Deimos? Voyage Burger is open! She sneaks out to eat that! Now she won’t have to! I really couldn’t care less because I have the honor of cooking for this wonderful family!”
He spread his arms out. Deimos and Tristan looked less than impressed. I guess I will avoid Voyage Burger, Ashley thought to themself.
Lazaros: “Are you two joining us?”
Deimos: “I’m spending Thanksgiving with Tristan.”
He replied.
Lazaros: “Oh.”
He paused and wrung his hands.
Lazaros: “Right, after all I do for you, Tristan comes first.”
He said with a saccharine smile.
Deimos: “Does it matter, Lazaros? This is what you want. I’m doing what I want, you do what you want.”
He said sharply.
Lazaros: “I am going to make the best meals and you’re being with him!”
Tristan rolled his eyes.
Deimos: “Wait until you find out Ashley gave Tristan a kitten—for free.”
He growled. Lazaros froze and gaped at Ashley.
Lazaros: “Oh… You must really like Tristan.”
He said with a smile as his bottom lip trembled.
Ashley: “Of course! Tristan is my friend and he was feeling sad and needed a kitty!”
They smiled. Lazaros’ bottom lip trembled and tears filled his eyes. Ashley knit their eyebrows when they saw he was upset.
Ashley: “Oh no, don’t cry, there are other kitties out there needing furr-ever homes!”
They assured him, patting his back.
Lazaros: “I can’t compete with Tristan! I cook the best meals and Tristan is number one!”
He cried. Tristan glared at Lazaros. Ashley tilted their head looking confused.
Ashley: “Compete? There’s no competition! You’re both great! Maybe if I get another kitty needing a furr-ever home, I can give them to you?”
They assured, Lazaros, stroking his back. Lazaros shivered. Tristan glanced at Ashley. It’s not about a kitten, he thought.
Tristan: “Oh, knock it off, Lazaros! They did this as a platonic favor! I am not interested in them!”
He snapped. Ashley scratched their head.
Ashley: “That’s right! Tristan is in love with Deimos!”
They beamed. Tristan turned to them and blushed. Deimos looked away, embarrassed.
Tristan: “Anyway, I’m savvy to your emotional manipulation. It won’t work on me!”
He shook his forefinger at him. Lazaros glared hotly at Tristan.
Lazaros: “Oh, right, Tristan tries to turn everyone against me!”
He cried. Deimos and Tristan both glowered at him.
Ashley: “Uhh, I don’t know about that?”
They scratched their head dubiously.
Deimos: “CUT IT OUT!”
He bellowed at Lazaros. Lazaros froze.
Deimos: “Tristan is NOT interested in Ashley nor is Ashley interested in him! Ashley doesn’t do this emotional manipulation bullshit as you do, Lazaros! Both of us are savvy to your game, so knock it off! I am NOT having Thanksgiving with you!”
He snapped and stormed off leaving Lazaros standing there. Ashley knit their eyebrows, giving Lazaros a sympathetic look.
Tristan: “I know your patterns, Lazaros. I was onto you from the day I met you. Have a nice day.”
He smirked and nodded.
Ashley: “Have a nice day, too!”
They beamed and waved at them.
Lazaros: “No kidding… He turned my brother against me.”
He embraced himself. Ashley placed their arm around him and hugged him. Lazaros looked at them with wide eyes and his dark violet eyes sparkled.
Ashley: “You look like you need a hug.”
They embraced him tightly and rubbed his back.
Lazaros: “Yes, I do…!”
Ashley: “Donut worry, you can spend Thanksgiving with us!”
They assured him.
Lazaros: “Of course, you only hired the best chef!”
He smiled. Ashley beamed
Ashley: “Ah, I’m so blessed!”
They beamed, clasping their hands.
Demetrio: “Blair, something else has come up! Your cousin, Vanessa, is living with us! My brother, Manilio’s new wife can’t handle her anymore and she’s coming from Apple City to live with us!”
He wrung his hands. Blair’s jaw hung open.
Blair: “WHAT?! WHY?!”
He cried. Ashley looked confused by his reaction to his cousin. Demetrio put his hands up.
Demetrio: “Blair, please. She’s your cousin. She has nowhere to go and we’re the only family she has. I don’t want to be like those people who put their sons to one side for their dead daughter!”
