33

"So, how have you and Edward been doing?"

Of course that was going to be the question Mom flung at me.

I was sprinkling some salt into the water to cook pasta for dinner while she was stirring bolognese sauce in the pot, its strong smell of tomatoes filling up my nostrils and thus making me salivate. As soon as the creaking door announced my arrival, she had popped her head from the kitchen and asked for help, but it looked like her curiosity of my hangout with Edward got the best of her.

"He's doing okay! We talked a lot, so we lost track of time," I answered with a smile I could not resist, dipping the fresh pasta Dad had prepared into the water.

"I'm happy you're on good terms with him again," muttered Mom as she scooped some of her homemade sauce for a quick taste. Relishing the flavor, she furiously nodded whilst her eyes glistened with might. Finally, the sauce was up to her standards. "Nautica had been telling me he's been lonely and keeping all things to himself. He often gets stressed easily too."

And she's not wrong.

I said nothing, completely fixated at the bubbles dancing around the floating pasta. I didn't—and would never—blame Edward regardless, especially knowing how his cold-hearted demeanor stemmed from. Well, at least for now, he had slowly been opening the doors he had bolted shut. AlI I needed right now was patience; it might take weeks, months or years even, but my future self would thank me.

And I just needed confidence. Something I have always struggled finding, and if I did, it slipped off my grip so easily. This especially reminded me of that particular question I still neither have the courage nor the proper words to answer.

"I was planning to give those to you this morning so that you could pass it on to his family." Mom beckoned her head towards a box of chocolate chip cookies sitting on the corner of the kitchen. "But they weren't ready by the time you left for school."

"Oh well, I'll give it to Edward as soon as he comes back," I said between my laughs as I stirred on the pasta. Mom and his mother had often been passing each other so much food.

"Thank you very much," she chirped before she subsequently bumped her shoulders against mine, forcing me out of the stove. "Alright, alright, everything looks perfect now. Don't worry. I'll handle the rest."

"W-What, you sure?"

"Yes, yes! Turns out I put too much water, that's why it tastes sooo bland and diluted. Your dad's gonna make fun of me if he's here." Mom grimaced before she waved the back of her hand, preventing me from going near. "Now go shower and rest. I'll call you when the food's ready."

Well, if you say so...

And without further ado, I snatched my bag and rushed all the way to my room. The first thing I did was to immediately jump straight to the bed with my face planted within the confines of my pillow, its coolness diffused to every part of my body. Exactly what I needed after what seemed like a long day, but that was all worth my energy.

Flipping to the side, I strayed towards the ruby bracelet jiggling on my wrist. Despite having been exposed to the outside elements, its bright colors refused to dim as the beads glistened under the lights. A smile made its way to my lips as it inflicted memories of the sunny Edward. When everyone would lose their spark, he would restore their colors back to them in any manner possible.

Even with no plans, he would always find a way. However, in a huge turn of irony, he lost his own.

I cautiously pulled the bracelet off my wrist, before forcing myself up with a yawn rocking out of me. However, I promptly flinched when my school blazer and undershirt was sticking to my muggy skin, and my hair was stained with all kinds of sweat. The air conditioning back in the bus home was out of service, so enduring the heat was the only choice I had.

And as soon as I hopped into the shower, I allowed water to cascade all over me, even as if I shivered at the freezing temperature piercing me like needles. Not only did it wash all of the stupid dirt and sweat off me, but also it rejuvenated my fatigued body. And to add more, the aroma of strawberries unrolled out to the entire area made me huff a huge, relieving breath.

Gosh, this is so nice.

Drying my hair up and putting on an oversized T-shirt and shorts, the bed was much more refreshing to hurl and bury myself into. This was what paradise felt like; I would not mind sprawling my limbs like this for the entire night... if not for the sudden gurgles of my abdomen.

With no further texts from either my friends or Edward—best to leave him asleep—I surrounded myself with cute animal videos as I embraced the soft strawberry plush around my chest.

***

"Dinner's ready, guys!"

Finally, I'm starving...

Snatching my phone, I skittered down the stairs while my brother followed close behind. Thankfully, no bickerings were conjured as he flew past me when we both reached the dining table. His manners were the least of my concerns as I ogled at the freshly cooked pasta glazed with the steaming meat sauce.

"Spaghetti bolognaise?" Dad rubbed his chin, grinning as he settled down on his chair. "So far so good, but it all comes down to taste."

"Oh dear head chef, please enlighten me with more of your wisdom," grumbled Mom as she rolled her eyes and shook her head as she assumed her seat beside him.

Unlike Dad who observed each and every texture of the pasta, Jordan simply took a handful and thrusted it in his mouth without care, shutting everything off. His dinner shrank as they all went to his mouth, but that made me eventually succumb to my stomach's desperate wishes.

Well, I could not blame him; the heartiness of the ground beef, tanginess of tomatoes and the kick of various herbs had me humming in delight. Honestly though, it was as heavenly as the pasta from the restaurant on the weekends, but it was sufficient enough to leave my taste buds begging for more.

"Hmm, pretty good!" Dad commented as he nodded in approval. "Looks like you added too much sugar so it tasted kinda too sweet."

