|59| • Amelia
There we were, Batch A.
If I could give us a number, I'd say we summed up to about fifty students, some seated and some standing to face to face with one of the head chefs - Mr Silvano.
I was eagerly bouncing in my seat — the one Raul offered me as only one seat remained when we arrived.
He stood at my back, his hand resting on my shoulder.
This was exciting, I was in the same room as Mr Silvano!
He was one of the known head chefs who usually operated with Chef Gaston.
He looked a bit younger, with more flesh to his cheeks and neck, his white apron concave at his stomach side.
Chef Silvano had a cute appearance, almost the same as a teddy bear.
Stifling a giggle at my thoughts, I pried my eyes towards him.
"Good morning class," He began, his voice deep and rich.
We responded in unison, greeting him as well.
This still felt unreal, but God was I grateful.
Chef Silvano smiled a welcoming one, his eyes grazing at each of us, when his eyes reached mine, I think I stilled, star-struck.
Giving him a cheesy grin, he nodded, looking away.
"Okay, let me introduce myself. I am Chef Silvano, I work alongside Chef Gaston and other chefs.
I'm going to be teaching you all the art of pastries.
How a simple dough can be turned into various lovely pastries.
" As he went on, I felt myself get more excited, my hands played with each other to calm down.
Glancing over at Raul, I saw he had an equally excited expression on his face, a smile tugging on his lips.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Get your aprons from the table and let's get working!
" I grinned, taking an apron and one for Raul.
Handing it over to him, he smirked. "Thanks love," I heard him whisper lowly, putting the aprons on his body.
Before I could knot mine, Raul's hands stopped at my lower back. "Let me." He said gently.
I get heat crawl to my body, flustered, and drop my hand. I wasn't used to his physical contact yet, most people I met hardly touched me before we grew closer. "Thanks," I muttered shyly, getting up to push the chair aside.
"We do not sit to knead or prepare dough, we stand.
Unless you have a disability, push your chairs to the side.
" Chef Silvano prompted, clapping his chubby hands.
Once the class was done rearranging the chairs, we grouped ourselves at each table.
We were five per table, the ingredients on the faint table at a podium-like surface.
Chef Silvano climbed up, folding his arms.
"Alright class, we are going to learn how to make Palmiers. The crispy, flaky goodness." He said with a grin, dropping a hand on his hip. "I'll need two of you from each table to take the ingredients for your table." He instructed that was when I looked around my table, taking note of their faces.
Raul was beside me, he'd promised to stick beside me and I was honestly happy about that, then there was a pale-skinned girl with blonde hair and pink stripes, her lips were almost blood red, her eyes a sparkling blue.
Shivers went down my spine, she looked just like a doll, it admittedly made me feel a tad bit insecure.
When her eyes reached mine, I flinched, realizing I was literally stalking her with my eyes.
She frowned.
"Do you want me to go?" The girl spoke, pointing at herself, clearing my throat nervously, I opened my mouth to speak, "U-uh, sure? W-we can go together?" Goodness, how embarrassing. The girl shrugged, her frown lifting and being replaced with a smile. "Okay, why not?"
The girl turned and walked up to where Chef Silvano stood, looking over at Raul, he nudged me with a smile. "Should I go on your behalf?" He teased, making me glare at him before turning my her, and making my way to the front as well.
"Took you long enough." The girl said, it was then I noticed a slight accent in her words, giving a nervous flat lipped smile, I apologized for the delay. "I'm Amelia," I told her.
"Willow." Her gentle voice replied, turning towards Chef Silvano once more. What was wrong with me? Why was I suddenly second-guessing myself? Shaking my head, I turned as well. There was no reason to feel the way I did. I was pretty, in my way I guess.
"He said to take these," Willow explained, her gaze fixed on mine, I almost flinched in embarrassment.
Gosh, thank God I was the only one hearing my thoughts.
Honestly, it was a bit hard not to feel such a way, I always tried to bury the feeling but it proved itself difficult sometimes.
Taking the ingredients with me, we walked back to the table, placing it down with a huff.
"How about we introduce ourselves?" Raul spoke up boldly, a charming smile beaming on his face.
