Her skills

Zou Haoran was on his way home. He decided to leave early even though there was still time left for the hostel gate to be closed.

While riding, he saw a familiar face, again. Like two previous days, today also Layla was seen by him in the same area. He wondered that what this area or around it has as she came here every day.

This time he decided not to go and greet her. But, to check her activity. His gut feeling was telling him that there was something hidden. And, he had a sudden desire to discover her little secret.

Layla reached her room. This time she had brought something extra with her. She and Lani had some plans for the night. After all, it was Saturday night and who's gonna sleep early.

"You bought the things?" Lani asked excitedly.

"How could I have forgotten? When you were bombarding my phone with texts." Layla complained while putting bags down.

"We should inform Opal."

"Yeah. Right!" She roamed her eyes and found her missing. She didn't pay any attention when she entered. Since Opal wasn't in the room and they got busy. The issue slipped from their minds but it was just for some time.

After the dinner, they decided to inform her. But before they could say anything, Opal spoke, "You've eaten less than usual!?" She blinked her eyes.

Lani scratched her cheek, "That... we wanted to inform you before. Actually, we are going to cook in the night."

Her eyes widen in surprise. "Is-isn't it against the rules?" She remembered that the warden informed her about dos and don'ts in the hostel and one of them was: cooking is not allowed in the room.

"As long as we don't get caught," Layla explained. Confidence was written on her face.

But there was no change in Opal's bewildered expression. Thus, they decided to explain her patiently.

"You see there are a few reasons as to why we are not allowed to cook in the room like—"

"…short-circuit."

"Yes. That's why we need something that could operate on low power. And, Lani has a small induction stove." She made a gesture of small with her fingers. "really small~" she said cutely. It was clear that she really liked it.

"And, we utensils, ingredients—"

"Back to topic," she interrupted Lani. "That's why we can cook and we are cooking." Her eyes were sparkling. "You understood, no…?"

"…hmm, yes. So… you plan to cook late night… as you don't want to be caught."

They nodded their heads.

Like a curious kid who wanted to know and try everything around her; somewhat cutely and a little stubbornly, Opal said "I wanted to do so too."

"Are you sure?" Layla asked while shaking a pack of noodles near her face.

Opal nodded her head furiously.

She is not that much delicate. She has been eating food served in the canteen and the dining room of the hostel. Her stomach can take it. Also, she wanted to experience how it feels like to break rules and eat together after cooking.

The moon was riding high. It was quarter past twelve. After their conversation, they decided to focus on the things in their hands. Thus, at this moment they were doing their homework, occasionally asking for help with the work if they needed it.

Layla stood up and stretched her body. Her body system got a little stiff due to sitting in the same position for a long time.

She eyed at the clock, "Shall we?" she asked the girls. And, received a yes as the answer.

Without wasting any time, Opal and Lani stopped doing whatever they were doing.

Lani and Layla brought their weapons out. Lani took the pan and her induction stove out. Layla took out the vegetables she bought today and some species.

"Opal come with me. We need to wash these." She asked Opal to help her since she also wanted to cook with them, though she had no confidence in her cooking skills. "By the way, take a small pack from my cabinet." She reminded Lani as they would need more than they planned initially.

Lani had set the timer so that noodles could boil and was ready to cut the vegetables. Meanwhile, both girls were done washing the veggies. Layla was surprised to see that there was no need for her to teach Opal how to wash vegetables. Given that she was born with a gems spoon in her mouth, her skills were simply a surprise for her. Well, it was a good thing.

Lani took onion while moving her feet on the beats that were invading their room. "Some girls are partying. It may be because of a birthday or maybe they simply felt like it. After all, tomorrow is Sunday." She explained before Opal could ask.

"Can I help you?" Opal asked. Her face was saying that she can do it.

"You know how to cut veggies?" Her question earned her a light slap from Lani.

"Grab my knife from there." Layla said, rubbing her slapped arm.

Opal nodded and did the same. After that, she grabbed some veggies and started cutting them skillfully.

Both Layla and Lani were amazed witnessing her skills. This made their work easier. Layla was also done straining the noodles.

Now, they were ready to fry the veggies.

It didn't take long when the room was filled with an aromatic smell. Telling them that the prepared dish is ready to bless their taste buds.

They divided the cooked dish into three parts and Lani started clicking pictures before anyone could devour even a single bite.

Their puffed cheeks and curved greasy lips were expressing their happiness of the moment.

Opal was also no exception. She never knew that a cheap pack of noodles could be cooked into something this tastier. If her parents were to knew, they would not be happy. But she wanted to try everything that others do in the hostel. Thus, at that moment she promised herself that she would never tell anyone at home that she cooked some cheap noodles with her roommates and eat them in the middle of the night.

After enjoying the moment, it was the time for labor: they needed to wash the dishes.