Chapter One-hundred Eighty-Eight: Thanks for Nothing

Chapter 188

Thanks for Nothing

Jordi led Madelyn to his master bedroom. She gazed at the saltwater fish aquarium on the wall.

Jordi: “Those are my fish. They’re relaxing to watch.”

He said breathlessly as he sat on his bed.

Madelyn: “Ooh, pretty fishies!”

She gently tapped on the glass. She saw Jordi’s cologne, underarm antiperspirant, his reading glasses, a lighter, a package of cigarettes, and his sunglasses.

Madelyn: “Nice sunnies!”

She picked them up and put them on, gazing at him through neon purples and fuchsia.

Jordi: “You look great in my sunglasses.”

He smiled tightly.

Madelyn: “Thank you!”

She took them off and set them back on the dresser.

Jordi held the cold bottle of sparkling water to his neck. Madelyn glanced up at him and chuckled.

Madelyn: “What are you doing that for?”

She asked with curiosity.

Jordi: “Oh, I’m hot and this cools me down.”

He replied and took another drink.

Madelyn: “Oh, I already know you’re hot!”

She teased and licked her finger, placing it on his chest, making a sizzling hiss with her mouth. Jordi jolted when her forefinger pressed against his chest. He bit his bottom lip and threw his head back, exhaling sharply.

Madelyn: “Oh, did I go too far?”

She laughed. Jordi swallowed hard and shook his head.

Jordi: “No, not at all.”

His breathing hitched. Madelyn smiled at him.

Madelyn: “Oh, that’s good!”

She teased.

She trickled her fingertips down his chest to tickle him. Jordi jolted and let out a peal of laughter as she tickled his chest.

Jordi: “HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

He laughed hard and flopped down on his bed. Madelyn smiled at him and pounced down onto the bed with him, tickling his sides. Jordi howled with laughter.

Jordi: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! OH GOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOD! WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!”

He laughed and thrashed around. Madelyn lifted his shirt out of his pants and tickled his tummy. Jordi screamed with laughter and pounded the bed.

Jordi: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!”

He laughed hard and panted in between laughing. Madelyn leaned forward and blew a raspberry onto his tummy as she tickled his sides. Jordi laughed hard and unbuttoned his shirt all the way.

Jordi: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!! OH MY! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAHAHAHAHAHAA!”

He laughed hard, throwing his head back. Madelyn chuckled at him and continued blowing raspberries on his toned tummy, and tickled his feet with her hand. Jordi screamed with laughter and clasped his hands over his face.

Jordi: “OHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!! WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAHAHAHA!!”

He laughed hard and heaved in between laughing.

Madelyn ceased from tickling him and smiled down at him from above. Jordi blinked as tears dripped down his cheeks. He panted and smiled up at her. He reached up and cupped her face with his hand. Madelyn reddened as he cupped her face and placed her hand on his, gazing at him and feeling her heart race.

Jordi inhaled sharply as his thumb rubbed her cheek. Madelyn swallowed hard and gazed into his byzantine eyes. Jordi sat and stared into her violet eyes. His heart hammered in his chest. He took her hands and placed them on his bare chest so she could feel his skin and his heartbeat. He caressed her arms as her hands rested on the wall of his chest. Madelyn gazed up at him from his chest as she peacefully lay on it, listening to his heartbeat.

Jordi smiled and wrapped his arms around her. Madelyn melted into this warm embrace, savoring the moment. He lay back with her on his chest. He gazed down at her and smiled. She smiled back at him, her bright eyes speaking to him.

Jordi leaned closer to her and closed his eyes as he kissed her lips softly. Madelyn’s eyes widened as she felt butterflies swarming around her to his tender kiss. She returned the kiss softly. Jordi raked his fingers through her hair when he kissed her again. Madelyn took his hand as she kissed him more.

Jordi drew back and gazed into her eyes. His heart thundered in his chest. His body temperature rose, and his lips were slightly parted. Madelyn welcomed him in and parted her lips, gliding her tongue along his. Jordi’s tongue wrestled with hers as he caressed the small of her back, tasting her hot girl breath. As he kissed her deeply, he moaned in her mouth and ran his hand up and down her back.

Madelyn shivered with arousal to his touch and to his sounds. She traced her fingers down his body as she kissed him passionately. Jordi moaned and felt a tightness in his pants as they continued kissing. He hasn’t felt this aroused in a long, long time. Madelyn wrapped her arms around him, feeling his warmth against hers, craving more of him. She hadn’t felt wanted like this in a long time. Jordi lay back and gazed at her, panting. His hardness pressed against his pants, and he flushed red. Madelyn’s eyes widened, surprised to feel that hardness for her.

Madelyn: “O-Oh!”

She quivered with surprise and arousal. Jordi cupped his mouth and laughed.