He said doggedly and saw Lazaros there. Lazaros looked away, scowling.
Demetrio: “My apologies, Lazaros! I didn’t mean it like that!”
Lazaros: “Doesn’t matter, Mr. Donati. You’re not wrong.”
He embraced himself and shook his head.
Ashley knit their eyebrows and pulled Lazaros into a hug.
Ashley: “...What does he mean by that? Are you okay?”
They asked softly. Lazaros drew a breath.
Lazaros: “If you’re wondering why Deimos and my parents are never around, it’s because neither wants to face that our sister died. They still have her nursery. It’s locked but there. It has been locked since she died.”
He explained with hurt. Tears welled up in Ashley’s eyes and they hugged him tightly. Lazaros gasped slightly when they hugged him. He felt so warm inside.
Ashley: “I’m so sorry, Lazaros! That’s so sad!”
They stroked his silk tresses down his back. Lazaros shivered.
Lazaros: “Th-Thanks, it is. But my brother and I dealt with it as best as possible.”
He smiled tightly.
Lazaros: “It’s our parents’ inner demons, not ours.”
Ashley locked his gaze on his deep violet eyes of sorrow. Demetrio snapped them out of their daze.
Demetrio: “Ashley, would you be a lamb and pick Vanessa up from the airport? Blair will accompany you.”
He nodded. Ashley scratched their head.
Ashley: “Oh, uh, sure! Bah! Bah!”
They replied, making a lamb impression. They all laughed.
Lazaros: “All right, I will come around later to discuss recipes with you and run them by you if they suit your liking.”
Ashley’s eyes lit up with excitement.
Ashley: “I’d like that…”
They said softly.
Lazaros: “Take care, Ashley. See you soon.”
He said softly and left.
Blair folded his arms across his chest with a scowl.
Blair: “This day is for the birds.”
He muttered. Ashley sighed happily.
Ashley: “No it’s not, it’s for the cats!”
They beamed giddily, thinking of cooking with Lazaros.
Blair: “Yeah, because you’re happy! I’m not happy!”
He pouted. Ashley knit their eyebrows.
Ashley: “Oh, no, what’s wrong, Blair?”
They pressed him.
Blair: “I don’t like Deimos, Lazaros, or Tristan, or my cousin is living with us because her stepmother doesn’t like her! It’s not fair!”
He stomped his foot.
Ashley: “Wow… that’s a lot of people… why don’t you like that many people? Why are you upset about your cousin?”
They asked.
Blair: “We didn’t get along as kids and Deimos and Tristan were mean to me and so was Lazaros!”
He replied hotly. Ashley tilted their head with confusion.
Ashley: “...Really? They don’t seem mean? What did they do?”
They asked.
Blair: “When I wanted to be Deimos’ and Tristan’s friend in high school, they didn’t want to be my friend, and Lazaros always ignored me! But he always had one-night stands with random people.”
He bowed his head.
Ashley: “Oh, I’m sorry, Blair! I want to be your friend!”
They assured him with a smile. Their smile then dipped.
Ashley: “Oh… I see.”
They forced a smile. I should have known. He’s so handsome and can be with anyone he wants so he wouldn’t want someone like me, they thought.
Blair: “At least you’re a real friend to me. Anyway, let’s go, Ash. Let’s get Vanessa.”
He stomped off.
Ashley: “Yeah…”
Their voice trailed off and they grabbed their car keys to leave.
~
At the airport, Blair and Ashley held a big sign that read, “DONATI.” Ashley decorated the sign with smiley sun faces. They saw various people get off the plane and walk past them.
They heard the clacking of heels on the linoleum floor. They saw a young white Italian-American woman standing at five feet and two inches with dark blue chin-length hair. She had large blue eyes with long lashes and wore a shimmering short pink dress with pink high-heeled sandals. She was Blair’s cousin, Vanessa Vitali. She dragged her pink suitcases on wheels. Ashley greeted her with a warm smile.
Ashley: “Hello! Nice to meet you! I’m Ashley! Oh wow! You and Blair look so alike, haha!”
They beamed.
Vanessa: “Hey, nice to meet you, too!!”
She chirped and hugged them. Ashley smiled at her and hugged her back.
Vanessa: “Hey, Blair, we haven’t seen each other in forever! Do you have a girlfriend or boyfriend?”
She asked.
