~A Day in the Big Apple: A Prologue~
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Blair's voice trembled with a mix of confusion and wonder as she asked, "Magic - is it real? Or are they just characters in stories? I can't seem to make sense of it all." She pondered her own question, struggling to come to grips with the idea that magic might possibly exist outside the realm of fiction.
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The peaceful sounds of birds chirping echoed through the still morning air, signaling the start of a new day in New York City. Inside, a cozy apartment resonated with the warmth of family and a florist shop nestled below. The sun began to peek through the curtains, casting a warm glow into Blair's bedroom. With a small yawn, she carefully climbed out of bed, stretching her limbs and rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She made her way to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth, humming to herself as she went.
After her morning routine, Blair headed to her closet to choose her outfit for the day. She pulled out a pair of well-worn cargo shorts, her favorite rock band t-shirt, and a pair of well-worn work boots. When she was dressed, Blair made her way downstairs to the kitchen, taking a moment to feed the goldfish before leaving.
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as she entered the kitchen. Her foster mother sat at the kitchen table, reading the morning newspaper while sipping from a steaming mug of coffee. Blair joined her, grabbing a cup of coffee for herself and taking a seat. They exchanged pleasantries and caught up on the latest news as they enjoyed their morning beverage.
Glenn smiled warmly at Blair, her long brown hair tied in a tight ponytail. "Morning, Blair! Did you sleep well?" she asked, her kind eyes meeting Blair's.
"Morning, mom. I slept well," Blair replied cheerfully, admiring the delicious-looking food that was already set out on a plate. She saw the scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon. She gratefully reached for a piece of toast and a glass of orange juice after finishing her coffee, already feeling more energized.
"I'm starving." Blair said, before taking a bite of toast.
"Of course," Glenn replied, handing her a fork and knife. "Help yourself to some eggs and bacon too."
Blair nodded with a smile, her eyes fixed on the delicious-looking food in front her. She made quick work of her breakfast, and soon the plate was clean.
"And here's something for David," Glenn said, placing another plate in front of the empty chair next to Blair. "I know he loves pancakes."
"So good," Blair said as she grabbed another piece of toast. "You always make the best breakfast."
Glenn chuckled. "I'm glad you like it. Now, do you have everything you need for school?"
"Yup," Blair said, taking another bite of her toast. "I've got my books, my notebook, and my pencil case. Oh, and I fed the goldfish this morning."
"That's my girl!" Glenn said proudly. "Always on top of things."
"I just want to make sure everything's in order," Blair said with a shrug.
"Hey, you're doing a fantastic job," Glenn said, taking a sip of her morning coffee. The warm beverage filled her mouth, waking her senses and clearing the sleep from her mind.
Blair, who finished her breakfast, glanced up at her mother. Glenn seemed to be in a good mood today, which was a rare occurrence. Usually, she was grumpy in the mornings, and the only thing that seemed to put her in a better mood was her coffee.
Blair knew it wasn't the usual burnt brew that most people drank in the mornings. Instead, it was a carefully prepared blend of beans that Glenn spent early preparing. Blair had tasted it, it was good but she hardly saw anyone as dedicated to their coffee as Glenn was.
"I should get going and open the florist shop," Glenn said as she placed her coffee cup back down on the counter. "But don't worry, I'll be back early so I can make dinner tonight. And don't forget to take David to soccer practice after school, will you? I wouldn't want to be late and upset his coaches again."
"Don't worry, Mom, I got it covered," Blair reassured her. Glenn gave a quick nod and headed out the door, already lost in thought about her day at work.
When her mother left, Blair felt the weight of responsibility fall on her shoulders. She knew that she was the one who kept the household running smoothly, and there were days when it felt like too much to handle. But she also knew that she wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. She loved being there for David, and she loved being there for her mother, even if it didn't always feel like her mother was there for her.
Blair discarded the thought and began making a mental note of everything else she needed to do that day, including taking David to soccer practice after school. She knew it could be a lot to manage, but she was always up for the challenge.