Jordi: “Do you like that?”

He whispered. Madelyn wordlessly nodded and bit her lip. Jordi grinned.

Madelyn: “Do you like this?”

She teased and gestured to herself.

Jordi: “Yes, very much.”

He said in a breathy tone. He brushed his shirt past his arms and tossed it on the floor. He sat up and gazed at her. Madelyn swallowed hard as she stared at him, shirtless. She was awestruck that a man like him wanted her, too.

Madelyn: “Ooh, wow!”

She ran her fingertip down his bare chest. Jordi inhaled sharply and let out a soft moan. Madelyn smiled at him and wrapped her arms around him as she kissed him. Jordi embraced her and kissed her back. He moaned into her mouth and savored the sweet taste. His moaning was contagious, causing her to moan in unison with him.

His cellphone rang. He broke the kiss and reached to pick it up. He held up a forefinger to Madelyn.

Jordi: “Hello?”

Gina: “Jordi, are you coming to Apple City for the Lacy’s Thanksgiving Parade? Daddy has the jet ready and I got up a nice suite at the Milton Hotel! It got a private jacuzzi and everything away from the little brat.”

She laughed. Jordi blinked and raked his fingers through his hair.

Jordi: “Uh, Gina, we broke up? Remember? And you also sent a muscular man to kill me?! AGAIN?!”

He laughed humorlessly. Madelyn’s heart sank when she heard him say that name.

Gina: “We broke up? I must have done that when I was having a bad period. You can’t say I am accountable for when I am on my period!”

She giggled. Madelyn’s ire soared when she heard this.

Madelyn: “Yes, you broke up with him and broke his heart and sent some lunatic to kill him! You’re nothing but a bad period! Leave him alone!”

She interjected. Gina paused.

Gina: “WHO IS THAT GIRL?! JORDI, IS IT THAT FAT GIRL LIKE MAKAYLA?!”

She screamed. Madelyn rolled her eyes.

Madelyn: “It’s Madelyn, duh. You’re not very bright, are you?”

She taunted her.

Jordi: “She’s not like Makayla, and anyway, you and I are done. I’m not going anywhere with you.”

Madelyn: “Yes, now, bye-bye! This is over, PERIOD. Go date Blair now!”

She waved at the phone and taunted her.

He heard her screaming unintelligible words and pressed the end button. He placed his cell phone on the nightstand and heaved a deep sigh.

Jordi: “Sorry about that. She forgot we broke up.”

He said bitterly.

Madelyn: “You’ve got nothing to be sorry about. It’s not your fault, she’s a bad period.”

She shook her head. Jordi laughed a bit and reached out to cup her face.

Jordi: “Forget about her. What about us?”

He smiled.

Madelyn: “Us? What about us?”

She teased and smiled. Jordi chuckled.

Jordi: “Do you want me to walk you home or…?”

He looked around his room.

Madelyn: “Or what?”

She teased. Jordi laughed.

Jordi: “Do you want to spend the night, or do you feel it’s too soon?”

He asked tenderly.

Madelyn: “Hmm, well, I don’t wanna rush you as I know you just got out of a bad period… pun very intended!”

She laughed. Jordi bobbed his head.

Jordi: “You’re not rushing me…”

He whispered and kissed her. Madelyn smiled back at him and kissed him back.

Jordi rose from the bed and grabbed his shirt to put on.

Jordi: “I’ll walk you home then.”

He smiled, feeling conflicted about what to do.

Madelyn: “Sure… if that’s what you wanna do!”

She smiled at him. She didn’t want to push him.

Jordi buttoned his shirt back up and tucked it back in his pants.

Jordi: “That said…, where do we stand?”

He asked her.

Madelyn: “I don’t know… how about we go with the flow and see where things take us?”

She smiled at him. Jordi twisted his mouth.

Jordi: “Do you want to be my girlfriend?”

He asked her. Madelyn’s eyes widened, taken aback and surprised by that question. She felt conflicted. She was flattered and wanted this, but they had only just met, and he had just gotten out of a relationship with a crazy person.

Madelyn: “Of course I do, but are you ready for that?”

She asked him gently. Jordi smiled at her.

Jordi: “That’s why I asked you…”

He traced his thumb over her cheek.

Madelyn: “Okay! I’ll be your girlfriend and you can be my boyfriend!”

She smiled and kissed him. Jordi laughed and kissed her back.

Jordi: “I’d like that very much!”

He beamed.

Madelyn: “Me too!”

She beamed.

Jordi: “Come on, I’ll walk you home now.”

He held his hand out to her. Madelyn took his hand and rose off the bed with him.

Madelyn: “Alrighty!”

She smiled and nodded, following him.

~

Jordi and Madelyn walked down the road. He had his arm over her.

Jordi: “I had an amazing time tonight.”