Blair: “No, I don’t.”
He folded his arms over.
Vanessa: “Yeah, me neither! Men tend to like those party girls and not ones like me who write poetry!”
She whined.
Ashley: “Men like party girls?”
They scratched their head dubiously.
Ashley: “Oh, you write poetry?”
Vanessa: “Yup! Can we get something to eat? I heard Voyage Burger is here. Can you drive me to that?”
She asked. Ashley frowned.
Ashley: “Well, actually, we have food at home!”
They forced a smile.
Vanessa: “I really want to try Voyage Burger! It’s not in Apple City and I want to see it!”
She whined and stomped her feet. And it starts, Blair thought.
Blair: “Maybe we can go through the drive-through.”
He suggested.
Vanessa: “I wanna see inside, though!”
She whined. Ashley’s heart sank.
Blair: “We can order inside and take it home.”
He rolled his eyes.
Vanessa: “Why don’t you wanna go in, Ashley? Are you also one of those socially withdrawn people like Blair?”
She pouted. Ashley froze when she picked up on that.
Ashley: “...YES! And, I… don’t like… Vikings?”
They shifted their eyes and then grumbled. Vikings? Why did I say that? They thought to themself.
Blair: “That’s not true, Ashley! You don’t want to run into Makayla!”
He huffed. Ashley drew a long breath and bowed their head.
Vanessa: “She’s not gonna be there! Let’s go! I was on that plane for hours! I’m HUNGRY NOW!”
She ran around them flailing her arms. Ashley sighed.
Ashley: “All right…”
They relented.
~
After Blair loaded her suitcases into Ashley’s trunk, they drove them to Voyage Burger.
Vanessa: “What do you guys like to get here?”
She asked.
Blair: “That Ragnarok burger is good and their Odin rings are the best!”
He beamed, feeling famished himself. Ashley smiled a bit as they thought of the Odin Rings. Maybe it won’t be so bad? I’ll just get my odin rings and my meal and go, they thought.
Ashley: “Yeah, I usually order that with a Little Berserker meal and a Valhilnilla shake.”
They nodded.
Vanessa: “Is that a kid’s meal? Why do you get that, too? Do you have kids or a big appetite?”
Ashley: “Haha, both… I have a fur baby and I like to give her the toy!”
They chuckled a bit.
They turned into Voyage Burger’s parking lot. Craig was outside in his Burger Berserker mascot, holding a sign that read, “Buy One, Get One Free Destrukto Meal!” Ashley parked in a space and shut the engine off. Vanessa rushed out and rushed up to the mascot.
Vanessa: “HIIIIIII!!”
She waved her hands at him. Craig turned in their direction and laughed at them. Blair got out and followed her. Ashley followed closely to them, looking uncomfortable.
Craig: “HIIIII!”
He imitated Vanessa and waved his hands at them antagonisingly. She laughed.
Vanessa: “People here are so friendly! Why are you nervous, Ashley?”
She patted their shoulder.
Ashley: “He wasn’t being friendly. That’s Makayla’s brother. He and his stripper boyfriend are mean to me.”
They explained to her. Craig blushed when Ashley referred to Fabien as his boyfriend. Vanessa gaped at him.
Vanessa: “Oh…”
She hung her head.
Craig: “Yeah, well stay away from my sister!”
He hissed at Ashley.
Blair: “They are doing that! Vanessa wanted to come here to see inside!”
He fired back. Ashley opened the doors to enter and froze.
Ashley: “...Kinda impossible when she won’t stay away from me…”
They sighed when they saw her sitting over in the corner.
Fabien’s Shelby drove into the parking lot. He got out of his car and walked down to wave to Craig. Craig eagerly rushed over to him, greeting him like an excited dog. He saw Ashley with Blair and Vanessa.
Fabien: “Wow, buy one, get one free! That’s great news for the fat genderless blob! Now you can buy ten or twenty!”
He laughed. Craig laughed with him, putting his arm around him. Fabien looked up at him smiling.
Ashley: “I don’t want ten or twenty and I’m not a blob!”
Fabien: “Okay, my bad. You want forty or more?”
He laughed. Blair glowered at him.
Ashley: “No, I don’t want that either. I only want one.”
Fabien waved his hand at him.
Fabien: “I see the fat parade is on with the fat one’s groupies following him or her.”
