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The school years was coming to a close which didn’t mean much to the younger kids in Bayville, but for those that were about to graduate it did mean quite a lot. And prom was looming for everyone. Which most had no issues with getting ready for prom. Alexander was taking Talia, Hope was taking Jessa as they were dating again, and Gabriel was taking Bianca. Emma was just going to go stag because she refused to go with any of the boys in her class and flat out told Apollo if he asked her one more time she’d fry his brain so he’d think he was a five year old girl. Blaire had little choice about going stage her boyfriend, Tristan was at a three day rodeo in Ada, Oklahoma during prom. She was just glad to know he was going to be in Bayville for her actual graduation. Samuel was also going stag not really wanting to ask any of the local girls and knowing he couldn’t ask the girl he really wanted because she’d already made her choice to be with Tristan. Tristan wasn’t thrilled his job was going to have him miss an important night with Blaire, sure he knew he’d get to be there when she graduated but he wanted to be there to see her wearing that dress he’d sent him a picture of on the hanger. To make up for not being there Tristan had placed an order for white orchids to be delivered the day after the dance to Blaire from Flowers of The Nile.
Landon, Lily and Rachel had come in from the city to help Demitri since it was prom and he was over loaded with more orders than he could handle alone. Landon was going through the orders helping make the flowers from a stack of dried leaves, as he needed organic material to make something unlike his Uncle Demitri who could make flowers from nothing. He looked to the next order and yawned. “Dozen white orchids for Blaire?”, Landon said looking at the order. He checked the form and nodded seeing it was Tristan. Before he could start on the flowers the phone started ringing. It was chaos out in the front of the shop so Landon rolled to the phone. “I’ve got it!”, Landon yelled to make sure his Uncle, cousin and girlfriend knew it was covered. “Flowers of the Nile, Landon speaking. How may I help you?”, Landon greeted. “Good Landon it’s you. Do you have an order for my cousin Blaire from Tristan?”, Atif questioned. Landon furrowed his brow finding it very weird to get a call in the middle of the afternoon his time from his best friend Atif to the flower shop. “Um hi and miss you too Atif. And yeah I’ve got the order in front of me. Why?”, Landon questioned. “Oh yes, hello and I miss you of course. Does that order say for delivery?”, Atif asked. “Um yes. Of course. Tristan’s not due in town till graduation. What is going on dude?”, Landon asked. “I had a vision about those flowers and tonight. Make them for pick up. He’ll be late but he’ll be there for them tonight.”, Atif said. “Are you sure?”, Landon asked. “Am I ever wrong?”, Atif countered. Landon shrugged. “Fair enough man. For pick up it’ll be. Anything else?”, Landon said. “Nope that’s all. See you in a few weeks to celebrate your twenty first when we come home for June.”, Atif said. “Alright see you guys then. Say hi to Rose and Billy for me.”, Landon said. “Will do, later.”, Atif said hanging up. Landon turned back to the table and made the flowers for pick up with a separate note before going about filling the other orders.
Tristan had gotten eliminated early from the tournament and took the opportunity to take the truck, his dad agreeing to catch a ride with one of the guys, and drive the near twenty-four hours to Bayville. He actually made it in twenty-two, giving him some time, though apparently less than he thought. He stopped at a store and got himself a suit then checked into a hotel to shower and shave. The seniors of Bayville high were all getting ready for the prom, Blaire having forced a smile for her pictures before getting into the limo with her friends missing Tristan. They’d already arrived at the school and gone into the gym by the time Tristan was dressed in his dark brown suit with a gold tie that he’d nearly given up on wearing it gave him such trouble. Then he rushed to the truck and hoped to get to the flower shop in time to pick up the flowers. He pulled up on front and frowned seeing the closed sign and lights off. “God damn it.”, Tristan cursed punching the steering wheel. But then hope came to him as he saw Demitri stepping out the doors to lock up. Tristan hurried out of the truck and ran over. “Mister Shadow…please don’t lock up yet.”, Tristan begged. Demitri raised an eyebrow looking at Tristan not knowing who the hell he was. “Huh?”, Demitri asked confused. “Tristan Whitland, I ordered a dozen white orchids for my girlfriend Blaire Delaney. I originally wanted them delivered cause I was supposed to still be in Oklahoma but I’m here and I want to take them to her so I can take her to prom.”, Tristan explained speaking in one breath. Demitri nodded. “Oh right. Um those probably aren’t done. I didn’t make them because they were to be delivered.”, Demitri said. Tristan frowned again and Demitri sighed. “I’ll check though. It was busy today and Landon was helping so who knows.”, Demitri said unlocking the door and heading to the back. Tristan stood out front fingers crossed that he could show up with the flowers for her.
Demitri walked back out holding the bouquet. “You lucked out kid. Landon got the order done though for some reason put them in the pickup rather than delivery section in the back.”, Demitri said offering up the bouquet that had a note stapled to the tissue paper. “Thank you soo much sir.”, Tristan said taking the bouquet. He noticed the little note and carefully pulled it off and read it aloud. “Rodeo Clown, You owe Atif. The seer called and said you’d need these tonight instead of for delivery, and that you’d be late for pickup. Now go surprise Blaire. Landon”, Tristan read laughing. “Oh those two are the best. I’m giving them the biggest hugs and kisses when I see them again.”, Tristan said with a smile. Demitri raised an eyebrow and shook his head deciding he didn’t want to know. “You should probably get going.”, Demitri suggested. Tristan nodded. “Right yeah I gotta see if I can catch Blaire before she leaves.”, Tristan said rushing to the truck with a wave to Demitri before pulling away. He was certain he’d probably broken the speed limit between the flower shop and the beach house, but he rushed up to the door holding the floors a little out of breath as he knocked. Colby pulled the door opened and raised an eyebrow looking at Tristan. “She’s not here rodeo clown. She left over half an hour ago with her friends.”, Colby said. It’d been a year since Blaire officially started having a long distance relationship with Tristan but Colby still wasn’t a fan of the situation. Tristan nodded. “Alright, well thanks sir. I’ll just head over to the school then to find her. Have a good evening Mister Delaney.”, Tristan said turning back around and getting to his truck. Alison came up behind her husband and placed her chin on his shoulder. “You shouldn’t be so mean. You was supposed to be in Oklahoma right now. Which means that boy drove all day to get here for Blaire.”, Alison said. Colby grumbled. “Oh come on Colby. You stormed a prison to get to me granted that was to save my life but, I think for them him driving a whole day just to go to prom with her in special. So less grump.”, Alison stated pulling her husband away from the door closing it.
On the drive to the school Tristan thought about how he wanted to surprise her. So as he parked he pulled out his cell and sent her a text. ‘Hey Gorgeous. Hoping you are enjoying Prom so far. I’ve got a surprise for you. Please go to the front of the school.’, he hit send as he got out of the truck with the flowers in hand and went to the bottom of the stairs to the school. Blaire was inside sitting at the table with Samuel while Bianca was on the dance floor with Gabriel and Hope was dancing with Jessa. Samuel looked at her and frowned a little. “Do you want to dance Blaire? I mean we are still friends so that’s allowed right?”, Samuel offered. She looked too beautiful in her glittering gold dress with its low cut top and then it’s silk diagonal tiered ruffles skirt. Blaire sighed a little as she played with her north star necklace and looked at Samuel. “No it’s alright Sammy. Thanks though. I just I don’t feel like dancing at the moment I guess.”, Blaire said patting his hand before blinking hearing her phone from her purse. “Tristan?”, She questioned quickly digging into her pure. Samuel sighed but remained silent otherwise. Blaire looked at the message and tilted her head confused but put her phone back into her purse slipping it over her shoulder. “Excuse me Sammy. I’ll be right back.”, Blaire said getting up without any more information given. Samuel raised an eyebrow watching her walked away a little confused. Blaire was a little confused trying to think what Tristan could have managed to set up for Oklahoma as a surprise tonight. She opened the doors to the school and stopped dead blinking seeing him in a suit and tie standing at the bottom of the steps holding flowers, not just flowers but white orchids. “Tris…Tristan?”, Blaire managed to stammer out. Tristan grinned looking her over, it was a beautiful dress and looked much better on her than the hanger. “Wow…you look just wow Blaire.”, Tristan said.
“So um surprise. Hope I’m not too late to be your date and get a first dance.”, Tristan said holding out the flowers. Blaire ran, carefully because of her heels, down the stairs and almost threw herself at him wrapping her arms around his neck hugging him. “You are right on time handsome.”, Blaire answered kissing him. She pulled back and took his hand. “Come on, prom date..”, Blaire grinned bringing him up the stairs. Tristan laughed and followed her as she lead the way down the halls to the gym that had been turned into a lovely dance call. He looked around the room and spotted her friends dancing and then Samuel sitting at a table alone. “He stag?”, Tristan asked. Blaire looked to the table and nodded. “Though there’s like five girls here without dates that want to dance with him.”, Blaire said heading to the table. Samuel saw Blaire come in with Tristan and shook his head a little. “Whitlands…”, Samuel muttered. “Evening Tristan. Thought you were with Alex in Oklahoma. He here too?”, Samuel asked. “Evening Sammy. And I got knocked out of the tournament early…maybe on purpose but oh well. No dad’s not here, he’s still with the rodeo. He’ll be in Bayville as scheduled for graduation. Would it make a difference if he was?”, Tristan answered. “The name is Samuel. And yeah it does make a difference. Wanted to know if it was safe to go home after prom or if I should crash at a friend’s house. I tend to not want to be in the same house when your dad and my mom are together. It gets…scary. “, Samuel explained. Tristan and Blaire both laughed a little. “That sounds about right. But no worries dad won’t be here for a few more days. So what you sitting by yourself for? I see a few wallflowers looking in your direction.”, Tristan said nodding his head in the direction of some girls standing in a group talking but all glancing to Samuel. Samuel shrugged. Blaire took the flowers from Tristan and set them down on the table along with her purse. “Well go ask one of them to dance Sammy. Or I’ll go tell one of them you’d like to dance and then you are trapped.”, Blaire said. “Why does it matter if I dance or not Blaire?”, Samuel asked. “Because you are my friend Sammy and I don’t want to leave you sitting here alone. So go dance damn it.”, Blaire said pointing to the girls. Samuel sighed and stood up knowing there was little point arguing with Blaire and walked over to the girls asking the blonde to dance. “Well that’s taken care of. Come on gorgeous dance with me.”, Tristan said taking his jacket off and hanging it on the back of a chair before taking her hand and going to the dance floor.
