Chapter XVIII

I woke from a dreamless sleep to the smell of fried bacon wafting into my room.

Glancing to the around, I saw the space next to me was empty and the empty pizza boxes and cans from last night had been tidied away.

I got up, stretching with a yawn as I did so, and made my way to the kitchen.

The sight that greeted me was... peculiar.

Victor stood with a ragged apron on and messy bed hair that looked like a birds nest.

He heard me enter and looked around, a smile on his face. "I'm making breakfast."

I nodded, a laugh escaping me. "i could tell. It smells nice."

"Sit down. It will be ready in a few minutes."

I nodded again and walked towards the dining table that usually never got used. I noticed that some of the junk on it had been pushed to one side so that there was enough space for two people to sit down.

"You didn't have to tidy." I told Victor as I took a seat, stifling another yawn with the back of my hand.

" I wanted to." His voice was filled with warmth as he replied.

The toaster popped and just as I was starting to stand, I felt a hand on my shoulder pushing me back down.

"I'll get it. Just relax and I'll sort everything out."

"Are you sure? I can't let you do everything..."

"I'm sure. Besides, there isn't much else to do now." He laughed, a sound full of joy.

"Just stay there."

I nodded again and remaind seated as he finished preparing the breakfast.

He had made scrambled eggs and bacon with a side of cooked tomatoes.

Usually, at most I would eat a banana for breakfast on the way to school. Having all of this warm food piled up infront of me made me unsure of what to eat first.

I picked up the cutlery that had been placed on the table and with an etiquette I didn't usually have, cut up my food into small bites.

Taking the first bite with Victor's strong gaze on me made me nervous, but as soon as the food touched my tongue and the flavours washed over me, I forgot all about my anxiety and trying to act cool.

I dug into the plate infront of me like I hadn't eaten in a week, only looking up when I heard Victor's voice.

"I'm glad you like it. I haven't cooked in a while so I wasn't sure how it would turn out."

"It's amazing!" I tried to say, though I'm not sure how it came out as I had a mouth full of food.

"Thank you. It's Saturday today, do you want to do anything? I heard a fair is coming to town..." he sounded slightly nervous as he said that, as if unsure of my reaction.

"Sure. Lets do that." A put a smile on my face hoping it would ease his mind, the smile growing more genuine as he returned it with one of his own.