Friday, January 25

My alarm clock rang and cussing irritably, I shut the stupid contraption off. Getting up on my feet and stretching, the smell of mom's burnt pancakes clouded and passed my nostrils, stinking up my room.

It's good to know that the Levine family has no exceptional cooking skills at all, some of us did, or at least I knew the basics enough to make them edible but under some dire circumstances, not at all. Like soba and scrambled eggs. Both were doable, a few simpler meals too, but nothing fancy or level two like frying eggs. I also refuse to cook anything that involved oil flying and popping everywhere.

I wonder how dad and mom lived alone. Often times, they were too busy to even prepare a meal. When dad did have the time, we would hog up the kitchen and experiment a few recipes of his own. Like waffles and Hershey chocolate syrup. The combo may seem disgusting for some, but surprisingly the two mixed perfectly.

When they were just starting up the family business, most of the time the family settled for instant noodles, which by the way gets tiring after months. How dad would even survive moms voluntary cooking was a mystery to me, but I guess that was love at work with them.

Though I am curious as to how the two polar opposites made their marriage work, my stomach didn't say otherwise. I needed a lot of energy if I was going to face that evil school president alone.

Quickly bathing and beating my record of twenty point five seconds in getting into my uniform, I ran downstairs to where I called dibs on the top burnt waffle-like pancakes. Taking a quick bite of the burnt dish, I was surprised that under all the grease and coal-black marks, it wasn't half-bad.

Mom scowls at my lack of table manners as I scurried to where my book bag was.

"Paige Angelina Mathews Levine! Where are you going? You still have 2 hours before school!"

I took another pancake, letting it hang over my mouth as I tugged my book bag on and made my way out of the house

"Fwood honting..." I say, the actual words muffled by the cake caught between my teeth,

Mom stopped me at the front porch, thrusting my cardigan in my hands.

"What in the world are you talking about? Don't tell me you don't like mama’s cooking?"

"It'ws dwelicious mwum," I continued to mumble, "bwut it'sw nwot fow mwe..."

"Darling, I didn't catch what you say, and don't talk while your mouth is full."

"Roger that..." I say the moment my mouth cleared, tiptoed in my tippy toes to kiss her goodbye on both cheeks and had an idea.

"Uhm mom, you're an expert in business etiquette do you know what is the cheapest and most luxurious foods are served early in the morning?"

"Your aunt Selena's shop in the next neighborhood..."

"Do they serve high-class dishes?"

"I guess..." mom nodded slowly, "Why?"

"Nothing just doing a little research, I'll be back after school okay?"

“Research? For what class? Econ? Have you decided what major you’ll take for college?” She rambled on, “that's great idea honey, how about culinary arts? We can start our own restaurant…”

“Mum,” I say rolling my eyes, “the thought of college is still far away, let’s tackle each day as they come”

"Well if you say so…" she sounded confused,

"Don't overwork yourself..." I called out kissing her for the last time before slamming the door behind me.

I missed this, although I miss the solitude I've grown accustomed to, having her here and not somewhere else reassured me that I still had a parent, despite the loss of the other.

Aunt Selena's Etiquette Coffee and Diner was a good five-mile walk from home, it wasn't that far of a walk and it was a fair exercise for me. Pulling the glass door open the wind chime that hung overhead chimed a welcome and Selena like a dog waiting for his owner to step in, welcomed me with a brilliant smile.

"Long time no see Paige." Selena, my aunt at the age of thirty-two says, planting a quick kiss on both my cheeks, I nodded, unsure of how to explain my motives. It would be rude to tell her to make something for me, and not actually eat it.

"Hey Auntie, do you serve anything by the category of exquisite and spicy?"

"Well I have this savory chicken recipe I know you’d love, but it would take a while to cook..." she says tapping a finger on her cleft chin, "are you okay with that?"

"It's okay," I agreed, pulling a chair out of one of the center tables for myself "and one mocha with extra cream for me please."

After scribbling my orders, Aunt Selena disappeared into the beaded door drapes leading to the kitchen. While waiting for my orders I took the chance to take in some of the nostalgic background that made up the diner's interior.

It's been a while since I've been here, and it's nice to see things hadn't changed. It felt like walking into a vintage bar, a typical barstool, creaky plywood floors, steel tables, and modern-day country music playing in the background.

By my fifth cup of mocha, Aunt Selena reappeared right in front of me with the bento already wrapped up ever so exquisitely in a stylish plastic lunch box with cute bunny designs. Getting up and glancing at my watch, I discovered I was almost late for school.

On my way out I waved her one last goodbye leaving my payment and a tip as an expression of my gratitude on the counter, and just as I was about to take my first step down the porch, Jason stopped in front of me, driving what seemed like aunt's car - a smoking hot Chevy.

"Hey kiddo, need a ride?" Weird, he usually had his pickup with him. Maybe the old thing broke down or was at the local shop for maintenance.

I eyed him conspicuously and resigned to a goofy grin. "What happened to being professional?”

"We're both in a pinch right now,” he peered over the passenger window to get a better look at me, “so it's an exception."

