Misery Loves Company » Places

         

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Time: 8:00 PM
Date: Saturday, 4 January 2014
Location: Botanical Gardens || Bronx, NYC

{In collaboration with BleedingLover}

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Maki was pleased with himself. Not only did he plan the perfect first date, but he had also gotten a chance to see Jasper break a sweat. He had a feeling it was going to be a good night. Much to his surprise, he wasn’t nervous. Perhaps he was still in shock; getting a date and being cured of cancer wasn’t really that common, after all. He checked himself out in the mirror of his bathroom, straightening his black blazer and brushing the wrinkles out of his white button up. He deemed himself presentable. His outfit was simple, yet classy. Easy. Glancing down at his watch, Maki grinned. He was going to be right on time. Grabbing onto the bouquet of blue chrysanthemums he had purchased earlier that day, Maki pocketed his wallet, picked up the blanket before tucking it under his arm, and carried the picnic basket to the door. He locked his door, moving before venturing forward down the hallway. It was eight o’clock on the dot when he knocked on Fiona’s door. Electricity shot up his spine as excitement conquered his emotions. It was sinking in now…he was going to be going on his first date. “No pressure…”

For next three hours, Fiona was getting herself ready. She burnt her wrist three times curling her hair but, nothing she couldn't somehow cover up. Looking at herself in the mirror, she took the time to make sure she looked okay. She fixed the bow in her hair to make it even on both sides and made sure her dress looked okay. Looking at the time, she sighed in nervousness and messed with her fingernails. She could feel the butterflies forming even more than before. And all she could do was remind herself to relax and just enjoy tonight, Maki was different than most guys and that was a good thing. She needed that. Fiona was in the mirror once more as she heard a knock at the door. "Okay, just relax. You've done this before, nothing to be nervous about." She grabbed her small black bag before rushing to the door and looking out the peephole. Looking out, she just smiled at the sight of Maki and the flowers. "Aw, he got me flowers."

The young girl looked over herself in the mirror set by the door before opening the door and looking up at Maki. "Hi." That was the only thing she could mustered before looking at the blanket and picnic basket and smiling. "You can come in. I just need to grab my coat." She opened the door for him before walking into her bedroom to grab the jacket that she had laid out as well. Sliding it on, she fixed her hair and walked back to Maki with a smile. She let out a sigh before looking back up at him. "Ready?"

Maki waited with the utmost patience as his date quickly grabbed her coat. As he waited, he surveyed the bouquet in his hands with a nervous smile. He found himself constantly shift from foot to foot. Blame the anxiety, but Maki was beginning to doubt himself. And then, she was in front of him; wearing that flattering red dress and grinning up at him with a light blush on her freckled cheeks, and all of his worries began to melt. He just looked at her in slight awe, his lips parting as he tried to form a coherent sentence, but instead he just ended up thrusting the flowers out in her direction...and the word-vomit began to spill from his mouth. "I brought you these blue chrysanthemums because when I saw them, I instantly thought of your eyes. I'm sorry...was that cheesy? I mean, it was true, but I probably shouldn't have said that, huh? I don't know...anyway...here," he was bright red, his arm still extended as he looked down at his shoes in embarrassment. "You look beyond beautiful, by the way," he smiled, meekly, looking up behind dark lashes. "So beautiful that I'm getting flustered."

Fiona looked down at the flowers before looking back at Maki as he began to babble. She chuckled and bit her lip to stop herself as he turned red and looked down. She softly grabbed the flowers from his hand and smiled down at them. And when he called her beautiful she started to blush brightly herself just as her date did. "Aw, thank you. But, you don't have to get flustered. Just relax. That's what I have to keep telling myself," With her empty hand, she grabbed his. She slowly moved closer to him and kissed his cheek, hoping to calm his nerves a bit. While Fiona was nervous, all her nerves went away once she saw him. When she moved away she had a huge smile on her face. "Besides, I like cheesy. It's romantic." She placed the flowers down lightly but took one out and placed it behind her ear. She looked down at the blanket and picnic basket before looking back towards Maki with a raised eyebrow and a smirk. "So, I gathered that we're going to have a picnic....in January?"