While prom was in full swing Zoe was busy getting her things settled into the apartment above the restaurant. She’d taken on a waitress job at the restaurant since Alec was willing to work with her on her hours so she could go to the community college and go to auditions wanting to see if she could get into performances at the opera house. She lugged another box of her art supplies up the stairs and set it on the floor before falling onto the sofa with a groan. Merrick didn’t know why he’d volunteered to help her move, well no he did he had a housewarming present for her. Which he was at the moment carrying up the stairs having put some of her smaller boxes into the handmade coffee table. “Seriously hellraiser, how much crap can one nineteen year old have.”, Merrick grumbled carrying the coffee table in and setting it parallel to the sofa she’d collapsed on. Zoe laughed and turned her head furrowing her brow in confusion not recognizing the piece of furniture he’d just sat down. “That’s not mine…where did it come from?”, she asked looking at the coffee table. It was a solid and stunning piece of rustic furniture, it was made of rough cut lumber from what she could tell, the top not only having the bark on the edges but the knots and character of the wood had been left natural, the sides were also left natural and the legs looked to just be dowels of the wood with the bark kept on and it was all left natural with just a clear sealant coat.
“Sure it is hellraiser.”, Merrick said sitting down pushing her legs out of his way. She rolled her eyes and sat up leaning over looking at the piece. “No it isn’t. I couldn’t afford anything near this nice.”, she said running her hands over the top smiling a bit. “It is really beautiful though.”, she commented. Merrick smiled. “It’s yours. It’s called a house warming gift dummy. Or don’t they do that in Italy?”, Merrick explained grabbing the top and lifting it up. The brackets inside raised and brought the top up and out to be just the right height to work as a dining table at the sofa. “I put some of your smaller boxes inside to carry up.”, he said pointing to the boxes inside. “Holy crap…did you buy this?”, Zoe asked surprised. She stared at it and smiled, running her hands along the wood more laughing a bit. “Merrick this is amazing.”, she commented. “Fuck no. See right there.”, He said pointing to the brand of a wolf paw on the inside of the table. “That’s my brand. I made this.”, he explained. She blinked and looked at it in shock then smiled. “Holly hell. This is awesome!”, she said laughing softly. “Thanks hellraiser.”, he laughed. “This is really…really beautiful. How in the world?”, she questioned. “Thanks. And what do you mean? I’m good with my hands what can I say.”, he smirked.”Just, this is really…really good Merrick.”, she chuckled. “You didn’t have to get me anything. Thank you.”, she smiled. “I’m not sure if I should be offended or complimented. In school I was good at two classes, gym and shop.”, he explained. “Meh. In my defense I had built this before you showed up in Bayville. Just didn’t need it or know anyone that needed.”, he stated. “Still though, it is really nice.”, she said before slapping his arm playfully. “Don’t need to defend yourself.”, she added. Merrick shrugged. “It is a good piece of furniture. If you think this is nice you should see my bedroom furniture.”, he commented with a laugh. “Weird to say something like that and not really mean it in a dirty way.”, he said.
“Oooh flirty, I’d love to see your bed up close.”, she teased. “Thanks though. This will be beautiful in here”, she said still admiring the coffee table pressing the top down. Merrick laughed a little smiling. “Yeah, maybe I’ll show you sometimes.”, he said with a wink. “And you’re welcome. I have been making stuff for years. Just generally keep it for myself or give stuff away as gifts to family and my short list of friends.”, Merrick explained. “Pretty nice stuff. Aww wait I’m a friend?”, Zoe asked. Merrick shrugged. “I guess. In a weird way.”, he replied. “Weird way?”, she asked arching a white brow. “I don’t make friends generally speaking. I’ve had one friend, like a true friend in my life. My old academy roommate, Malcolm. Then I guess there’s kind of…”, he explained his mind turning to Rose as he unconsciously reached up to touch the scar that was under his shirt on his left shoulder. “But yeah, so weird to make a friend in general.”, he explained. Zoe raised an eyebrow and saw him rubbing the scar and remembered it from the night Geri came. “So…are we friends?”, she questioned. “Yeah I guess so. I can tolerate being around you. Apparently am willing to lug heavy boxes of crap up those stairs for you. And you apparently can tolerate me.”, he explained bringing his hand back down from the scar. “Oh yay the joys of being tolerated.”, she said looking over excited before chuckling. “Blowing your mind you can be friends with a girl and not want to bang her?”, she asked.
Merrick chuckled. “Who said I don’t want to sleep with you?”, he asked with an arched brow. “Mhm. Fine a girl that you won’t sleep with then.”, Zoe corrected. Merrick nodded. “That’s more accurate. I maintain my rules, generally speaking. And you aren’t the woman I break them for.”, he explained. “Aw how flattering.”, she teased. “Don’t worry. I wouldn’t sleep with a guy that has to use an abacus to count his lovers.”, Zoe countered. Merrick shook his head laughing. “I don’t need an abacus. I know exactly how many women I’ve slept with, how many I currently sleep with and all their names.”, he defended. “And you say you’re not smart.”, she smirked and stood up. “Want to help me unpack?”, she asked. “Remembering that stuff is easy for me. Now if you asked how many times I’ve slept with them that I’d need a calculator for.”, he chuckled. “Sure I guess I can. I don’t have to go by the high school for another three hours.”, he agreed. “We can unpack for an hour, I can cook, then you can head out.”, she smiled. “And food? This is sounding better. Not sure how I got to be the one voluntold to pick Emma up from prom. Not like she’d leave with some random boy for a hotel room.”, Merrick sighed getting up. “Aw I could come with you, if she’s that bad.”, she teased. She started opening boxes and unpacking them. “Emma’s not bad in that way. She’s probably the only of us five kids that will make it to their wedding night a virgin. Which is good. Because I don’t want to be the hypocrite big brother that snaps a boy’s neck.”, he said letting a finger change to a claw to cut open some boxes.
“Ha yeah, a lot of people aren’t doing that these days.”, she shrugged as she started to pull things like towel holders out of her boxes. “Yeah I was out of the running for that freshmen year of high school. I choose to not inquire when my triplet Lily started sleeping with Thomas. I know my other triplet went till college then she met Robert. I’m not going to place bets on our siblings. But Emma is a safe bet marriage.”, Merrick said. He reached into a box and started pulling out framed pictures of her friends and family. He set them carefully aside giving them a brief look. “You’ve got cute friends.”, he commented. “Oh they think you’re hot too.”, she said with a chuckle. “So what sounds good for dinner? Uncle Alec stocked the fridge for me last night.”, she asked. “Think I’m hot? How do they even…oh you showed them pictures from when we went to the club. At least you didn’t sneak them and I was fully clothed.”, he said shaking his head. His mind thinking back to when he last saw Rose and how she said she still had pictures of him from the beach on her phone. “And um anything not meat.”, he answered. “Right. Are you vegan or vegetarian? Because vegan means nothing made with even the products of animals so no pasta or milk, right?”, she asked as she unpacked things before going down to her bedroom to put away clothes. “Vegetarian. I just don’t eat the meat of anything I can become. So dairy products and eggs are okay.”, he explained cutting into another box. He pulled out books and a number of loose paper, some sheet music, scripts, and even newspaper clippings. He stopped looking at one of her in a newspaper, he couldn’t’ read the words, but he knew it was her in the picture singing on stage. “Alright, alfredo pasta with um eggplant?”, she questioned from down the hall.
“Why is it that when I befriend a check she’s got musical talent?”, he said shaking his head. he started to put the books and such on the wobbly shelves left behind by a previous occupant. “These bookcases are crap!”, he yelled. “And eggplant sounds good to me!”, he agreed. “Yeah well I don’t get a choice in them, I have no money!”, she yelled from her room. “Make me some.”, she teased as she hung up some dressed. “I might! These are terrible and look like bigger pieces of crap with my coffee table!”, he called back and he continued to unload the books. Mentally he was taking measurements of the wall across from the sofa in the living room area of the apartment. He knew he still had the lumber to make some bookcases or maybe a wall unit since it wasn’t a large space. He continued on unpacking bracing the bookcases the best he could temporarily. Zoe walked back out after a while and smiled. “I’ll start the water.”, she commented going to the kitchen area of the open living space. She reached into some boxes to find some utensils and a pot then filled it with water getting it started. “Alright. You know I think that couch and these bookcases were here when I looked at the apartment two years ago.”, he commented not even phased by it. “Alec mentioned that.”, she said. She didn’t bring up Leslie, remembering there had been a car accident that had taken her away from him. Or as far as she knew it was a car accident. “So they are ancient and probably have terrifying things on them. Salt and burn?”, she questioned. “Ancient is a word. They at least don’t have termites. But they got left behind for a reason. Same with that couch. Lord tell me you at least aren’t use the bed that was here. Salt and burn?”, he asked confused. “Oh I’m sorry mister cleanliness.”, she chuckled as she started working on the pasta. She smiled as she found some in the fridge, homemade of course. She mentally thanked Alec. “Yes I’ve been using the bed. I did buy a protector for it. I don’t get a choice remember?”, she countered.
“Sorry I have a thing about beds. I don’t trust a mattress that I wasn’t the first to use. Because you just got no clue who did what on it before you. And yes I know you don’t have a choice financially speaking. Thought maybe your dad would have at least bought you a mattress or you’d have brought your bed from back home when you moved.”, Merrick said, “Do you know how much the cost of moving furniture from across the world is?” It was cheaper to sell then rebuy here.”, she said simply. “I’m going to be saving up money but right now actually getting paid is the big thing. I’m just going to be a waitress, that isn’t exactly big money.”, she explained. Merrick nodded. “Yeah I know. Jada is a waitress here. She’s got three roommates to pay rent.”, he sighed. “Hopefully I can find a place to sing or act or something. Going to chase that American dream of stardom on the Broadway stage.”, she said. Merrick chuckled and walked over leaned on the counter. “Of course. Depends what you sing. Is it generally like in plays and such like those pictures and new clippings show?”, he asked. “Yeah basically. I want to do plays but I’ll do any of them if I like the script.”, she smiled. “I want musicals mostly, not Shakespeare.”, she added. “That I don’t have connections for. If you said you played an instrument and sang non musical stuff like my cousins and Rose. Then I could help you out since David and my older brother Demitri are part owners of the club.”, Merrick shrugged. “Sorry I mean, as a singer I can sing whatever. But it just isn’t what I want to do. I want to act.”, Zoe apologized. “And you should. So why are you apologizing?”, he asked. Zoe laughed. “Habit?”, she shrugged starting to cook. “Fair enough. But no need to apologize that you want to do what you want. My little sister Emma is going to Boston for theater. God Nana Hazel had a field day with that career choice. But my parents are rather hands off in regards to our paths. Which explains their almost twenty-one year old son with a liberal arts degree that technically still lives at home.”, he said with a smile watching her cook.