He snorted.
Ashley: “...Parade?”
They looked around, confused.
Vanessa: “Why are you being so mean to her?!”
She snapped.
Fabien: “Oh, she’s not a girl… or a boy. Don’t misgender that fat thing.”
He laughed.
Ashley: “What’s your problem? Why do you keep following me around everywhere to be mean to me? Don’t you have like, a hobby or something?”
They cried.
Suddenly, Makayla stepped in.
Makayla: “HEY! LEAVE THEM ALONE!”
She stepped in and shoved Fabien, causing him to fall on the pavement. Craig saw red.
Craig: “OI! Kayla, the fuck are you doin’?!”
He rasped getting in her face.
Makayla: “Your stupid boyfriend was being a jerk!”
She fired back.
Fabien: “I was stating the truth! You can’t handle the truth and neither can this fat thing!”
He pointed to Ashley.
Makayla: “No, you were just being a dick because you enjoy being a dick.”
She shoved him again, causing him to fall back and scrape his knee. Ashley cupped their mouth and glanced over at Makayla.
Ashley: “Woah, woah, calm your farm, Makayla, there’s no need for this. I don’t need you to fight my battles for me! He was just saying mean words I’ve heard a million times from Maxx! He’s just another Maxx and not worth it!”
They cried.
Fabien: “I am NOT like your ex-boyfriend, you fat fuck!”
He rasped and glared at Craig.
Fabien: “Do something.”
He hissed.
Craig: “Oh, right!”
He picked up Makayla’s food, dunking it over Ashley. Fabien smirked. Blair and Vanessa gasped. Ashley glared at Craig through hot tears and something in them snapped as the dam finally broke.
Ashley: “LEAVE ME ALONE!”
They snapped at Craig through tears. They then turned to Makayla.
Ashley: “AND YOU TOO! You broke my heart and we’re through like a drive-thru! Stop interfering with my problems! You only make them WORSE!”
They snapped at her. Makayla recoiled, taken aback by their outburst.
Ashley: “THIS is why I didn’t WANT to come here!”
They cried at Blair and Vanessa. Vanessa drew back with tears in her eyes.
Vanessa: “It’s not my fault!”
Ashley: “Just piss off and peace out! Stay away from me!”
They said to Craig and Makayla and stormed off to the car in tears. Blair hung his head and sighed. Makayla looked heartbroken and bowed her head. Craig just laughed. Fabien smirked.
Tristan and Deimos showed up from Deimos’ car.
Tristan: “Would you mind telling me what happened or shall I guess?”
Blair: “I think it’s obvious, Tristan!”
He snapped.
Tristan: “I don’t deserve your hostility, Blair. I am not the cause of what happened to Ashley.”
He fired back.
Deimos: “He’s right. You know who works here and what he’s like. Anyway, maybe it’s for the best that Ashley faces their demons.”
He said evenly.
Vanessa: “I came from Apple City to live here and wanted to try their food but she did not want to come and I thought it was ‘cause she’s a loner like Blair!”
She whined.
Deimos: “This is on Ashley for not telling you why they didn’t want to come. Why wouldn’t you speak up, Blair?”
He challenged. Ashley bowed their head.
Blair: “I did! Vanessa insisted!”
He snapped and stomped his foot.
Fabien: “Yeah, that fat fuck is a major people pleaser and loves food. Read the sign. This is why he or she is here.”
He snorted. Craig laughed along with Fabien and put his arm around him. Deimos looked at Fabien’s Nuklear Intoxikation shirt.
Deimos: “You’re wearing a shirt of a dead band for him and his fragile ego. You don’t think that is a form of people-pleasing?”
He challenged. Craig flared at Deimos.
Craig: “It’s NOT dead! He wears it cos he loves my music and likes me!”
He huffed.
Fabien: “That’s right!”
He put his arms around him.
Makayla: “You want to talk people pleasing? Look no further than Craig. He is the BIGGEST people pleaser and please nobody! He let Veronika take over and call the shots only because he didn’t want her to leave him because he didn’t want to be alone because Andreas wouldn’t take him back. Then he jumped over to that asshole and grovels to his knees like a dog with him.”
She glared at Craig. Craig’s fury soared. Fabien scowled at her and looked at Craig to do something.