"David!" Blair called out to her little brother, who was still asleep. David stumbled downstairs, already dressed, except for his messy hair which was in need of combing.
"Morning, Blair," he said sleepily as he stumbled into the kitchen.
"Morning, David. Did you have a good night's sleep?" Blair asked with a smile.
David rubbed his eyes and nodded. "Yeah, I slept well. Where's Mom?" he said, yawning.
"She went to open the florist shop," Blair replied.
She showed David his plate of pancakes and poured him a cup of orange juice before sitting down at the table. "Did you remember to pack your lunch?" she asked with a smile.
"Oh, no!" David exclaimed, suddenly realizing he had forgotten.
Blair laughed. "No worries, I'll help you pack a lunch before we head out," she said reassuringly.
David smiled at her. "Thanks, sis," he said as he dug into his pancakes.
"What about Goldy?" he asked, remembering their pet goldfish.
"Don't worry, I already fed the goldfish," Blair replied with a smile.
Once David finished his breakfast, Blair began to comb his hair, fixing it into a neat style. She could tell her little brother was disgruntled by her actions, but he said nothing and just grumbled to himself. "Why don't we try to convince Mom to order Chinese takeout for dinner?" Blair asked him as she finished his hair.
David rolled his eyes. He knew their mom was a health nut and preferred home-cooked meals over takeout. "Mom's never gonna go for it," he said with a sigh.
"You never know," Blair responded, refusing to give up. "Even if she says no, we can always try making some dishes ourselves. I've heard stir-fry is pretty easy to make."
David grinned at the thought of cooking with his sister. "Okay, but you're doing the cooking," he said with a chuckle.
Blair grinned back at him. "Deal! We can look up some recipes and make a plan after school, okay?"
David nodded with enthusiasm. He couldn't wait to try out new dishes with his sister. They were always able to have fun and make something tastier than some mundane dish.
Soon as they finished and packed lunch, Blair gathered up the dirty dishes and placed them in the sink. "I'll rinse these off later," she said to David as they headed towards the front door. "Are you ready to go?"
David nodded, already eager to meet his friends outside. "Yeah, let's go," he replied, putting on his jacket and shoes.
As they walked out of the apartment and locked the door, they saw their mom, Glenn, working in the florist shop and talking to customers. She noticed them immediately and waved goodbye, smiling. "Have a good day, guys! Be safe!" she called out.
"Thanks, Mom!" Blair called back with a smile as they left the building.
"We will," David added, following his sister out the door.
Once they left home, Blair held her little brother's hand as they walked down the sidewalk, eager for a day of fun with their friends at school. The sun was shining and the air was crisp, the sights and sounds of New York filling them with a sense of excitement and adventure. Cars driving by, people walking with their pets, the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple was alive and thriving.
"Anything fun happening at your school David?" Blair asked, looking down at her brother.
"Yeah, my teacher said we're having a field trip next week to the Zoo!" David replied, a bright smile spreading across his face as he imagined the adventure waiting for him.
Blair's heart swelled with pride at her brother's enthusiasm. She couldn't wait to see his face as he explored the world outside of their neighborhood, and she was grateful that she could be a part of it all by being his big sister.
"I can't wait to see all the animals!" David was almost jumping up and down in excitement.
"Sounds great, but make sure to listen to your teacher and stick close to the group, okay?" Blair replied, tucking a stray strand of hair behind his ear before they reached the corner.
"I will, sis. I promise." David hugged Blair tightly before they both crossed the street, the honks of cars and shouts of street vendors fading into the background as they headed towards their respective schools.
Blair and David approached the school entrance, the smiling face of David's teacher appeared in the doorway. "Ah, there's my favorite explorer!" the teacher exclaimed.
David's face lit up at the sight of his teacher, and he gave her a big hug before rushing inside.