“Does your Nana Hazel enjoy Broadway?”, she asked laughing a little. “yes. Which was Emma’s leg to stand on. Nana Hazel is the one who took Emma to plays when she was little. But for ‘a respectable young lady of the Frost line such work is not appropriate’.”, Merrick said giving his best old Bostonian woman voice. “Ah so loves seeing them but actually being in them is ‘below her’?”, Zoe asked. Merrick rolled his eyes. “Nana Hazel is 85 and set in her ways. She’s all for women’s rights and such. But she would rather not have someone in her family be an actor or actress. I don’t know. I don’t get it. I guess it’s because Lily is going to be a journalist and Josalyn is going into politics so theater just pales in comparison.”, Merrick shrugged. She chuckled. “I guess? I think learning to sing, dance, and be an entirely different person for every situation is harder than being a journalist or politician. Well, of course being a politician is generally learning to lie in convincing ways too.”, she teased. “Oh lying isn’t a foreign concept to Josalyn. And Emma has always been an actress. She’s good at making people think she’s on person and then at a drop of a hate she’s someone else.”, Merrick laughed. “Never trust an actress if they aren’t getting paid.”, she said with a laugh. Merrick sighed and nodded. Some days he wasn’t sure he even knew his little sister. “Amen.”, he agreed. Zoe laughed and smiled at Merrick. She finished up cooking and found two plates serving the meal up. “Come on. I’ll go with you. Maybe you can drop me off at Wal-Mart and I can buy a cheap bookshelf that won’t fall over on small children.”, Zoe suggested. “At Wal-Mart? I work there, don’t buy furniture there.”, he stated taking a plate starting to eat. “Cheap that won’t murder small children.”, she said jumping onto the counter starting to eat. “Where is a good place then?”, she asked.
“Don’t worry about it. Give me two days you’ll have a media wall unit.”, Merrick said between bites. “What?”, she asked blinking. “Oh come on at least let me pay you.”, she offered. “You want to pay me?”, Merrick laughed. “Well yeah. If you are making me a huge wooden…thing.”, she said pointing with her fork to the living room wall. “Oh the horrible places my mind could go with a sentence like that.”, Merrick chuckled. She rolled her eyes but smirked. “I dunno, I don’t have a boyfriend.”, she commented. Merrick laughed finishing off his plate. “Yet, hellraiser.”, he commented. “Yeah I doubt I will. Not many guys are into the girl who can out-sass them.”, Zoe shrugged. “Out-sass?”, Merrick questioned rinsing of his plate. “Most guys get intimidated.”, Zoe explained. “By you? I know intimidating women. You aren’t intimidating.”, Merrick stated. “Well still not looking for a boyfriend.”, she laughed. “Hey that’s your deal. I’m not really the person to talk to in regards to dating. I’ve had one girlfriend in twenty-one years.”, Merrick shrugged. “I’ve had none.”, she teased. “No boyfriends either, really. None I’ve been serious about. “Oh there’s that sass. No boyfriends? Oh alright the serious clarified. Cause I was going to say I didn’t guess you to be a virgin.”, he commented. Zoe blinked and then slapped his shoulder. “Pig!”, she teased. “And yes, bastard, I am.”, she stated. “Well shit my radar is broken.”, Merrick laughed. “You have a virgin radar? Of course you do.”, Zoe said shaking her head. Merrick laughed. “Of course I do. Don’t generally hook up with virgins. Thus the need for the radar to know who to avoid.”, he explained. “Ah yes avoiding the clingy first-time girl.”, she said. She finished eating and jumped off the counter rinsing her dishes. “I’ve been with two virgins. First one very clingy still is, but keep her around anyways. The second…second…well yeah if I hadn’t known her my whole life to know she was a virgin, I wouldn’t have guess it by how she gets.”, he said smiling thinking about Rose and itched his left shoulder again. “You have a tick, by the way.”, she said with a smirk. “Guess she’s a biter?”, she teased. “Have a tick? What?”, he asked bringing his hand down. “A tick. You know. When you do something without realizing it. You keep touching your scar when you talk about one of your fuck-buddies.”, Zoe explained. “I do?”, he chuckled. “Mhmm..”, Zoe nodded. “Oh well. And yes she bites damn hard at that.”, Merrick stated. “The only one that does bite like that and only one I bite back.”, he smirked thinking about Rose.
Merrick shook his head to stop thinking about Rose and that soon she’d be back. “Anyways. We were talking about payment for my carpentry skills.”, he said looking to get back on subject. “Yea, so how can I pay?”, Zoe asked. “Well keeping a not dirty mind, which is difficult.”, Merrick teased. “I’ll accept in trade. So food.”, he stated. Zoe laughed. “Alright so we go to the grocery store for supplies of things I can cook for you.”, Zoe agreed. “That’s work. Other option is I accept payment in kisses. But I’m not supposed to accept that form of payment from you.”, Merrick teased. “Aw I’ll give you a kiss.”, she said. Merrick laughed. “Ah is that so? I dunno you are on the no touch list.”, Merrick teased. “On the no screw/no date list.”, Zoe countered. “Hmm… You make a point. But I’m not sure if I should be kissing platonic friends.”, Merrick said. Zoe laughed a bit. “Alright so I’ll just cook for you.”, she agreed. “Yes let’s stick with the food.”, Merrick confirmed. “Which if I am going to do this I’ll need like a grocery list or you to take me to the grocery store so I know what to buy.”, she said. “Fair enough. I can take you to the grocery store if you need me to. But the list is simply no meat or meat products.”, Merrick said with a shrug. “Yeah but if I’m getting an awesome thing out of this you’re getting your favorite meals.”, Zoe argued. “Alright. Well if you are going to make food in trade for my products you could have one hell of an apartment.”, Merrick commented. “Well then I’m going to have one hell of an apartment. You bring the wine and I’ll even make desserts.”, she laughed. Merrick laughed and looked over at the old bookcases. “You know I could use the good pieces of those. They felt like solid wood. Would need to strip the paint to know for sure. But can recycle them into a wall mount wine rack for you.”, Merrick suggested. “Aww you’re so perfect.”, Zoe said giving him a hug.
Merrick laughed. “Wine is what started this whole business of mine.”, he mused. Smiled at him and let the hug go. “Wine is amazing. So deal is I’ll pay you in food. Do you even want me to box some up so you can take it to work?”, she offered. Merrick shook his head. “No that’s not needed. Which speaking of wine need to finish a birthday present for a woman. Making a foldable wine table that can hold two glasses and a bottle.”, Merrick answered. “Oooh fancy!”, she said. She stood up and stretched. “So taking me to the grocery store tonight?”, she asked. “Well he’s gotten big into wine since starting university. And I figured giving her any of the jewelry I made sends the wrong message.”, Merrick explained. “Yes should go get Emma. Then take her back to the Haven, she’s supposed to stay the night tonight to do something tomorrow with mom. After grocery store with you.”, Merrick agreed. “Fancy!”, she laughed a bit before grabbing her cloth jacket pulling it on and zipping it up slightly. “Let’s go then handsome.”, she teased. “Oh yeah. Made my sisters earrings for our upcoming 21st birthday. Got very detailed.”, he commented. He stretched and headed down the stairs having not bothered with a jacket and to the GTO. “Maybe I’ll pay for some jewelry”, she said with a chuckle following him down the stairs and got into the GTO carefully and looked around. “Is there going to be enough room for three?”, she asked. Merrick glanced to the back seat and leaned back grabbing his duffle back and started tossing his spare clothes into it and tossed it to the far side of the back seat. “There. Emma should have enough space now.”, Merrick said with a nod sitting back into his seat then started the car pulling out. Zoe smiled as he tossed things around as she got comfortable. Merrick pulled into a parking spot next to Tristan's truck. Merrick laughed seeing the Oregon plates.
“Well rodeo kid made the trip. He’ll get rewarded for that I’m sure.”, he said still laughing. “Rodeo kid?”, she asked. “Oregon? Isn’t that on the opposite side of America?” she asked blinking slightly surprised. “Yes, Oregon is west coast. Truck belongs to a kid named Tristan. He’s a bull rider in the rodeo. Through a mutual friend, Rose, he met Blaire she’s that cop Azriel’s niece you remember the cop that hauled away Geri. They started officially dating last year. Samuel was devastated poor schmuck is head over heels for Blaire.”, Merrick explained. “Aww teenage drama.”, she said with a chuckle. “Tristan and you have someone in common that you’ve both managed to get into a fight with, Apollo.”, he commented. She leaned on him and grinned, elbowing him gently in the ribs. “Oooo friend? Rose isn’t related right?”, she inquired. He laughed a little shaking his head. “Mutual meaning she is friends with Tristan and Blaire. And related to who?”, he asked. “Oh Apollo. I hurt his pride soo much.”, she laughed. “Aww I thought you were saying she was a friend of yours. And I know there is only one other female friend you have who’s not related to you.”, Zoe explained.”Tristan managed to knock out one of Apollo’s teeth before I had to save his dumb ass. And no Rose isn’t related to me. She’s cousins with Jimmy and Rachel Howlett. Jimmy being one of Sebastian’s friends and Rachel is dating my cousin Landon.”, Merrick explained but didn’t answer the question if Rose was his other female friend. But Zoe could read between the lines and figure out that Rose was the non-platonic female friend. But she said nothing and just nodded smiling a little as she stopped elbowing him but didn’t move to sit back on her own seat still leaning on him.
“So Emma coming out or are we just waiting?”, she asked changing the subject. Merrick was glad for the change of subject. “She should be coming out. Prom is ending. They have one of those ‘Party’s over. We don’t care where you go but you can’t stay here.’ deals.”, he explained nodding to the doors that were opening and people were starting to walk out. Careful of the fact she was leaning on him he stepped out of the GTO so that Emma could easily spot them and also get in via his side of the car. Zoe laughed and adjusted how she was sitting taking out her phone. While they waited she figured she should look up some tasty vegetarian dishes to make for him. As the students piled out Hope walked out in her navy blue suit her arm around Jessa’s waist a smile on her face she was so happy that four months ago Jessa told her parents to go to hell because she is a lesbian and wanted to be with her. Next to them was Bianca on Gabriel’s arm, generally the pair kept a reasonable amount of personal space between them but at the moment they looked rather cozy. Blaire was right behind them leaning into Tristan a permanent smile on her face as she was carrying her flowers. She glanced over to Bianca and Gabriel and laughed a little, she knew what their plans were for prom night and that she wasn’t the only one heading to a hotel. Though she had little choice on the going to a hotel it’s where Tristan was staying. “So guess this is where we part ways. Have a good night Hope and Jessa. And have a fantastic night Bianca and Gabriel.”, Blaire said putting emphasis on the word fantastic with a wink. Bianca turned a shade of red and Gabriel coughed a little trying to not blush too. Tristan laughed shaking his head. “Night guys, don’t do anything I wouldn’t.”, Tristan said. “That’s a short list.”, Hope teased. Tristan grinned brightly. “True. Night guys.”, Tristan said. “Night you two.”, they other said parting ways at the bottom of the stairs.