He said genially.

Madelyn: “Me too…”

She smiled at him and stood up on her tiptoes to kiss him. Jordi kissed her back.

They went down the driveway and saw Celeste carrying every bag of wood on her back.

Jordi: “Celeste, what are you doing? Why are you taking that wood away?”

He laughed.

Celeste: “Because if anyone lit this wood, the place would be a towering inferno.”

She said with wide eyes.

Jordi: “Huh?”

Celeste: “The wood reeks of gas. Someone doused these logs in gasoline.”

She drawled. Jordi’s face went ashen. Madelyn’s jaw dropped.

Madelyn: “Seriously? Is Gina THAT crazy on her period?!”

She cupped her mouth, immediately jumping to the conclusion that it was Gina.

Jordi: “No, Gina is too stupid to concoct this. This is her father’s doing.”

He said grimly.

Celeste: “Yeah, she’s a real space cadet. This is definitely someone who has experience in killing people.”

She slashed her finger over her neck. Jordi hung his head.

Madelyn: “Touché…”

Her voice trailed off, thinking of that phone call.

Madelyn: “What is her father in the mob or something?”

She asked. Celeste shrugged.

Celeste: “Not familiar with him, and I know lots of people in mobs.”

She said as she dumped the logs on the curb for garbage pick-up.

Celeste: “Anyway, are you two gonna come to Lazaros and Ash’s Thanksgiving dinner?”

She asked. Jordi inhaled sharply.

Jordi: “Sure.”

He smiled a bit.

Madelyn: “Ooh, sure! Sounds fun!”

She smiled. Celeste raised her hands.

Celeste: “Great, I’ll see you two there!”

She cheered and ran down the street.

Jordi turned to Madelyn.

Jordi: “I’m sorry for all of this.”

He sighed.

Madelyn: “You say sorry too much and when you don’t need to!”

She cupped his cheek.

Jordi: “I’m sorry.”

He smiled sadly. Madelyn smiled at him.

Madelyn: “Don’t be sorry, this isn’t your fault, Jordi!”

She assured him and wrapped her arms around him. Jordi sighed and wrapped his arms around her, caressing her hair.

Jordi: “Thank you.”

He whispered in her ear. Madelyn shivered to his whispers in her ear and giggled. She then kissed him softly on the lips. Jordi closed his eyes and savored the kiss.

Jordi: “Call me if you need me for anything… Have a good night, Madelyn.”

He said tenderly, gazing into her eyes.

Madelyn: “You too, Jordi! Call me if you need anything, too! Have a good night, too.”

She said gently and earnestly, returning his gaze. Jordi smiled tenderly and caressed her cheek. He heaved a deep sigh and then went down the steps and walked down the driveway. Madelyn watched him go and sighed happily.

~

It was Thanksgiving Day. Lazaros had everything prepared for this special day. He spent most of the night preparing everything to ensure it was perfect while Ashley baked the desserts.

Tristan walked up to Lazaros’ house that afternoon. He wore a black Italian-cut double-breasted suit, a light-blue pressed shirt, a dark-blue tie, and black wingtip Oxfords. Deimos emerged from his house. He wore a black suit jacket, a purple button-down shirt with the buttons unsnapped to expose his platinum chain, and black cowboy boots.

Deimos: “Tristan.”

He shivered, and his breathing hitched when he saw him.

Tristan: “Hello, Deimos.”

Deimos: “You came.”

He smiled.

Tristan: “I did it for Ashley.”

He said tersely. Deimos bowed his head.

Deimos: “I’m sure you did.”

He said dryly.

Tristan: “Isn’t that why you wanted me here?”

He teased. Deimos raked his fingers through his hair.

Deimos: “Y-Yeah.”

Jaxon drove down the road and pulled up to the curb. Celeste was in the car with him. She climbed out. She wore an off-shoulder black dress with lace sleeves, black nylons, and black heels with an ankle strap. Jaxon stepped out. He wore a red snake skin sports jacket, a black button-down shirt, black pants, and black loafers.

Jaxon: “Yo!”

He waved at Deimos. Celeste rushed up to Tristan and hugged him. Jaxon glared and looked away with hurt.

Jordi’s car pulled up. He parked it on the curb and stepped out. He wore a black Italian-cut black suit, a gray turtleneck, and black loafers. He went over to the passenger’s door to open it for Madelyn. Madelyn thanked him and stepped out, dressed in a vibrant orange-and-yellow gown resembling fall leaves, with a crown of twigs and leaves on her head and matching fall-leaf heels on her feet. She wore a red-and-orange gradient eye shadow, making her violet eyes pop. She resembled a fall fairy.

Deimos gaped at her and raised an eyebrow. Tristan nodded.

Tristan: “Hello, Jordi, Madelyn.”

He said genially.

