|68| • Amelia
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"You're getting pretty good at this."
Willow Rue whispered, looking over my shoulder as I dusted the masterpiece on the table with my brush, removing the excess powdered sugar.
We were instructed to make a dessert for classroom activity and were divided into pairs.
I was with Willow Rue, who was looking with wide eyes and a smile at this moment.
She was the one who made the filling, a chocolate passion flavouring in one while the other batch had a mocha green tea filling in between the pastel green shell.
I chuckled, leaning away from our box of macarons, forming a knuckle so we could bump fists, which she happily complied with.
"Well, this was very much a team effort.
But thank you." I grinned. The shell was perfectly smooth, and the foot of the macarons was crispy and had a vibrant colour.
I was impressed with myself, I honestly thought they'd come out of the oven looking wonky.
"It's so good I could eat one right now!
" She grinned, clapping her hands in excitement.
The thing was, we were only allowed to eat our fails, which was the initial batch we'd done.
Although we'd already scarfed it all down, of course, no evidence no story.
Laughing at her words, I closed the white box, waiting for the final scoring.
The chef who was taking us had stepped out, letting us have full control of the kitchen.
"Darn, so you two are pretty as you're talented.
" A voice called out, following a whistle.
Willow Rue was the first to turn, her cheeks darkening just a little with a shy smile on her lips.
I turned my head at the familiar voice. "Why thank you, Raul.
What did your group make?" I asked, folding my arms. Whichever it was, I'm sure it had nothing on ours.
He smirked, moving to the side as he pointed over at his table.
"Why don't you two come take a look?" Raul offered.
Looking over at Willow Rue, she nodded, walking in front of me.
Raul paused for a second, meeting me at the side before I reached his table.
"I have a feeling you're mad at me." He whispered, shoving his hands in his jorts.
Narrowing my eyes, my shoulders tensed up, I didn't think he'd notice so soon.
We hadn't spoken much after I and Evie had that talk.
His words made me feel a bit bad, he seemed clueless.
"What makes you say that?" I whispered back, not glancing his way. Raul hummed, "Well, for starters, you aren't looking me in the eye like you usually do." He pointed out the obvious when we reached his table, I felt his hand take hold of mine. "We'll continue this later."
"A croquembuche?" Willow Rue called out in an excited gasp, clapping her hands.
"Oh, these were my favourite back home, and yours looks so caramelized and sturdy!
Nice one." It did look caramelized, each puff looked absolutely delicious.
I darted my eyes from their desert to Raul's partner.
If I recalled correctly, his name was Stan -- Stanley was the full version. His thick curls bobbed when he nodded.
"It does look well stacked, doesn't it? Raul did most of the towering though,"
"Oh, don't make me blush in front of these ladies." Raul cooed, covering his face with a grin. "It looks really good though, but not as good as ours." I teased, nudging Raul's ribs, partly to break off our hold. Willow Rue snorted, shaking her head. "It looks good no lie, but ours is the best."
I smirked, "Right?" We fist bumped again, giggling at Stan's eye-roll.
The door of our classroom opened, revealing Chef Dorothy.
She was a plump red-haired woman who took us on pastries 103.
Chef Dorothy raised her eyeglasses from where they hung, placing them steadily on her eyes as she moved her (quite short) legs to the front.
Quickly, I and Willow Rue shuffled back to our spot.
It was time for the grading.
Waving back at Willow Rue, we headed our separate ways, I with half a box of macarons, while she had the other half.
Out of the twenty-five groups in classes, we were part of the top five.
Chef Dorothy commended us on our unique flavours and shell, I couldn't help but blush when the entire class clapped for us.
So the celebrate, we divided the box of macarons after giving part of the class, taking half a box for ourselves.
Humming happily, I couldn't wait to tell Evie about how I was commended by a chef!
He would be so proud of me! Would he stroke my back and pepper me with kisses?
Maybe he'd even cuddle me and agree to watch a movie!
I giggled silently at my imagination, it'd be nice to spend some time with him again.
"Don't tell me you're running away."
A voice stopped me in my tracks. Turning, I was met with a frowning Raul.
He had his arms crossed against his chest, head cocked in my direction.
"Here, I wanted to give you this." It was then I realized he held a little box filled withcroquembuche.
Extending it in my direction, he gave a smile.
"I thought you might like it. It's vanilla and some other fillings. "
"Oh! Uh, thanks." He didn't have to, that was quite thoughtful of him.
Taking the box from him, I used my free hand to open it, taking a puff from the box and chucking it into my mouth.
Oh goodness! It had a hard exterior, the caramel crunching between my teeth.
When I felt the vanilla bean filling on my tongue, I hummed, pushing my head back.
"This is really good!" No wonder he was part of the top five.
Raul smiled, "Thanks, Amelia."
Oh, he had stopped with the endearments? Not that I was complaining. "So, how about we continue where we left off?" He hummed, and before I could move, his thumb grazed the side of my lips, brushing something off. "The filling," Raul uttered, showing me what he'd cleaned off my mouth.
"Oh, thanks--"
"--And I'm not ignoring you. At least not anymore." I continued, not wanting any bad blood between us. He signalled for him to help carry the boxes, so I gave him both. "Thanks. I just don't want to feel guilty." I explained further. He arched a curious brow. "Guilty? For what? Speaking with me?"
"For flirting..." The words came out mumbled but I knew he understood because a rich laugh came from him. "Is that what he said?"
I looked up, tilting my head. "Your boyfriend, I mean."
Oh.
Sighing, I turned to make my way to the cafe, he followed my pace.
