The coffee stain isn't that large.

Only going up from the chest to the collar and hood of the hoodie. I'm determined to remove this stain because I want to at least look presentable when I go out with this. Derek thinks this is trash, so I get to keep it (I think).

As they say, "One man's trash is another's treasure."

According to Waver, the best way to get rid of the stain is to use distilled white vinegar, liquid detergent and water, so off I go.

My Saturday was spent on me doing my usual laundry along with trying to remove the coffee stain off Derek's- I mean my hoodie.

It wasn't as hard as I expected it to be but rather a breeze. Cookies and cream ice cream complimented my cleaning day. Chill R&B played in the background as I swayed and set my bed sheets on the laundry line.

Mama's watermelon socks were still on the line like always. She put them there, two years ago and I decided to never remove them. It's kinda a reminder that she still occasionally comes back home. Other than the times she's overseas or at the hospital (which is fairly common).

I wonder when she's coming back home.

Just then, I hear a ding from my phone as it vibrates against the concrete. It's from a new contact on messages.

Derek Briggs.

Why the hell is he texting me?

I check the message:

Derek: Do you know when my uncle is announcing the results? I need to know the date to reserve a celebratory dinner. 🍷🍝

This man....

Brooke: No, I don't know. I do think you shouldn't waste money on something that isn't gonna happen.

Derek: Well, that wasn't polite. I'm asking, Coffee Addict, if you knew the day when you would lose your chance of getting Head Chef, that's all.

Brooke: I guess I don't know then.

Brooke: How did you even get my number?? Stalker!!

Derek replies instantly.

Derek: Don't be out here throwing accusations when you're using Waver Chat in 2023. 🙄

Mama doesn't like using any other messaging chats.

Brooke: Way to be judgemental. People use what they want to use.

Derek: I ain't trying to judge, just curious. So, what are you doing?

Brooke: Laundry. A relaxing activity. Something you've probably never done in your life.

Maybe that was a little mean...

Derek: ...I do laundry every week. You are quite superficial 😑

Brooke: I am not superficial.

Derek: Seems you're a denier as well.

I close my phone. This prick has no right to tell me who he thinks I am. I hear my phone ding multiple times. I stand up and take my phone with me to my bedroom laying on my bed; opening it to see 6 new messages:

Derek: Are you mad that I called you out?

Brooke

Brooke

Broke

Whoops. *Brooke

Brooooke.

Are you actually mad?????

Brooke: You didn't call out anything.

Derek: God, you're so stubborn.

Brooke: And you're annoying.

Derek: Likewise, for you as well. I feel bad for your future husband. I wish him luck.

Brooke: He'll be delighted.

Derek: Anyways, I'm putting that apparently useless baking certificate to use. I'm making sponge cakes with homemade chocolate icing...

Brooke: Good job. I'm really impressed.

Derek: I can sense the sarcasm.

Brooke: Good. That means you can read the room.

Derek: Technically, we're not in the same room, rather we're in our own rooms.

Brooke: I was over here trying to compliment you Mr Smarty Pants.

Derek: I don't need compliments when I already know I'm so good.

Brooke: Narcissist much.

Though, what type of chocolate are you using for your sponge cakes?

He takes a while to respond as I get off my bed and head to my kitchen. Getting myself a packet of Cocoa Sticks and going back into my bedroom. He's finally responded.

Derek: Dark chocolate.

Brooke: Really? Isn't that really bitter for you?

Derek: No, cause I have acquired taste.

Brooke: I think the opposite

Derek: And there's the problem, you think. I think differently from you Brooke.

Brooke: Of course, I do. We're not AI. Thinking of the same thing.

Derek: True.

Brooke: Of course. I'm always right.

Derek: Not always.

Brooke: But a lot....

Derek: If you say so.

I was surprised at how long I text Derek. When I text, I often overthink every little thing I'm gonna send to that person. Even with Mariah I try and text her in a way that doesn't make me sound stupid (according to her though, I still sound a little stupid in my texts with her). The only person who that doesn't happen is Mama and now Derek.

Probably cause I don't have to try to be polite.

I can be my usual snarky self just like how I am with Mama.