Jordi: “Hey, Tristan. Happy Thanksgiving.”

Tristan: “Same to you.”

The door opened.

Deimos: “Okay, that’s our cue to enter this fuckin’ charade.”

He huffed and went up the stairs. The rest followed.

When they entered Lazaros’ house and went to his dining room, it was set with a large inflatable turkey by the baby grand piano. The table was set with a formal placemat setting and cards placed near the plates. Lazaros stepped out wearing a pilgrim costume replete with a pilgrim hat.

Lazaros: “Welcome, welcome! Welcome to my humble home! Dinner will be ready when the star of the show arrives! Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!”

He sang. Deimos glared at him.

Celeste: “Hey, where’s Ash?”

Lazaros: “Getting ready for the grand entrance!”

He grinned.

Tristan was about to take a seat, but Deimos pulled out a chair for him. Tristan paused and sat down. Deimos sat by him. Jaxon and Celeste sat by each other. Jordi pulled out a chair for Madelyn and smiled at her. Madelyn smiled back at Jordi and sat down.

Lazaros: “Who are you? I don’t remember inviting you.”

He smiled. Deimos rolled his eyes.

Madelyn: “Oh, I’m Jordi’s girlfriend, Madelyn! Nice to meet you!”

She smiled at him.

Jordi: “Yes, she’s my girlfriend.”

He smiled at her. Deimos gaped at them. So much for Gina, but also good riddance, he thought.

Lazaros: “Sorry about that. I was worried I didn’t have enough coupons to hand out, but luckily I made plenty!”

He beamed.

Madelyn: “Coupons?”

She laughed.

Madelyn: “What is he talking about?”

She asked Jordi.

Lazaros: “I’ll fill you in when Ashley comes!”

Lazaros: “I hear the star of the show coming!”

He said as he cupped his ear, hearing Ashley’s footsteps approaching. Deimos rolled his eyes. Ashley sauntered up to them, dressed in their rust-orange velvet faux-fur Afghan coat with white trim and golden suns, stars, and moons embroidered on it. They wore an ivory shirt underneath with red velvet bellbottom pants draped over their bare feet.

Ashley: “Meow! Happy Thanksgiving!”

They chirped and greeted them all with a tiny wave.

Tristan: “Hello, Ashley. Same to you.”

Celeste waved at them.

Ashley: “Hello, Tristan! Hello, Green kitty queen! Hello Jordi! Hello Deimos! Hello Jaxon!”

They waved at them all. Jordi smiled.

Jordi: “Hello, Ashley!”

Jaxon: “Yo!”

Ashley paused when they saw Madelyn with them.

Ashley: “Oh my stars?! Madelyn?!”

They gasped and rushed over to her, hugging her. Madelyn hugged them back.

Madelyn: “Hey there, pretty kitty! Long time no see!”

She smiled and greeted them. Lazaros gaped at them.

Ashley: “What are you doing here?”

They beamed.

Madelyn: “I’m here with Jordi!”

She smiled at him, draping her arm around him. Jordi beamed at her and them. Ashley squealed with delight.

Ashley: “AHHH! Oh my stars! That’s SO cute!”

They clasped their cheeks, happy for them, but also glad Jordi had broken up with that girl who reminded them of Blair.

Lazaros: “Oh, Ashley, you never told me about her! Wow, Deimos, now I know the feeling of your lover keeping secrets from you!”

He forced a smile. Deimos glared at Lazaros, and Tristan shot Deimos a glare. Ashley tilted their head at Lazaros.

Ashley: “Oh, Madelyn was my friend back in Selene Valley! She tried to tell me Makayla was bad news… and she was right… haha.”

They laughed bitterly.

Lazaros: “Well, don’t think anything of it. It’s not like throwing up my food or anything.”

He waved his hand and laughed. Ashley tilted their head and laughed awkwardly, not knowing what to think of that.

Madelyn: “Um, what?”

She pressed Lazaros.

Lazaros: “Oh, well, Ashley threw up my delicious food one time, but I forgave them! Just like Tristan keeps stuff from Deimos, but this is about forgiveness, right?”

He smiled tightly. Tristan glared coldly at Deimos. Deimos shrank in his seat.

Madelyn: “...Riiiiight.”

She awkwardly cleared her throat, sensing the awkward tension between them all, that she wasn’t a part of and kept out of.

Madelyn: “That smells lovely!”

She sniffed the food in the air.

Ashley: “OH, yes! Me and Laz cooked up a storm of yummy food for Thanksgiving!”

They eagerly clasped their hands together. Jaxon came out with a bottle of wine and placed it on the table. Lazaros took it and opened it up.

Tristan: “Thank you, Jaxon. I’m going to need this.”

He said as he held his glass up. Lazaros poured Tristan a glass of wine and one for Jordi.

