Friendship: 2

Noah is in school right now, it is a Friday so the last day of the week until Noah gets to spend all weekend with her. As usual, they will be going out to play. Every Friday it is like this, on some days Noah says he can't, telling her that he had something to do. Tulip didn't understand, she still doesn't, but today is a Friday so it's okay.

Tulip and Noah's Mum is in the kitchen making food. Tulip helping out by chopping vegetables and mixing the rice. Occasionally she would cook the food, but today the mother told her it's okay. Tulip watches at the sideline while mixing the rice with the oil, the mother is dipping something into oil that is an amount that she hasn't seen before.

Will we eat all that oil? Is that even good for us?

Tulip scrutinise the oil, the food getting dipped into oil then starts bubbling and spewing out onto the walls and almost reaching Tulip who backs away. She cries out, running to a corner. The woman laughs, telling her it's okay and to come to her. Tulip does, creeping her way closer and peering into the berserk oil. It was still bubbling, but not so wild as before, the food is turning into a golden colour, like the chicken they'd have for dinner.

"Chicken?"

"Mmn, fried chicken."

"Fried?"

The woman explains the difference with fried chicken, and Tulip half heartedly listens to her, until she mentions it is Noah favourite way to eat chicken. Tulip ears twitch nosily, unabashedly darting her head to the woman who amusedly watches her, as if knowing that would get her interest.

"I'll teach you next time, his most favourite."

Tulip gasps, understanding the woman perfectly. Jumping up and down and running circles around the woman that plates the chicken one after another.

Time pass and when they were poking fruit forks in the design of animals, the front door opens and the clatter of a bag and shoes dropping is heard. Tulip lights up and drop the sticks. Running to the front door to see Noah there.

However another person is there. The guy looks familiar, where did Tulip see him?

"Tulip!"

Arms wrap around her, the both of them giggling and swinging side to side happily in each other embrace. This happens every day, but Tulip isn't bothered, it is true this is how happy she feels when Noah comes back to her.

They then seperate after a while and Noah turns to the guy who placed his hat on the hatstand after taking off his shoes.

"Tulip, remember Lincoln? Lincoln will be playing with us today."

In response, Tulip tilts her head. Having no clue of who this Lincoln is. She remembers Noah four friends from before, but doesn't remember who is who. Noah doesn't mind of her unawareness, instead laughs at the boy who looks at her with a raised eyebrow. The boy walks towards them and leans towards Tulip who leans back.

"I gave you the flower crown, like the one you have on now."

The guy points to his head his green eyes point up with his finger and then drags down to hers. Leaning back to his normal posture. Tulip eyes gleam, remembering someone with black hair wearing a flower crown, pale hands that passed it on to her.

It was the first time she saw something that she is familiar to in her world. Tulip would make flower crowns like his too, the flowers looked different to the ones that she used, but the crown itself was shaped the same anyway, made of greenery from nature.

Other people in her world didn't know of them, including Tulip until her mother made her one. Tulip was so amazed something so interesting is made from hands. Ever since then she would make one for almost everyone she ever made friends with, they too found it mesmerising that it was made from the labor of hands not energy. Finding it thrilling to experiment trying to recreate it with energy, the result would always be a failure though.

A creation so delicate & pretty, is so simple.

"Lincoln!"

Tulip calls out, the boy named Lincoln looks surprised, the quiet Tulip who only reaches for Noah called his name. Noah is pleased to see their interaction, then sniffs the air.

"What's that smell? Did you make lunchboxes again Tulip?"

Tulip nods, grabbing his hand and pulling him towards the kitchen. Both Noah and Lincoln follows her, the smell getting stronger when reaching closer to the cause of the smell. Three lunchboxes are displayed on the kitchen counter, red, green and yellow cases.

"You have one too Lincoln!"

Noah rushes to the boxes while Tulip and Lincoln walks over. Noah points out the green box that has 'Lincoln' written on, the red being Noah's and yellow Tulip's.

"Chicken, and rice balls!"

Tulip tells them, not wanting them to open it yet, instead she goes over to the cupboard and pulls out a basket. A basket she got recently for days Noah and her goes out.

Picking up the lunchboxes, one by one she places them inside the basket. Noah excitedly runs up to his room, probably to pick up his aeroplane.

Leaving Lincoln and Tulip alone.

Tulip doesn't mind him, unlike his other three friends, he hasn't done anything mean to her. No yelling or hitting, so she is comfortable. Staring at the sliding door for Noah to come back.