God, I love all your guy's reviews. They honestly bring me so much joy and I'll just go back and read them all you guys yelling at Adrien is my all-time favorite thing. Also, I did something in this chapter that wasn't planned but I kinda love... you'll see later. I don't like begging but I'd appreciate a review on this chapter, mainly since it took me so friggin long to write and a lot of effort was put into it.
Chapter Thirty-One
A Good Person
"I don't get it?" Sadie said, her light pink lips pursed together as she watched Blossom furiously type on her laptop. She lived in what was once her older sister's bedroom. Most things were the same but she definitely had more posters relating to what she liked hanging on the walls, rather than photos of her brother-in-law." You're trying to find someone?" she asked, brown eyes singling in on the strange things her acquaintance(if they were friends was still to be determined) was searching.
"Yup," Blossom said, letting out a sigh as she was once again met with a dead end. Sure she expected it to be difficult to find someone, especially when you didn't know their name, what they looked like, or a single thing about them.
Sadie nodded, her mouth in a frown as she was still left puzzled."Okay, and why do you need my computer?"
"Both my parents are at our apartment, and even if my dad goes to the hospital to see Leer, I can guarantee my mom will be there. And right now they think I'm at my piano lesson when really I'm using your computer," she explained, opening a new tab as her search continued.
"And why does this have to be such a secret from your parents?" she asked, passing the balled sock between her hands before tossing it won't her bed."And couldn't you have just used your phone?"
"I could've but a computer is better, and if my parents knew that I was doing this, I'd be grounded."
Sadie fell white at the statement, still in the grey of what she was trying to do. Although she didn't like it, she always tended to be a goody-two-shoes, and the mere thought of getting in trouble frightened her. Especially when she took into consideration how her big sister had been a nearly perfect child."Are we doing anything... illegal?" She kept her voice low, aware her Maman was putting some tea together just below them.
Blossom shook her head, letting out a sigh. She adjusted her dark blue sweater that was a size too small. She'd wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible and taking her sweet time selecting a shirt that fit would waste it."No need to worry, I'm not selling drugs or anything,"
Sadie's stomach rolled, the simple answer still not sitting well with her. Her head flicked towards the hatch door at the quiet sound of the door opening. Her deep brown hair, tempting black loosened in the tight braid it was secured in.
Sabine looked in with a pleasant smile decorating her face as she set two mugs of chamomile tea on the floor."Hi girls, how's everything going?"
Sadie glanced over at Blossom, seeing that her rapid searches wouldn't end anytime soon. Turning back towards her mother she managed a smile."Good Mama. Thank you for the tea."
"You girls are welcome, just let me know if you need anything."
Sadie bowed her head curtly, kneeling down to grab both of the mugs. Holding hers to her lips, the calming scent of the chamomile drifted up to her nose. Placing her lips against the rim she let out soft breathes. The warmth within the mug burned at her fingertips but not enough to make her drop it."I get you aren't doing anything illegal but can you please explain what you're trying to do." Blossom pursed her lips, letting her light blue eyes roll. Sadie's brow furrowed and she spoke with hints of rage."Look, you're using my computer and are drinking my mother's tea. I don't want all the details or whatever, but I deserve to know what you're trying to do."
Blossom sighed again, pulling her eyes off the screen." I'm trying to get in contact with my grandma." she said bluntly, not waiting for Sadie's response before she resumed typing.
"Your grandma?" she asked, receiving a nod."But can't you just call your grandma?"
"Not my dad's mom," Blossom stated, irritated by the girl beside her."My other grandma, like my mom's mom. I can't just call her up since we've never meant. I don't even know her name."
"If you don't know her name then how do you plan on contacting her?" Sadie asked, slowly sipping on the lukewarm tea."And why do you even need to contact her?"
A groan bubbled in the back of her throat."Do you ever stop asking questions?" she asked, quickly mumbling an apology when it dawned on her just how rude she sounded. She'd been struggling with her temper lately but was feeling better about everything that had conspired. She hadn't liked the idea of seeing a therapist at first, but she needed someone she could talk to without worrying about being judged. That didn't mean talking about feelings with her family was still tough. She'd noticed how both her parents had been asking her how her day was going much more often than they used to. It was slightly uncomfortable and she didn't say anything deep, but she was appreciative that they were trying.
"I know my mom's last name before she met my dad so I'm using that," she explained, frowning at another dead end."And I'm doing this to help my parents."