Craig: “FUCK OFF! I’m NOT a people pleaser! I didn’t let her do that ‘n I’M the DOM!”
He snapped.
Deimos: “She’s right, Craig. Nuklear is dead and Sex Bees is more of a band than Nuklear.”
He drawled. Craig glared at him and seethed.
Ashley emerged from their car and laughed bitterly.
Ashley: “Wow… imagine being worse than Maxx. His music is really bad, but like, he IS making music and leaving me alone.”
They shook their head. Craig clenched his teeth and knuckles.
Craig: “FUCK ALL OF YOU! I’LL SHOW YOU! A new era of Nuklear is comin’ ‘n you’ll be sorry!”
He shouted at them all. People laughed at him screaming in the costume.
Ashley: “Okay, dude, make music!”
They nodded. They then turned to Makayla.
Ashley: “You should focus on music too, Makayla…”
They sighed.
Deimos: “I agree.”
He nodded.
Lazaros was strolling his cart over to his car and saw the group. He noticed Ashley was amongst them and saw they were at Voyage Burger. He stormed over leaving his cart by his car.
Lazaros: “Ashley, what are you doing here? If you wanted some delicious food, you just had to ask.”
He smiled. Deimos rolled his eyes.
Ashley: “...L-Lazaros?!”
They froze and reddened when they saw Lazaros and felt overcome with humiliation covered in pieces of food in front of him. Ashley went to say something when Blair spoke.
Blair: “My cousin, Vanessa, wanted to come here.”
She nodded.
Vanessa: “HIIIII!”
Lazaros cringed and put his hands up.
Lazaros: “Yeah, well, neither of you have any taste.”
He waved his hands at Vanessa and Blair. Blair glared at him. Vanessa drew back hurt.
Lazaros: “I expected better of you, Ashley, but I am relieved you’re doing a favor to someone else. How generous of you.”
He smiled. Ashley bowed their head.
Ashley: “...I didn’t want to come here.”
They sighed, looking over at Craig and Makayla. Makayla glanced over at Lazaros.
Makayla: “What are you trying to pull here?”
Deimos: “It’s not enough you’re going to cook for the Donatis on Thanksgiving. I asked about your plans with Makayla. Does she not factor into the equation?”
He challenged. Makayla looked over at Deimos and then at Lazaros.
Makayla: “Clearly not.”
Lazaros: “Deimos, only you seem to care what she does. She comes here more often than in my kitchen anyway. She can have dinner with you and Wonder Boy.”
He waved his hand at Deimos and Tristan. Ashley tilted their head.
Ashley: “Uhh, Wonder Boy?”
Makayla: “You aren’t the boss of me, I’ll eat what I want and go where I want. It’s not like you want me around anyway! Okay then, I WILL have dinner with them!”
She fired back at him.
Lazaros: “Well, clearly Deimos and Wonder Boy care and don’t care if you consume that garbage. Neither want my delicious cooking because Wonder Boy said no.”
Tristan rolled his eyes. I am not going to give him the satisfaction of arguing with him, he thought. Makayla threw her head back and laughed at Lazaros.
Makayla: “Nah, Deimos and Tristan just don’t care about trivial stuff like what someone else eats. Who cares? You take yourself way too seriously. If you’re going to be like that then I don’t want your cooking and I’ll take you up on your suggestion and spend Thanksgiving with Deimos and Tristan.”
She countered. Ashley observed them. Wow, they really don’t like each other, they thought.
Lazaros: “Okay, Ashley, I look forward to discussing recipes we’ll be cooking on Thanksgiving with you.”
He placed his hand on their shoulder. Ashley shivered and smiled. Makayla glared at Lazaros.
Deimos: “Nothing to say to what she said?”
Lazaros: “I wasn’t paying attention. Was she praising Wonder Boy? Yawn!”
He scoffed. Makayla glared at Lazaros.
Makayla: “HEY! Don’t ignore me when I’m talking to you! Quit playing whatever you’re playing!”
She snapped at him.
Lazaros: “Makayla, the grown-ups are talking. Go fawn over Wonder Boy. Everyone else does, especially Fabien, but not as much as my own brother.”
He fielded scathingly. Tristan drew a breath. Deimos rolled his eyes.
Makayla: “Yeah, well, you fawn over Tristan the most. You’re clearly obsessed with him. I mean, you call him ‘Wonder Boy’.”
