Love at Greater Heights

Chapter 4

DISCLAIMER: I don't own PoT

AN: I know it is 2 days late please don't kill me. But I've noticed I really do not have time for weekly updates, so from now on updates will be bi-weekly though I will do my best to update faster. Thank you guys for your patience, hope you enjoy the chapter do review!

Unfortunately, the bakery was closed so I wasn't able to buy cupcakes for my personal pity party, so I had to make do with just a tub of ice-cream. Surprisingly, the bakery wasn't open for the remainder of the week as well, no one had any idea what had happened.

Finally, the glorious day of Saturday was here. I woke up pretty late and was reading a novel when I heard my mom call me "Akira, could you go to the bakery and go get a loaf of bread and some cookies."

"Yeah sure," I yelled, not bothering to find out if she had heard.

Carefully putting my bookmark in place, I got up and changed from my fuzzy pyjamas into a plain grey t-shirt and pair of jeans. Before I left, I made sure to grab my bright blue jacket. Considering it was December, it was pretty chilly outside.

As I passed the preserves shop, I sighed. I had wasted my money on that stupid bet and it would be ages till I had enough money to buy a jumbo jar of bitter plum preserve. I waved and smiled at the old lady who ran the stall. Though she didn't smile (come to think of it I have never seen her smile) she gave a nod of acknowledgement. Suddenly, I stopped in my tracks; the stall was only open Wednesdays but today was Saturday. I quickly walked over to the stall.

"What is it?" the old lady, whose name I still did not know asked "Have you finally saved up enough money to buy a jar or are you just here to moan about the prices?"

I couldn't help grinning "Neither," I said shrugging my shoulders "Just wanted to ask why you are open today, considering you are usually only open on Wednesdays."

"Oh, I won't be here next Wednesday" the old lady said, a sliver of a smile on her face.
I raised my eyebrow questioningly. What could be so good that it could make the usually stoic and firm old lady smile?

"My son is getting married on Wednesday. The girl is lovely, and a splendid cook, though that is to be expected, my son has excellent taste," the old lady finished her tirade going pink with pleasure.

"Oh, tell him congratulations," I managed to say. I didn't even know the old lady was married, let alone that she had a son,"

After her expression of joy, the old lady went back to normal; "Now unless you are here to buy something, scram"

"Okay, okay," I said, raising my hands in defence backing away "Bye." I said with a grin as I walked away. Reluctantly, the old lady flashed me a quick smile before her face resumed her usual grim expression.

As I was nearing the bakery, minding my own business, enjoying the cool breeze of the morning my cell phone rang. I quickly answered "Hello"

I immediately heard my mother's sweet yet firm voice "Hey sweetie, I just found a loaf of bread in the fridge, so you only need to pick up the cookies, you can use the extra money to treat yourself." She said.

I grinned widely "Okay, thanks mum!"

"You're welcome, bye" she said hanging up before I could say bye too.

As soon as I entered the bakery I quickly grabbed one package of cinnamon cookies and one package of chocolate-chip cookies. I was just about to pick up a package of red velvet cupcakes (my favourite) for myself when I paused. I could buy this lovely package of amazing, mouth-watering cupcakes right now or I could save up the extra money for a jar of bitter plum preserve. With the change, it would only take me a week to get enough money to buy a jumbo jar. Seeing my hesitation, a shop assistant quickly walked towards me "The red-velvet cupcakes are extremely delicious, all the ingredients are organic, and they're very fresh as well..."

"I know" I murmured before the guy could go on listing the greatness of the cupcakes. "But I'll pass" I said.

Seeing the guy's face fall, I hurriedly continued "Maybe another time" then I quickly legged it to the cash counter before he could guilt trip me into buying them.

As I walked back, I glanced at the preserve stall again. My mouth watered at the sight of the jumbo jar of bitter plum preserve on the counter. Suddenly I noticed a certain blue-haired giant standing there. I fumed first the guy made me lose a bet (and my money) and now he had the nerve to buy MY precious jar. I knew the old lady one jumbo jar of bitter plum preserve in a month. If he bought it now I would have to wait a month. I quickly made my way to the stall, thinking of a plan of action. I would have to do this carefully

Chitose's POV

My mother had asked to pick up a jumbo jar of bitter plum preserve, her personal favourite from this stall (Personally, I wasn't much of a preserve person) but when I checked the price I noticed my mother hadn't given me enough money to buy a jumbo jar. The old lady, whose name I had found out was Ise Michiro had gone to the back to see if she could find a smaller and less expensive jar of bitter plum preserve. Suddenly a certain dark-haired girl showed up next to me. I inwardly chuckled, Zaizen had told me the reason she seemed to abhor me. Personally, I felt a bit sorry for her.

"Good morning Chitose-san," she said pleasantly with a small smile.

I'm sure surprise was written all over my face, I hadn't expected such a pleasant greeting. "Good morning Kurosaki-san."

She moved closer to me till she was invading my personal space. Though she seemed completely unfazed I couldn't help blushing at the proximity. "I see you are buying the bitter plum preserve," she remarked. Before I could reply, she continued "How did you know it was my favourite you didn't have to, Chitose-san but thanks anyway," Saying this she opened the jar, grabbed the spoon that was taped to the jar, took a spoonful and put into her mouth. I was momentarily distracted by the way her facial features brightened as the preserve hit her taste buds.

She was about to put the second spoon into her mouth when I finally managed to say "Kurosaki-san, I haven't paid for that."

She froze. As luck would have it, it was at this exact moment, the old lady came back. She stopped in her tracks and took in the scene. Suddenly her eyes narrowed "What do you both thin you're doing?"

We both froze. "Uh-oh" I heard Kurosaki say softly.
Uh-oh was a huge understatement.

AN: Hope you enjoyed, please review guys, it really makes my day
IceCrystal