Merrick shook his head as Tristan and Blaire walked over to the truck. “Jesus jail bait that dress show more of your chest?”, Merrick teased noticing the low cut bodice of Blaire’s dress. Blaire blinked and looked at Merrick not sure what he was doing there. “Probably. And I stopped being jail bait two years ago, Merrick. If really if you have a problem with my dress you probably shouldn’t be looking.”, Blaire said sticking her tongue out at him. Tristan just smiled and glanced to Blaire’s dress. “I see nothing wrong with the bodice of her dress.”, Tristan commented. Blaire looked into the GTO and noticed a girl with white hair. “Oh hi there. You gotta be Zoe, Gina’s big sister.”, Blaire greeted with a smile. She hung out with Gina and Sebastian sometimes when hanging out with Sammy. Zoe looked up from her phone with a smile and moved over to the driver’s side more and stuck her head out the open window. “Hi. Yup that'd be me Zoe. Um Blaire? Maybe?”, Zoe greeted taking the guess since the couple was walking up to the Oregon truck. Blaire nodded. “That would be me and this is my boyfriend Tristan. So is our sweetheart Merrick behaving himself?”, Blaire teased. Merrick rolled his eyes. “Best behavior. Shouldn’t you and Tristan be going to, I’m going to guess, his hotel?”, Merrick replied. Zoe laughed a bit. “Actually yes, best behavior. I’m off limits so he’s just giving me a ride.”, she smiled. Tristan laughed and kissed Blaire on the cheek. “Maybe, where are you taking her Merrick?”, he questioned. “Off limits, Tristan.”, she repeated. Merrick shook his head. “Just like she said. She’s an off limits platonic friend. I know words don’t describe how weird it is, but that’s how it is. Now move along. We are waiting for Emma.”, Merrick said shooing them with his hand. “Wow now I’ve heard everything. I think I need to go lay down.”, Blaire teased dramatically. “Oh I’m sure that’s one of the positions Tristan’s got in mind.”, Merrick said with a smirk. Tristan returned the smirk and put his hands on Blaire’s hips. “Faint into me, hun.”, he teased and nibbled her ear. “Alright…well have fun with your ‘platonic friend’.”, he said opening the truck door for Blaire. Blaire waved with a soft laugh before getting in the truck, Tristan closing the door behind her and getting in so they could leave for the hotel.
Merrick shook his head as the two pulled away. “And that is Tristan and Blaire.”, Merrick laughed turning his attention back to the doors. He watched more people file out and then easily spotted the white hair of Alexander who looked so much like his father, even in the black suit and tie, and then on Alexander’s arm in a long slinky dark blue dress was Talia wearing her disguise of course to pass as human. But then he saw behind him the familiar blonde hair of his little sister, in her knee length icy blue dress. Emma was trying to look past Alexander and Talia and the sea of other seniors to see where her brother parked. She’d arrived with Alexander and Talia, but they were going back to the Academy and she was supposed to stay at the Haven to go out shopping in the city with her mom in the morning to pick out a graduation dress. Merrick put his index finger and thumb between his lips and let out a loud whistle. “EMMA!”, He shouted waving his hand. “We’re over here!”, he called. Emma looked in the direction of the sound and smiled seeing her brother and pushed past Alexander and Talia heading over. She stopped getting closer as she saw a girl in the front seat and not just a girl, Alexander’s older sister. Zoe smirked seeing Emma stop. She lead out of the window more and spotted her brother and, ah Talia. She smiled far too sweetly and waved at them looking incredibly pleased to see Talia and Alexander. Mostly because she knew Talia hated her, just not as much as Artemis and Apollo. “Hi Alexander! Oh Talia you look beautiful!”, she called.
Alexander turned and raised an eyebrow hearing Zoe. “Zoe? What are you doing? And with Merrick…”, Alexander questioned walking over a look of dislike directed at Merrick. Merrick smirked. “Aww nice to see you too Alexander. Don’t worry your sister is safe with me.”, Merrick said the smirk not fading. Emma narrowed her eyes and she walked over to the car. “No seriously, what is she doing here?”, Emma demanded to know. “Because I cooked dinner for him as payment for helping move things into my apartment.”, Zoe smiled noticing the looks Emma and Alexander were giving. She was enjoying that, probably more than she should. “Probably going to become a habit, so I need delicious rabbit food to stuff in his face.”, Zoe added. Emma and Alexander both looked unhappy. Talia looked from Merrick to Zoe and glared. She already didn’t like Zoe but she hated Merrick even more. Zoe just happened to be a catalyst that resulted in Geri going to jail and Damon retiring from the Academy she could get over that. Merrick had always been a pain in her side and had witnessed her get beaten in a fight with Rachel. Merrick just shrugged. “Like hellraiser said, I helped her move into her place. Going to drop you off at the haven then I’m taking her to the grocery store before we go back to her place. Then well I’ll leave when I want or get told to leave.”, Merrick explained to his sister relishing the angry look from Alexander. He pulled open his door and pushed the seat forward then pointed to the back. “So get in Emma.”, Merrick instructed. Zoe moved back over to her seat so Emma could get in. “And I won’t be kicking him out quickly. I like his company. Isn’t that right handsome?”, she asked batting her eyes at Merrick. “Really those, he is just helping me settle in. Don’t worry Alexander. Besides I’m the older sister you’re not suppose to worry.”, Zoe said leaning out the passenger window. Alexander still didn’t look happy about this. Emma frowned getting into the backseat. “I know you are my older sister, but I’m still the brother and therefore it’s still my job to make sure my sisters are safe.”, Alexander said. Merrick laughed. “Like she said there’s nothing to worry about Alexander. It’s just me and your big sister alone in a small apartment. What could be bad about that? Besides I never make a woman do anything she doesn’t want to. So she’s perfectly safe with me.”, Merrick added.
Alexander glared at him not liking what was being implied. “There’s nothing wrong with spending time with an incredibly attractive man alone. But seriously, Alexander just calm yourself. Merrick has been nothing but polite and kind, a complete gentlemen.”, Zoe assured. Talia snorted with a laugh. “Please? Now we know you are lying. Merrick polite? Kind? A Gentlemen?”, Talia shook her head. “Hey I’m capable of being those things. As stated no woman has done anything with me that wasn’t their idea. And I’m polite and kind to those who deserve it. You have never deserved that kind of treatment. Zoe however does.”, Merrick said fixing his seat and moving to get in. “You kids have a good night and don’t do anything I wouldn’t.”, Merrick said with a wink before pulling out leaving Alexander and Talia just standing there. “I should tell dad.”, Alexander said. Talia smirked but sighed. “No. As much as I’d like to get Merrick in trouble with your father, he’s off limits being Haven. And you do not want to be the sibling who becomes the tattletale. Let’s just go home and enjoy our evening. I’ve got plans for you Alexander and you’ll quickly forget what just transpired here.”, Talia said taking his tie in her hand and leading him in the direction of his car. Alexander laughed and nodded following along as she held his tie. “That sounds like an enjoyable distraction, Daimónissa.”, Alexander agreed as they got to his car to head back to the Academy. Unlike many of the senior class probably planning to have sex that evening they didn’t’ need to bother with a hotel room since Alexander had a bedroom to himself and no one bothered them at the Academy.
As they drove Merrick noticed the pout of his little sister in the back seat from the review. “So seriously what is going on here?”, Emma questioned. Merrick smiled and glanced to Zoe who shrugged. “Nothing is going on Emma. Zoe is a platonic friend. Yeah she’s attractive but for reasons I don’t need to explain to you, I’ve no intention to get with her. I was nice and helped her get moved into her apartment. And I’m going to build her some bookcases and such. Which since she’s strapped for cash she’s paying me in food. So see everything is kosher.”, Merrick explained. Zoe nodded. “Exactly. Your brother is certainly good looking. I don’t know but I’d find it odd to be with someone my sibling dislikes so much.”, Zoe explained. Emma snorted but sat back relieved to know that there was nothing going on between her brother and Zoe. “Oh well if you want to not get with a guy your brother doesn’t like then your options are seriously limited. Alexander doesn’t like most of the guys in Bayville.”, Merrick commented. Zoe smiled and looked over at him. “Yeah well maybe if I wasn’t considered off limits I could overlook that my brother doesn’t like you.”, Zoe commented. Merrick smiled. “Yes well you can’t find someone he hates more than me I am sure of that.”, Merrick replied. “So why does my brother hate you anyways? I mean I’ve found you to be delightful to be around. Is it just that you are both guys and therefore but-heads?”, Zoe questioned. “Um he’s hated me since, what was it Emma his tenth birthday?”, Merrick asked looking to the review and his sister. Emma just nodded. “Right so he’d hated me since his tenth birthday. Weird kid wanted to do some sparring at his party. Whatever. Well he didn’t want to spar Apollo who may be younger but at the time was about the same size as Alexander. But your brother wanted to fight one of us older boys. Malcolm, Thomas and William all told him no. I was the last option. I said no too. Didn’t want to beat the kid on his birthday, and I sure the hell wasn’t going to throw a fight. Well he pushed the issue and it ended up being a fight not a sparring match. I kicked his ass bad. And he hasn’t forgiven me since. Then four years ago when I left the Academy with mom and Sebastian that was just icing on the cake.”, Merrick explained pulling up to the Haven. “Oh so that’s it. You hurt his pride.”, Zoe nodded understanding it now.
Merrick let the car idle as he stepped out and pulled his seat forward offering a hand to help his sister out. “Bye Emma, hope you have fun tomorrow with your mom.”, Zoe said with a wave. Emma just gave a nod taking her brother’s hand and stepped out giving him a hug. “Thanks for the ride Merrick.”, Emma said before heading inside. Merrick sighed shaking his head fixing his seat and getting in. “Some days I just don’t know if I know her.”, he commented pulling away. “What do you mean? She’s just a possessive little sister who doesn’t want to lose her brother.”, Zoe said figuring he was talking about how Emma was behaving to her. “Possessive is a word to describe her. But it makes no sense to me. She’s never going to lose me. We’re family and if I can move past the things she’s done and if she remembers how I’ve been here for her since the day she was born she’d understand that. Of the five kids I’m the one that’s going nowhere, at most I might eventually get my own place but I’d still be in Bayville.”, Merrick said. “She just doesn’t want you with the wrong girl I guess.”, Zoe shrugged. Merrick growled a little tightening his grip on the steering wheel as he thought about the lengths Emma went to when she decided Leslie wasn’t good enough. Zoe blinked and looked at him. “Um Merrick?”, Zoe asked. Merrick blinked and loosened his grip. “Sorry. Just well she doesn’t get to decide who’s good enough or right or wrong for me. I get that say no one else.”, Merrick said. Zoe nodded and lightly touched his right arm. “Yes you do. No one can tell you who you can or cannot be with. She’ll learn that. Come on let’s go do this grocery shopping so I can pay you for the awesome bookcases you are going to make me.”, she suggested with a smile. Merrick nodded and continued to the grocery store.