"Well, yeah," Maki smiled as he looped their arms together and ushered her out of the door. They meandered into the hallway, arm in arm with grins on their faces. "You're in for a surprise."

It didn't take long for the couple to make it to the Bronx, and as Maki helped Fiona out of the taxi, he could stop himself from playing prince charming and kissing the back of her hand. He paid the driver, telling the man that they'd be in touch. He made sure that he was standing in front of Fiona, blocking her view of their destination as the taxi puttered away.

As they got in the cab, Fiona just kept looking out the window for any clues of where they were heading. It wasn't long until Maki was helping her out of the car. She just smiled and watched her date pay the driver before turning back towards the girl.

You trust me?" he grinned, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. "Close your eyes, okay? I don't want to ruin the surprise."

She sighed softly before nodding. "You know I hate surprises." But, she did trust him enough to obey. She sighed once more before closing her eyes and waiting for whatever the surprise was.


Maki’s lips lifted into a lopsided grin as he led her forward; carefully guiding her on the slippery pavement. His gripped the picnic basket while his other hand gently wrapped over her closed lids. It was freezing tonight, but as he escorted her up the steps and into the building, Maki’s entire body felt strangely warm. His toes were tingling with excitement and nervousness; what if she didn’t like what he did for her…no, he couldn’t think that. He had to be positive. This was their first date. If he fucked this up, he’d make it his mission to prove himself to her. After confessing his feelings to Fiona, all that he could think about was how blessed he had been to have her there. He almost thanked the Shepard for tormenting him for so long because in the end, she made it worth it. He opened the door for Fiona, ushering her into the warmth of the building.


Their heels clicked against the shining floors as the couple got closer and closer to the sight. He grinned brightly when they finally made it. Maki had planned this evening with Fiona in mind, remembering everything he had learned about her during their time together. So, with a fraction of the money he stored away before leaving his family, Maki rented out the building for the night. He even decorated the place himself; setting up an array of twinkling lights and candles to illuminate their path. Maki glanced up at the moonless sky, admiring the splash of stars that dotted the cloudless heavens. He peeked at Fiona’s face, utterly awestruck by the flattering way the candlelight made her freckles glow; its amber hue, making her milky skin turn golden. He leaned closer to her; his chest lightly brushing the blades of her delicate shoulders. “I spent all afternoon making this special for you.” he whispered, softly in her ear as he moved his hand away from her face. “Open your eyes. Tell me what you think.”


As the couple made their way into the building, Fiona could feel the excitement going through her body. As Maki lead her towards their secret location, the blonde kept messing with her nimble fingernails. She tried not to show that she was nervous but around Maki, she was different. She couldn't help but become the girl she used to be back home. A cynical, shy, and overall scared little nineteen year old. When he whispered in her ear, she looked in his direction and smiled.


When he removed his hand from her eyes, she took a deep breath before fluttering her eyes open. She softly rubbed her eyes to get them adjusted to the lighting before looking around and blushing. She was speechless. She just pulled Maki into a hug before letting out a chuckle. "Oh my gosh, Maki. You did not have to do all of this for me. I really don't deserve this. I mean, She couldn't even finish her sentence before she pulled away from him, covering her mouth in surprise. "It's beautiful, I love it. But, you didn't have to go through all this trouble especially for me."


He was beaming down at her, resting his palms on his shoulders. "You deserve this and more. This is the least I could do, Fiona. You saved my life."