"He's so excited for his field trip next week," Blair said, feeling a pang of nostalgia for her own elementary school days.
"Yes, he is a true adventure-seeker," the teacher replied with a chuckle. "And you are such a fantastic big sister, helping him get to school every day. David is such a lucky boy."
"Aw, shucks," Blair said, feeling a warm glow of pride and happiness. "I'm just glad I can help."
As Blair waved goodbye to David and his teacher, she felt a sense of purpose and fulfillment. It was a small thing, but being there for her brother and helping him navigate the world made her feel like she was making a difference in his life.
As she entered the high school grounds, Blair was greeted by the sounds of chatter and laughs. Other teenagers, all gathered together and enjoying each other's company.
When she got inside, Blair walked through the crowded hallways of her high school, she couldn't help but be a bit intimidated by the older kids. She didn't want to get in their way, and she certainly didn't want to draw any attention to herself.
Finally makes her way to her locker, she felt a sudden twinge of nervousness. She hoped that the day would go smoothly. Suddenly, she heard a voice from behind her.
"Blair! There you are!" It was Terri, one of Blair's close friends from the computer club. She was in a higher grade than Blair and always seemed to know just what to say.
"Terri!" Blair exclaimed, relieved to see her friend.
"How was the drop-off with David?" Terri asked, leaning in closer.
"Good. He's really looking forward to his field trip next week." Blair replied, smiling.
"Aww, he must be so excited!" Terri exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with joy.
For a moment, the two friends just stood there, enjoying each other's company. It felt good to have someone who understood what it was like to have a younger sibling who could sometimes be a handful.
"Well, I should get to my first class," Blair finally said, picking up her books.
"Oh, right. Good luck today, Blair." Terri said, waving goodbye.
"Thanks, Terri. I'll talk to you later." Blair replied, waving back as she finally made her way to her first class.
As Blair walked toward her classroom, she felt a warm and familiar embrace from behind. When she turned around, she saw Scott, her boyfriend, standing there with a proud smile on his face.
He was the captain of the football team, and he was known for being one of the most popular guys in school. But to Blair, he was much more than just a popular athlete; he was a loving and supportive boyfriend who always made her feel special.
"Hey there, beautiful," Scott whispered in her ear, kissing the top of her head.
"Scott!" Blair exclaimed, giggling with excitement. "What are you doing here?"
"I just wanted to surprise you a little before you head to class," Scott replied with a smile. "Are you ready for today?" his voice tinged with concern. He knew how tough high school could be, and he wanted to make sure Blair was okay.
Blair blushed at Scott's words, feeling both flustered and grateful.
"Of course," Blair replied, leaning her head against his chest. "I could use all the support I can get."
Scott let go of Blair and squeezed her hand before she finally headed into her classroom. Even through the crowds and the noise, Blair felt a sense of reassurance knowing that Scott was always there for her, even when school got tough.
Blair had been dating Scott for several months now, and she was still amazed by how tall and handsome he was. With his broad shoulders and strong build, Scott looked like he'd walked straight out of a football player's dream come true.
In class, Blair tried to focus on her studies, but her mind kept drifting back to Scott. She could still feel the warmth of his hand, and it made her feel safe. As the day went on, Blair found herself glancing at the clock, hoping that it would be lunchtime soon so she could see him again.
Finally, the moment she'd been waiting for arrived. Blair grabbed her lunch and headed to the cafeteria, where she met Terri for their usual lunch chat. Terri had noticed her friend's bubbly personality and was curious to know why she seemed so happy.
"What's got you so excited?" Terri asked, a sly grin flickering across her face.
Blair blushed, already knowing what Terri meant. "I think I'm in love," she admitted, her eyes sparkling.
"You mean like, really in love?" Terri repeated, her eyes widening in surprise.
Blair nodded enthusiastically. "With Scott. We've been dating for several months now, and every day, I find myself falling deeper for him. He's so kind and supportive, and I believe he might be the one."