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The school years was coming to a close which didn’t mean much to the younger kids in Bayville, but for those that were about to graduate it did mean quite a lot. And prom was looming for everyone. Which most had no issues with getting ready for prom. Alexander was taking Talia, Hope was taking Jessa as they were dating again, and Gabriel was taking Bianca. Emma was just going to go stag because she refused to go with any of the boys in her class and flat out told Apollo if he asked her one more time she’d fry his brain so he’d think he was a five year old girl. Blaire had little choice about going stage her boyfriend, Tristan was at a three day rodeo in Ada, Oklahoma during prom. She was just glad to know he was going to be in Bayville for her actual graduation. Samuel was also going stag not really wanting to ask any of the local girls and knowing he couldn’t ask the girl he really wanted because she’d already made her choice to be with Tristan. Tristan wasn’t thrilled his job was going to have him miss an important night with Blaire, sure he knew he’d get to be there when she graduated but he wanted to be there to see her wearing that dress he’d sent him a picture of on the hanger. To make up for not being there Tristan had placed an order for white orchids to be delivered the day after the dance to Blaire from Flowers of The Nile.
Landon, Lily and Rachel had come in from the city to help Demitri since it was prom and he was over loaded with more orders than he could handle alone. Landon was going through the orders helping make the flowers from a stack of dried leaves, as he needed organic material to make something unlike his Uncle Demitri who could make flowers from nothing. He looked to the next order and yawned. “Dozen white orchids for Blaire?”, Landon said looking at the order. He checked the form and nodded seeing it was Tristan. Before he could start on the flowers the phone started ringing. It was chaos out in the front of the shop so Landon rolled to the phone. “I’ve got it!”, Landon yelled to make sure his Uncle, cousin and girlfriend knew it was covered. “Flowers of the Nile, Landon speaking. How may I help you?”, Landon greeted. “Good Landon it’s you. Do you have an order for my cousin Blaire from Tristan?”, Atif questioned. Landon furrowed his brow finding it very weird to get a call in the middle of the afternoon his time from his best friend Atif to the flower shop. “Um hi and miss you too Atif. And yeah I’ve got the order in front of me. Why?”, Landon questioned. “Oh yes, hello and I miss you of course. Does that order say for delivery?”, Atif asked. “Um yes. Of course. Tristan’s not due in town till graduation. What is going on dude?”, Landon asked. “I had a vision about those flowers and tonight. Make them for pick up. He’ll be late but he’ll be there for them tonight.”, Atif said. “Are you sure?”, Landon asked. “Am I ever wrong?”, Atif countered. Landon shrugged. “Fair enough man. For pick up it’ll be. Anything else?”, Landon said. “Nope that’s all. See you in a few weeks to celebrate your twenty first when we come home for June.”, Atif said. “Alright see you guys then. Say hi to Rose and Billy for me.”, Landon said. “Will do, later.”, Atif said hanging up. Landon turned back to the table and made the flowers for pick up with a separate note before going about filling the other orders.
Tristan had gotten eliminated early from the tournament and took the opportunity to take the truck, his dad agreeing to catch a ride with one of the guys, and drive the near twenty-four hours to Bayville. He actually made it in twenty-two, giving him some time, though apparently less than he thought. He stopped at a store and got himself a suit then checked into a hotel to shower and shave. The seniors of Bayville high were all getting ready for the prom, Blaire having forced a smile for her pictures before getting into the limo with her friends missing Tristan. They’d already arrived at the school and gone into the gym by the time Tristan was dressed in his dark brown suit with a gold tie that he’d nearly given up on wearing it gave him such trouble. Then he rushed to the truck and hoped to get to the flower shop in time to pick up the flowers. He pulled up on front and frowned seeing the closed sign and lights off. “God damn it.”, Tristan cursed punching the steering wheel. But then hope came to him as he saw Demitri stepping out the doors to lock up. Tristan hurried out of the truck and ran over. “Mister Shadow…please don’t lock up yet.”, Tristan begged. Demitri raised an eyebrow looking at Tristan not knowing who the hell he was. “Huh?”, Demitri asked confused. “Tristan Whitland, I ordered a dozen white orchids for my girlfriend Blaire Delaney. I originally wanted them delivered cause I was supposed to still be in Oklahoma but I’m here and I want to take them to her so I can take her to prom.”, Tristan explained speaking in one breath. Demitri nodded. “Oh right. Um those probably aren’t done. I didn’t make them because they were to be delivered.”, Demitri said. Tristan frowned again and Demitri sighed. “I’ll check though. It was busy today and Landon was helping so who knows.”, Demitri said unlocking the door and heading to the back. Tristan stood out front fingers crossed that he could show up with the flowers for her.
Demitri walked back out holding the bouquet. “You lucked out kid. Landon got the order done though for some reason put them in the pickup rather than delivery section in the back.”, Demitri said offering up the bouquet that had a note stapled to the tissue paper. “Thank you soo much sir.”, Tristan said taking the bouquet. He noticed the little note and carefully pulled it off and read it aloud. “Rodeo Clown, You owe Atif. The seer called and said you’d need these tonight instead of for delivery, and that you’d be late for pickup. Now go surprise Blaire. Landon”, Tristan read laughing. “Oh those two are the best. I’m giving them the biggest hugs and kisses when I see them again.”, Tristan said with a smile. Demitri raised an eyebrow and shook his head deciding he didn’t want to know. “You should probably get going.”, Demitri suggested. Tristan nodded. “Right yeah I gotta see if I can catch Blaire before she leaves.”, Tristan said rushing to the truck with a wave to Demitri before pulling away. He was certain he’d probably broken the speed limit between the flower shop and the beach house, but he rushed up to the door holding the floors a little out of breath as he knocked. Colby pulled the door opened and raised an eyebrow looking at Tristan. “She’s not here rodeo clown. She left over half an hour ago with her friends.”, Colby said. It’d been a year since Blaire officially started having a long distance relationship with Tristan but Colby still wasn’t a fan of the situation. Tristan nodded. “Alright, well thanks sir. I’ll just head over to the school then to find her. Have a good evening Mister Delaney.”, Tristan said turning back around and getting to his truck. Alison came up behind her husband and placed her chin on his shoulder. “You shouldn’t be so mean. You was supposed to be in Oklahoma right now. Which means that boy drove all day to get here for Blaire.”, Alison said. Colby grumbled. “Oh come on Colby. You stormed a prison to get to me granted that was to save my life but, I think for them him driving a whole day just to go to prom with her in special. So less grump.”, Alison stated pulling her husband away from the door closing it.
On the drive to the school Tristan thought about how he wanted to surprise her. So as he parked he pulled out his cell and sent her a text. ‘Hey Gorgeous. Hoping you are enjoying Prom so far. I’ve got a surprise for you. Please go to the front of the school.’, he hit send as he got out of the truck with the flowers in hand and went to the bottom of the stairs to the school. Blaire was inside sitting at the table with Samuel while Bianca was on the dance floor with Gabriel and Hope was dancing with Jessa. Samuel looked at her and frowned a little. “Do you want to dance Blaire? I mean we are still friends so that’s allowed right?”, Samuel offered. She looked too beautiful in her glittering gold dress with its low cut top and then it’s silk diagonal tiered ruffles skirt. Blaire sighed a little as she played with her north star necklace and looked at Samuel. “No it’s alright Sammy. Thanks though. I just I don’t feel like dancing at the moment I guess.”, Blaire said patting his hand before blinking hearing her phone from her purse. “Tristan?”, She questioned quickly digging into her pure. Samuel sighed but remained silent otherwise. Blaire looked at the message and tilted her head confused but put her phone back into her purse slipping it over her shoulder. “Excuse me Sammy. I’ll be right back.”, Blaire said getting up without any more information given. Samuel raised an eyebrow watching her walked away a little confused. Blaire was a little confused trying to think what Tristan could have managed to set up for Oklahoma as a surprise tonight. She opened the doors to the school and stopped dead blinking seeing him in a suit and tie standing at the bottom of the steps holding flowers, not just flowers but white orchids. “Tris…Tristan?”, Blaire managed to stammer out. Tristan grinned looking her over, it was a beautiful dress and looked much better on her than the hanger. “Wow…you look just wow Blaire.”, Tristan said.
“So um surprise. Hope I’m not too late to be your date and get a first dance.”, Tristan said holding out the flowers. Blaire ran, carefully because of her heels, down the stairs and almost threw herself at him wrapping her arms around his neck hugging him. “You are right on time handsome.”, Blaire answered kissing him. She pulled back and took his hand. “Come on, prom date..”, Blaire grinned bringing him up the stairs. Tristan laughed and followed her as she lead the way down the halls to the gym that had been turned into a lovely dance call. He looked around the room and spotted her friends dancing and then Samuel sitting at a table alone. “He stag?”, Tristan asked. Blaire looked to the table and nodded. “Though there’s like five girls here without dates that want to dance with him.”, Blaire said heading to the table. Samuel saw Blaire come in with Tristan and shook his head a little. “Whitlands…”, Samuel muttered. “Evening Tristan. Thought you were with Alex in Oklahoma. He here too?”, Samuel asked. “Evening Sammy. And I got knocked out of the tournament early…maybe on purpose but oh well. No dad’s not here, he’s still with the rodeo. He’ll be in Bayville as scheduled for graduation. Would it make a difference if he was?”, Tristan answered. “The name is Samuel. And yeah it does make a difference. Wanted to know if it was safe to go home after prom or if I should crash at a friend’s house. I tend to not want to be in the same house when your dad and my mom are together. It gets…scary. “, Samuel explained. Tristan and Blaire both laughed a little. “That sounds about right. But no worries dad won’t be here for a few more days. So what you sitting by yourself for? I see a few wallflowers looking in your direction.”, Tristan said nodding his head in the direction of some girls standing in a group talking but all glancing to Samuel. Samuel shrugged. Blaire took the flowers from Tristan and set them down on the table along with her purse. “Well go ask one of them to dance Sammy. Or I’ll go tell one of them you’d like to dance and then you are trapped.”, Blaire said. “Why does it matter if I dance or not Blaire?”, Samuel asked. “Because you are my friend Sammy and I don’t want to leave you sitting here alone. So go dance damn it.”, Blaire said pointing to the girls. Samuel sighed and stood up knowing there was little point arguing with Blaire and walked over to the girls asking the blonde to dance. “Well that’s taken care of. Come on gorgeous dance with me.”, Tristan said taking his jacket off and hanging it on the back of a chair before taking her hand and going to the dance floor.
