Chapter 9 - Chocolate Lava Cake

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Slowly and reluctantly, I uncover my face. I blink, close my eyes, and blink again. Streaks of sunlight penetrate the window and blind me. I tilted my head and found a tall figure appeared, slowly approaching me with a tray on its hands. Then it stops right beside me, “Hey! WAKE –UP” a long and taper finger pokes my cheek. I closed my eyes and tossed to the other side.

“Ya! Irene!”

He sighs, “Ya! Frog princess! Aishh wae neo hante jeonhwahagiga eolyeowo (why is it so hard to call you)” and muttered under his breath.

Oh, still. I just remember, I live under the same roof with a Korean boy.

I yawned and sit up “What do you want?”

“Eat this” he pointed the bowl, “Do you not appreciate my cooking?”

AH FOOD! I quickly pulled a tissue and blow my nose so I can smell his cooking. Ross gave me a disgusted glare but doesn’t say anything.

I tilted my head to the digital clock on my bedside table “But it’s still ear...” Oh no, I slept for more than 3 hours.

He clicked his tongue, sat on the floor beside my bed.

I scoffed, “So, you like to blabber in Korean? Then nobody will understand your words? You just spoke badwords in that language, right?”

“mwo (what)? Stop talking and eat!” Ross gave me a death glare.

“Just speak with the language I understand” I put the tray on my laps. Ross stretches his hand “Be-be careful” afraid I’d spill the whole bowl to my bed.

“Anyway.. Is this Japanese Ramen?”

He nods and hummed in response “Hem”

“I am curious, where do you learn cooking?” I took a glimpse of him before he start blabbering again. Ross seems pale and tired. What makes him so tired?

“Do you really need to know?”

I shrug “Just.. curious” fine if he doesn’t want to talk to me, at least I’ve tried. Ross clicked his tongue again, “Watching TV Cooking Show, Youtube, Google, and the most important is self -improvement. HAPPY NOW?”

“hemm..” I hummed and continue eating.

“Do you like cooking? Or prefer sleeping?”

“I love typing, got it? Stop judging me”

“I thought you only love sleeping, cause you sleep a lot”

I gave him the deathliest glare, this man is really… Urgh…

“Done, thanks for the ramen” I hand over the empty bowl.

Ross grabbed a bottle of medicine, poured some to his hand and picked two tablets “I’ll leave after you eat this”

I took the tablets and gulp half glass of the water then he took away the tray

“Call me if you have anything you need” he added.

I smile “Oh, okay”

And then I fell asleep again.

I opened my eyes and the sky is already dark. I tossed my body to the other side and startled by a dark shadow standing by the door “JESUS CHRIST!!” I yelled. My heart thumping inside my chest and quickly click the lights on. Ross looked startled for a moment, and then composed himself. “Urghh...jinjja (really)”.

How long has he stood there watching me sleep? Creep.

“Get up and eat” then walks away.

“Wah” I cheerfully sit up and run towards the kitchen, greeted by the delicious boiled chicken smell from along the hall. I’m feeling better and I could finally smell his cooking. My fondest memories are of sitting at the dining table early in the morning or evening watching mom prepare meals. Right now, I'm getting used to have Ross in the kitchen, a tall charismatic man with mom's pink apron on. He takes great pride in cooking skills. I admit he's good.

Another bowl of soup served on the table. Ross took a seat across me and start eating. Ohhh. This soup smells really good but wait… I kinda miss something sweet like chocolate. No, he won’t fulfill my crave. I took a deep breath and start eating.

“Eh, you don’t like it?” he looks like about to kill me right now.

“I just -I just”

“Ya! Spit it out!” Impatient about my opinion towards his cooking. His eyes staring at mine, still waiting for my response.

“It’s delicious... B-b-b-but I” why did I stuttering? Why do I feel nervous all of sudden, “I miss your lava cake.. honestly..”

He wheezes when he talks, “You have fever and request a chocolate cake from me? Is something wrong with you?”

“Aihh... You’re just making me nervous, stop staring at me like that while talking” I moaned.

ARGHHH, but I want Chocolate Lava Cake.

“J-just finish your soup and take a rest”

***

I woke up from a comfortable sleep due to the soft waves to glimpse at the glowing and radiant sun peaking above the horizon out of my window. It extended its vivid light across the deep crimson sky, dazzling and inviting rays flowed through the window providing warmth to my body. I sit up and stretch my arms up to the air. Today, I feel light and healthy.

My eyes greet the dayshine, my heart and lungs expand. In a few minutes, I stood up and walks to the window, drag the curtain open wide so I’m able to greet the sunlight.

Morning with Ross as my brother, we have to wake up earlier so we don’t need to pack our breakfast. But he is earlier cause whenever I wake up, I could smell delicious cooking along the hallway.

After a quick and pleasant breakfast, I shift my bag on my shoulders but Ross blocked my way, he puts his hand on my forehead then he gives me a pink lunchbox. I was confuse at first.

