Gen 5- Chapter 6: Pineapple

“Glaze…Why have you never mentioned this before?”

“Well…I am not exactly sure, it just kinda never came up and I was more concerned about getting to you before it was too late, and by the time I got to you it slipped my mind. I’m sorry Saff.”

My mother and father were right in the middle of a very heated conversation involving our Aunt Orange, in the hallway out side of my room. I don’t even think they realized I was in there. Being so close though, I heard the entire conversation perfectly.

“Don’t say sorry to me. What about my poor sister. Oh my Berry, all this time and not even a thank you. She must think I am worst sister ever!”

“Sweetheart, I am sure she does not think that.”

“Well either way, I owe her a big thank you. Oh honey lets go see her! We can take the whole family! I think she most definitely deserves to meet the family she made possible.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

So needless to say I was not surprised when the entire family was called to the living room for a “group meeting”.

“Kids we are going to visit your Aunt Orange today. Make sure you are showered and ready to go, we are leaving in an hour.”

“Awwww but Mom?!”

“No buts Mika, this is a family trip, we are all going.”

“Sunny isn’t going…”

“Yes, well…Sunny doesn’t live here anymore, but you do.”

“Fine.”

To everyone’s amazement, we were all ready to go with almost 15 minutes to spare. Even though Mika had a little moan before we left, I think secretly he was looking forward to the trip. I think we all were. We did not know much about her, only the horrible accident that had occurred, it was pretty much what had sent her over the edge. Rather sad story it was. A visit would probably be just the thing to brighten her day.

Auntie Orange looked so surprised to see all of us there. I couldn’t get over how much she looked like mom. Auntie Pumpkin and Auntie Persimmon looked very little like mom and they were triplets!

“Hey sis. Long time no see. Its been a while”

“Entirely too long. How are you? How is it here?”

“It’s great! Candi and I are quite happy here.”

“Oh… Candi is here too?”

“Oh, Yes.”

If I was not mistaken, Candi was the name of her friend who died in that fire, it all became very clear why she was still here. So, so sad.

Once everyone was introduced, dad put out the picnic blanket and lunch he had packed for us. Auntie Orange looked simply overjoyed to be surrounded by her family again. It was pretty exciting to see us all together, one big happy family.

“Listen sis, there is a reason we came to see you today. Orange, I think Glaze and I both owe you the biggest thank you ever. None of these guys would be here if it were not for you. I’m just sorry it has taken me this long to say it, and for that I am sorry.”

“No need to thank me. I love you sis.”

“I love you too.”

Suddenly Auntie Orange turned to look at the grass to her left. ” What was that? Oh right…Candi would like you to know that she thinks Symphony is beautiful.”

I still have no idea if Candi really existed somewhere in Auntie Orange’s mind or somewhere else, but one thing she was right about, Symphony was looking quite adorable that day, so much so, I had to snap a picture.

“Smile for Papple, Symph!”

“Mm’yello?”

“Papple? I mean Pineapple?”

“Yes?”

“Hey, its me Lime!”

“Oh hey you! How are ya?”

“I’m great! Remember when you said I should call if I was in town? Well… I am here!”

“Oh really?! Where abouts?”

“Ummmm, I am not too sure. It’s some purple and stripey thingy…”

“Ohhh Lemon-Mint. Stay there, I’ll meet ya.”

“Ok! Bye!”

Lime was a good friend of mine. We met on Twizzler and she had pretty much been there for me through my whole Honey ordeal, she offered me nothing but incredible support and kindness, and I had desperately needed a lot of both. Lime also lived in Sugar Valley, so she even played messenger girl a few times, relaying messages to Honey.

It had completely slipped my mind she was going to be in town for the weekend, but I was definitely pleasantly surprised to get her phone call. We had talked for months, but had never actually gotten to meet.

I recognized her almost instantly from her seeing her photo, but before I even had a chance to wave, she was running over to me and pulling me into a big bear hug.

“Hey you!”

“Hey Lime!”

Goodness her photo did not do her justice, she was quite stunning and I can honestly say I was taken back by the sight of her. From the look on her face, I must have looked different too.

“Wow Lime…you look really nice.”

“Thank you. Its nice to finally get to meet you.”

“Ya. Totally.”

Seeing she had never been to “The Twizz” before, I gave her a grand tour of the Lemon-Mint. After her tour we took a seat near the water so we could chat. It felt nice to finally get to hang out. You know how I said if it weren’t for my sister, I probably never made it through the break up? Well it was more like if it was not for Symphony and Lime. I was deeply indebted to them both. We kinda helped each other in a way, around the same time of my break up with Honey, Lime’s step-dad passed away. It was a pretty hard time on us both.