"I know. I just." The young girl sighed, not even knowing what to say. Fiona just couldn't wrap her mind around this. A guy, an amazing guy that she didn't deserve went through all this trouble...for her. She wasn't used to it, someone giving her flowers because they reminded them of her baby blue eyes, someone who rented out a garden just for their first date and decorated it to make it look even more beautiful. It's not that she didn't love it, she just wasn't used to being treated so nicely by guys around her age. She covered her mouth, trying to hide her smile as she chuckled. "God, I'm smiling like an idiot." She bit down on her lip as she looked up at her date. "So, what's in the basket?"


Maki was now officially pleased with himself. He witnessed that everlasting smile on his date's face, finding himself unable to hold in his glee too. He lifted the basket, gesturing to it as if it were the most precious thing in the world. "Since I knew that you were a vegan, I found this awesome vegan restaurant in SOHO. I got us takeout," He grabbed her hand, rubbing his thumb on the back of her palm as he continued. "However, classy women deserve to dine in a classy fashion. So, I set up a candlelit dinner for the two of us." Excited to show her, Maki guided her through the decorated double doors, transporting her into a place of natural beauty. They were surrounded by flowers and tropical plants. Maki walked slowly, so they could both bask in the various colors and scents as a trail of twinkling lights illuminated their path. Soon they reached a gazebo in the center of the majestic garden. Protected inside was a table for two that was gleaming with two small candles perched in the center on the white table cloth. Plates and silverware were already in place, along with two shining wine glasses. "My lady, Maki jested before bowing. He then released her hand to put down the basket and pull out her chair.


While she was smiling, she could tell that Maki was looking down at her. Even if she shouldn't be, she was bit embarrassed and by the rosy color of her freckled cheeks it was even more obvious. When he grabbed her hand she couldn't help but look down at them hand and hand, smiling. When he was escorting her inside, she laid her head softly on his arm and looked around at all the different flowers and plants. "God, it's so beautiful in here." She said softly, more to herself than to her date. She continued to look around just enjoying the silence as they walked through the garden. Fiona let out a sigh and closed her eyes, enjoying the peacefulness of everything around them. It wasn't until he spoke again that she came back to reality and looked towards the table in front of them.


She kept her eyes on him as he released her petite hand and set everything down. She walked towards her seat and sat down before looking up towards Maki before getting a sarcastic and smug look on her baby doll face. "You're really cheesy, you know that?"


“I blame all of the romantic comedies you forced upon me,” Maki teased as he pushed her chair in for her. He meandered over to their waiting meal, scooping up the basket and opening it to reveal the array of food he had for them. He cleared his throat with a smirk and stiffened his posture. “For tonight’s meal, madam,” he said in his best uppity French waiter voice. “We have prepared a delectable grilled and spiced artichoke coupled with savory herbed mushroom that has been bathed in white wine.” He served the two of them, placing the food on the plates like a waiter should. Once that was finished, Maki pulled out a bottle of sparkling cider.


Fiona chuckled at Maki's French accent as she looked at the food he was setting down. She licked her lips and watched man sit down and pull out something that looked like wine. She raised her eyebrow and looked up at him.


“I know that you’re not old enough to drink yet,” he said in his normal voice. “Besides, I’d rather have you sober than trashed.” With that, the young Asian poured the drinks into the glasses before finally sitting down in front of her. He grabbed her hand from across the table, finding it incredibly hard to stop doing that. He liked the way her small palm felt against his larger one. His thumb drew small circles on the back of her hand as he beheld her beauty. “Believe it or not, I planned out our first date a few months ago, but it was Daniel’s idea to decorate this place. Gotta give the guy credit.”


Fiona tightened her grip on Maki's hand as she listened to him. When she found out that Danny, of course gave his best friend advice on what to do for the couple's first date, she chuckled and shook her head. "You really spent so much time on this date? Well, might I say that planning really paid off. It really is beautiful here, Maki." She told him with reassurance in her voice, letting him know he did a good job impressing the younger girl all before moving a piece of her hair out of the way. While her hair was done, the curls were still a bit uncontrollable. Meaning she had to move a piece of hair back out of her face every once and a while. She looked down at the glasses before picking hers up. "Cheers?"


