Blue Plastic Flowers
By Clary

Chapter Two

Arnica stood in the heavily light bathroom brushing out her hair and running the blow dryer along side it. She was trying rather hard to make her hair as straight as possible. Estella stood outside the bathroom door tapping her foot against the wooden floor and checking her watch for the 50th time. Arnica took a quick glance to her cousin before finally becoming satisfied with her appearance and walking out the door into the hallway.

"'Bout time." Estella grumbled. She was surly not happy about going out to the pubs tonight. Especially since she found out that Michael and the others would be there.

"Sorry I have longer hair then you do." Arnica couldn't figure it out. Estella obviously didn't like Michael, not in a romantic sense at least. So what was so wrong about Arnica dating him?

"It's nothing. Look Arnica I want you to be careful around Michael. Ok?" Estella asked as they locked up the dorm and began to the stairs. "I mean real careful."

"I will Estella I promise. Besides, it's not love just drinks." Estella nodded, not completely satisfied with her answer, but took it anyways. Outside, however, was a limo and Michael stood just outside. He dropped the cigarette that he had been previously puffing on and snubbed out the butt with his expensive looking shoe.

"What's all this?" Arnica asked, amazed at the extravagance. She hugged and kissed Michael hello.

"This, my dear, is our transportation to a very posh restaurant. Jospeh is with me, too, Estella." The look of anger was immediately wiped off of her face and Estella rushed into the limo to see if it was true. Michael closed the limo door behind her.

"But, I'm not even dressed for it. Here I am in jeans." Arnica protested hugging Michael around his neck and leaning on him and he was being supported by the limo.

"Just go naked." Arnica laughed. He wasn't serious was he?

"Hey lets go Arnica. Or you'll be left behind." Estella had clearly forgotten her animosity and the couple slipped into the limo before the conversation could go any further.  As it turned out the posh restaurant was actually dinner at Michael's family's country home. And, a woman called Lillian accompanied William. She was exceptionally quiet, but very polite all throughout dinner. Arnica smiled very cordially every time Lillian looked to her, but couldn't help but feel the girl knew something she didn't. Michael and the boys kept up most of the conversation and Estella often made shrewd remarks into Arnica's ear every moment she could. Joseph often amazed her by cracking jokes every fifteen minutes when the conversation became almost too stale for the girls to care. He was extremely funny, and Arnica could see why her cousin was so taken by him.

One month had past and adjustment to rigid college life had once again taken its toll on Arnicas sleep, but over all it was enjoyable. She often visited museums with David and attended classes with William twice a week. Most of the time, however, she spent studying or going out with her cousin's group of friends.

"Arnica," Michael whispered into her ear. She hadn't noticed him standing next to her chair. "Would you like to join me outside?" Arnica nodded and walked with him out the dining room. Michael led her away from the glass doors to a more secluded part of the gardens that seemed a trait in such a beautiful country.

"Did you enjoy the dinner?" Michael asked her.

"Yes, in fact I did. I wish I had dressed properly though." Arnica smiled again.

"You look beautiful no matter what you wear." Michael grabbed Arnica's left wrist and pulled her into a tight embrace. "Stay the night." Arnica pulled away from him.

"What?"

"Stay the night." Arnica backed away and blushed.

"No Michael I want to go home." In his eyes Arnica noticed the anger. She didn't understand. If he truly cared about her it wouldn't matter whether or not she stayed.

Arnica didn't wait for him to answer any longer she started towards the house and walked into the dining room to find that only William and Lillian where still occupying it.

"Where are Joseph and Estella?" William looked to her surprised. Had he known?

"They left a little while ago. Aren't you staying here?" Arnica shook her head exaggerating her no. Her cheeks where once again burning.

"Can you take me home? I really don't want to stay here any longer." William looked to Lillian and nodded. They both stood and William left to excuse himself to Michael. Lillian and Arnica stood in the uncomfortable silence as they waited. After a few moments Arnica looked to Lillian.

"I'm really sorry about intruding on your date with William. It's just…I wasn't expecting this to happen." Lillian looked upset.

"Oh no, no! I'm not dating Prince William. I'm just visiting my cousin Joseph. The Prince was just being kind enough to escort me to this dinner so that I wouldn't feel awkward. Michael told us that after dinner you would be staying and that we could leave when we wanted." Arnica was furious. They'd only been dating for a month and already she was expected to sleep in his bed? How crazy was this guy?

"Alright," William announced his entrance into the room and the two immediately stopped their conversation. "The limo is waiting for us. If you don't mind Lillian I'll be dropping you off first."

"I don't mind." Lillian noticeably blushed and for the first time Arnica noticed that she was actually much younger then at first glace. This girl couldn't have been more then 17!

_+_+_+_+_+_

As promised, Lillian was dropped off at a home equally, if not more beautiful then the one that they had all just visited. While there was three Arnica had been full of conversation. But, now alone with the prince she didn't know what to say to him.

"So, why didn't you stay?" William asked.