Gosh, I admired how friendly he was. He spoke like he was already comfortable with them.
The others looked over at him, shrugging.
Willow was the first to speak, I couldn't help but glance at her. She had her eyes on Raul.
"I'll go first! My name is Willow Rue, I'm actually from France, relocated a few years ago. And, I love to bake." As she spoke, she smiled, which made her cheeks redden. Raul turned to me expectantly, I tensed up, was I going second?! 'No!' I mouthed to him, he smirked but nodded.
"Uh, how about you, man?" Raul switched to the other guy on the table.
He was light skinned, dark brown curls sat on top of his head in a rough manner.
Adjusting his glasses, he cleared his throat.
"I'm Davis, I own a bakery back at home, I came here to solidify my skills.
" He said, running a hand through his hair. No wonder it looked so rough.
The other girl spoke up before it even got to her, which meant, I'd be introducing myself soon!
Gah! Amelia calm down! "I'm Peace, I love to bake and cook!
I actually want to own a Michelin star restaurant in the near future, it's upper nice to meet all of you!
" Ah, she was bubbly as well. A small smile stretched to my lips, she was cute.
Fair skin, a bit chubby with a beauty mole on her lip.
"And my name is Raul. I and my friends want to open a bakery soon.
Actually, this is one of my friends right here.
" Raul said, pointing over at me with a grin, nervously, I waved.
"Hi, I'm Amelia. I...I love to bake as well, I think we all do actually.
" I muttered the words under my breath, there was a brief silence before Raul spoke up again.
"Guys, he's starting, let's go."
Raul walked over to me, placing his hands on my shoulder.
"No need to be so nervous, I'm here for you.
" He said, his words somehow comforting.
I laughed, nudging his ribs. "Easy for you to say, you're a social butterfly.
" I seethed playfully, he cheesed, massaging my shoulders.
"And you can be too! Come on, let's go."
We walked over to where Chef Silvano was. He rubbed his hands together before explaining and demonstrating what we were to do. Having Raul by my side made me feel a bit more calm, he was here for me, right? Looking over at him, I smiled sadly, hoping he wouldn't leave me just like Darrick did.
My heart wrenched at the thought.
"Your Palmier looked like a pancake."
Raul teased, poking my sides. I gasped, flustered at the fact that he was a tad bit right, I may have over worked the dough and cut it too small, in embarrassment, I growled at me — literally.
"They did not!" Arnold chuckled at me, Kaji laughing as well.
My cheeks heated up, glaring at Raul once more.
"We made croissant in ours, and Arnold's was all dough and no flakes!
" Kaji said giggling, Arnold hissed, rolling his eyes.
"I was nervous! Everyone there seemed so talented.
"
"More like you were ogling at the new girl.
" She responded teasingly, I couldn't help but giggle at this.
It was fun coming back together with stories to tel.
Seeing as today was only the first day, we had just one class.
Chef Silvano said tomorrow was going to be a bit more busy, we were having two classes!
Good thing I remembered to tell Evie we were closing early.
I honestly didn't want to tell him and simply find my way back, but he did say to call him when I was done.
I missed him, I missed his face and his company. Gosh, how mushy could I be?
"I can't wait for tomorrow, I'm going to watch more cooking videos tonight." Raul said, bending to my ear. "You should too, Amelia." Oh, he was mocking me, wasn't he? Huffing, I pushed him by the chest, sticking my tongue out at him.
"Quit making the girl nervous." Kaji huffed, folding her arms with a sassy expression.
"Yeah!" I seconded, realizing I was the girl, looking down, I blushed.
Arnold laughed, throwing his head back. "It's good to have you here, Amelia.
Really." He said, patting my shoulders before pulling away.
They made me feel so included! What did I do to get so blessed?
"So how're you getting home today?" Kaji asked me, titling her head slightly.
"Oh, my boyfriend is coming to pick me up.
" I felt my cheeks beat up as I said this.
How long was it since I referred to him as that?
Kaji awed, her smile stretching while Arnold looked over at Raul.
"That's so cute! He's coming all the way here to pick you up?
Husband material!" Kaji squealed, punching my arms playfully.