While prom was in full swing Zoe was busy getting her things settled into the apartment above the restaurant. She’d taken on a waitress job at the restaurant since Alec was willing to work with her on her hours so she could go to the community college and go to auditions wanting to see if she could get into performances at the opera house. She lugged another box of her art supplies up the stairs and set it on the floor before falling onto the sofa with a groan. Merrick didn’t know why he’d volunteered to help her move, well no he did he had a housewarming present for her. Which he was at the moment carrying up the stairs having put some of her smaller boxes into the handmade coffee table. “Seriously hellraiser, how much crap can one nineteen year old have.”, Merrick grumbled carrying the coffee table in and setting it parallel to the sofa she’d collapsed on. Zoe laughed and turned her head furrowing her brow in confusion not recognizing the piece of furniture he’d just sat down. “That’s not mine…where did it come from?”, she asked looking at the coffee table. It was a solid and stunning piece of rustic furniture, it was made of rough cut lumber from what she could tell, the top not only having the bark on the edges but the knots and character of the wood had been left natural, the sides were also left natural and the legs looked to just be dowels of the wood with the bark kept on and it was all left natural with just a clear sealant coat.
“Sure it is hellraiser.”, Merrick said sitting down pushing her legs out of his way. She rolled her eyes and sat up leaning over looking at the piece. “No it isn’t. I couldn’t afford anything near this nice.”, she said running her hands over the top smiling a bit. “It is really beautiful though.”, she commented. Merrick smiled. “It’s yours. It’s called a house warming gift dummy. Or don’t they do that in Italy?”, Merrick explained grabbing the top and lifting it up. The brackets inside raised and brought the top up and out to be just the right height to work as a dining table at the sofa. “I put some of your smaller boxes inside to carry up.”, he said pointing to the boxes inside. “Holy crap…did you buy this?”, Zoe asked surprised. She stared at it and smiled, running her hands along the wood more laughing a bit. “Merrick this is amazing.”, she commented. “Fuck no. See right there.”, He said pointing to the brand of a wolf paw on the inside of the table. “That’s my brand. I made this.”, he explained. She blinked and looked at it in shock then smiled. “Holly hell. This is awesome!”, she said laughing softly. “Thanks hellraiser.”, he laughed. “This is really…really beautiful. How in the world?”, she questioned. “Thanks. And what do you mean? I’m good with my hands what can I say.”, he smirked.”Just, this is really…really good Merrick.”, she chuckled. “You didn’t have to get me anything. Thank you.”, she smiled. “I’m not sure if I should be offended or complimented. In school I was good at two classes, gym and shop.”, he explained. “Meh. In my defense I had built this before you showed up in Bayville. Just didn’t need it or know anyone that needed.”, he stated. “Still though, it is really nice.”, she said before slapping his arm playfully. “Don’t need to defend yourself.”, she added. Merrick shrugged. “It is a good piece of furniture. If you think this is nice you should see my bedroom furniture.”, he commented with a laugh. “Weird to say something like that and not really mean it in a dirty way.”, he said.
“Oooh flirty, I’d love to see your bed up close.”, she teased. “Thanks though. This will be beautiful in here”, she said still admiring the coffee table pressing the top down. Merrick laughed a little smiling. “Yeah, maybe I’ll show you sometimes.”, he said with a wink. “And you’re welcome. I have been making stuff for years. Just generally keep it for myself or give stuff away as gifts to family and my short list of friends.”, Merrick explained. “Pretty nice stuff. Aww wait I’m a friend?”, Zoe asked. Merrick shrugged. “I guess. In a weird way.”, he replied. “Weird way?”, she asked arching a white brow. “I don’t make friends generally speaking. I’ve had one friend, like a true friend in my life. My old academy roommate, Malcolm. Then I guess there’s kind of…”, he explained his mind turning to Rose as he unconsciously reached up to touch the scar that was under his shirt on his left shoulder. “But yeah, so weird to make a friend in general.”, he explained. Zoe raised an eyebrow and saw him rubbing the scar and remembered it from the night Geri came. “So…are we friends?”, she questioned. “Yeah I guess so. I can tolerate being around you. Apparently am willing to lug heavy boxes of crap up those stairs for you. And you apparently can tolerate me.”, he explained bringing his hand back down from the scar. “Oh yay the joys of being tolerated.”, she said looking over excited before chuckling. “Blowing your mind you can be friends with a girl and not want to bang her?”, she asked.
Merrick chuckled. “Who said I don’t want to sleep with you?”, he asked with an arched brow. “Mhm. Fine a girl that you won’t sleep with then.”, Zoe corrected. Merrick nodded. “That’s more accurate. I maintain my rules, generally speaking. And you aren’t the woman I break them for.”, he explained. “Aw how flattering.”, she teased. “Don’t worry. I wouldn’t sleep with a guy that has to use an abacus to count his lovers.”, Zoe countered. Merrick shook his head laughing. “I don’t need an abacus. I know exactly how many women I’ve slept with, how many I currently sleep with and all their names.”, he defended. “And you say you’re not smart.”, she smirked and stood up. “Want to help me unpack?”, she asked. “Remembering that stuff is easy for me. Now if you asked how many times I’ve slept with them that I’d need a calculator for.”, he chuckled. “Sure I guess I can. I don’t have to go by the high school for another three hours.”, he agreed. “We can unpack for an hour, I can cook, then you can head out.”, she smiled. “And food? This is sounding better. Not sure how I got to be the one voluntold to pick Emma up from prom. Not like she’d leave with some random boy for a hotel room.”, Merrick sighed getting up. “Aw I could come with you, if she’s that bad.”, she teased. She started opening boxes and unpacking them. “Emma’s not bad in that way. She’s probably the only of us five kids that will make it to their wedding night a virgin. Which is good. Because I don’t want to be the hypocrite big brother that snaps a boy’s neck.”, he said letting a finger change to a claw to cut open some boxes.
“Ha yeah, a lot of people aren’t doing that these days.”, she shrugged as she started to pull things like towel holders out of her boxes. “Yeah I was out of the running for that freshmen year of high school. I choose to not inquire when my triplet Lily started sleeping with Thomas. I know my other triplet went till college then she met Robert. I’m not going to place bets on our siblings. But Emma is a safe bet marriage.”, Merrick said. He reached into a box and started pulling out framed pictures of her friends and family. He set them carefully aside giving them a brief look. “You’ve got cute friends.”, he commented. “Oh they think you’re hot too.”, she said with a chuckle. “So what sounds good for dinner? Uncle Alec stocked the fridge for me last night.”, she asked. “Think I’m hot? How do they even…oh you showed them pictures from when we went to the club. At least you didn’t sneak them and I was fully clothed.”, he said shaking his head. His mind thinking back to when he last saw Rose and how she said she still had pictures of him from the beach on her phone. “And um anything not meat.”, he answered. “Right. Are you vegan or vegetarian? Because vegan means nothing made with even the products of animals so no pasta or milk, right?”, she asked as she unpacked things before going down to her bedroom to put away clothes. “Vegetarian. I just don’t eat the meat of anything I can become. So dairy products and eggs are okay.”, he explained cutting into another box. He pulled out books and a number of loose paper, some sheet music, scripts, and even newspaper clippings. He stopped looking at one of her in a newspaper, he couldn’t’ read the words, but he knew it was her in the picture singing on stage. “Alright, alfredo pasta with um eggplant?”, she questioned from down the hall.
“Why is it that when I befriend a check she’s got musical talent?”, he said shaking his head. he started to put the books and such on the wobbly shelves left behind by a previous occupant. “These bookcases are crap!”, he yelled. “And eggplant sounds good to me!”, he agreed. “Yeah well I don’t get a choice in them, I have no money!”, she yelled from her room. “Make me some.”, she teased as she hung up some dressed. “I might! These are terrible and look like bigger pieces of crap with my coffee table!”, he called back and he continued to unload the books. Mentally he was taking measurements of the wall across from the sofa in the living room area of the apartment. He knew he still had the lumber to make some bookcases or maybe a wall unit since it wasn’t a large space. He continued on unpacking bracing the bookcases the best he could temporarily. Zoe walked back out after a while and smiled. “I’ll start the water.”, she commented going to the kitchen area of the open living space. She reached into some boxes to find some utensils and a pot then filled it with water getting it started. “Alright. You know I think that couch and these bookcases were here when I looked at the apartment two years ago.”, he commented not even phased by it. “Alec mentioned that.”, she said. She didn’t bring up Leslie, remembering there had been a car accident that had taken her away from him. Or as far as she knew it was a car accident. “So they are ancient and probably have terrifying things on them. Salt and burn?”, she questioned. “Ancient is a word. They at least don’t have termites. But they got left behind for a reason. Same with that couch. Lord tell me you at least aren’t use the bed that was here. Salt and burn?”, he asked confused. “Oh I’m sorry mister cleanliness.”, she chuckled as she started working on the pasta. She smiled as she found some in the fridge, homemade of course. She mentally thanked Alec. “Yes I’ve been using the bed. I did buy a protector for it. I don’t get a choice remember?”, she countered.
“Sorry I have a thing about beds. I don’t trust a mattress that I wasn’t the first to use. Because you just got no clue who did what on it before you. And yes I know you don’t have a choice financially speaking. Thought maybe your dad would have at least bought you a mattress or you’d have brought your bed from back home when you moved.”, Merrick said, “Do you know how much the cost of moving furniture from across the world is?” It was cheaper to sell then rebuy here.”, she said simply. “I’m going to be saving up money but right now actually getting paid is the big thing. I’m just going to be a waitress, that isn’t exactly big money.”, she explained. Merrick nodded. “Yeah I know. Jada is a waitress here. She’s got three roommates to pay rent.”, he sighed. “Hopefully I can find a place to sing or act or something. Going to chase that American dream of stardom on the Broadway stage.”, she said. Merrick chuckled and walked over leaned on the counter. “Of course. Depends what you sing. Is it generally like in plays and such like those pictures and new clippings show?”, he asked. “Yeah basically. I want to do plays but I’ll do any of them if I like the script.”, she smiled. “I want musicals mostly, not Shakespeare.”, she added. “That I don’t have connections for. If you said you played an instrument and sang non musical stuff like my cousins and Rose. Then I could help you out since David and my older brother Demitri are part owners of the club.”, Merrick shrugged. “Sorry I mean, as a singer I can sing whatever. But it just isn’t what I want to do. I want to act.”, Zoe apologized. “And you should. So why are you apologizing?”, he asked. Zoe laughed. “Habit?”, she shrugged starting to cook. “Fair enough. But no need to apologize that you want to do what you want. My little sister Emma is going to Boston for theater. God Nana Hazel had a field day with that career choice. But my parents are rather hands off in regards to our paths. Which explains their almost twenty-one year old son with a liberal arts degree that technically still lives at home.”, he said with a smile watching her cook.