Sun streamed in through the cracked window and was followed by a breeze that made her hair stand. Letting the shiver past and clutching the mug, Sadie frowned towards her."How does contracting your grandma help your parents?"
Although she didn't show it, Blossom mentally groaned. She would've preferred to be at home, but she knew at least her mom would be there. And the Dupain-Cheng bakery was the closest location she could use in contrast to her piano lessons."My parents can't afford all the stuff for Lyric and the baby. It'll take years to pay off and I don't want to see them struggle anymore." She was well aware her siblings were more oblivious to the money struggles her parents had endured. Sadly, she'd heard the faint cries of their mom, mumbling about how they'd pay everything off. The most vivid one was a few months before her brother was born and she woke up to hear her mom silently crying while her dad hugged her. Lyric had still been sound asleep but she'd stayed up, listening to the conversation filled with panic and worry.
Sadie nodded her head, relieved that the plan didn't have anything dangerous involved."Why not ask Mare and Adrien? Or my parents? You know they'd help."
"You don't know my parents, they wouldn't want to ask for help."
"Then how does your grandma help with that?"
Blossom frowned, biting down on her bottom lip. She'd never admit her findings to anyone else, but Sadie wouldn't go blabbing to her mom."When I was a kid, I was curious about my grandma and stuff, so I asked my mom. She said no so I asked my dad. He didn't tell me much just that she raised my mom up differently. Anyway, I know my mom went to a private school when she was a kid, so I'm guessing her mom had some money."
"And you plan on using her money to pay off all of Lyric and the baby's stuff?" Sadie asked with her head tilted to the side.
Blossom shook her head."No, or not necessarily. I'm just trying to get in contact with her, and I'll ask for some money. Maybe not all of it, but anything would help."
"Okay, but if your parents won't accept money from my sister and parents then why would they take money from her?"
"They wouldn't be taking money from her." she said."I'll ask for it as a check or whatever, then they can't return it. And I know my mom has no interest in talking to her so she won't go running to return it." Her fingers glided over the keys again and hitting enter she was relieved to find a link that could be beneficial to her. After nearly half an hour at Sadie's place, she managed to go through sites displaying famous fencers and their biographies. It hadn't been straight away but she'd eventually found a woman named Tomoe, who held some resemblance to her mother. Luckily sharing the same last name, she was happy to conclude she'd found the right woman.
Sadie was hesitant to ask anymore but reminded herself this was her computer she was using and she could survive the glare of Blossom Couffaine."And what makes you think your grandma will pay for it? If you've never met her and have no relationship with her then what would make her want to?"
Blossom clicked on the link with hast, scrolling through the page."Guilt." she stated simply."She's never met me, Lyric, or Ollie. She hasn't seen my mom in at least ten years and meeting her granddaughter out of the blue should come as a shock. Of course, it may not work, but I'm guessing seeing and meeting me will bring her enough guilt to do any favor I ask. Or I at least hope."
Blossom was stunned to feel two stubby arms wrap tightly around her torse, hugging lovingly."Don't worry! It will!" Sadie exclaimed, her voice chipper than previously. Sadie's eye widened and she quickly pulled away, a blubbering mess."Sorry! I shouldn't have-or I know you don't like-"
"Don't worry," Blossom laughed, assuring the girl she was okay. She was never close to Sadie and wasn't sure if they were even friends, but she was glad to have the sweet yet irritating girl around."Thanks, I'm just hoping it does work."
Sadie frowned, watching as Blossom continued to look over the page."Hey Blossom, why are you doing this? I et you're trying to help your parents but this is going a bit far, right?"
Her gaze narrowed in on the screen and she let out a breath vacant of emotion."When Lyric first got pregnant I was a bitch. I had my reasons and she has said that she forgives me but I still feel bad and I know I hurt her. And I wasn't just a bitch to her but everyone in my family, and doing this is the only thing I can do to help all of them. I just want things to be easier on all of them right now and getting just some money from my grandma should help."
Her insides felt numb at the confession. She knew her therapist would be pleased with her admitting how she felt but something about it felt wrong. The cold feelings were interrupted again by another hug from the brunette."You're a good person Blossom Couffaine." Sadie said sweetly, hugging her harder. It was strange, to say the least. She never felt like a good person nor considered herself one. She'd gotten pregnant at 16 and got an abortion behind her entire family's backs. She'd called her sister horrible things and had been horrible to her family. She'd been with a guy just to feel loved in some way. How was she a good person?