Her emphasis made me giggle. "Husband material?
That's a long one." Arnold teased with a chuckle.
"Isn't it stressful for him, though?" Raul questioned, folding his arms. He was right, I was most likely stressing him right now. Sighing, I shrugged my shoulders. "He did say it's because it's my first day."
"Don't mind this downer, if he offers then I'm sure he wouldn't care for a bit of stress.
" Kaji explained, making me torn. I hope Evie didn't think this was too stressful for him.
"If he can't pick you up, we can always drop you off.
What are friends for?" Raul said, putting his hands over my shoulders.
Arnold snorted, "Flirt."
"I'm not flirting! We're friends on a path to best-friendship." Raul said, gesticulating a rainbow. It reminded me of SpongeBob. Pushing him side, I laughed at his words.
A horn blared, and my eyes trailed over to the car, my laugh slowly halting. It was Everest!
He came down from the car, the sunglasses he had on added to the look.
Everest wore a black loose pair of jeans and a black top which fitted his muscular arms. A single thin chain on his neck.
Simple yet handsome. The smile stretched wifey on my lips, I missed him so much!
Everest took off his glasses, looking over to me with a small smile.
It was then I realized Raul had his hands on my shoulders still.
"Uh, I'll see you guys later, okay?"
Wiggling out of Raul's hold, I hugged Kaji, fist bumping Arnold and Raul. The latter frowned, "No hug for me?" Giggling at him, I ran over to Evie, almost throwing him off balance with the way I jumped into his arms.
"Hello beautiful," Everest said smoothly when he wrapped his hands around my waist. His scent! Impeccable! I smiled, holding him tighter. "Hello handsome," I responded, making him laugh.
"Come on, get in."
Everest opened the door for me, helping me up into his truck. Closing the door, I eagerly waited for him to enter, I had a lot to tell him! When he got in, he put the gear on reverse, leaving the compound of the academy. "You seem excited." Everest noted with a soft chuckle. I was!
"How are you?" I asked him, not wanting to talk all about me, he gave me a sideway smile. "Don't worry, baby, tell me how your day was. I know you want to." I giggled at his words, was I so obvious. I made a mental note to go back to that. Clearing my throat, I decided to go ahead.
"My day was amazing! Can you believe I was in the same class as Chef Silvano?
He looks so cute is real life! I mean, like an old man cute, and he's such a good teacher!
We made Palmiers. You know, that flaky pastry that curves in a spiral?
Raul said mine looked like a pancake." I rambled on freely, glancing at Evie every now and then. He hummed, nodding his head.
"I'm sure you had a lot of fun, I can see you practically beaming." I giggled, tapping my cheeks.
"That Raul guy, he's in your class?" Everest asked out of the blue making me hum. "Oh yeah, they separated us into batches, I'm glad at least one of them made it to my batch."
"Is he always that touchy?" My smile faltered. "H-huh?"
Was he talking about when Raul had his arms over me? "Oh, that. Well, I guess he's just likes physical contact? He's really friendly and all." My words fumbled, the tempo reducing. Did he not like it?
"And you're fine with that?" Everest asked.
"I...I guess so?"
"Okay." He said lowly, I noticed the grip on his steering tightened. Shaking my head, I tried not to make a big deal out of it. "So, how was your day?" I asked, leaning closer into him. Before he spoke, my elbow brushed against a card, making me lean way to look at it.
Loren's Therapy.
My eyebrows drew together, therapy? "What's this?" I asked, taking it to show him. His head snapped to mine, quickly taking the card from me. "Oh, it's just a card Gabe gave me." He said, stuffing it in his pockets.
"Oh, does Gabe know her or something?" Why would Gabe give him a therapy card? "He was just telling about it. Nothing much." He dismissed with a small smile, his hand going to my lap.
"Also, I won't be available tomorrow. Can you get home alright?
If not I can ditch and come over here." He said, massaging my thigh.
I shook my head, I didn't want him ditching him thing just so he could pick me.
"No! It's perfectly fine, I'll just take the bus or ask Kaji to drop me off. It's fine."
He looked over at me, "Are you sure?"
This made me smile, "Very."