“Does your Nana Hazel enjoy Broadway?”, she asked laughing a little. “yes. Which was Emma’s leg to stand on. Nana Hazel is the one who took Emma to plays when she was little. But for ‘a respectable young lady of the Frost line such work is not appropriate’.”, Merrick said giving his best old Bostonian woman voice. “Ah so loves seeing them but actually being in them is ‘below her’?”, Zoe asked. Merrick rolled his eyes. “Nana Hazel is 85 and set in her ways. She’s all for women’s rights and such. But she would rather not have someone in her family be an actor or actress. I don’t know. I don’t get it. I guess it’s because Lily is going to be a journalist and Josalyn is going into politics so theater just pales in comparison.”, Merrick shrugged. She chuckled. “I guess? I think learning to sing, dance, and be an entirely different person for every situation is harder than being a journalist or politician. Well, of course being a politician is generally learning to lie in convincing ways too.”, she teased. “Oh lying isn’t a foreign concept to Josalyn. And Emma has always been an actress. She’s good at making people think she’s on person and then at a drop of a hate she’s someone else.”, Merrick laughed. “Never trust an actress if they aren’t getting paid.”, she said with a laugh. Merrick sighed and nodded. Some days he wasn’t sure he even knew his little sister. “Amen.”, he agreed. Zoe laughed and smiled at Merrick. She finished up cooking and found two plates serving the meal up. “Come on. I’ll go with you. Maybe you can drop me off at Wal-Mart and I can buy a cheap bookshelf that won’t fall over on small children.”, Zoe suggested. “At Wal-Mart? I work there, don’t buy furniture there.”, he stated taking a plate starting to eat. “Cheap that won’t murder small children.”, she said jumping onto the counter starting to eat. “Where is a good place then?”, she asked.
“Don’t worry about it. Give me two days you’ll have a media wall unit.”, Merrick said between bites. “What?”, she asked blinking. “Oh come on at least let me pay you.”, she offered. “You want to pay me?”, Merrick laughed. “Well yeah. If you are making me a huge wooden…thing.”, she said pointing with her fork to the living room wall. “Oh the horrible places my mind could go with a sentence like that.”, Merrick chuckled. She rolled her eyes but smirked. “I dunno, I don’t have a boyfriend.”, she commented. Merrick laughed finishing off his plate. “Yet, hellraiser.”, he commented. “Yeah I doubt I will. Not many guys are into the girl who can out-sass them.”, Zoe shrugged. “Out-sass?”, Merrick questioned rinsing of his plate. “Most guys get intimidated.”, Zoe explained. “By you? I know intimidating women. You aren’t intimidating.”, Merrick stated. “Well still not looking for a boyfriend.”, she laughed. “Hey that’s your deal. I’m not really the person to talk to in regards to dating. I’ve had one girlfriend in twenty-one years.”, Merrick shrugged. “I’ve had none.”, she teased. “No boyfriends either, really. None I’ve been serious about. “Oh there’s that sass. No boyfriends? Oh alright the serious clarified. Cause I was going to say I didn’t guess you to be a virgin.”, he commented. Zoe blinked and then slapped his shoulder. “Pig!”, she teased. “And yes, bastard, I am.”, she stated. “Well shit my radar is broken.”, Merrick laughed. “You have a virgin radar? Of course you do.”, Zoe said shaking her head. Merrick laughed. “Of course I do. Don’t generally hook up with virgins. Thus the need for the radar to know who to avoid.”, he explained. “Ah yes avoiding the clingy first-time girl.”, she said. She finished eating and jumped off the counter rinsing her dishes. “I’ve been with two virgins. First one very clingy still is, but keep her around anyways. The second…second…well yeah if I hadn’t known her my whole life to know she was a virgin, I wouldn’t have guess it by how she gets.”, he said smiling thinking about Rose and itched his left shoulder again. “You have a tick, by the way.”, she said with a smirk. “Guess she’s a biter?”, she teased. “Have a tick? What?”, he asked bringing his hand down. “A tick. You know. When you do something without realizing it. You keep touching your scar when you talk about one of your fuck-buddies.”, Zoe explained. “I do?”, he chuckled. “Mhmm..”, Zoe nodded. “Oh well. And yes she bites damn hard at that.”, Merrick stated. “The only one that does bite like that and only one I bite back.”, he smirked thinking about Rose.
Merrick shook his head to stop thinking about Rose and that soon she’d be back. “Anyways. We were talking about payment for my carpentry skills.”, he said looking to get back on subject. “Yea, so how can I pay?”, Zoe asked. “Well keeping a not dirty mind, which is difficult.”, Merrick teased. “I’ll accept in trade. So food.”, he stated. Zoe laughed. “Alright so we go to the grocery store for supplies of things I can cook for you.”, Zoe agreed. “That’s work. Other option is I accept payment in kisses. But I’m not supposed to accept that form of payment from you.”, Merrick teased. “Aw I’ll give you a kiss.”, she said. Merrick laughed. “Ah is that so? I dunno you are on the no touch list.”, Merrick teased. “On the no screw/no date list.”, Zoe countered. “Hmm… You make a point. But I’m not sure if I should be kissing platonic friends.”, Merrick said. Zoe laughed a bit. “Alright so I’ll just cook for you.”, she agreed. “Yes let’s stick with the food.”, Merrick confirmed. “Which if I am going to do this I’ll need like a grocery list or you to take me to the grocery store so I know what to buy.”, she said. “Fair enough. I can take you to the grocery store if you need me to. But the list is simply no meat or meat products.”, Merrick said with a shrug. “Yeah but if I’m getting an awesome thing out of this you’re getting your favorite meals.”, Zoe argued. “Alright. Well if you are going to make food in trade for my products you could have one hell of an apartment.”, Merrick commented. “Well then I’m going to have one hell of an apartment. You bring the wine and I’ll even make desserts.”, she laughed. Merrick laughed and looked over at the old bookcases. “You know I could use the good pieces of those. They felt like solid wood. Would need to strip the paint to know for sure. But can recycle them into a wall mount wine rack for you.”, Merrick suggested. “Aww you’re so perfect.”, Zoe said giving him a hug.
Merrick laughed. “Wine is what started this whole business of mine.”, he mused. Smiled at him and let the hug go. “Wine is amazing. So deal is I’ll pay you in food. Do you even want me to box some up so you can take it to work?”, she offered. Merrick shook his head. “No that’s not needed. Which speaking of wine need to finish a birthday present for a woman. Making a foldable wine table that can hold two glasses and a bottle.”, Merrick answered. “Oooh fancy!”, she said. She stood up and stretched. “So taking me to the grocery store tonight?”, she asked. “Well he’s gotten big into wine since starting university. And I figured giving her any of the jewelry I made sends the wrong message.”, Merrick explained. “Yes should go get Emma. Then take her back to the Haven, she’s supposed to stay the night tonight to do something tomorrow with mom. After grocery store with you.”, Merrick agreed. “Fancy!”, she laughed a bit before grabbing her cloth jacket pulling it on and zipping it up slightly. “Let’s go then handsome.”, she teased. “Oh yeah. Made my sisters earrings for our upcoming 21st birthday. Got very detailed.”, he commented. He stretched and headed down the stairs having not bothered with a jacket and to the GTO. “Maybe I’ll pay for some jewelry”, she said with a chuckle following him down the stairs and got into the GTO carefully and looked around. “Is there going to be enough room for three?”, she asked. Merrick glanced to the back seat and leaned back grabbing his duffle back and started tossing his spare clothes into it and tossed it to the far side of the back seat. “There. Emma should have enough space now.”, Merrick said with a nod sitting back into his seat then started the car pulling out. Zoe smiled as he tossed things around as she got comfortable. Merrick pulled into a parking spot next to Tristan's truck. Merrick laughed seeing the Oregon plates.
“Well rodeo kid made the trip. He’ll get rewarded for that I’m sure.”, he said still laughing. “Rodeo kid?”, she asked. “Oregon? Isn’t that on the opposite side of America?” she asked blinking slightly surprised. “Yes, Oregon is west coast. Truck belongs to a kid named Tristan. He’s a bull rider in the rodeo. Through a mutual friend, Rose, he met Blaire she’s that cop Azriel’s niece you remember the cop that hauled away Geri. They started officially dating last year. Samuel was devastated poor schmuck is head over heels for Blaire.”, Merrick explained. “Aww teenage drama.”, she said with a chuckle. “Tristan and you have someone in common that you’ve both managed to get into a fight with, Apollo.”, he commented. She leaned on him and grinned, elbowing him gently in the ribs. “Oooo friend? Rose isn’t related right?”, she inquired. He laughed a little shaking his head. “Mutual meaning she is friends with Tristan and Blaire. And related to who?”, he asked. “Oh Apollo. I hurt his pride soo much.”, she laughed. “Aww I thought you were saying she was a friend of yours. And I know there is only one other female friend you have who’s not related to you.”, Zoe explained.”Tristan managed to knock out one of Apollo’s teeth before I had to save his dumb ass. And no Rose isn’t related to me. She’s cousins with Jimmy and Rachel Howlett. Jimmy being one of Sebastian’s friends and Rachel is dating my cousin Landon.”, Merrick explained but didn’t answer the question if Rose was his other female friend. But Zoe could read between the lines and figure out that Rose was the non-platonic female friend. But she said nothing and just nodded smiling a little as she stopped elbowing him but didn’t move to sit back on her own seat still leaning on him.
“So Emma coming out or are we just waiting?”, she asked changing the subject. Merrick was glad for the change of subject. “She should be coming out. Prom is ending. They have one of those ‘Party’s over. We don’t care where you go but you can’t stay here.’ deals.”, he explained nodding to the doors that were opening and people were starting to walk out. Careful of the fact she was leaning on him he stepped out of the GTO so that Emma could easily spot them and also get in via his side of the car. Zoe laughed and adjusted how she was sitting taking out her phone. While they waited she figured she should look up some tasty vegetarian dishes to make for him. As the students piled out Hope walked out in her navy blue suit her arm around Jessa’s waist a smile on her face she was so happy that four months ago Jessa told her parents to go to hell because she is a lesbian and wanted to be with her. Next to them was Bianca on Gabriel’s arm, generally the pair kept a reasonable amount of personal space between them but at the moment they looked rather cozy. Blaire was right behind them leaning into Tristan a permanent smile on her face as she was carrying her flowers. She glanced over to Bianca and Gabriel and laughed a little, she knew what their plans were for prom night and that she wasn’t the only one heading to a hotel. Though she had little choice on the going to a hotel it’s where Tristan was staying. “So guess this is where we part ways. Have a good night Hope and Jessa. And have a fantastic night Bianca and Gabriel.”, Blaire said putting emphasis on the word fantastic with a wink. Bianca turned a shade of red and Gabriel coughed a little trying to not blush too. Tristan laughed shaking his head. “Night guys, don’t do anything I wouldn’t.”, Tristan said. “That’s a short list.”, Hope teased. Tristan grinned brightly. “True. Night guys.”, Tristan said. “Night you two.”, they other said parting ways at the bottom of the stairs.
