Chapter 56

                       Lan's POV

The warm soft sheets under my skin drew me back to sleep as I snuggle into the pillow. The hot rays of the sun shining on my face trying to force me up.

I shut my eyes tightly refusing to let any external factors wake me up. I need sleep, lots of it.

I grumble under my breathe a sigh escaping my lips as I realized I had to go to school.

I opened my eyes staring at the foreign ceiling my brows etched in frown.

Where am I?

Immediately the event of the previous night came rushing back to me.

Oh right. I slept over at Damon's because of the rain.

I forced my body to get out of the bed and paddle my feet downstairs. The house was quiet.

Where is Damon?

The sweet smell of food travelled through my nose waking the hungry monsters in my stomach. I walked into to kitchen drawn by the sweet smell of food only to halt on my steps by  sight of Damon's half naked state.

He didn't notice my presence though, he kept working on the food he was preparing. His chest was bare with a black pant hung low on his waist line.

I didn't know he could cook. What a delicious surprise and no I don't mean his body, I meant the phone.

But both look delicious don't they ? My brain asked. I shook my head horrified by my own thoughts.

What the hell was that!

"Stop drooling or I will think you have a crush on me" Damon said still facing the dish he was cooking. His voice was so raspy and deep sounding so rough on the edges.

I stepped into the kitchen since I was already bursted and cleared my throat so as not to seem awkward at my previous gawking.

I walked towards him glancing into the pan.

"That smell's nice..." I said taking a whiff. My stomach fluttering in approval.

"I didn't know you could cook" I said staring at him.

He kept his focus on the pan, steering. His muscles dancing and bulging with every turn he made with his hands.

Why do I find this so sexy right now? Something is definitely wrong with me.

"Well I have been staying alone for a long time so I learnt how to prepare a few dishes" He said. I hummed understanding what he meant.

"What are you cooking?" I asked.

"Oat" he replied picking up a jar of milk and pouring into the pan.

"Oat?" I asked confused. But oat wasn't made like this from the few glances I have made in the kitchen when my mom is cooking and he added----

"Fruits. This is how I make mine. You'll love it I promise. Their is apple, berries... I wanted to add pineapple since I usually add it but I didn't know what you like so I just sticked to the basis." He replied.

My heart warmed as I stared at his side profile a smile stretching on my lips.

He thought of what I liked.

"But this wasn't what I smelled when I woke up." I said trying to search everywhere for something else. I could swear I smelt something else.

He chuckled "Nice to know my cooking woke you up. That must have been the pancakes. They are inside the covered plate on the table" He said pointing in the direction.

"Oh" I moved towards the table and opened the plate, the delicious scent driving me hungrier.

When did he wake up to do all this?

"When did you wake up?" I asked surprised at the remarkable amount of pancakes he prepared.

"Hm early, couldn't do much sleeping" He replied.

I hummed staring at the pancakes. If only I could have a bite, just one...but I have to go, I didn't tell anyone especially mom when I left the house last night, plus I have to prepare for school.

"I have to go, I didn't tell my mom before leaving and I need to go to school" I said already feeling dejected at the thought of leaving.

"No wait! Your mom called you earlier but you were asleep so I answered. I told her that you were with me and that I'd drop you off at school since we attend the same school" He said sounding desperate.

I guess I could stay for breakfast then. Sweet! I hummed.

He plated the food, all the while his body being in my view. I couldn't seem to be able to tear my eyes away from his body.

He served some pancakes and oat on a tray and took them out. I'm sure he must be taking it to his mom.

He came back later offering me a stool. We both sat down, me ready to dig in.

I stared at the appetizing Oat and took a spoon full small cubes of apple and berries in my spoon. I opened my mouth and let it in. And it tasted divine. Who knew someone could make oat taste so different.

"You like?"He asked staring at me from his plate. Looks like he was waiting for my opinion cause he hasn't taken a bite yet.

"I love it." I replied feeling bubbly. He smiled and began eating.

"Your mom...can she eat alone?" I asked concerned.

He stopped eating and raised his head from his plate staring at me.

"The nurse is here, she came early, she is feeding her although I wanted to do that but mom wasn't having any of it. She wanted me to go eat"He shurgged.

I nodded focusing back on my food.

~~

Damon drove into the school compound on his bike with me holding him tightly from behind. He drives so fast. Once again he caught the eyes of girls as everyone turned to stare at him.

I came down, him following as well.

"We made it. Not late see. I told you we would make it" He said a grin on his lips.

"Yeah yeah whatever" I replied.

On our way here , he made us stop at a cafe to get coffee saying it's a good boost for the day. If mom finds out I drank coffee she won't be so happy with that. At least he didn't lie when he said he could get us here on time.