Lazaros: “Yes, Ashley and I cooked up all this food for Thanksgiving. I put extra special care into this.”

He said as he poured a glass of wine for Jaxon. He then got sparkling cider for Celeste and a beer for Deimos.

Celeste: “I wanna root beer float.”

Madelyn: “Ooh, that sounds nice! Me too!”

She eagerly nodded.

Lazaros: “Sorry, but I make those for Ashley.”

Tristan: “Ashley would love to accommodate others, Lazaros.”

He sipped his wine. Ashley smiled.

Ashley: “Ooh, of course! I’ll get you some root beer floats!”

They smiled at them.

Lazaros: “Tristan, my dear, you can bark orders at Deimos but not me.”

He smiled tightly. Deimos rubbed his temples. Tristan quirked an eyebrow. Ashley awkwardly scratched their head and scurried into the kitchen to get the root beer floats for them.

Lazaros then handed out colorful coupons with a turkey painted on them to everyone. Celeste pouted.

Celeste: “ ‘You are entitled to give Ashley one free tummy rub.’ ”

She flicked the coupon down. Ashley returned with the root beer floats and laughed awkwardly at the coupons.

Ashley: “O-oh, you don’t have to do that… only if you want to…”

They laughed awkwardly and looked away.

Tristan: “Uhm, thank you, Lazaros, I am sure Ashley would be delighted to receive this from us.”

He said dryly.

Lazaros: “You’re welcome, Tristan.”

He smiled. Deimos glared at Lazaros. Madelyn burst out laughing.

Madelyn: “Oh wow… they weren’t kidding when they said Pink Top is the hotspot of fetishes! You’re so open about your fetishes.”

She laughed. Jordi laughed awkwardly and sipped his wine.

Lazaros: “It’s not a fetish! It’s a way to show appreciation!”

He huffed.

Deimos: “Boy, you got that right.”

He huffed and chugged on his beer. Ashley laughed awkwardly.

Ashley: “Here’s your root beers!”

They gave Madelyn and Celeste a root beer with cherries on top, along with one for themself. They held up their glass.

Ashley: “Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!”

They exclaimed. Everyone else raised their glasses.

Tristan: “Same to you, Ashley.”

He said genially.

Jordi: “Salud!”

Lazaros came out with a giant smoked hickory turkey, then trays of sides, including broccolini in a cream sauce with bacon, dinner rolls, green bean casserole, stuffing, glazed carrots, and roasted brussels sprouts. Madelyn’s eyes lit up.

Madelyn: “OOH, that looks delicious!”

She exclaimed, reaching for the food. Lazaros smacked her hand away. Jordi glared at him.

Madelyn: “Hey?! What was that for?”

Ashley: “Lazaros… It’s Thanksgiving! Everyone should have a plate!”

They scolded him gently. Lazaros’ right eye twitched.

Celeste: “So, uh, are we allowed to eat any of this?”

She asked as she popped cherries into her mouth. Jaxon shifted awkwardly in his seat. Tristan curled an eyebrow and sipped his wine.

Lazaris: “No, this is all for Ashley. You’re all going to watch them eat it.”

He grinned. Madelyn gaped at him and laughed.

Madelyn: “Hahaha, good one.”

She thought he was joking and reached for the food again. Lazaros smacked her hand away. Ashley knit their eyebrows.

Ashley: “Lazaros…”

Lazaros: “It’s not a joke.”

He said sternly. Madelyn frowned at him.

Jordi: “Lazaros, don’t hit her.”

He said in a warning tone.

Madelyn: “Ohh, I think I get it. It’s like how Makayla bought me food only for me to eat and then tried to do the same thing to Ashley?”

She laughed bitterly. Ashley bowed their head.

Lazaros: “Makayla is a SLOB! She’s into feeding that fat guy disgusting food while he burps and farts! This is NOTHING like that!”

He snapped on the verge of tears.

Jordi: “Why else would we be here, Lazaros?!”

He fired back.

Lazaros: “To watch Ashley eat!”

He smiled.

Celeste: “But that’s boring. I wanna eat, too.”

She pouted. Lazaros looked at Celeste with hurt.

Ashley: “But, I wanna eat together, Lazaros!”

They pleaded with him, taking his hand. Lazaros smiled at them.

Lazaros: “Why, Ashley? Watching them eat is boring. Watching you eat is magical.”

He cupped their cheek and cooed. Ashley smiled a bit.

Ashley: “That’s sweet, Laz, but I can’t eat all this food, and I wanna share a meal with our friends! That’s what Thanksgiving is all about!”

They assured him.

Deimos: “I fucking knew it.”

He huffed.

Tristan: “Lazaros, if they ate all of this food, they would throw it up. That’s why they did it the last time.”

He glared at him. Ashley bowed their head.