"To second chances," Maki said, raising his glass and clanking it against hers with a wide grin. The evening went on with an abundance of laughter and various tales that occurred in their pasts. They had finished their dinner as Maki was telling Fiona about a time that he and Daniel raced mini dirt bikes in the mall after purchasing them from RadioShack. He explained how what was meant to be a simple race turned into a disaster.


"So, I bank left and Daniel's right on my ass. I wasn't paying attention at all, didn't see the watch display coming my way. Then BOOM, I end up surrounded by a bunch of Rolexs and I'm on my back staring up at the salesman. Daniel just grins at the guy, gestures to me and says 'He really wanted to know what time it was..."


He let out a wholehearted chuckle at the memory before sipping at his cider. "Your turn, Fiona."


"My turn?" She scoffed with a smirk on her face. "I don't have any embarrassing stories." She turned her glace up to him before sighing. "Okay, fine I'm lying. It was the Winter before the year before I managed to find myself in New York. And to say the least, it gets really cold in England, always snowing, always. But, that's not the worst thing, I was stuck over my...friend's house because it was too treacherous to try and make it back to my house and they live in a loft which is attached to this attic and below this attic is an open garage area. He made me go into the attic to get something. I don't remember but, the next thing I do remember I hear this breaking and creaking from the floorboards below me."


She cleared her throat and took a sip of her cider. "Not even ten seconds later, my waist and below are just hanging. I call out his name and he comes, of course but by the time he gets up there the whole floor just caves in, I guess you could say. We land feet first into the two feet snow. He's wear jeans, so he can get out no problem. Me being the classy and crazy girl I am, I'm wearing a dress. I'm stuck in this freezing snow. Long story cut a little shorter, it took us about fifteen, twenty minutes to get me out of this massive hole I got myself stuck in. My legs were so cold and bruised that I still have a faint mark on the back of my left leg."

"Really? God, that sounds so painful." Maki cringed a little for dramatic effect before taking another swig of his beverage. Smiling, he slipped out of his seat, waltzing over to the radio he had tucked in the corner. He pressed play, the soft melody of John Legend wrapping around the two of them. Turning to Fiona, Maki offered his hand to her as Hold On Longer filled the space. "Care to dance?"

She raised an eyebrow in suspicion and chuckled as she looked down at his hand then back at him. "I haven't danced in months, you know. But," She reached out her hand reluctantly for his before standing up, looking up at the man who towered over her. "I'd love to."

And just like that, Maki scooped Fiona off of her feet and twirled her with a bemused expression on his face. He put her down with the utmost care before holding her hand and pulling her close to his cheek. They danced with only the amber glow of the various candles and twinkling lights to brighten the dark room. Flowers swirled around them in a frenzy of exotic colors and hues, the scents wrapping them up like a soft blanket. That’s how they spent the rest of their night together, holding one another and allowing the precious melody to guide their steps. There was adoration in their young faces as they gazed upon one another as if this moment was meant to there—this was a sign of flourishing young love.

         

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Time: 5:00 P.M.
Saturday, 4th January, 2014
Location: Fiona's Apartment || House of the Damned

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Fiona was asleep in her bed when she began hearing her new phone vibrating underneath her pillow. Why she was asleep in the middle of the day, she wasn't quite sure. All she remembers was staying up all night, worrying about the next night. What to wear, what to talk about, all the same questions she asked when she was getting ready for her first date with her first boyfriend. And when she finally looked at the time, she immediately sprouted up in her bed.