Blossom gently pushed the girl away, nodding awkwardly." Thanks," she mumbled, quickly turning her attention back to the screen. Scrolling through, she stopped her finger on the mouse. Opening Sadie's email she quickly logged in with her own, copy and pasting the email address that would connect her to an agent of her grandmother's. She stared at the screen, rethinking over and over what she should write or how she should write tie. After nearly half an hour and much help from Sadie, she finally hit send.
Dear Mlle. Arnaud,
I would appreciate it if you could forward this email to Tomoe Tsurugi since it is directed to her. Thank you.
Dear Tomoe Tsurugi,
You most likely have no clue who I am and I can guarantee we've never meant. My name is Blossom Couffaine, I'm going to assume you recognize the last name Couffaine. To put it simply I'm your granddaughter. My twin sister, my brother, and I have never met you and I am only contacting you as a last resort. I don't want your pity on anything and before I state the reason I am contacting you, I would like to make it clear that my parents have done everything for me and my siblings. Not once have we felt like we get less since our parents had us young, and not once have we felt like we don't get the things we deserve. That of course does not mean money is an issue my parents have dealt with. They have never brought it up before but I am aware it has always been a struggle, now more than ever. You see my twin sister Lyric recently lost a baby via stillbirth and a week ago we found out she was pregnant again. Just a few days ago she had a baby girl thanks to a c-section and the baby is currently in the NICU. I know if my parents pay off everything on their own it will take years to pay off, and I don't want to see them go through that. They've been the best parents and more than I deserve, and they deserve so much more. That's why I'm contacting you. I'm not asking for much, just some money to help pay for my twin's operation, hospital stay as well as the baby's stay. I don't enjoy begging and don't want you to pity my parents so I am allowing you to pity me. I hope you don't ignore this and even if you only donate a few hundred, I'd appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Your granddaughter,
Blossom Couffaine.
Blossom tapped lightly on her knees, shaking as the seconds ticked past. It had only been ten minutes since she'd sent it, but those ten minutes had felt like an entirety. An eternity trapped in a small box she had no hope of escaping. She'd been suffocating in the attic bedroom and was grateful when Sadie had opened it entirely, even if it meant she had to freeze.
"Don't worry Bloss," Sadie said, sitting down beside her. Blossom often forgot how short she was. In comparison to herself, there wasn't much of a height difference but the 15-year-old could easily be mistaken for a 12-year-old. But there was a maturity in her smile that she hadn't seen in any other.
Sadie fell pale, awkwardly looking up."I mean Blossom! Sorry, I just have heard Lyric call you it before and-"
"No, no, it's fine," Blossom assured her, taking a sip of her tea that was nearly cold."And thanks, for letting me do all this."
Sadie cutely tilted her head, sweet smile in place."No worries, I'm just happy I could help."
Blossom nodded her head, mentally smiling as she swallowed another sip. Something the brunette had said repeated itself in her mind and she couldn't shake it. "You're a good person." What did that mean? How was she a good person? What was a good person? Was what Sadie thought was a good person different from others? Why was she so worried about all of this?
"Sadie, what did you mean," she finally asked, raising both her eyes to face the girl."When you said I was a good person?"
Sadie stared at her for a minute, processing the question."I just meant this is really nice of you. I mean, I don't know if I'd think this far and do this much if Marinette were in this situation."
"But I was-" Blossom cut herself off. Sadie was right that this was very kind of her, but did it make up for all the horrible things she'd said? The horrible things she'd done? She wasn't sure if she regretted the abortion and she didn't feel bad about that. But the question of what if still lingered. What if she had kept the baby? Would she be happy or sad? What should be joyful or depressed? And either way, would helping her parents with money fi all of the things she'd said? She hadn't meant it, but it must've hurt, and she wasn't sure if anything she'd do would fix those words.
"Blossom," her voice was soft and caring, something Blossom felt she needed."I don't know what you... said, but you should know you're doing an amazing thing to help your sister and parents." Blossom felt her hairs stand on end when the teen hugged her again."You're a good person Blossom and you need to remind yourself that."
A feeling that had felt absent for so long bubbled in her. She couldn't say what it was but a feeling of warmth and a feeling of being whole. Something she hadn't felt in months. She wanted to hug back but her body wouldn't let her, screaming at her to pull away. Luckily a sharp ding from the computer pulled both of their attention away.
Dear Ms. Couffaine,
I would like to request a meeting at lunch tomorrow. We shall conversate at the Restaurant Biscotte at noon sharp.
Sincerely,
Tomoe Tsurugi