Chapter 11

Author's POV

It's been five minutes since they have been staring at the food in front of them still trying to make out what it was.

Lan stood in the corner head down and pinching his fingers. He looked so much like a little kid under punishment.

Nate was the only one trying to stifle his laughter. His face was so red from trying to contain it.

Jacob's eyes were twitching badly as he tried to understand what was on his plate.

Luke was already looking like a man who would drop dead soon as his face was so pale.

Mark was still staring at the food with disbelief as he kept blinking his eyes hoping it would disappear.

Pearl herself kept playing with the food sighing every minute.

"What is this scary-looking thing on my plate? " Jacob asked still staring at the food in shock.

" Please tell me this is all my imagination" Mark pleaded hoping the food would just disappear.

"Why why!! "Luke lamented like an old man.

" We sent a kid to cook!"Pearl lamented as she covered her face in disappointment.

Nate couldn't take the looks on their faces anymore.

"Hahahaha....oh m-my l-lord y-you should see y-your faces right now...." he busted out in laughter making jest of their expressions.

"Oh goodness I might just die from laughter" he laughed not able to stop. His eyes were already becoming teary with how hard he was laughing.

He wiped his eyes"I am not surprised at all, I expected this. yall told him to cook without finding out if he has ever even boiled water before" he shook his head still finding the outcome funny.

They all sighed in defeat not able to refute his words.

"Tell me lan what is this scary thing we are looking at supposed to be love?"Pearl asked in defeat.

Lan was beyond embarrassed. He clutched his fingers together as he forced himself to speak his cheeks already painted red.

"P-pasta" he whispered out but they all heard him.

"Pasta?"Jacob asked not able to believe his ears.

He pointed at his plate and stared at him horrified"This is pasta?" he asked again.

"It looks like mashed potatoes to me, "Luke said as he swelled it with his fork.

Lan's eyes were already becoming teary. He clutched his fists trying to keep his emotions at bay. His shame was clouding his mind he just couldn't process anything at the moment.

"Why didn't you tell us you couldn't cook?"Mark asked.

" I-i tried to"Lan replied sniffling his nose.

" Maybe it will taste better?.. I hope"Pearl encouraged them.

Together they all used the spoon in the corner of their plates to lift the food to their mouth nervously.

Some didn't even take the risk. Some like Nate just stared at him.

Immediately the food touched their taste bud they tried munching on it a little despite how watery and yucky it is.

"Oh my God, my tongue!!"They all exclaimed at the same time running into the kitchen for some water.

Nate laughed at their reactions finding it hilarious that they would even think of tasting it.

He was sure he wouldn't, even though he was promised billions.

They all came back to the living room drowning their faces with water.

Pearl sat down and pushed the food away scared to even look at it.

"It was so hot! I felt like my tongue would fall off."Pearl exclaimed fanning her tongue.

" Goddamn! How much chilly did you put in there?" Jacob asked still trying to stop the burning in his tongue.

" I-i'm s-so sorry..." Lan apologized with his head still down. His tears were already falling from his eyes. He sniffled trying to keep them at bay.

"Please never enter the kitchen again.."Luke said as they all chuckled unaware of what was going on.

Lan nodded as he ran to his room not ready to hear another bad word.

He locked the door resting his head on it as he tried to catch his breath.

He felt like he was getting choked up in their presence. He knew he couldn't cook but he did try his best. He kept watching the woman in the video as he tried to mimic everything she did even though he didn't understand it at all.

He looked at his burnt finger and smiled sadly. He remembered how he tried lifting the pasta from the gas without a glove. He still felt the pain.

"They are right. Maybe I should stick to what I know best, studying," he mumbled to himself wiping his tears away.

He never really tried learning how to cook. His mom would always do the cooking for him so he never got the chance to learn.

Shame clouded his eyes as he remembered their horrified faces and laughter as they mocked his dish.

He walked slowly towards his bed and lay down looking up at the ceiling.

"You're so useless lan, the only thing you are good at is studying that's why the only friend you have is a pearl"He belittled himself.

" I wish mom was here," he said to himself already missing her a lot.

He dialed her line hoping to speak to her but the call didn't go through. He tried again but nothing.

He sighed in frustration and threw the phone on the bed.

After five minutes of him being alone and letting his thoughts run haywire, a knock came.

"Lan we were able to put together scrambled eggs and toast..thank God"Pearl chuckled " would you like to have some?" she asked softly.

"No am not hungry" he replied.

It was quiet for a while before she spoke.

" Are you sure?"

"Yeah..you can go eat"lan replied trying to make his voice sound cheerful.

"Ok .how about the movie, coming to watch?" she asked softly.

" I think I will pass" he replied

"Lan are you okay?"Pearl asked in concern.

" Yeah totally. Just needed to catch up on some assignments that are due tomorrow and send them. Don't worry fur brain" He replied chuckling trying to sound like his usual self.

"Ok" she replied and walked away.

Once he was sure she wasn't there anymore he sighed, his face becoming gloomy again.

He shut his eyes feeling tired and welcomed the darkness that followed.

~~~~~

"Lan!! Open up! I need to use the bathroom!"

Lan woke up to a banging at the door. He forced his body up holding his head due to his headache.

He looked at the mirror hoping his eyes aren't that swollen as he walked towards the door and pulled the doorknob open.

"Finally!"A panting Mark exclaimed.

He quickly pushed lan aside and ran into the bathroom shutting it with the speed of lightning.

After he was done, he came out looking relaxed and relieved.

"I needed to drop so badly. The others won't let me use their bathroom" he said.

Lan shut the door and walked back to sit on his bed.

" Why did you lock me out last night. I tried knocking but you didn't answer. I had to spend the night on the couch in the living room" He complained.

Lan sighed " I'm sorry, I probably slept off" he replied.

"Are you okay?"Mark asked worriedly as he noticed how swollen his eyes were.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just need a good shower" Lan replied as he stood up and walked into the bathroom shutting the door in the process.

He walked over to the sink and looked at his face again. His appearance was one he has always hated. He has always wondered why he wasn't as built as Nate or the others.

He glanced at his flank arms and sighed in disappointment.

He pulled his clothes off and soaked himself in the mini bathtub trying to relax all his pent-up nerves.