She laughed at Lazaros. Lazaros’ expression darkened.
Lazaros: “He turned my brother against me.”
He hissed through clenched teeth.
Makayla: “Oh, not because you’re a pompous dickhead?”
She countered. Lazaros furrowed his eyebrows and glared at her with hatred. Ashley knit their eyebrows. Craig burst out laughing, slapping his knees.
Makayla: “Let’s ask Deimos, shall we? Deimos, who turned you against Lazaros?”
She pressed Deimos.
Deimos: “Lazaros did. Lazaros kept bringing his one-night stands into OUR bedroom. When he lived at home, we shared a bedroom because we’re twins. He did that despite me asking him not to and they did the nasty while I was in my bedroom. That and CONSTANTLY taking Dad’s side over mine!”
He rasped. Ashley bowed their head and embraced themself, looking away from Lazaros. Makayla gestured to Deimos.
Makayla: “Okay, so, I was right then. It’s because you’re a pompous dickhead.”
She stated. She then looked over at Deimos.
Makayla: “You’re lucky they were only one-night stands and didn’t stick around to cause more trouble in your life.”
She said bitterly to Craig, thinking of Veronika and now Fabien.
Lazaros: “Deimos didn’t like them and then Dad didn’t either. I would have done what Deimos wanted but Dad said it was fine.”
He replied.
Makayla: “Okay, so you’re a people pleaser like my brother. Following daddy’s orders.”
She shrugged.
Tristan: “Just his father and then Deimos. It’s a hierarchy.”
Lazaros glared furiously at Tristan.
Deimos: “When I told Dad about doing something about our sister’s nursery, Mom had a breakdown and he slapped me. YOU chided ME for making him upset!”
He pointed at Lazaros. Tristan looked away. Makayla glared at Lazaros with disgust.
Lazaros: “Deimos, it’s his house and if he wants that nursery up, it’s his say, even if I don’t know why it’s there.”
He countered.
Makayla: “You’re exactly like HIM!”
She snapped and pointed at Craig.
Craig: “WHAT?! How the fuck am I like that snobby cunt?!”
Lazaros: “How am I like that caveman?”
He asked sharply.
Makayla: “You’re daddy’s lemmings and you don’t give a shit about anyone other than yourselves!”
Fabien: “You follow your father’s orders?”
He asked Craig. Craig scoffed.
Craig: “Pfft, he raised me to be a man so I wouldn’t end up like THAT!”
He pointed at Ashley and Blair.
Fabien: “He raised you well, then.”
He smiled.
Makayla: “Yeah, he raised him to be an emotionally stunted desperado. You didn’t tell him what you did when Andreas met our father, did you? Good luck with that. ”
She stated. Craig’s heart sank.
Fabien: “What did you do, Craig?”
He asked him and folded his arms over his chest.
Craig: “I didn’t do nothin’!”
He pouted.
Makayla: “Yeah, that’s right. You didn’t do anything when Leon was being a dick to Andreas and you wouldn’t tell him he was your partner because you didn’t want him to know you’re gay! That’s why you dated Veronika! To please him!”
Fabien drew back.
Fabien: “Is that true, Craig?”
He asked him. Craig knit his eyebrows and looked full of remorse.
Craig: “I had to!”
He sighed.
Fabien: “Then you must not have loved Andreas much. You’d do something for me, right?”
He asked and gazed at him. Tristan cupped his chin. He looked dubious.
Craig: “Oh, yeah, of course I would! I’d do anythin’ for ya, Fab!”
He assured him. Makayla shook her head.
Makayla: “Whatever.”
Tristan: “I will believe it when I see it.”
He finally said. Craig laughed and rolled his eyes at Tristan.
Craig: “What’s this got to do with you? I don’t got nothin’ to prove to you!”
He said, putting his arm around Fabien.
Tristan: “I’m wondering if your father were to visit, would you react the same way?”
He asked again.
Craig: “How’s your father goin’ anyway? Enjoyin’ your new step-mommy?”
He smirked spitefully. Tristan just laughed.
Tristan: “Never mind… I have my answer.”
He smirked.
Zoe came in on her scooter.
Zoe: “Out of my way, I gotta order for me and Larry.”
She drawled.
Fabien: “Oh, great, another lardass.”
He turned his nose up. Craig laughed at her.
