“Or I could not pour this bowl all over you.”
Logan snatched the soup from Alex’s hands, pouting, “Don’t touch my macaroni.”
Alex shrugged and placed the tray on the nightstand while Logan inhaled the steam. It really smelled delicious. He stirred it a bit, making sure he had a piece of everything.
The soup felt scalding hot on his tongue.
“Ow-ow-ow, that’s hot” he said, keeping his mouth open to blow on the soup.
Alex snickered to herself and took the bowl. Logan had it titled on one side, the soup almost pouring out and onto the bed. She put it on the tray so Logan could concentrate on the food in his mouth.
He fanned the soup with the use of his hand and breathed through his mouth. He looked really funny. Alex watched him in amusement. At the sight of her, Logan glared.
With his mouth still full, he told her, “You should help me.”
Alex felt amazed that she actually understood him.
“And how would I help?” She asked.
“My hand has little air.”
“So?”
“You can blow in my mouth for more air.”
…
…
…
Alex cleaned her ear with her pinkie finger, “I’m sorry. Did you just say I should blow in your mouth?”
Logan gave her a thumbs up.
“Absolutely not.”
“Aw, come on, aren’t you supposed to help me?” Logan whined. It sounded a lot like whale language, “Just this once. I promise I will blow on the soup before taking a bite.”
Alex didn’t know why but she blamed Logan’s sickness and her mother’s voice in her head for her decision. Logan’s statement did have some truth. Blowing on the soup did help more than fanning it with a hand…
She huffed and scooted closer to Logan. She filled her lungs with air. Then, she tilted her head upwards, pursing her lips and aiming for his mouth.
Logan felt a light breeze brush on his top lip and on his palate. It tasted like peppermint, a flavor that he didn’t think went well with buttery cream.
“Kids, are you okay up here?”
The two kids in question pulled away from each other. Logan instantly gulped down the soup while Alex pretended to reposition the photo frame she knocked down ‘accidentally.’
“What the—?” Aunt Tim accused, stepping inside his room with her hands on her hips.
Both Logan and Alex stiffened at the sight of her. They felt like two deers caught on headlights. Were they in trouble? What did they do exactly?
Alex reddened upon realizing what image Aunt Tim must have seen. She wanted nothing more than the ground swallowing her whole and away from this place.
Why the heck did she even agree to Logan’s demands?
“Logan!”
“Ye-yes, mom?” Logan stammered under her stepmother’s piercing eyes. Why was he the one being told off? He was sick. What could he possibly do?
“It’s been more than an hour since Alex cooked that soup for you. Why is it you haven’t finished eating it yet? I don’t think you even touched it yet!”
Instead of answering her, Logan turned to Alex, “You made this?”
More blood rushed up to Alex’s neck and her face. A detail like that didn’t sound quite important to say but why did she not want Logan to know about it?
Aunt Tim also shifted her attention to Alex, “You didn’t tell him?”
With both their stares on her, Alex felt loss for words. The fixation shouldn’t feel that awkward. Her parents introduced her to hundreds of people everywhere, boasting about her achievements each time. Yet, something about this enclosed space seemed intimate and different.
How was it she could brave strangers but not two people?
“I haven’t had the chance. Logan was asleep when I got here. Since he is sick, I thought waking him up wouldn’t be a good idea” Alex replied softly. There didn’t seem to be a better answer than the truth. She learned that the hard way.
“Oh, well. That’s sweet of you” Aunt Tim nodded, “Rest is important for people that are unwell. It’s better not to disturb their sleep, I agree.”
Logan mumbled incoherently at the side.
“What was that, Logan?”
“I said I will finish this soup as soon as I can, mom” he answered her, taking the bowl again. Like he had told Alex earlier, he blew on the spoonful of soup before taking a sip.
Alex snorted at him. She had no doubts that Logan thought of how he woke her up yesterday when she was still sick.
“This must have some superpowers in it” Logan continued to say, “Because I feel better already. It’s getting late, Alex. I should drive you home.”
“Uh-uh, you’re not allowed to go anywhere, mister” Aunt Tim protested, pointing a finger at him, “There’s still plenty of soup downstairs that you need to eat until you get better.”
“But Alex probably came here with a skateboard. In this time of day, it’s not good enough transport. Besides, I really do feel healthy to drive.”
“Nonsense. Jae is perfectly capable of driving Alex back. You just need to stay here and recover so you can get back on your feet soon enough.”
“But—”
“No more buts. Come, Alex.”
Aunt Tim began to leave the room. Alex hastily got up, walking over to the bench window where she left her bag.
When she caught up to Aunt Tim at the doorway, she said, “I’m perfectly fine with getting home by myself, Aunt Tim.”
Aunt Tim raised an eyebrow at Alex, “Do I look like I’m open for negotiation?”
Alex thought she was in a 90s sitcom from the way Aunt Tim turned to her dramatically.
“No?” Alex squeaked.
Aunt Tim nodded in approval, “That’s what I thought. I’ll go look for Jae. Meet me downstairs.”
Then, she walked down the hall away from the room.
Alex sighed. She really didn’t want another person to know where she lived. So far, they had a tendency to show up in her house unannounced.
She felt something warm wrap around her from behind. It glued her arms to her sides, trapping her in place. Then, a hot breath blew into her ear, “I didn’t know you could cook.”
She rolled her eyes and elbowed Logan’s ribs, “News flash, there are a number of things you don’t know about me.”
Not letting her go, Logan pressed his cheek against hers, “And when will find out about them?”
Alex pressed her lips together, “If I had it my way, it would be next to never.”
“Mom is right. You really are sweet” Logan squeezed Alex one last time before releasing her from his hold.
“I cooked for you, didn’t I?” Alex scoffed, leaning against the door frame.
Logan occupied the other side and grinned at her cheekily, “Does that mean you care about me more than you let on?”
“The soup could be poisoned you know.”
“Poison can’t be that tasty.”
“Then, why do unhealthy food taste good?”
“Yo, Al!” A new voice joined them.
Logan didn’t even try to hide how he felt about the interruption. His green eyes hardened into emeralds, aiming it at the end of the hallway.
Jae Parker walked up to him and Alex with a smirk on his face, “You could have told me you’d come by, Al. Is that any way to treat an amigo in his own house?”
Alex merely shrugged, “I didn’t really plan to stay long.”
Jae waved his hand off when he was only a foot away from them, “No worries. You can stay as long as you like. We can even have a sleepover.”
“I think Alex would rather sleep in his own bed, Jae” Logan answered for Alex.
Jae stepped back with his hands up, “Woah, protective much, bro? Where were you when Alex got into trouble during Colin’s party, huh?”
