Episode 4
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The rich aroma of home-cooked food filled the air as I stirred the last dish on the stove. The golden glow of the kitchen light bathed the room in warmth, and I couldn't help but sigh in satisfaction. It had been a while since we had a proper family dinner with Rex over.
Linda
"You did well, sweetheart," *Mom said as she wiped her hands on a dish towel. She had already set the plates and silverware on the dining table, humming a soft tune.*
Freya
*I gave her a tired but pleased smile.* “Thanks, Mom.”
Linda
“Go call the boys,” *she instructed, gesturing toward the living room.* “Knowing them, they’re probably messing around.”
I chuckled, already imagining the chaos. Rex and Nathan in the same room? It was bound to be loud.
When I stepped into the living room, my guess was confirmed.
Rex was lounging on the couch, arms crossed, a smug grin on his lips. Nathan, my little brother, sat on the floor in front of him, squinting so hard it looked like his face might fold in on itself.
Freya
“What… are you two doing?” *I asked, raising an eyebrow.*
Rex
*Rex, without even glancing at me, smirked.* “Having a very serious battle.”
Nathan
*Nathan’s face was scrunched up in intense concentration.* “I’m gonna win,” *he declared.*
Freya
*I placed a hand on my hip.* “A battle?”
Nathan
*Nathan, still locked in the staring contest, nodded fiercely.* “Whoever blinks first loses.”
Freya
*I sighed.* “You do realize you have to blink to stay alive, right?”
Freya
“I swear, you’re both children,” *I muttered under my breath.*
They were so focused that they didn’t even react.
My patience was wearing thin. I had been standing there for nearly a minute, watching two idiots stare at each other like statues.
Alright. Enough was enough.
Freya
“I SAID DINNER IS READY!”
I wasn’t scared of many things.
Horror movies? Cool. Ghost stories? Bring ‘em on. The old neighbor’s creepy cat that looked like it wanted to devour my soul? Meh.
Freya’s voice practically shook the house, and for a moment, I swear my soul jumped out of my body.
Slowly, I turned to Rex, who looked just as frozen as I felt. His usually cocky expression had vanished, replaced by sheer terror.
At the exact same time, we snapped into action and saluted her.
Then, without another word, we scrambled toward the dining table like our lives depended on it.
I had survived some pretty intense situations in my life.
I’d been chased by a stray dog when I was eight. I’d once had to dodge an angry teacher after skipping class. I’d even been in a fight with a guy twice my size.
But nothing—nothing—was as terrifying as an angry Freya.
My survival instincts kicked in, and I bolted toward the dining area before she could yell again.
As I sat down, I snuck a glance at her. She was still fuming, arms crossed, but the second Linda placed a steaming plate of food in front of her, her expression softened.
I let out a quiet sigh of relief. At least I lived another day.
Mom chuckled as I sat down, shaking her head.
Linda
“Freya, sweetheart, calm down,”
*she said, patting my shoulder.* “They were just playing around.”
Freya
*I exhaled through my nose.* “Yeah, yeah…” *I mumbled.* “Let’s just eat.”
Dinner was filled with the usual banter. Mom talked about running into an old friend at the market. Nathan whined about his math homework, dramatically claiming it was “cruel and unusual punishment.” Rex, as always, managed to throw in his teasing remarks, which made me roll my eyes more times than I could count.
But something felt… different tonight.
I found myself glancing at Rex more than usual.
Every time I did, my heart gave this stupid little skip, and I didn’t even know why.
Every time I did, my heart gave this stupid little skip, and I didn’t even know why.
And worse—every time he glanced at me, I felt the need to look away immediately.
Freya
(Thinking): What is wrong with me?
This was Rex. My best friend. The same guy I had known for years.
So why did I feel like… like something had changed?
I shook my head slightly, pushing the thought away.
It was just my imagination.
I tried to focus on my food.
But my mind kept wandering.
More than once, I caught Freya glancing at me—only for her to quickly look away the moment I noticed.
I exhaled, setting my fork down.
I should just confess already
I had liked her for years.
But every time I thought about telling her, that same fear crept in. The fear of ruining what we had.
Would she ever see me that way? Or was I just her stupid best friend, the guy who joked around too much and never took anything seriously?
Maybe she deserves better.
Before I could dwell on it too much, Nathan’s voice suddenly broke through the silence.
Nathan
“I hope Rex becomes my brother-in-law someday.”
Freya choked violently, grabbing her glass of water. I nearly spat out my food.
Linda burst into warm laughter, while Freya coughed like her life depended on it.
Freya
"Nathan!" *she wheezed, face red.*
Rex
"What?!" *I sputtered, still trying to process what he just said.*
Nathan
*Nathan, completely unbothered, just shrugged.* “I’m just saying. You’d be a cool brother-in-law. You’re already here all the time anyway.”
Freya shot him a glare so deadly, I was surprised he didn’t combust on the spot.
Freya
Sensing imminent danger, Nathan darted behind Linda, using her as a human shield.
Linda
*Linda, still chuckling, ruffled his hair.* “Now, now, Freya, don’t get too worked up. He was just joking.”
Freya
*Freya groaned, burying her face in her hands.* “Ugh..."
Meanwhile, I struggled to keep my face neutral, but deep inside?
Nathan’s words had hit something in me.
Then, in the quiet of my thoughts, my fingers curled slightly around my fork.
I hope I can really become your boyfriend and husband in the future.
I just needed the courage to tell her.
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