Lazaros: “And I forgave them for that, Tristan. You don’t have a forgiving heart, but I do!”

He snapped. Tristan glared at me.

Tristan: “Well, pardon me.”

He said dryly.

Madelyn gaped at Lazaros.

Madelyn: “Umm, what? You made Ashley sick, but that’s their fault?”

She gaped at him.

Lazaros: “My food is TOP QUALITY. It’s NOT Voyage Burger slop, so throwing up my food is impossible!”

He snapped and stomped his feet.

Jordi: “It’s about quantity, not quality!”

He snapped.

Madelyn: “Didn’t say it was Voyage Burger slop, but if you feed someone too much food of any kind, they’re gonna get sick, and blaming Ashley isn’t cool.”

She added. Ashley drew a long breath and wanted to avoid this argument again, knowing it would get nowhere.

Lazaros: “Well, I didn’t throw up my own food! I said I forgave them! I am NOT like Tristan! He holds grudges against everyone, and he keeps stuff from Deimos! That has NOTHING on throwing up my delicious food!”

He jumped up and flailed his arms.

Tristan: “Yes, Deimos, do tell him more about that.”

He glared at Deimos, who shrank in his seat.

Madelyn: “Of course you didn’t throw up your own food, look at you, you’re so slim, haha! But if you ate a whole table of food, you would.”

She gestured to his body.

Lazaros: “Oh, I don’t need that much food. Deimos needs more because he works out.”

He replied.

Madelyn: “Then why does Ashley need that much food… never mind, I think I get it. You’re a chubby chaser!”

She countered and laughed. Ashley redenned. Lazaros laughed bitterly.

Lazaros: “No, I’m not! This is not a fetish! Why does everyone make something artistic into a fetish these days?!”

He snapped and pounded his fist on the table.

Madelyn: “Something artistic can also be a fetish.”

She laughed as she nibbled on the vegetables, passing them to Celeste.

Celeste had a turkey leg in her mouth. Ashley smiled and chuckled at Celeste.

Ashley: “Hehe, ohhh, Celeste! You’re so much a cat!”

They giggled. Lazaros shrieked and grabbed the turkey leg.

Lazaros: “LET GO OF THAT!”

He screamed as he tried to pull it out of her mouth. Ashley knit their eyebrows.

Jaxon: “Come on, man, let her have it, it’s better than Tristan’s dick in her mouth.”

He said bitterly. Jordi cleared his throat and looked away. Madelyn’s jaw dropped. Ashley gasped and cupped their mouth. Tristan’s face turned red, and Deimso slapped his fists on the table.

Deimos: “WHAT?!”

Jaxon: “Because she’s pissed I am hurt about her wanting to seduce my evil brother, she fucked Tristan!”

He said with hurt in his tone. Celeste growled at Jaxon. Ashley gasped.

Tristan: “Jaxon, do not make me angry…”

He glared at him as he cupped his mouth.

A wave of emotions crashed through Deimos. He felt hurt and heartbroken, but he also thought he deserved this. Madelyn continued eating as she watched the storm unfold. Ashley dug into the turkey, nervously eating as the tension in the room grew.

Celeste: “Screw you, Jax! I wanna get answers ‘bout Borko and you want to mope about a dead girl!”

She huffed.

Jaxon: “There HAS to be other ways to find out about that dead guy!”

He fired back.

Tristan drained his glass of wine and poured another. Lazaros beamed with hearts in his eyes as Ashley ate, blocking out the chaos around him.

Celeste: “Well, at least we got Madelyn to stop arguing with Lazaros, ‘cause he might put her or Jordi in a coma like he did to Blair.”

She huffed. Ashley froze.

Ashley: “...What?”

Madelyn: “What?! You put him in a coma? You rid the world of laughter!”

She laughed. Lazaros gaped owlishly at her.

Jaxon: “Fuck Blair. I hope he dies.”

He growled. Deimos looked away, recalling the night he pummeled Blair.

Ashley put their fork down and turned to Lazaros.

Ashley: “You put him in a coma, Lazaros? …He might die?!”

They gasped and cupped their cheeks.

Lazaros: “I saw him on the night of the Halloween festival, and that was it.”

He stated. Tristan quirked an eyebrow.

Ashley: “What did you do, Laz?”

They pressed him. Lazaros paused.

Lazaros: “Well, I was with you at the stall and then I left… and I don’t remember what happened.”

He smiled. Tristan raised his eyebrows. Ashley cupped their mouth.

Ashley: “Oh god… I don’t like Blair and just wanted him to leave me alone! I didn’t want him to die!”

They gasped.

Celeste: “If he stays in a coma too long, he may as well be dead, so I guess he will die.”

She drawled and took a massive bite out of the turkey. Ashley’s heart sank.

Celeste: “I mean, he did attack you, so who else put him in the coma?”