Terri grinned mischievously. "Romance, romance, blah, blah," she teased, causing Blair to roll her eyes.
Despite Terri's teasing, Blair felt a sense of joy bubbling inside her. She couldn't stop thinking about Scott, and the fact that he might be her forever person. As they continued to eat their lunches, Blair smiled to herself, lost in thought about Scott and their future together.
Blair took a bite of her sandwich, feeling relaxed and content with Terri's warm presence. But suddenly, a group of pretty cheerleader girls walked by their table, and Blair couldn't help but notice their snickers and whispers. They cast a dismissive glance at Blair's casual appearance.
"Don't worry about them," Terri said confidently, reading Blair's thoughts. Then looks at the girls and said, "They're just jealous of our awesome friendship. We don't need a lot of makeup to have a good time."
Blair smiled, inspired by Terri's words. "You're right. What they think of us doesn't matter. We're happy being ourselves."
Terri chuckled. "I know we are. But just in case they didn't get the message, I think it's time to wipe the smiles off their faces."
Terri, who never backed down from a challenge, pulled out a small bag of glitter from her pocket.
"Are you crazy?" Blair exclaimed.
"Maybe, but it'll be worth it," Terri said with a grin as Blair hesitated, but she quickly reassured her.
"Trust me, this will be fun. If they want to be pretty, they might as well add some glitter sparkles to brighten their day!" Terri said mischievously, before sneaking up behind the cheerleaders and tossed the glitter on their heads and ran off. Dragging Blair with her.
The girls screeched in anger.
"What the hell?!"
"Oh my god, my hair!"
Blair and Terri took off in the opposite direction, cackling with glee. As they ran through the crowded cafeteria, they heard the teachers' voices calling out for order, but they paid no attention to them. They had made their point and had no intention of facing any consequences.
Finally, they reached the school's outdoor area, where they collapsed on the grass, panting and giggling.
"Whew, that was a close one," Terri exclaimed.
"I can't believe you actually did it," Blair replied, her eyes shining with excitement. "You showed them."
Terri nodded in agreement. "Haha yeah, let them gossip all they want, I don't care."
They remained there for a while, catching their breath and enjoying the sunlight, feeling the world around them melt away as they shared this moment of mischievous fun.
Then Blair's heart swelled with happiness as she spotted Scott, her boyfriend hanging out with his buddies. Blair couldn't help but let a big smile spread across her face. Terri noticed her expression and couldn't resist teasing her.
"Looks like someone's having a case of boyfrienditis!" Terri said with a playful smirk.
Blair blushed and shook her head. "Shut up, you know I love him."
Terri chuckled. "I know, I know. But hey, don't let me keep you. Go hang out with your big boyfriend. He's all yours."
Blair smiled gratefully and made her way towards Scott, feeling butterflies in her stomach as she approached him. His friends greeted her warmly, and Scott's smile broadened even more as he saw her approaching. He gave her a quick hug and whispered in her ear, "I missed you."
"I missed you too," Blair responded, her feelings for him growing stronger with each passing moment.
Terri, who had been observing the scene with a smug expression, knew that her friend was in a good place right now. She whispered to herself, "I did good, real good!"
When the day came to a close, Blair was grateful to have spent most the day with her boyfriend, Scott. With him by her side, even the most difficult tasks like picking up her little brother David from school and taking him to his soccer practice felt like an adventure.
As they made their way to David's school, Blair couldn't imagine going through life without Scott; he made her feel safe, loved, and complete.
"You know, I'm so happy to have you in my life," she said, reaching for his hand.
Scott smiled and squeezed her hand. "I feel the same way, Blair. You're amazing."
"I love you," she whispered.
"I love you too," he replied, his voice full of emotion.
As they arrived at David's school, they saw him running towards them, holding a soccer ball in his hand.
"David!" Blair exclaimed as she kneeled down to greet him.
"Yeah, it's me!" he shouted, beaming with pride.
