[Bonus chapter]Confrontation Part 1

***ALEX'S POV***

"Come on now, Alina. Take a bite of the cookies. They are delicious." Gertrude called out to me. "I made them myself."

'All the more reason to avoid them.' I shouted in my head.

"I know that you're going to like them. Please, just take a bite. You will be glad that you did."

"O..oh, w..well, I..I uh, I am not really hungry at the moment. I..I think that my nerves are getting to me. I..I..I can't bring myself to eat it at all. I..I am so sorry." I was stalling. And while I spoke, I was moving my arms a lot. It was like I was someone that perpetually spoke with their hands. I was trying to let Jake know that he could get ready to come inside now.