“1 condition” he said, before I got to ask him.

I lifted my head to catch his eyes, “Finish your 1,5 liter waterbottle or we will skip another class tomorrow”.

I became curious what is inside the lunchbox, but Ross doesn’t allow me to peep the box he prepared for me. He gives me a death glare whenever I was about to peep by saying “I hate it when the smell of the food stuck in my car for several days” so I have no choice.

People are questioning about our absence yesterday. Ross ignores them, he only talks to Kendrick or Jimmy. Until the break time, I finally got to peep the lunchbox Ross prepared. I was so shocked at first, couldn’t resist to not admire the beautiful Chocolate Lava Cake I requested. The smell is so tempting. Is this real? Did he bake it in this morning? Oh no, I really want to thank him later. I cut the lava cake with my spoon and left it that way to watch the chocolate melting. I want to put it in my mouth but I still need more time to admire it.

“Heh!” a pat on my shoulder startled me. Freya dragged a chair and sit in front of me, she took out a steel lunchbox from her bag.

Freya stretches her neck and says “Waw fancy!”

“Yes” still need more time to admire it, I love to see how it melts slowly.

“You bake that?”

I give her a short smile “Nope” I don’t even know how to boil a water.

“Ross bake it for me” I leaned forward and whisper on her ear, “But don’t tell anyone!” as a reminder, although I trust Freya.

I don’t actually expect her to answer, but she says “Your secret is safe, dude. Don’t worry about it. I have no friends anyway.. but ummm” she took a long mumble, with her eyes staring at my cake “This looks so delicious.. mm andd...”

“You wanna try?” I hand over the spoon.

Freya nods her head in excitement, immediately took the spoon and delivers a cut to her mouth “Oh my god... this is heaven” she closed her eyes and smile happily.

“Right? I should ask him to bake more later”

I heard the crowds of boys’ laughing, turned my head and caught Ross’ eyes, then I smile. Ross gave me a thin smile, sit on his desk and throw his gaze away. Soon Kendrick approached me, “Irene, what are you eating?”

My heart beats faster again, it usually happens while talking to Kendrick almost all the time since the DIY shopping. I remain calm, he dragged a chair and sit beside me, “Oh. It’s lava cake” I answered.

“Woahh, you bake this?”

I quickly shook my head “No, s-somebody made it for me”

Kendrick smiles, “Want to have a coffee some day?”

Did he ask me out? I don’t know how to react, I want to say yes but instead, I shrugged my shoulders and looked down at my lunchbox.

He looked at me with a cautious smile. 

Freya cut in, “She-she’s free. Just bring her out”

“Then I shall set up a day for us” he stood up and dragged the chair back as he saw Jimmy waving his hand to him, “I must go, see you!”. I watch his back walking further and disappear near the entrance of the classroom.

Freya cleared her throat, grinning at me.

“My gosh, Freya” I moaned.

“What? You should thank me” her eyes widened as she speaks. “You like him. That’s why you are so n-” I put my hand over her mouth, Freya removes my hand from her mouth “And you start blushing”

My voice catches in my throat “Freya, to be honest..”

“You’ve never fall in love before?” she read my mind very well.

I nod my head and pouts.

“Means he is your first one”

TING TONG TENG TONG

Freya took a quick bite of the lava cake before she drags her chair back to her desk, she held up a peace sign with mouthful of cake “Thanks for the dessert”.

School with enemies become my new experience. Today I registered myself to DIY club since we need 2 years of extracurricular certificate to graduate high school. Freya joins singing club, I wonder how melodic her voice is since she owns a soft and high tuned voice like Arianna Grande.

I stand in front of the class, looking for an empty desk. Students start whispering while their eyes are scanning me, I have never got comfortable by it. The club leader is our art teacher, Miss Diana. She rushed in and clapped her hands twice, saying “Thanks for joining this club” as she walks towards her desk, “Then I should have you guys introduce yourself!”

I got the last turn. As I stood up, I heard some students giggling, followed by soft and teasing whispers. I was mortified, frozen to the spot. I stood soaking in the cruel giggles and judgements, my head beginning to spin. I’d never live this down as long as I’d live.

“Irene?” called Miss Diana. I fidget my fingers and looked down. Inside I’m trying to encourage myself. Sometimes I think it is impossible for me to pretend that I’m okay. I grabbed my bag and run outside the class. My eyes are soaking wet, I have nowhere to go, I have no plan but I keep running. I just want to escape, that’s what I’m thinking right now.

I’ve never think about this will happen to me. The impact was jarring, unexpected, painful. I realize that.. I’m not strong. I’m just a loser.

However, at this very wrong time. I bumped into someone, someone with the unique smell. I lift my head, I can’t seem to form the words, I can only act the way I can. I wish to hide my feelings but I don’t think I can. At my very surprising appearance, Ross dropped his bag. His hands cup my face and he talks furiously, “Hey! What happen?”

I can’t hold the tears from my eyes.. This is embarrassing.

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