"We're so proud of you!" Scott said, ruffling his hair.
"Yeah, you're going to be a soccer star one day," Blair added, wrapping an arm around his shoulders.
"I already am one!" David said, puffing out his chest.
The trio made their way to the soccer field, they couldn't help but smile at David's enthusiasm. His bright eyes sparkled as he took off like a shooting star, sprinting towards the field with his soccer ball in hand. Blair and Scott, who were trailing behind, couldn't help but admire the love David had for the sport.
"He really loves soccer," Blair mused, watching him warm up with his teammates.
"Yeah, it's like his favorite thing in the world," Scott agreed, leaning in to whisper in her ear. "Except for you, of course."
Blair blushed at his words, nudging him playfully. "You're such a flirt, you know that?"
Scott smirked. "I just can't help myself when it comes to you."
Blair rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help laughing. Suddenly, David's coach approached them, interrupting their banter.
"Ah, there you are, David's sister," he said, addressing Blair and nodding to Scott with a smile. "David has been really impressive on the field lately. He's got some real talent."
"Thank you, coach!" Blair said, her eyes lighting up with pride. "I'm supporting him as much as I can."
"We," Scott corrected her with a smirk.
"Haha, well, you're both doing an incredible job," the coach reassured her. "David has been working really hard in practice, and it's paying off."
Blair couldn't help but beam with joy at the coach's words. David's talent on the field was a true testament to his passion for the sport, and she was proud to be able to witness it.
The couple watched the game unfold, they saw David playing passionately on the field, his little legs flying as he chased the ball. Blair and Scott cheered him on from the sidelines, feeling their hearts swell with love and pride.
"I swear, David is going to be the next Messi," Blair jested as she watched her younger brother dribble the ball around the field.
Scott chuckled. "He's definitely got the skill, that's for sure."
After scoring a few goals, David and his team claimed victory on the field, Blair felt a surge of pride and joy. Seeing her little brother succeed was always a heartwarming experience. Scott had his arm wrapped around her, leaning in to whisper something in her ear, but Blair was too captivated by the game to really pay attention.
David came running toward them, his face lit up with excitement. "Did you see that goal I made, Sis? It was so cool!"
Blair hugged him, laughing at his enthusiasm. "I sure did, David. You're the best," she gushed. "But let's head home now. Scott has somewhere to be."
Once they all left the field, Blair felt a pang of sadness in her heart at the prospect of saying goodbye to Scott. She wasn't ready for their time together to come to an end. The afternoon had been perfect, and she was grateful for every moment she had spent with him.
"I love you," she called after him, leaning in to give him one last kiss before he headed off in the opposite direction.
"I love you too, beautiful," Scott said, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her passionately. "I'll see you soon."
"I can't wait," Blair replied, her voice full of excitement.
She knew that their time together was always worth the wait. As she watched him walk away, she felt grateful for the love and support they shared. They were a team in their own right, and she was excited to see where their relationship would take them next.
Blair and David made their way back to their home, their excitement from the game still fresh in their minds.
They crossed the street and made their way onto the sidewalk, David turned to his sister with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Hey, Sis, remember we're supposed to convince mom to get takeout for dinner tonight?"
Blair shook her head, laughing at the proposal, knowing full well that their mother would likely be too tired to cook after a long day at work. "Yeah I remember. Let's see if she's home from the florist first, though."
David nodded in agreement, his eyes glittering with excitement at the thought of their favorite takeout dinner. "Yeah, let's text her and see what she says."
Blair pulled out her phone and began texting their mother, typing away as she walked alongside her eager brother, taking a glance at him now and then.
Their mother texted back a few moments later, writing that she was running late from work and would likely not be home in time to cook dinner. She suggested they pick up some takeout or find something easy to make for themselves.
David grinned triumphantly at his sister, as she showed him the messages as proof of their successful plea for takeout. Blair chuckled. "Well, there you go, David. Looks like we'll have our favorite food tonight after all."
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