Immediately we stepped into the hallway, the bell rang.Everyone ran to their classes.

We stepped into our class pushing the door open. The teacher wasn't here yet. I could feel the eyes on me as I force myself to focus on my seat. Mumbles went around in the class making me uncomfortable as I sat. It seems people still haven't forgetten then.

I felt Pearl's eyes on me as well as my brother's and his friends except Mark wasn't in school again. I turned to stare at her as she looked at me with disapproval and question in her eyes.

Class went on smoothly. Damon wasn't a really bad company, he could be good if he wants to making me laugh in class at his silly jokes and snide remarks at our teacher.

At lunch we both stepped into the cafeteria together. Yeah we have basically been sticking around together the entire day much to many peoples shock. Damon is actually doing good at the being a good friend thing. I wouldn't mind his company at all.

I spotted our friends seating at a table farther away, having a conversation.

"Are you sure they'd want us there? Specifically me?" Damon asked watching where my eyes trailed.

"Why won't they, they are our friends. Maybe Nate wouldn't but who cares about what he wants in the first place" I shurgged making him chuckle.

"You can go get lunch, I will head towards them" I told him. Today the menu was the same for everyone no different meal.

"Oh..so now I am your slave"  He said tease in his tone.

"It should be an honor to be my slave" I teased back grinning at him. I walked towards them and sat down, their conversation ending at the sight of me.

"And here comes the school's fag" Nate snorted. Jacob glared at him warning him.

Pearl stared at me looking angry.

"What?" I asked her.

"What do you mean by what? You have been hanging around Damon! The Damon! Remember? The one who ruined your relationship!! What? Are you both lovers now?" She asked looking pent up.

"Calm down. Lower your voice Pearl" I hushed her. We were already getting a few glances.

"Damon and I are just friends. Their is nothing going on and he is not to be blamed totally for what happened to Mark and I, I did that" I said.

"Do you hear yourself right now Lan!! You're supporting him!! Him!! Nate told us how you sneaked out to see him last night and didn't come home through out the night even this morning. What's going on with you?" She frowned looking like she'd blow up any minute.

I glared at Nate who returned back the glare with his. What the hell is his problem!

"Look Lan we aren't trying to interfere with your life but this wouldn't be fair on Mark. I'm not in support of this 'friendship' " Jacob said airing his disapproval.

I sighed frustrated. Why is everyone butting into my business. It's not like Damon is a serial killer. He just can be rude and snarky but he isn't that bad.

Okay maybe I sound a little protective.

"Look just be nice. He is coming. I have forgiven him and you should too. He was just pissed. You know how Damon can get" I said to them as I saw him walking over.

They snorted not buying it.

Damon came over and dropped our lunch sitting beside me.

"Hey du--" He couldn't even complete his statement when Nate threw a punch to his face startling everybody.

Eyes turned towards us as I stared at him in shock. Damon held his cheeks wiping the small blood off his lips a dark smile on his face.

This is going to turn into a full fight if I don't stop it.

Nate got up ready to throw another punch when I stepped in between them and shut my eyes tightly waiting for his fist to land on my face.

I waited a little while but no contact. I opened my eyes and saw how his fury boiled in his eyes. His fist was close to my face but he held himself back. His fist vibrating from so much restraint.

"You're not my friend anymore!! You imbecile! If I ever see your face, I will break your nose boy toy" Nate said and walked off not forgetting to throw our lunch on the floor.

Pearl shook her head at me whispering into my ear before she walked off. Luke and Jacob trailing behind her.

Her words resounded in my ears.

' Whatever you think you're doing will hurt you ' She had said.

"Won't you go with them." Damon said wiping his lips.

"Now is not the time to be rude or arrogant. Let's go so I can help you with that" I said pulling him up.

He pulled his hand from my hold glaring at me

"I don't need your help!" He gritted out looking angry.

"Yes you do." I said pulling him away with me.

He leaned on the sink in the toilet as I wiped his lips with the first-aid kit I took from the school nurse.

He hissed and flinched at every contact the wool made with his bursted lips.

"Nate did do a number on you" I joked but he didn't find it funny as he kept glaring at me.

I sighed, applying a balm to his lips.

"Can you stop glaring at me like I am your enemy?"

"Why? He is your brother"

"And your friend" I countered.

I rubbed the balm on his cheek which looked red.

"How does that feel?" I asked rubbing it in circular motion.

"Like I just took a beating" He replied sarcastically.

I chuckled.

"You're fine then" I said pulling my hand away. He held my wrist stopping my movement. I stared at him confused.

"Thank you" He said.

"For what?" I asked confused.

"For believing my act of true friendship and standing up for me even when I don't deserve it" He said.

I smiled and nodded "Don't worry it not for free" I replied earning a laughter from him.

He looks good when he laughs.