"No! No, no, no, no. This cannot be happening! Not today." She said as she shock her head. Looking at her phone, she realized what woke her from her slumber. A reminder about her hair appointment. She never was one to go out and get her hair done, seeing that she hated having it straightened. It made her feel like now everyone was focusing on the freckles that were scattered all along her face. At least when her hair was curly and covering her face, it distracted people a bit and they paid less attention to her pale complexion or freckles. But, when she called her sister in England to see what her opinion was, she told her older sister that most guys liked girls who dress and looked...well, like Daisy did. And she had been on more dates than Fiona could even keep track of. So, she just went along with it. Looking at the time once more, she realized that she was two hours late for her appointment. "God, I can't believe I missed it. What am I going to do now?"

The Brit looked towards her closet and deeply sighed. Reluctantly, she slid out of her bed and walked over to her closet to see what she could wear. She pulled out every outfit she had, all dresses and laid them out on her bed to see what options she could pick from for her date with Maki. Then she remembered about the pair of jeans she had just brought on Friday to see if she could wear them and a sweater she had just found in the back of her closet that she forgot all about. "Why not? I have nothing more to lose." She grabbed the jeans and heels from the American Eagle bag and slid off her Mr. Bean pajamas. She threw them to her bed and began sliding into her jeans. "Oh bloody hell." She said as she buttoned them up, slid on the tan colored heels, and looked at reflection in the mirror. "Why did Daisy tell me these were comfortable? I hate these." She rolled her eyes as she called her sister. She knew it was ten at night back home but, she didn't care. She tapped her foot on the ground before her sister finally answered her phone.

"Why, hello big sister! What do I own this pleasure? Are the boys not picking up their phones?"

"Why in the world would you tell me about jeans and heels? I hate them both! Who would want to wear jeans everyday anyway?"

Daisy scoffed before chuckling. "Lots of people wear jeans and lots of girls wear heels. Besides, they're sexy. Something you kind of need help with. I mean, dresses, flats, curly hair. Who are you goldey locks..--"

"Hey! Someone must think it's attractive because I have a date tonight." She could hear her sister laugh on the other side of the line. She rolled her eyes and waited for her sister to finish laughing and finally answering. "Oh is that so? Is he blind...and deaf..--"

Fiona laughed mockingly before speaking. "You see that's why everyone says I'm the nice sister. No, he's not. He's someone I met in my apartment. He asked me out and I said yes. End of story." She tossed the heels back into her closet, knowing that she was probably never wear them or the jeans again. She picked up a blue dress of hers as she continued to speak to the younger Kingsley sister. "Fio, I'm only asking this because you're my sister," Fiona raised an eyebrow as he sister stop speaking for a moment before clearing his throat. "Is her attractive? Hear me out, before you interrupt like always. I'm just wondering, I mean it was a miracle that you got Ollie. So, I'm not expecting a male model." The blonde Brit rolled her eyes at the mention of Ollie. "Yea, lucky me. He was such a catch."

She came back reality before putting the phone on speaker and setting it on her dresser so she could continue looking at outfits. "What's it to you? What? Do you want a photo or something?..--"

"Yes, that would be perfect! I want to see this crazy man." She took a deep breath, trying to control her anger as she walked towards her phone and looked through her photos to find one of her and Maki. She didn't have a lot of pictures but most of the ones that she did have were of her with Daniel or more likely, her and Maki. She sent her one of the pictures and just waited for her sister's reaction. "He's Asian? How in the hell did you get an Asian? I mean, I wasn't expecting this. I mean, I had so many jokes but none of them work for him!"

She just listened to her now shocked sister as she held up a light pink dress and squinted her eyes a bit, trying to imagine herself in it. She shook her head before tossing it in the 'no' pile. And when her sister was done with her little rant, Fiona smirked. "And why wouldn't the jokes work for him?" The young girl raised a eyebrow.

"Because, some may say that he's...kind of...sort of...good looking..."

"Oh, he is? I didn't notice."

