champagne problems

“Its no problem. Sandy loves having you in the penthouse so Its nice to have something to do while the little fur ball is asleep or playing with her toys. And I do own the apartment so the pool and gym and spa come with it so there are perks.” He grinned.

-

Trix playfully narrowed her eyes at Sandy, the smirk on her lips completely giving away her true feelings. “Well, well, well, looks like someone isn’t as perfect as we thought, Sandy?” She teased, giggling at her own silly joke. 

“You know,” Trix began, eyes downcast as she pressed the tip of her shoe against the floor below her. “Growing up, I had a beautiful house with our own pool, and help around. I left all of that, but... sometimes it’s in the back of my mind because I’m just not used to being on my own without my parent’s or... someone else’s help...” 

Trix sat at a tiny table once her shift ended. It wasn’t the best of shifts, hardly anyone showed up and those who did were horrid tippers. With a sigh, she folded her tips neatly and put them in the pocket of her purse. She then turned to her phone; she’d contacted an Uber... three times already, but nothing, complete silence. She really did not want to walk home, not in so late. Thankfully, Trix heard the door open, maybe someone would be able to save her the on-foot trip. 

-

Trix hummed, already tasting the sweet pastries in her imagination. What she wanted was an amazing Boston cream doughnut. Anything else was just an extra treat. “You’re just gonna have to take your time and savor the moment.” Trix leaned closer, a mischievous smirk on her lips. “Maybe just stuff some in your purse, too. Including some of those glazed ones you’re eyeing.” She was joking, of course, though it did seem quite tempting. 

Harper nodded at the blonde’s words. “Our specialty cocktail tonight is the Rossini, made with prosecco and strawberries.” It was the perfect way to kick off spring, thanks to the strong fruity flavor of the strawberries. While strawberries weren’t actually in season until around June, it got people in the mood for the warmer months. “I can also get you a drink menu if you need help deciding.” The board above the bar had several of the seasonal drinks listed, but most of the classics were only in the menu.

-

Trix shook her head and folded her hands in front of her. “I’ll just take the Rossini, thank you. What about food? I told my housemates that I would bring food home as a treat, do you have any specials for that?” She only hoped. Even though Trix made a lot on tips, that didn’t mean she suddenly had wealth to her name.

-

“I’ll definitely go and visit!” Trix tried not to seem so excited, but in all honesty, she was lonely. She didn’t have many friends in Seattle, so the prospect of gaining a new one was something that gave her joy. Nonetheless, Trix contained herself, settling for a bright smile and her shoulders up to show giddiness. 

“Oh, that would be great, we can try out some new recipes, too.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone in response. “I work often, so I guess intermittent texting to make plans may work?”

-

Trix scrunched her nose and shook her head at Aksel’s words. “I really don’t mind, but I can completely understand how someone can get overwhelmed by the size and the strength that basically gifts them.” Trix attention then turned to Sandy as she listened to the story of her adoption. “Well, she is a little princess!” She cooed with a giggle. 

A blush colored Trix’s cheeks and her head ducked before she answered. “You’re being too kind, Aksel, thank you...”

“ They would barely let me have my phone or text anyone. “ She tried to explain what had happened, why she had missed so much in her life. “ I know it’s really not much, but I am here now. “

-

Of course their parents were behind Elle’s lack of communication. Of course, when Trix had left, it caused a riff. She left Elle in the family’s grip, even though she was fully aware of just how controlling they truly were. Trix just had to leave, and they wouldn’t have even let Elle go with her if the suggestion was even posed. 

Trix missed her sister, the ache of not having her around was noticeable as she moped around the apartment and curled up on the couch. Her phone would be in hand as she searched through social media for signs of Elle. 

She didn’t have to think twice, Trix stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her sister, holding her close against her. “I get it... and... and I’m glad you’re here...”

-

“Well, I like the name Cam,” Trix complimented with a shimmering smile that showed off her bright whites. She knew just how tiring it was to have to constantly use a name that you did not want, or simply did not prefer. She was Trix now, not Beatrix. 

“I hope I’m not keeping you from anything. I wouldn’t want it to seem like I’m talking your ear off if you have somewhere important to be.”

-

“You work at Skyline?” Trix mused. She had only been once or twice and she hadn’t seen Bre. Maybe if she were to go again, she would search for her new acquaintance... or maybe even friend? Trix held back a smile at the thought, she didn’t want to seem too clingy too soon. 

She looked back at the buffet, eyes on the red velvet cupcakes on display. “Oh, I made some like these about a month ago.” Trix picked up a cake and held it out to Bre to take. “Have you tried homemade before?”

“ No. I left a note , I didn’t tell them where I was going. I am surprised they didn’t call you already and ask if you knew where I was. “ Elle said nervously. She was an adult now and her parents couldn’t really say she was missing because she told them in the note that she was leaving. “ I took the train here from Miami. I couldn’t take them controlling me any longer. “

-

Trix held back the urge to roll her eyes at the surprise that their parents hadn’t called her, they hadn’t even sent a measly message to her on her birthday. No one did. “You didn’t know that they hadn’t talked to them since I left?” She questioned, forcing a smile on her face, arms crossed tightly over her chest. Surely Elle had to have known, considering that she also hadn’t talked to Trix. “They have way too much pride to talk to me...” That had to be it. 

“I get it, believe me... Needing to be away from that control.” Trix let out a harsh breath and stepped closer to her sister. She didn’t want to make it all about herself, but the guilt struck her. Maybe if she was still at home, she could have protected Elle, warned her, or even taken her in. Surely Barry wouldn’t have mind. 

-

A small smile formed at Trix’s lips as she shook her head, assuring that Sandy was not the culprit of her sudden fatigue. No, it was far more than that, but she wasn’t about to divulge on that. She focused instead on the question and shrugged her shoulders. “It’s been the normal, but I’ve had some interesting dogs... like the Dalmatian I had to watch the other day before I had to clock into my other job. He kinda jumped on me multiple times and wasn’t potty trained..” Trix shivered at the memory of the constant showers she had to take in order to get the horrendous odor off of her. “Oh, i can watch her anywhere you need me to. My place, here.”

  -

“Ouch?” Trix asked, nose wrinkled. She didn’t even want to think about what that phrase might have meant, even if it was supposed to be platonic. The images that threatened to flood Trix’s mind were not the greatest. She just shook her head and moved onto the secondary topic, one that was far more welcoming and kind to think about. 

Trix made her way to the dessert table with her new acquaintance in tow, unsure of where to start. “I guess we should dig in,” she started with a giggle leaving her painted lips, and fingers wiggling with pure excitement. 

-

“Um... yes, it is. Beatrix, but I just really rather be called by Trix.” She had never had any issues with her name, not until she finally left to Seattle. Beatrix seemed like a person in her past, someone she barely even knew. Then again, Trix still didn’t know who Trix was. 

-

“No,” Trix lied easily as she quickly tapped away at her phone. She sent a message to her manager, letting them know that a family situation came up and she wouldn’t be able to make it. It made her hurt drop when she hit the send button. Trix didn’t enjoy letting people down, and she just knew she just did. Her sister was just far more important. 

“...What?” Trix had been so caught up by her thoughts that she almost missed what she said. “You... you ran away? Do they know you’re here?”