Craig: “She looks like a tomato with a bowl on her head!”
He cackled.
Zoe: “Your band will never be better than Lord Kradula ov Khaos!”
Craig glared at her and laughed.
Craig: “Fuckin’ Dorkula?! Fuck off!”
Fabien: “Whatever, fatty. Larry’s band is just black metal Sex Bees.”
He waved his hand. Craig smirked and put his arm around Fabien.
Zoe turned to Tristan.
Zoe: “I think your father wants to marry Ivy.”
Tristan froze. Craig gaped and laughed.
Tristan: “What?”
Zoe: “He was talkin’ about proposals or somethin’.”
Craig burst out laughing.
Craig: “Oh fuck, she really is gonna be your step-mommy!”
Tristan: “Yes, it’s quite hilarious, isn’t it? I wonder if you will be laughing when your father visits and sees your living situation.”
He said through a forced smile.
Fabien: “I wonder that myself.”
He folded his arms over his chest.
Deimos: “That aside, isn’t your father rushing into this?”
Tristan: “He rushed into everything else. What’s one more thing?”
He muttered.
Craig: “I wonder… are ya gonna get a new baby brother or baby sister?”
He laughed.
Fabien: “Who cares if Tristan becomes a big brother?! Answer me, Craig!”
He flared hotly. Tristan smirked. Checkmate, Craig, he thought.
Craig: “What? What was your question?”
He pressed.
Fabien: “What will you do when your father comes?”
He asked again.
Craig: “I’ll cook him a big juicy steak ‘n have a beer with him.”
He stated. Fabien shoved him.
Fabien: “Sleep outside, Craig.”
He stormed to his car.
Craig: “OWW! What?! What did I do? What was that for?!”
Tristan: “Checkmate, Craig.”
He chuckled. Ashley glanced up at the sky.
Ashley: “Thank you karma!”
Lazaros: “And Tristan doesn’t turn people against others? Okay, well, you can find your stuff on my lawn and Wonder Boy can pick it up and take it to his palace. You can worship him and deal with his flaky, ditzy father and his crybaby wife-to-be. Maybe you will be happy there.”
He said to Makayla and flipped his hair.
Makayla: “Oh, that’s good, because I was leaving anyway. I’m glad you will be going through the trouble of picking up and moving all my stuff out of the house for me, thank you, Lazaros. You were my most unpleasant experience. Have fun sulking about Tristan. I guess your tactic to flirt with Ashley and pretend to like them to make me jealous of you didn’t work out. What was it you were saying about people turning against others?”
She nodded and looked over at Ashley. Ashley froze and gaped at Lazaros.
Lazaros: “Acting? Who was acting?”
He smiled widely. Ashley blushed. Makayla rolled her eyes.
Makayla: “Oh please. Ashley, don’t buy into this, he’s only pretending to flirt with you. He’s not sincerely into you.”
Ashley frowned.
Ashley: “...Why is that? Because no one could ever be into me?!”
They cried.
Makayla: “No, because Lazaros is a snake.”
Lazaros: “If you say so, only you could be into them, right?”
He smirked tightly. Makayla shook her head and turned to Ashley.
Makayla: “If you want me to leave you alone… I’ll respect your wishes, Ashley. I know I fucked up and I’m sorry for ruining what we had… I regret that, but I gotta live with my choices. Live ‘n learn, I guess. Best of luck. You’re going to need it.”
She said to Ashley, placing her hand on their shoulder and glaring at Lazaros. Ashley sighed and pursed their lips.
Lazaros: “Enjoy your life… and you too, Craig. Looks like it’s the streets for you. Makayla gets a palace of crazy people.”
He smiled and turned to Ashley.
Makayla: “I was already in an empty palace with a crazy person.”
Lazaros: “See you soon, Ashley.”
He walked away feeling proud of himself. Ashley smiled a bit at him. Is it true? Does he actually like me?! They thought.
Ashley: “Oh, uhh, later gator! Uh, later Lazaros!”
They fumbled and felt humiliated with themselves and their awkwardness.
Blair and Vanessa came out of Voyage Burger.
Blair: “While you guys argued, I took her in and it was nice!”
He smiled.
Vanessa: “Yeah, they’re Odin Rings are SAH-WEET!”
She cheered and shot her fist up. Makayla smiled at her.