"Why do you care?" William looked to her quickly, a surprised expression mixed with anger.

"I'm sorry William I'm not exactly in the happiest of moods." Arnica growled. "I just can't believe he actually thought I would stay. What moron would? Especially since I had just meet him. I mean it's not like I love him or anything." She looked up to William. "Did it seem like I loved him?"

"I don't know." William answered quietly. "I am not exactly an expert."  Whether or not he was trying to be funny Arnica didn't wish to laugh. Instead she grinned and nodded.

"No one is I suppose."

"Don't take it harshly but you are very pretty maybe it was because of that."

"Because I respect you I'm going to forget you even said that." William grinned.

"Yes I suppose your right. That was a horrible thing to say. I am sorry." Arnica began to cry. Small salty tears dropping every few moments onto her neck. William stared at her as if he couldn't figure out what to do.

"I'm sorry. When I get angry I begin to cry. I suppose I can't control my emotions very well." Arnica eased back into the leather seat. William handed her a napkin, and she wiped the rough paper along her eyes and cheeks.

"Thank you."

"Don't feel bad about the whole Michael and you…" William paused. "I know what it means. But don't worry if Michael will not want to be with you. I'm sure he will." Arnica smiled. She wasn't so sure that she wanted to be with Michael.

_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_

After turning the lock on the door and slipping into the flat Arnica heard the giggles of her cousin. Before she could announce her arrival Arnica also heard the hushed voice of Joseph. 'So that was why the two had left so early. I hope that one of them remembered protection.' Arnica decided it would be best to crash on the couch instead of her bed, considering it wasn't too polite to walk in on her possibly naked cousin having sex. Nor was it at all appealing to Arnica. By the time morning came and Arnica woke up she peered at her wristwatch to find that it was 7:25 and time for her morning shower. But, what clothes she would use, which was in the bedroom, was an entirely different matter. So instead of wondering into the bedroom Arnica decided to simply make do with washing her face and brushing her teeth.

She placed the red metal pot on the burner and waited for the water to boil before hearing a knock at the door. After wondering what fool would be knocking at the door at 7:35 in the morning she answered it only to find William and one man that she assumed was his guard.

"Do you always sleep in the clothes you wore before or was this a new thing for you?" William joked. Arnica smiled and ushered the two in.

"Actually Joseph and Estel haven't gotten up and I couldn't go in. I was afraid of what I might see." William's previously kind expression soured.

"Hey Joseph I told you to be ready not to sleep in. I'm giving you two minutes." Arnica laughed and offered a cup of tea to William's guard and William when he came back.

"So this was all planned was it?" Arnica asked. "The whole getting me away from the flat and staying at Michael's home?" William looked away from her sipping on his tea before nodding.

"Of course if I had known your feelings I wouldn't have agreed. I was lead to believe that you knew about it."

"Hm." Arnica grunted. "I see."

"Your going to make up with Michael aren't you?" William asked. Arnica looked at him and shook her head.

"I don't think so William."

"Well now. So good to see that my escort service is here bright and early." Joseph cheered walking into the kitchen. His expression was a mixture of both embarrassment and happiness. Arnica inwardly growled. She wished she had spent the night with a man she loved. At least she hoped Estel loved him.

"Yes well I wish you had been ready. Covering for your night of fun will not be easy if we are tardy."

"Oh were are you going?" Arnica asked.

"To have brunch with my parents. They've been pushing for some time now. They haven't seen William since last year so they insisted that he come too." Arnica nodded turning her head to sound of the shower running.

"Well you'll forgive me for not offering tea but you seem to have to leave."

"Of course thank you for the use of your flat." Joseph smiled making his way to the door with William and the guard.

"Next time ask and I'll set out sheets at least."

"Of course."
_+_+_+_+_+_+_

"So she had no idea?" Joseph confirmed. William nodded. The limo made it's way seamlessly throughout the streets and Joseph passed a bottle of coke to him.

"I would think she would be upset. After all a proper women would never bed a man whom she wasn't ready to."

"And you," William asked. "Your not setting up Estella for a heartbreak are you? Or for any mistakes?"

"You mean to say did we sleep together?" Joseph grinned. "We didn't. At least not in the way you're thinking of. I simply gave her the ring. I do want my parents to meet her. I'm sure they will love her."

William turned his attention to the window. Several moments past before Joseph spoke.

"Michael and Arnica don't seem to be going well, do they?" William shook his head. "She's free you know. Michael doesn't lay claim to her any more then David. It wouldn't hurt to tell her how you feel."

"Perhaps. But David is a good man. He deserves to go first." Joseph shook his head.

"I don't think she sees him in the same light that David does her." William nodded.

"Perhaps."
_+_+_+_+_+_

 Arnica stepped out the shower and toweled off her hair. Looking into the mirror she examined the wet locks. Her hair had finally grown four inches past her shoulders. Almost to her where her bra-strap was, if she was clothed. Arnica sighed momentarily thinking of Michael. Wondering just what he'd been thinking of her to plan the previous events.