“So how are you really?”

“I have been feeling pretty good. How are things going for you? How is your mom?”

“She is better…”

“Thats good.”

I knew it was a bad idea to ask, but I just could not help myself. Even as the words started to come out of my mouth, my head was screaming. Shut up!!

“Have you seen Honey?”

“No. Her parents pulled her out of school about a month ago. She is being home schooled now.”

“Oh.” I replied as I got up from the bench.

“You sure you are alright?”

“Ya. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked. You are here to talk to me, not listen to me whine about Honey.”

“You don’t have to apologize to me. I totally get it. I can tell you still miss her. Its ok you know.”

“Its been almost 8 months.”

“So what?”

I turned to face her, I couldn’t help but smile.

“Thanks.”

We walked around the Esplanade for a few hours, and then I walked her back to her hotel. She was staying at The Oatmeal Inn and in fact, was not far from the Esplanade.

“Thanks for walking me Papple. Its been a lot of fun.”

“Yea, it has.”

“You know if you ever need anything, I am here for you.”

She offered, as she reached out to touch my arm. Without thinking, I pulled away from her hand.

“Uh, ya, thanks.”

It was obvious from her expression on her face, that my sudden jerk startled and slightly embarrassed her her. Her cheeks turned a brighter crimson as she stuttered.

“Oh my, I’m sorry, I wasn’t meaning to…I was just, well… I should probably go.”

“Take care Lime.”

I felt like a total idiot as I waved and watched my good friend ascend the steps. Good job dude. She probably will be to embarrassed to ever talk to you again. Way to mess up another friendship.

I made sure she was safely inside, and then I made my way back to the Lemon-Mint to get the car. The whole drive home, I kept replaying it all in my mind, and every time I pulled away, I felt more and more guilty.

It bothered me so much, that I was still dwelling on it when I got home. I was completely zoned on the couch, when I Finally I decided I needed to do something about it. I grabbed my phone and sent a text to Lime.

Brothers B-day party is tomorrow. Wanna go?

Not even a minute later I got a reply.

“I can’t wait!”

The next afternoon, the entire family migrated to the Slice Community pool for the party. The smell of hot-dogs floated on the air. Dad was designated BBQ man, and by the time they were ready, I was totally jones’n for a dog.

Before long we were singing happy birthday and doing the whole spiel for Mika. He looked super excited when he blew out his candles. Remembering back I was pretty excited on my big day too!

“Wooooo Go Mika!!”

Looking good dude!

Next up was Koda, we have no idea what he wished for, but I know what we were all wishing for.

Ya…well our wish didn’t come true, so hopefully his did…

Auntie Persimmon even made it to the party, and looked like she was about to pop. Instantly she and mom were busy being moms and gushing over babies. Totally not my thing, I knew I wanted, and that was cake!

While we were enjoying our cake, I couldn’t help but watch the adorable way Lime was nibbling on her spoon. She looked like a little bird. It was in that moment, that I realized how much I cared for her and appreciated her for all that she had done for me. I know I had thought about it before, but now I was actually feeling it.

Before I had a chance to talk to her though, she pulled me into the pool. We splashed and swam for a while, but with each passing moment, watching her smile playfully in the water, was only fueling my sense of urgency. Finally I couldn’t wait a moment longer. I took her hand and lead her to the edge of the pool and then hopped out.

“Where we going?”

“I wanted to talk to you a sec.”

“OK.”

We walked slightly away from the party, and then I began.

“I wanted to apologize for yesterday.”

“For what?”

“The way I was acting. I was being stupid. I know you didn’t mean anything by it, and I still pulled away. You have been nothing but kind to me and I acted like a total berry-hole.”

“Oh Pineapple, don’t worry about it. Its fine.”

“No its not. I really like you and I’m really sorry.”

“You like me?”

“Ya, I do. Very much…Lime can I ask you something?”

“You can ask me anything.”

“My brother says its time I start moving on… and maybe he is right… well, I was wondering if I could take you to dinner sometime?”

She stepped a little closer and placed her hand on my shoulder, this time I didn’t pull away.

“I would love to go to dinner with you. Papple…”

“Ya?”

“We don’t have to rush into any of this, we can take things as slow as you need to. OK?”

I wasn’t exactly sure where our relationship would lead, but I knew I cared enough about her to give it a shot. When Sunday morning came, I asked her to stay a little longer. Her mother agreed to it and left early Sunday morning, I drove Lime home late Sunday night. All in all, it ended up being a really nice weekend. Maybe there was life after Honey.

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