Iced Tea (past)

POV: Serena Laratje

"Catch me, if you can!"

A soft chuckle escaped me, although I really tried to avoid it. My hands were also pressed quite tightly over my mouth, causing it to sound more like someone was choking.

I cautiously peeked out of my hiding place because I hadn't been able to hear Callum for a few seconds.

He could either have stayed put, walked in the wrong direction, or was so quiet that I couldn't hear him.

"Found you!"

A distinct jolt went through my whole body while I couldn't even make a sound.

In fact, even my heart had ached painfully for a moment because I was so frightened.

However, before I could say a word to the boy, he also started laughing loudly.

"Your face!"

He was shaken again by a fit of laughter.

"Totally funny!"

As the minutes passed, he had slowly regained his composure. The time had been enough for me to recover from the fright as well.

That's why I was now straightening my dress again, while also pulling a leaf or two out of my hair. I didn't even want to know how many were actually hiding in my hair.

"We should go."

Callum still seemed more than amused that he had startled me so much. Really nice.

I actually wanted to tell him how mean that was of him, however he would surely just get angry again and even leave me here alone.

Unfortunately, I was not as fast as he was.

For this reason, I nodded shallowly and let him take the lead as usual.

"Uncle has prepared my favorite cake."

"That's nice.", I replied with a small smile.

This was immediately followed by a big smile on his face before he nodded vigorously.

I guess he really loved his fruitcake.

"You get some too."

"Thank you."

I didn't like fruitcake.

To be exact, I would eat it, but never wish for it myself.

I didn't like it, but I hated it just as much.

Why was it that no one ever asked me what I wanted?

Because I never protested?

"How's Auntie doing, by the way?"

I didn't immediately answer the sudden question that had brutally ended the brief silence.

"When I ask Mother, she gets sad. Uncle, too."

"Mother's feeling a little better today. With some luck, we'll be able to visit her later."

I took longer than necessary with my answer, not knowing how else to make sure Callum wasn't disappointed.

"That would be nice!"

With a shallow nod, I agreed with him before I had to quicken my steps as well because the older one' s were getting bigger.

Although I tried hard, a gap was forming between us.

I officially gave it up when Callum even started running and immediately slowed my steps to a reasonable speed.

Cautiously, I looked around, however, no one was here but me.

With a relieved sigh, I walked back towards the garden that directly bordered the estate.

I should have been careful to maintain a reasonable speed for a girl right from the start.

"Serena!"

Startled, I paused when I was called out of nowhere and, more importantly, so loudly.

Hastily, I looked around but couldn't find anyone.

"Serenaaa."

This time I could make out the voice from the forest group to my right, causing me to curiously head in that direction.

A bad premonition crept up on me.

"Mikael?" I gasped startled, as I suddenly made out the younger boy. He was supposed to be with his mother or at least my father, but he was now sitting on the ground a few meters away from me.

The blond now made his way towards me with a broad, wide smile.

I could immediately see that he was bringing grass, dirt and soil with him, which is why I immediately crouched down to make him a little more respectable again with my handkerchief.

"Did you run off again?", I asked with a shallow smile, causing the little blonde sunshine to just start giggling.

"There's iced tea. Lemon!", my counterpart bubbled.

I just hummed in agreement as he let the procedure wash over him without a groan.

Even his face had dirt on it!

"My wish.", came it more than proudly from Mikael after a brief moment of silence.

A smile crept onto my lips at those words.Admittedly, the classic iced tea made of peach was too intense and, above all, too sweet for me. But the lemon iced tea was very tasty.

Actually, only Isabelle knew that. Since a few weeks also Mikael by chance. He actually noticed that I only sometimes accepted the offered iced tea and had therefore simply asked me.

I was incredibly delighted that he remembered this little thing and even wished for it. For my sake.

"That was very lovely, Mikael. Thank you so much."

In the next moment I could see how a delicate blush spread on the face of the blond, who gave me a radiant smile in the next moment.

"I love you too, Serena!", my counterpart giggled.

With a shallow smile, I returned the hug, as he fell around my neck in the same moment. He had only been able to do that because I was still crouching.

Fortunately, he hadn't knocked me over.

I didn't correct the little misunderstanding. After all, Mikael was the one I liked the most after my parents.