Makayla: “Shit yeah, their Odin Rings are the best!”
Vanessa: “I loved the chocorok shake, too! I love milkshakes!”
Makayla: “Me too! Try the Valhilnilla one next time!”
She winked.
Tristan smiled awkwardly and rolled his eyes.
Tristan: “What will you do, Makayla? I know Lazaros likes to make decisions for others but what do you want? I am afraid there is no room at my place and I don’t know if it would be the best place for you.”
He said evenly.
Makayla: “I have nooo idea, but living on the streets is better than living with that jerk.”
She kicked her heel.
Tristan: “I do believe this worked out in your favor. You were clearly not each other’s person.”
He added.
Makayla: “No, I’m glad that’s over now. What was I thinking shacking up with that pompous jerk?! I hurt Ashley and ruined what we had over THAT?!”
She shook her head, disappointed in herself and full of remorse.
Makayla: “I guess I should’ve gotten to know him before bedding him down and moving in with him, huh.”
She said in jest to mask her pain.
Tristan: “You were lonely. He was lonely and in an abusive relationship with Jaclyn. You two reached out to each other in both of your times of need and now that Jaclyn has left, the thing that bound you two is gone and it’s time to part ways and move on to people who are for you.”
He explained. Then he wonders if this ties into his father. He awoke from a coma and he felt that the housefire just happened recently.
Makayla: “Huh, yeah, that makes a lot of sense! You’re very wise! Are you a psychiatrist or something?”
She nodded and smiled. Tristan blushed a bit.
Tristan: “Hahahaha, no, I am not but I was told by many I should be! No, I’m a lawyer.”
He nodded.
Deimos: “Anyway, I have a full basement apartment in my house. It has a bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom. It’s also next to the laundry room. Might be best to go there and not near Victor and Ivy. Believe me, the less you know the better you are. Celeste might steal your food but I would take that over whatever the Hell Ivy and Victor are doing.”
He said dryly. Tristan hung his head.
Makayla: “Oh, that’s so kind of you! Are you sure? I know Lazaros is your brother and all.”
She replied. Deimos nodded.
Vanessa: “What are they doing?”
Deimos: “The less you know, the better off you are.”
He repeated, getting annoyed.
Vanessa: “Why?”
Tristan: “It’s a difficult topic. My apologies but we’ll circle around it later, perhaps?”
He said firmly but gently.
Vanessa: “What about the guy in the burger suit?”
She pointed to Craig sulking.
Deimos: “What about him? That’s not our problem. There are homeless shelters or he can sleep in a doghouse.”
~
Craig showed up on Fabien’s lawn and found he couldn’t get in because he changed the locks.
Craig: “Hey! Fabien! Open up, the key doesn’t work!”
He pounded on the door. Fabien brushed the curtain aside and flipped him off.
Fabien: “NO! Sleep on the lawn! I’ll find a new man!”
He cried.
Craig: “What did I do?! Why are you mad at me?!”
Fabien: “You’re going to do to me what you did to Andreas! LEAVE ME ALONE!”
He snapped and cried.
Craig: “What?! That’s what this is about? Look, I had to do what I did! I… was… sc–never mind, you wouldn’t understand!”
He pleaded. Fabien shut the curtains and the lights off. Craig sighed and collapsed on the lawn, curling up to sleep under the stars.
Someone walked up to him wearing gumboots. It was Hector wearing overalls, a plaid shirt, and a farmer’s hat.
Hector: “I’m a worm farmer! Why are you sleeping like that? Are you sleeping with the worms?! Worms won’t be in that soil!”
He pointed to Craig. Craig glanced up at him.
Craig: “Wha? Nah, mate, I’m not sleeping with no worms! Fabien kicked me out!”
He pouted.
Hector: “Oh, you can sleep at my house! I can help you get him back!”
He said proudly. Craig brightened.
Craig: “R-Really?! Cheers, mate, you’re a legend!”
He gasped and shot up to his feet.
~
Hector led him upstairs to one of the spare bedrooms. It was a bed with a log wood frame, a green plaid bedspread, and wooden nightstands and a dresser. Jaclyn stomped out of her room in a negligée, her hair in a towel and a mud mask on her face. She saw Craig in the room and felt her fury soar. She let out of a scream louder than any scream before. Her scream could be heard throughout the entire neighborhood.
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