“Well, it’s a good thing you didn’t eat it. My sister’s cooking isn’t exactly delectable.”
Shermaine’s jaw dropped in shock as she stared at him in disbelief. “Huh?”
Eddie’s smile widened, showing a hint of dimples on his cheeks.
Just then, Nikki’s furious voice rang out from behind him.
“Eddie! You’re always making fun of me behind my back! I knew I shouldn’t have trusted you!”
+15 BONUS
Nikki came storming over, snatching the lunchbox from Eddie’s hands. She huffed dramatically and grumbled under her breath, “If you think it’s so bad, then you’re never eating my food again!”
Eddie, unfazed, shrugged with a grin. “If I don’t eat it, you’ll have to find someone else to be your guinea pig.”
Nikki, looking even more upset, suddenly remembered Shermaine standing beside them. She quickly softened her tone, giving Shermaine an apologetic smile.
‘Shermaine, don’t think too much of it. I really did make it with care. Eddie’s just joking. I’ve never thought of you as a guinea
pig”
Shermaine, a little embarrassed, lowered her head and apologized. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to let your effort go to waste.”
Nikki patted Shermaine’s shoulder kindly. “No need to apologize! I just want you to get better soon. We’ll be spending the next five years here together, so we’re a team. Helping each other is what we do. By the way…”
Nikki’s eyes lit up with a thought. She dashed off and returned a moment later, holding an electric blanket. Without giving Shermaine a chance to refuse, she shoved it into her arms.
“The winters up here are really cold. They don’t have floor heating yet. Don’t catch a cold!” Nikki said, pushing the blanket
toward her.
Before Shermaine could say anything, Nikki grabbed Eddie’s arm and pulled him away.
“We’ve got to go, but make sure you rest up, Shermaine. Don’t stay up too late!”
As they walked off, they kept bickering until their voices faded.
“Don’t talk badly about my cooking again!”
“But she obviously didn’t want to taste it. You know, when someone doesn’t want something, forcing it on them only makes things awkward.”
“You don’t get it. Girls are complicated. Maybe Shermaine actually liked my food!”
Their teasing laughter grew fainter.
Shermaine, standing in the doorway, realized she was smiling. The warmth of the electric blanket in her arms seemed to wrap around her, comforting her like a soft, gentle hug. It felt like it was melting the ice in her heart, bit by bit.