"He's not comfortable with us being...so close?
" I didn't know how to put it. Evie did say he didn't want to tell me who I could be friends with, but he simply didn't like Raul.
Hopefully, he saw where I was coming from.
Raul found us a seat, put down the boxes and pulled the chair out for me. With a half smile, I moved to sit down.
"Is this considered flirting too?" He whispered when I was on the chair, his breath fanning my neck. Goosebumps crawled on my skin. "Raul, "I called his name, trying to sound stern, he just chuckled, moving away.
"Do you think I flirt with you, Amelia?" Raul's eyes held me still when he asked this, his gaze expectant.
Nervously, I took a macaron from the box, silently munching on it.
"You...you call me endearments and...sometimes you're a bit touchy," I muttered, finishing the macaron.
Raul hummed, resting his chin against his palms.
"I admit, I do call you endearments, but that's because you're so adorable. Does it make you uncomfortable?"
"Well..."
"No, it makes him uncomfortable." Raul completed it on my behalf. That wasn't what I wanted to say. I felt as though it was supposed to make me uncomfortable. I didn't want him acting rigid towards me just because I had Evie, but still.
Goodness, I didn't like confrontation.
Taking another macaron, I began munching on it. "But if it makes Evie uncomfortable, I shouldn't keep doing it. Right?"
Raul smiled. "You're right. Fine, I'll try and keep my hands to myself." My ears perked up at this, was he going to do that? Did that mean he and Evie could be friends? Evie has never really been friends with any guy I was friends with.
Darrick for one, was a no-no.
Preston and him never really saw eye to eye.
Now Raul.
I sighed, leaning to rest on the table. Did I just have bad male friends?
Why didn't he like any of them? Pouting, I narrowed my eyes.
"But look, love, am I allowed to call you that?
Anyways, I play with everywhere I like that way.
You should see me and Kaji sometimes, you'd think we're lovers if Arnold isn't around.
I don't find it weird. Your boyfriend may but. .." He cut himself off, sighing.
"If you ever feel uncomfortable, then I'll take it down a notch. Deal, pretty girl?"
"Back to the pretty girl, are we?"
He chuckled, shrugging. "I mean, you are incredibly pretty, anyone can see that." His cheesy compliment made me blush. Huffing, I loved at my fingers. "Fine, I accept that deal."
"Hey guys! Ouu, you brought goodies!
" Kaji's voice stopped our conversation.
She appeared with Arnold not too far behind.
"Hey, Kaji! Hi Arnold!" We did our not-so-secret handshake, giggling at how silly it was.
Arnold fist-bumped me, making an explosion sound with his mouth when we pulled away, wiggling our fingers.
"This is from Chef Dorothy's class. Here, have some." I offered them as they pulled their chairs towards our table. Kaji hummed happily, "Don't mind if I do." She took the mocha green macaron, handing Arnold one.
"Oh wow, incredible. You're becoming a darn good baker Amelia.
" Kaji cooed in delight, taking another bite.
"Who made this one? You, Raul?" Arnold asked, pointing at the other box.
Raul straightened up, going back to his playful mode.
"I did. Have a bite, it'll be sure to blow your mind. " He whispered, wiggling his eyebrows.
Kaji rolled her eyes, taking a bite anyway.
"Well?" Raul asked expectantly, his eagerness making me laugh a bit.
"Meh," She said with a shrug, I burst into a fit of giggles. She was probably just saying this because he got cocky. Raul scoffed, "You're insane, it's good."
"Yeah, I'll give you that." Arnold seconded, popping another into his mouth.
"Did you hear about the party happening this Saturday?
" There was a party happening tomorrow? What for?
"Yeah, apparently these elite siblings are throwing it.
Raul, you're familiar with them, aren't you?
" Arnold said, taking a macaron. I looked toward Raul curiously.
He didn't tell me about any party happening.
"Oh, you mean the Silvers? It's this Saturday? Oh! That's right it is this Saturday." He brightened up as though it was just coming to mind. I'd heard of the Silvers once or twice. They were rich, rich enough for me to hear their names from some people's lips.
"Everyone from here is invited. They said it's to celebrate being quarter way done with this." I giggled. Was that a reason for the celebration? We were barely three months in, I guess that was quarter way..."Who's going?" I asked, looking at the three of them.
"I definitely am, won't pass up great booze and probably tasty treats," Kaji said, raising her hand. Arnold chuckled, "I'm going to, partially keep an eye on her butt." He said, cocking his head at Kaji. She huffed, pointing a finger at him, "I don't need anyone to watch over me, dork."
"You won't be saying that when you're standing on top of the bar, singing the air out of your lungs."
"That was one time!" I giggled at their back and forth.
"So, are you going Raul?" I stared at him.
He nodded, "I was actually going to ask if you wanted to go with me.
I have a feeling you don't go to parties very often though.
" Moving back, I laugh, was it written on my forehead or something?
"Not really, but I guess if everyone from here is invited, it'd be like a school party," I said, tapping my chin.
A party with my friends.
That did sound kind of fun.
"So?" Raul asked, I looked up, pulling my eyebrows together. "So what?" He chuckled, shaking his head.
"Would you come with me to the party?" Raul rephrased gently, a smile pulling on his lips. If I did go to a party, I'd hate to go alone. So...."Since you asked so nicely." I teased, "I guess I'll come."
"Really?! You're coming? Nice! We got a full house." Kaji interjected. "We're going to have a great time together." She continued, winking at me. Her words made my heart swell with joy. Perhaps this was something to look forward to. Taking the last macaron, I nodded.
"I'll hold you to that."