"Well, I was trying to balance the flavor."

My parents' discussion of the dinner was quickly shoved to the back of my head when my phone suddenly vibrated, its screen flashing to life. It was the first text of the night, so immediately I reached for it, least expecting Edward's name to be popping up on my feed; that was why I nearly choked on my water when it said otherwise.

Edward: Hi Serena. I just woke up and ate your bread; it was really good.

Fortunately, my parents were busy throwing cooking tips at each other and Jordan was busy stuffing his face. I quietly took a deep breath, swallowing my food firstly before punching in my response. The fact that he chose to text me after his slumber though... induced palpitations from inside my chest.

Rena: Thanks! How are you feeling right now?

Edward: Still got headaches, but much better. Sleep, meds and food helped me a lot.

Rena: That's good :)

Edward: Thanks for visiting me too. It feels good talking with you.

As much as I wanted to skip up and down and squeal like a fangirl meeting her celebrity crush in real life, I pressed my lips from grinning like an idiot. I glanced down to avoid any attention, but then again, my family were minding their own business. Thank God. Thank the heavens.

Rena: I feel the same way :D

Edward: How about you, are you fine? You looked so pale when you left. I hope I didn't pass the cold to you.

My face was immediately consumed by heat. Now he was making me remember how he saw my stupid sketch in the notebook, and how he almost tucked my hair behind my ear if not for Aly and Adelynn bursting in...

I gulped as I let my own fingers take charge of the proper response.

Rena: oh no I'm fine! I was just surprised you like my sketch haha

Rena: I suck at drawing, so yeah lol

I didn't even know what I was talking about, but there was no way I would tell him, "Oh yeah, it's because you're sitting too close to me!" unless I wanted to drown myself in blatant shame.

Edward: Don't worry, I sucked too. I can only draw stick men and blobs.

Edward: Why do you draw me though?

Sometimes, I marveled at how much I despised myself, but loathe was a much more appropriate word. Why the heck did I mention that stupid drawing in the first place? Now he's gonna question more of it!

I was absolutely certain my heart stopped beating; I froze entirely, even losing grip on my fork, producing clangs as it fell into my plate. I mentally read his message over and over, as though I wanted to make sure if it was really him who sent this question. I mean, to be fair, if I saw someone drawing me, I would be wondering too, but what should I answer him?

I laid my phone down in my lap. All I could imagine was Edward sitting on his bed, impatiently waiting for my response. I could not escape a situation like this, slamming the wheel into another topic would be too jarring. I have to properly think of something reasonable.

Something believable.

I tapped my fingers against my table and gathering the remaining courage I have left, I started punching my phone's keypad.

Rena: I've started liking drawing as my hobby lately, so I tried drawing real people like you lol. Although they end up so cartoonish

Was that good enough?

I took a spoonful of my pasta and chewed in silence, but my stomach flipped as soon as my phone vibrated seconds later.

Edward: I see.

Edward: I didn't know you were into drawing. You can ask Seb, he would love to teach you.

Rena: I would prob! His sketches are absolutely stunning

But did he actually believe that? I blinked as I swallowed my food in one huge lump. Perhaps not, and he was just playing up with my lies, but well, at least that was out of the way. I could finally lean against my seat and sigh in relief, despite a looming doubt.

I decided to lock my phone, finishing off my dinner and cleaning up. However, when I was about to return to my room for the day, my phone flashed an unread text from him.

Edward: I'll return your lunch box tomorrow. I've washed it.

Tomorrow? My hand was on the verge of opening my door, but it froze.

Rena: Um you're going to school tom?

Edward: Yeah. I'm fine now. I'll get back to work too.

Rena: I feel like you still need to rest another day

Rena: If you force yourself your fever's gonna relapse again

Edward: Don't worry. My fever has gone down, I don't feel like throwing up anymore. I've eaten my mother's porridge as well so that helps.

Of course he would say something like that; it was self-explanatory. I heavily breathed out of my nostrils. His stubbornness was in full force again, the moment he showed slight signs of recovery, he would simply show up at school and act like nothing happened. And it's hard to convince him otherwise.

Though putting myself in his shoes, I could see he didn't want to be left behind and drag down his friends with him. Not only did he want to catch up with what he missed, his work was his passion.

Rena: If you really wanna go back, you should sleep early then. Don't forget to bring your meds to school tomorrow and make sure to hydrate a lot :D

I plopped comfortably on my bed while It took a while for his answer to pop up.

Edward: Thank you. I'll be waiting by the gates then. See you tomorrow.

Rena: You're welcome, and see you :D

Now that my parents and Jordan were out of sigh, I could now slump back to my mattress—almost kicking my feet into the air—as I tore into a grin, perhaps the widest one ever. I could not even stop myself from squealing, as the abrupt burst of energy had me snatching the strawberry plush and wrapped it around my arms, squeezing the life out of it.

God, my spirits were practically flying over the moon over such a small achievement. Uncovering more of Edward was a very huge mission in itself, but even a slightest understanding of him was already enough. I'm glad I took this chance.

Definitely no regrets in reconciling with him.