It plagued her, and even made her lose several hours sleep. Perhaps it wasn't his proposal that nagged at her. Perhaps it was that she'd finally realized that worse come to worse she felt nothing special for Michael. Whatever attraction she once felt was clouded over by his obvious macho attitude towards women. It was no more appealing in a white man then it was in a Latino. Why she had allowed herself to date a man that no more respected her then that first man she meet getting off the plane. They were no different form each other, except that Arnica had thought that because Michael was white he would be different. An awful assumption to say the least. No better then William's was the night before. Perhaps that was what he was trying to convey to her? If it was she needed to remember to thank him on Tuesday morning. Arnica dressed in her Levi's jeans and cotton short-sleeved white shirt. She pulled on a pair of socks and fleece pullover sweatshirt for warmth. Estella was right, any thing under 80 degrees and she was a Popsicle. Arnica began to blow dry her hair and when she was done thirty minutes later she pulled the thick mass into a low ponytail and walked out of the bathroom.

"About damn time! You take longer then my cat to primp yourself!" Estella yelled at her the moment she stepped out.

"Screw you! It's the first time the whole semester I've had the chance to take my time!" Arnica shot back. She shook her head walking up the hallway and turning to the kitchen. Her mouth gapped open at her surprise that David was accompanying her cousin. Arnica was a bit embarrassed to have spoken so freely, or crudely, when company was around but brushed it off. David was cool.

"Hey David!" She hugged him in greeting and sat down on her wicker chair. "What are you doing here?"

"I came as soon as Joseph called me this morning. You where in the shower and I decided to wait. You wanna go to a pub?" Arnica grinned, the perfect thing to get her mind off Michael.

"Sure, lets go. Coming Estella?"

"Naw thanks guys but I have other stuff to worry about right now. Like my chapters I needa read. You go have fun."

_+_+_+_+_+_

After brunch with Jospeh's parents the two sat in the restaurant amid the left over coffee cups and dessert plates. Joseph slipped his cell phone into his breast pocket.

"Are you sure you wanted me to call David?" William nodded. Joseph sighed.

"You are looking for punishment, mate." Jospeh tapped the table. "What if she falls for him?"

"It wouldn't matter."
_+_+_+_+_+_

David sat quietly turning the dark beer in his glass. Arnica was just finishing her story about Michael even though he'd already known the whole story. She was certainly much better it seemed then Joseph had lead David to believe.

"Do you have a fag?" David looked at her surprised.

"A what?"

"Cigarette." Arnica grinned. "See I learned that it's called a fag here." David grinned passing one of his Marlboro Reds her way.

"Where did you learn that?" He asked helping her light it.

"Bridget Jone's Diary! A must have for the quick reference guide of slang." She laughed. She had a beautiful laugh. "Well British slang at least. Ah you never know I thought you looked bored from my conversation."

"I was just deep in thought. So after the whole coming home thing do you think you'll make up with Michael?"

"Oh God no." Arnica responded puffing out the chronic blue smoke. "I realized that Michael was more good for me then any of those other machismo fuck bags back home. I don't need that crap, thank you very much."

"Hum, that's good. Do you have anyone else in mind?" Arnica shook her head.

"Nah, I mean the only boys I really speak to are you, Joseph, Michael, and William. I don't want to make the same mistake I did before. I'm gonna stay single a bit." Good or bad it made David happy. He was still open to Arnica, she hadn't dismissed him fully. There was still a chance.
_+_+_+_+_+_

"Joseph you snipe!" Estella yelled into the phone. "How could you tell David to come the flat? Your only giving that poor boy false hope!"

On the other side Joseph growled to William at his dorm room. Estella was on speakerphone and William was very much laughing at Joseph having to calm down his girlfriend.

"It wasn't my idea really. I just thought it would be good for her to talk to a male."

"Yes but you know that Arnica has no feelings for him. Your setting him up for heartbreak." Joseph sighed.

"You don't know that for sure."

"Oh yes I do I'm reading her diary as I speak." William and Joseph both shot bug-eyed looks to the phone. They had the exact same ideas and the exact same time.


"So, Estella, love. You'll tell me who she does have feelings for, won't you?" A pause.

"Why expecting it to be you?"

"No of course not! It's just if I know then I can help put those two together if you know what I mean." Estella sighed over the phone.

"Well no one specific. She does write some nice comments about William. Nice butt and all that, but I'm not to sure you can take that as feelings."

"Thanks love you've been a big help."

"Joseph James Titelman you've had me on speaker this whole time haven't you? Has William been listening this whole time?" Joseph waved to William in exaggerated shushing motions.

"No course not love."

"You are one awful liar Joseph. But don't get too excited William. She may like your butt, but you'll need more then that to win her over. Give her time, and become her friend. Besides it's cute that she even dots your name with little hearts." A door was heard to slam on the other end.


"Opps better get off. Bye then." Before the phone shut off Arnica was heard yelling: "Estel who was that you were talking to? My diary! You bitch what's wrong with you?"

End Chapter Two.