"Do not get sarcastic with me, Fiona. I have to admit, he is actually very hot...for an Asian." Fiona had to replay what her sister had said in her head. "Did she just say something nice...to me?" But, she smiled with pride as her sister admitted that Maki was indeed attractive. Not that she needed anyone to tell her that, she thought so and in all honest she didn't care what other people thought especially her family. The never had the best judgement in people which might be where Fiona got it from. "Daisy, you know its not a crime to date someone who's not... white, right? I mean, come on now. Just admit it. He's attractive for any race." Daisy sighed before smirking into the phone. "I know that, you just look like...like..--

"Goldilocks, Tinker Bell, Jane from Tarzan..."

"No, Goldilocks definitely but, no...you're like Wendy from Peter Pan!" Fiona just threw her hands up in the air as she listened to her sister. "Now I'm Wendy, that's a new one to add to the book."

"Well, yea. And I just kind of expect you to find your Peter Pan but instead you found..--"

"Don't say it. I'll say it. 'Instead of Peter Pan, I found...Shang from Mulan'?" She said as she made fun of her sister by speaking like her. "I don't sound like that. But I'll admit something, he's kind of sexy. Does he have a good body?" The elder sister just blushed as she listened to her sister, tossing yet another dress into the pile.

"Daisy!"

"What?! It's a valid question, is it not?" Daisy always was one to like a guy for his body. "Well, yes but I don't know. I haven't seen him shirtless for Christ's sake. Why would I?" Daisy knew how Fiona was when it came to talking about guys like this. She got nervous and started blushing, Daisy found it amusing. "I don't know what you do when your in the states." Fiona just rolled her eyes towards the phone before grabbed the last dress and holding it towards her body. She groan in frustration before having her sister chuckle. "What's wrong now, Wendy? Remember the answer is always faith, trust, and pixie dust." Fiona could hear her sister laugh up a storm before she softly cleared her throat to get her sister's attention once more. They needed to address why she called in the first place.


"This is really petty and if you tell anyone about what I'm about to say, I'll deny it. But, I have nothing to wear. Nothing! And it's too late to just go look for a dress." Daisy chuckled some more. [i]"Did try on that dress I got you for Christmas?" Fiona raised an eyebrow. "You never got me a dress for Christmas."

"Yes, I did. The white box with the pretty blue ribbons on it. You--You didn't open it? Did you?!" Fiona looked towards the box that she still had in her suitcase. She was never given presents by Daisy and when she got them, they were either in her size or a prank that gave the older girl a heart attack and the younger girl a great little moment. "No, I didn't. I was afraid of what was inside."

"Well, open it. I'm sure you're like it." Reluctantly, Fiona opened her suitcase and grabbed the box out and tossed it onto her bed. She carefully began opening it when her sister had to, of course ruin the silence. "Are you opening it?" Fiona just rustled the ribbons to make a loud noise so her sister could hear it. When she opened the box, she gasped and grabbed the red dress. She looked into the mirror, holding it against her small body and squealing like a little child. "Well?"

"I love it! It's perfect and it actually looks good."

"Don't asked so surprise," Daisy stopped talking, apparently being head by their mother who was now telling her to go to sleep. Fiona listened to her mother and sister go back and forth before Daisy finally gave in to their mother's request. "Well, I have to go. But, tell me all about the date after..--"

"Wait, I need to ask you something."

"What is it?" The young girl asked obviously a bit annoyed. "Should I even go on a date with him. We're close friends and I don't want to ruin that." Daisy sighed, hearing that her sister was actually really wondering.

"Fio, you're not going to ruin anything, okay? And if you don't go on the date, I will." Fiona chuckled along with her sister. "Alright, I'll talk to you later." She listened to her sister hang before she looked back in the mirror with a smile. But, then she tilted her head. She laid the dress on her bed and rushed to her mirror, which held all her bows and such in the drawer and looked through them before finding a black one. She grabbed a pair of flats and laid both he bow and the shoes on her bed right next to her dress. "Time to get pretty." She told herself as she sat down at her vanity and let her hair down. Looking at the time, she sighed with a nervous smile. She could feel the butterflies forming in her stomach.