She added.

They heard a harrumph. Sylvia entered the dining room.

Sylvia: “I couldn’t help but overhear everything. Blair has taken a turn for the worse, and I am sorry to say this, Ashley, but this is entirely on you. I don’t know what was said, but whoever attacked Blair did it in your name.”

She said sternly. Ashley felt as though the floor dropped beneath their feet and they were falling through it.

Ashley: “Wh-What?! He’s going to die because of me?!”

They cried.

Sylvia: “I am afraid so, Ashley.”

She nodded soberly.

Ashley: “I have to make this right and make peace with him before he dies… It’s the Sunshire way…”

They embraced themself. Tristan observed them and cupped his mouth. Madelyn gaped at what she was witnessing.

Sylvia: “Well, it’s best to do it now.”

She nodded.

Lazaros: “You’re going to leave all this food?”

He laughed. Madelyn gaped at him and laughed at him.

Deimos: “Not paying much attention, are we?”

He asked dryly.

Ashley: “I’m sorry, Lazaros, I’ll come back and finish it after this.”

They sighed and slipped on their sandals. Lazaros’ bottom lip trembled as if his heart were torn out of his chest cavity and put in a blender.

Lazaros: “You’re leaving this food?!”

He cried.

Sylvia: “Lazaros, Blair is on his way out! Ashley wants to make peace with him!”

She scolded him.

Lazaros: “SO WHAT?! The world is better off without him!”

He sobbed, taking his hat off and throwing it on the floor. Ashley bowed their head.

Ashley: “It’s all my fault he’s going to die! I don’t want to be the reason someone dies, even if they suck like Blair! I have to make peace.”

They cried.

Lazaros: “FINE! BE THAT WAY! NO ONE LOVES ME!”

He sobbed as he stormed away and ran upstairs. Ashley embraced themself and cried as they left with Sylvia.

Madelyn sat there, stunned, as they were left at the food table.

Madelyn: “...Wow. So, this is Thanksgiving, huh?”

She dug into the turkey drumstick. Jordi sighed.

Jordi: “...More or less.”

~

Sylvia led Ashley into Blair’s room at Pink Top General Hospital. Blair was bandaged up like a mummy with a breathing tube in his mouth. Demetrio was in his room, smiling when he saw Ashley.

Demetrio: “Ashley, I didn’t expect you. Thank you for coming…”

He went over and hugged them. Ashley hugged him back.

Ashley: “It was the least I could do… It’s all my fault! I had to make peace!”

They sighed, overwhelmed with guilt as they stared down at Blair’s condition.

Ashley’s sweet cinnamon scent pervaded the room. Demetrio and Sylvia looked at Blair and noticed his fingers twitched. Sylvia clasped Demetrio’s hand.

Sylvia: “Look!”

She whispered hoarsely. The two gaped in awe at Blair’s fingers twitching.

Blair: “A…A…A…A-Ashley…”

He whispered. Sylvia gasped and cupped her mouth. Ashley gasped, and a wave of relief washed over them.

Blair: “A-AAAAAAAAshley…”

He mumbled.

Sylvia: “Demetrio! He’s moving! He’s talking!”

She cheered. Sylvia and Demetrio rushed out to get a doctor.

Ashley: “Oh my stars! You’re alive!”

They gasped and felt a million times lighter now.

Blair turned to Ashley. His eyes fluttered open, and the first thing he saw was Ashley’s face.

Blair: “Ashley… Y-You came back to me…”

He swallowed. Ashley paused.

Ashley: “Uh, well, I came to make peace…”

They forced a smile.

Blair: “...Ashley…, L-Lazaros did this to me.”

He said in pain. Ashley bowed their head.

Ashley: “I’m sorry…”

They sighed. Blair sighed.

Blair: “Lazaros will have to… face execution now.”

He whispered. Ashley’s heart sank.

Ashley: “Wh-What?! B-But you’re alive and fine now, and I’m sure he didn’t mean to almost kill you!”

They cried and pleaded with him.

Blair: “N-No… It’s the law… Lazaros will be in the… electric chair to die.”

He swallowed hard and coughed.

Ashley: “NO! You can’t do that to him! Please don’t kill him!”

They cried and pleaded with him.

Blair: “I can’t…?”

He turned to them. Ashley shook their head at him.

Ashley: “No, because then I will join him and die by his side with him!”

They cried. Blair turned to Ashley.

Blair: “If you don’t… want him to die, you have to date me.”

He stated. Ashley knit their eyebrows.

Ashley: “God… That’s just as bad as the chair!”

They sobbed.

Ashley: “How long do I have to do that?”

They cried.

Blair: “Forever.”

He stated. He feebly reached for the call button. Ashley cupped their mouth.

Blair: “If you don’t do this…, I will tell everyone about what Lazaros… did.”