Merrick shook his head as Tristan and Blaire walked over to the truck. “Jesus jail bait that dress show more of your chest?”, Merrick teased noticing the low cut bodice of Blaire’s dress. Blaire blinked and looked at Merrick not sure what he was doing there. “Probably. And I stopped being jail bait two years ago, Merrick. If really if you have a problem with my dress you probably shouldn’t be looking.”, Blaire said sticking her tongue out at him. Tristan just smiled and glanced to Blaire’s dress. “I see nothing wrong with the bodice of her dress.”, Tristan commented. Blaire looked into the GTO and noticed a girl with white hair. “Oh hi there. You gotta be Zoe, Gina’s big sister.”, Blaire greeted with a smile. She hung out with Gina and Sebastian sometimes when hanging out with Sammy. Zoe looked up from her phone with a smile and moved over to the driver’s side more and stuck her head out the open window. “Hi. Yup that'd be me Zoe. Um Blaire? Maybe?”, Zoe greeted taking the guess since the couple was walking up to the Oregon truck. Blaire nodded. “That would be me and this is my boyfriend Tristan. So is our sweetheart Merrick behaving himself?”, Blaire teased. Merrick rolled his eyes. “Best behavior. Shouldn’t you and Tristan be going to, I’m going to guess, his hotel?”, Merrick replied. Zoe laughed a bit. “Actually yes, best behavior. I’m off limits so he’s just giving me a ride.”, she smiled. Tristan laughed and kissed Blaire on the cheek. “Maybe, where are you taking her Merrick?”, he questioned. “Off limits, Tristan.”, she repeated. Merrick shook his head. “Just like she said. She’s an off limits platonic friend. I know words don’t describe how weird it is, but that’s how it is. Now move along. We are waiting for Emma.”, Merrick said shooing them with his hand. “Wow now I’ve heard everything. I think I need to go lay down.”, Blaire teased dramatically. “Oh I’m sure that’s one of the positions Tristan’s got in mind.”, Merrick said with a smirk. Tristan returned the smirk and put his hands on Blaire’s hips. “Faint into me, hun.”, he teased and nibbled her ear. “Alright…well have fun with your ‘platonic friend’.”, he said opening the truck door for Blaire. Blaire waved with a soft laugh before getting in the truck, Tristan closing the door behind her and getting in so they could leave for the hotel.
Merrick shook his head as the two pulled away. “And that is Tristan and Blaire.”, Merrick laughed turning his attention back to the doors. He watched more people file out and then easily spotted the white hair of Alexander who looked so much like his father, even in the black suit and tie, and then on Alexander’s arm in a long slinky dark blue dress was Talia wearing her disguise of course to pass as human. But then he saw behind him the familiar blonde hair of his little sister, in her knee length icy blue dress. Emma was trying to look past Alexander and Talia and the sea of other seniors to see where her brother parked. She’d arrived with Alexander and Talia, but they were going back to the Academy and she was supposed to stay at the Haven to go out shopping in the city with her mom in the morning to pick out a graduation dress. Merrick put his index finger and thumb between his lips and let out a loud whistle. “EMMA!”, He shouted waving his hand. “We’re over here!”, he called. Emma looked in the direction of the sound and smiled seeing her brother and pushed past Alexander and Talia heading over. She stopped getting closer as she saw a girl in the front seat and not just a girl, Alexander’s older sister. Zoe smirked seeing Emma stop. She lead out of the window more and spotted her brother and, ah Talia. She smiled far too sweetly and waved at them looking incredibly pleased to see Talia and Alexander. Mostly because she knew Talia hated her, just not as much as Artemis and Apollo. “Hi Alexander! Oh Talia you look beautiful!”, she called.
Alexander turned and raised an eyebrow hearing Zoe. “Zoe? What are you doing? And with Merrick…”, Alexander questioned walking over a look of dislike directed at Merrick. Merrick smirked. “Aww nice to see you too Alexander. Don’t worry your sister is safe with me.”, Merrick said the smirk not fading. Emma narrowed her eyes and she walked over to the car. “No seriously, what is she doing here?”, Emma demanded to know. “Because I cooked dinner for him as payment for helping move things into my apartment.”, Zoe smiled noticing the looks Emma and Alexander were giving. She was enjoying that, probably more than she should. “Probably going to become a habit, so I need delicious rabbit food to stuff in his face.”, Zoe added. Emma and Alexander both looked unhappy. Talia looked from Merrick to Zoe and glared. She already didn’t like Zoe but she hated Merrick even more. Zoe just happened to be a catalyst that resulted in Geri going to jail and Damon retiring from the Academy she could get over that. Merrick had always been a pain in her side and had witnessed her get beaten in a fight with Rachel. Merrick just shrugged. “Like hellraiser said, I helped her move into her place. Going to drop you off at the haven then I’m taking her to the grocery store before we go back to her place. Then well I’ll leave when I want or get told to leave.”, Merrick explained to his sister relishing the angry look from Alexander. He pulled open his door and pushed the seat forward then pointed to the back. “So get in Emma.”, Merrick instructed. Zoe moved back over to her seat so Emma could get in. “And I won’t be kicking him out quickly. I like his company. Isn’t that right handsome?”, she asked batting her eyes at Merrick. “Really those, he is just helping me settle in. Don’t worry Alexander. Besides I’m the older sister you’re not suppose to worry.”, Zoe said leaning out the passenger window. Alexander still didn’t look happy about this. Emma frowned getting into the backseat. “I know you are my older sister, but I’m still the brother and therefore it’s still my job to make sure my sisters are safe.”, Alexander said. Merrick laughed. “Like she said there’s nothing to worry about Alexander. It’s just me and your big sister alone in a small apartment. What could be bad about that? Besides I never make a woman do anything she doesn’t want to. So she’s perfectly safe with me.”, Merrick added.
Alexander glared at him not liking what was being implied. “There’s nothing wrong with spending time with an incredibly attractive man alone. But seriously, Alexander just calm yourself. Merrick has been nothing but polite and kind, a complete gentlemen.”, Zoe assured. Talia snorted with a laugh. “Please? Now we know you are lying. Merrick polite? Kind? A Gentlemen?”, Talia shook her head. “Hey I’m capable of being those things. As stated no woman has done anything with me that wasn’t their idea. And I’m polite and kind to those who deserve it. You have never deserved that kind of treatment. Zoe however does.”, Merrick said fixing his seat and moving to get in. “You kids have a good night and don’t do anything I wouldn’t.”, Merrick said with a wink before pulling out leaving Alexander and Talia just standing there. “I should tell dad.”, Alexander said. Talia smirked but sighed. “No. As much as I’d like to get Merrick in trouble with your father, he’s off limits being Haven. And you do not want to be the sibling who becomes the tattletale. Let’s just go home and enjoy our evening. I’ve got plans for you Alexander and you’ll quickly forget what just transpired here.”, Talia said taking his tie in her hand and leading him in the direction of his car. Alexander laughed and nodded following along as she held his tie. “That sounds like an enjoyable distraction, Daimónissa.”, Alexander agreed as they got to his car to head back to the Academy. Unlike many of the senior class probably planning to have sex that evening they didn’t’ need to bother with a hotel room since Alexander had a bedroom to himself and no one bothered them at the Academy.
As they drove Merrick noticed the pout of his little sister in the back seat from the review. “So seriously what is going on here?”, Emma questioned. Merrick smiled and glanced to Zoe who shrugged. “Nothing is going on Emma. Zoe is a platonic friend. Yeah she’s attractive but for reasons I don’t need to explain to you, I’ve no intention to get with her. I was nice and helped her get moved into her apartment. And I’m going to build her some bookcases and such. Which since she’s strapped for cash she’s paying me in food. So see everything is kosher.”, Merrick explained. Zoe nodded. “Exactly. Your brother is certainly good looking. I don’t know but I’d find it odd to be with someone my sibling dislikes so much.”, Zoe explained. Emma snorted but sat back relieved to know that there was nothing going on between her brother and Zoe. “Oh well if you want to not get with a guy your brother doesn’t like then your options are seriously limited. Alexander doesn’t like most of the guys in Bayville.”, Merrick commented. Zoe smiled and looked over at him. “Yeah well maybe if I wasn’t considered off limits I could overlook that my brother doesn’t like you.”, Zoe commented. Merrick smiled. “Yes well you can’t find someone he hates more than me I am sure of that.”, Merrick replied. “So why does my brother hate you anyways? I mean I’ve found you to be delightful to be around. Is it just that you are both guys and therefore but-heads?”, Zoe questioned. “Um he’s hated me since, what was it Emma his tenth birthday?”, Merrick asked looking to the review and his sister. Emma just nodded. “Right so he’d hated me since his tenth birthday. Weird kid wanted to do some sparring at his party. Whatever. Well he didn’t want to spar Apollo who may be younger but at the time was about the same size as Alexander. But your brother wanted to fight one of us older boys. Malcolm, Thomas and William all told him no. I was the last option. I said no too. Didn’t want to beat the kid on his birthday, and I sure the hell wasn’t going to throw a fight. Well he pushed the issue and it ended up being a fight not a sparring match. I kicked his ass bad. And he hasn’t forgiven me since. Then four years ago when I left the Academy with mom and Sebastian that was just icing on the cake.”, Merrick explained pulling up to the Haven. “Oh so that’s it. You hurt his pride.”, Zoe nodded understanding it now.
Merrick let the car idle as he stepped out and pulled his seat forward offering a hand to help his sister out. “Bye Emma, hope you have fun tomorrow with your mom.”, Zoe said with a wave. Emma just gave a nod taking her brother’s hand and stepped out giving him a hug. “Thanks for the ride Merrick.”, Emma said before heading inside. Merrick sighed shaking his head fixing his seat and getting in. “Some days I just don’t know if I know her.”, he commented pulling away. “What do you mean? She’s just a possessive little sister who doesn’t want to lose her brother.”, Zoe said figuring he was talking about how Emma was behaving to her. “Possessive is a word to describe her. But it makes no sense to me. She’s never going to lose me. We’re family and if I can move past the things she’s done and if she remembers how I’ve been here for her since the day she was born she’d understand that. Of the five kids I’m the one that’s going nowhere, at most I might eventually get my own place but I’d still be in Bayville.”, Merrick said. “She just doesn’t want you with the wrong girl I guess.”, Zoe shrugged. Merrick growled a little tightening his grip on the steering wheel as he thought about the lengths Emma went to when she decided Leslie wasn’t good enough. Zoe blinked and looked at him. “Um Merrick?”, Zoe asked. Merrick blinked and loosened his grip. “Sorry. Just well she doesn’t get to decide who’s good enough or right or wrong for me. I get that say no one else.”, Merrick said. Zoe nodded and lightly touched his right arm. “Yes you do. No one can tell you who you can or cannot be with. She’ll learn that. Come on let’s go do this grocery shopping so I can pay you for the awesome bookcases you are going to make me.”, she suggested with a smile. Merrick nodded and continued to the grocery store.