I hopped in the passenger seat. "Thanks, Jason you're a lifesaver."

"I wouldn't want my student to be late for my class now wouldn't I?" he grinned, shifting the gear between us. The space between the stick shift and my leg wasn't that far apart, and my skin shivered as his fingers lightly brushed my leg.

"I was in a hurry running some errands..."

"Smell delicious..." he smirked glancing at the bento and back at the road.

"It's not mine," I told him.

"For me then?" he licked his lips rather hungrily, and man such temptation was so tempting, makes me wonder if he was a great French kisser.

"Sorry Mr. Sean but it's not for you either..." what looked like dismay clouded his features; he must have really expected something, maybe next time I'll get him something.

We stopped at the parking lot, Mr. Sean tells me to go ahead, and as I got out my phone rings, apparently a text and to make it worse, it was the devil himself probably preparing my final burial.

How did he get my number anyways or better yet when did he even register his name on my contacts?

Bastard.

I ended the call, and he called again. I ended the call again, and by the fifth ring, I finally answered, bothered by his persistence.

"Going to school with him I see." He teased, how did he even know that anyway?

Feeling a prickly glare, I looked up.

At first, I thought I imagined it, but as I focused at the figure sitting on the edge of the rooftop, legs dangling, I realize who it was staring down at us - at me, my skin crawled when a wicked grin pulled up his cheeks.

He waved, the sun that was blindingly bright behind him casting shadows at the edges of his face. The wind was blowing his semi ebony tresses off his forehead, and what looked like dismay was set on that cruel facade of his.

This time a text came from him, demanding me to bring the food up to him, I replied of course and the next convo went like this:

Me: I'll be late for class!!!

I texted loudly, words were not enough to express my whining I suppose

Him: Fine I'll tell the whole school your secret.

He says and I can imagine him holding one of those microphones, sitting at one of those swivel chairs, fingers dancing on the button that linked to broadcast intercoms, ready at his disposal for my torment.

Me: You are so cruel!!!

I whined again, too bad he can't even see it.

Him: >:)

Me: !!!

Him: So are you coming?

Me: No

Him: 30

Him: 28

Him: 25

Him: 13

By the time I got to the rooftop I was panting from exhaustion after running up a flight of stairs with his impatient persistence, damn this guy, not only did I have a phobia of heights, I was also claustrophobic too.

When I managed to heave the door open, I found him whistling some tune as he sat at the edge across the rooftop crossing his legs in front of him as he stared at me.

"Here." I retorted shoving the bento towards him,

He frowned "Do that again and I'll kill you."

"Can I go now?" I say impatiently because honestly, I felt like I was losing my cool anytime soon.

"No."

"But I'll be late!"

"You'll be excused."

"Why do I have to stay here anyway?"

He shrugged, tugging on the bunny-shaped bandanna wrapped over the bento box.

"Just in case you put poison on this..." he peeled the bunny print bandanna all the away and plucked the plastic lid.

The scent of freshly cooked chicken and super spicy hot sauce filled my nostrils. My insides yearned to sink my teeth at the honey-glazed chicken’s skin.

"What is this crap anyway? Didn't I tell you I didn't like eating crappy cheap food?"

"I'm not rich so stop complaining." I spat crossing my arms. "I had to walk five miles just to get that and waited an hour drinking dozens of mocha! I seriously need the bathroom now."

"Then take a piss there..." he jerked his chin at the corner across us, it's bad enough it looked like a tin can for anyone who couldn't wait extra minutes to go to the washroom and now he expects me to actually use it? Hell no, especially not in front of him.

I scowled "I'd die first before I piss on a can."

"I won't peek..." he mocked his lips puckering up teasingly.

"You're such a pervert!"

"Fine taste this first." he shoved the dish back at me. "Just to be safe..."

"I can't, I'm allergic to chicken..." I excused all because it was true.

"You idiot why did you buy chicken in the first place?"

"I didn't know I'd eat it besides you said something exquisite and expensive that's the highest I could afford, I'm seriously broke now!"

Not entirely true, but there's no way I'd throw my tuition money down the drain for this guy.

"Well since you went to all the trouble..." He took a bite, only to spit it back out with a face seconds later.

He erupted like a volcano, smoke literally coming off his nostrils and ear in steamy fumes. Snaking an arm out, he snatched my mocha on hand and downed it in one guzzle, thankfully, it had gone cold now, or else he'd bury me alive with rage.

How rude.

He swallows loudly finishing the entire cup in one slurp. After composing himself he shoves the cup back to me "you stupid chick, you plan this didn't you? You did that on purpose!"

"I didn't do anything wrong, and if I knew it was that hot I should have thrown it when I had a chance, I wasn't the type of person who'd use a cheap trick."

Though it was tempting to do so, I wasn't that smart. He was a priss if he can't handle a little spice in his life.

"Well since it was your fault I'm extending your leash, from now on you'll bring me that drink every day, right here every morning, 7 AM sharp."

Like my father after a long lecture, he dismissed me being the first to enter class. I took a few minutes to go to the little girl's room because

1) I was dying to use it

and

2) Walking into class with him would have given everyone ideas.