He coughed.

Ashley: “NO, please don’t! Don’t hurt Lazaros or kill him! I’ll do anything for him, even if it means I have to be with you forever! Life isn’t forever, but death is forever! I don’t want him to die forever! I love him!”

They sobbed.

Blair: “NO…! Tell me… You love me…”

He commanded raising the button. Ashley’s heart sank.

Ashley: “B-But that would be lying! I hate you and I love Lazaros!”

They sobbed. Blair pushed the call button.

Ashley: “NO! PLEASE DON’T! OKAY! I’ll do it!”

They sobbed.

Ashley: “I… love… you.”

They shuddered with strain, bitterness, and desperation in their tone, holding their fingers behind their back, crossing them.

Sylvia and Demetrio walked in and gasped.

Sylvia: “ASHLEY! You confessed your love to Blair!”

She cheered. Demetrio smiled and shed tears of joy.

Demetrio: “I knew it! The power of love always prevails!”

He smiled happily. Ashley bowed their head.

Blair: “Wh-When I get out, Ashley will move their stuff in…”

Sylvia: “Of course! Ashley, you made the right choice!”

She beamed and hugged them. Ashley stood there numbly and wordlessly, not returning the hug. It was as if life had been sucked out of them.

~

Later that evening, Deimos was out on the front patio with Lazaros. Tristan was out walking Oliver on a leash. Ashley’s car pulled up, and Lazaros rose.

Lazaros: “Ashley, the food is all gone! They ate it all!”

He sobbed. Ashley teared up. Tristan froze in his tracks, and Oliver sniffed the garden.

Ashley: “I’m sorry, Lazaros… I have to go… I have to do this…”

Their voice trembled with heartache.

Lazaros: “Do what?”

He laughed.

Ashley: “I have to go live with Blair…”

They shuddered and bawled. Lazaros laughed.

Lazaros: “Wh-What?! Why do you have to live with Blair?”

He laughed sadly as his bottom lip trembled.

Deimos: “I think they finally got sick of your guilt tripping about the puke thing, but really? Blair?”

He scoffed. Tristan gazed at them. Ashley closed their eyes and shuddered and wished they could say something, but they couldn’t.

Deimos: “This is the epitome of out of the frying pan and into the fire.”

He said wryly.

Lazaros: “What do you mean, Ashley?! Are you upset with me about Thanksgiving?! Is that it?!”

He sobbed.

Ashley: “No, Lazaros, I’m not upset with you…”

They cried.

Lazaros: “But I didn’t do anything!”

He cried and stomped his feet.

Several moving vans drove up to the house, and men exited the trucks to barge into Lazaros’ house. They started taking Ashley’s stuff out of there to load onto the vans.

Tristan: “...What is going on? Ashley, I can understand being fed up with Lazaros and his bullshit, but Blair?”

He asked with confusion.

Ashley: “I’m sorry… I have to do this.”

They cried.

Lazaros sank to the ground sobbing uncontrollably as the men took Ashley’s stuff out of their house.

Lazaros: “NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! I DID NOTHING WRONG!”

He bawled and pounded the ground. Tristan heaved a deep sigh, noting Ashley’s demeanor and this sudden move. Ashley embraced their cat.

Ashley: “I’m sorry… goodbye.”

They swallowed hard, then turned away and left. Lazaros curled up in a fetal position and bawled as his heart tore into shreds. Tristan watched Ashley go, knitting his eyebrows. Deimos looked away.

~

When Ashley entered the Donati manor once more, Syliva led them to Blair’s room to his racecar bed.

Sylvia: “Your new bedroom, Ashley. When Blair gets home, you two will share this bed.”

She beamed. Ashley gaped at the bed.

Ashley: “...Great.”

They said with strain and looked around the room. It resembled a child’s bedroom, with the racecar bed, mobile planets hanging from the ceiling, and a shelf of plastic dinosaurs and cars. There was a mural on the right wall of Blair depicting a knight rescuing a princess from a dragon that resembled Lazaros. Ashley inspected the mural, looking closely at the dragon.

Ashley: “...Lazaros?!”

They knit their eyebrows and ran their hand across it.

Ashley: “...Is that supposed to be me?”

They gaped at the princess, who resembled a slim version of them with large breasts, dressed in a feminine dress.

Sylvia: “Yes, this is Blair rescuing you! Blair loves you dearly, Ashley!”

She beamed.

Ashley: “...But that’s not me… That’s not who I am…”

Their voice trailed off, poking their tummy and tugging at their gender-neutral clothing.

Sylvia: “Blair should be home in a few days, so make yourself at home.”

She said genially. Ashley wondered how they could ever feel at home here. They felt like a figurine in a child’s bedroom. They said nothing and just held Stella tightly, the only piece of home they felt.