Chapter 11: Kitchen Surpise

Fey was always the shy type, a morena beauty, with a gritty attitude that seemed to surprise those who didn't know her well. She wasn't one to draw attention to herself, yet there was a quiet strength about her that commanded respect. Tristan had always seen her as someone who kept to herself, but tonight, something was different.

Fey was focused, moving quickly as she sliced vegetables and arranged food on platters. Tristan stood frozen for a moment, his eyes wide in surprise. Fey, working hard in the kitchen—he had never seen that side of her before.

She caught his gaze and gave him a shy smile, as if she had noticed his surprise but wasn't bothered by it. Before he could say anything, the head cook called out to her, asking her to bring the food to the table.

"Talk to you later," Fey said with a smile before she moved to deliver the food, leaving Tristan standing there, momentarily stunned.

He couldn't help but feel a bit awkward, unsure of how to react to this new side of Fey. In the midst of the lively party, seeing her in this quiet, grounded setting was a surprising contrast. He had always known her in school but this was something different—something more subtle and personal.

Meanwhile, across the room, Rick and Troy were engaged in a serious conversation about football. Troy was worried that they might not reach the regional tournament this year. Their team had lost key players, and their current standing wasn't looking great.

"I don't know, Rick," Troy said, his voice filled with frustration. "We've lost too many good players. Our standing is slipping. I'm worried we might not make it."

Rick, though, seemed more at ease, despite the pressure that came with being the team captain. "We'll figure it out, Troy. We've got a good team, and if we stick together, we can turn things around," Rick said, his tone filled with optimism.

But even as he said the words, Rick couldn't help but feel the weight of being the captain. It wasn't just about his performance on the field—it was about leading a team that was still learning to adjust after losing so many key players. Even with older, more experienced members, Rick sometimes felt like he was in over his head.

Despite the pressures they both faced, there was an undeniable connection between Rick and Troy. They enjoyed each other's company in a way that felt natural and effortless. When Rick was around, Troy didn't have to be the tough, stoic football player that everyone expected him to be. With Rick, he could let his guard down, be a little more carefree, and just be himself. The bond between them felt comfortable, like two people who understood each other without needing to say much.

Across the room, Monica was sitting with Erik, reading tarot cards again. The music was loud, the bass thumping through the speakers, making it hard to hear anything. But Monica was focused, her attention on the cards laid out in front of her.

"You've got a lot of tension around you," she said, her eyes scanning the cards. "I think you might be keeping a secret, Erik."

Erik looked at her, a confused expression on his face. "What?"

"A secret!" Monica leaned in closer, her voice playful yet serious at the same time.

Just then, Alfonso, who had been standing nearby, accidentally brushed past Erik, causing him to stumble. In the chaos of the moment, Erik's lips brushed against Monica's cheek in an unexpected, almost innocent kiss. Both of them froze, stunned by the accidental intimacy.

For a brief moment, the world seemed to stop, and all eyes turned to them—except no one seemed to notice. It was just Monica, Erik, and Alfonso who knew what had just happened. The music blared, covering the awkwardness of the moment.

Monica blushed but didn't pull away, though she felt a mix of surprise and confusion. Erik, on the other hand, was silent, unsure of how to react to what had just occurred. They both glanced at each other, unsure if they should even acknowledge the incident.

As the night continued, Fey finished her work in the kitchen and decided to rest outside near the pool area. The cool night air was a welcome relief after all the work, and she sat down on one of the lounge chairs, her mind drifting.

Tristan, still processing the surprise of seeing Fey in the kitchen, eventually found his way outside. He spotted her sitting alone, her gaze lost in thought, and approached her hesitantly.

"Hey," he called out softly, not wanting to startle her.

Fey looked up and smiled warmly. "Hey, Tristan. I'm done with the work, just taking a breather."

Tristan sat down beside her, a little unsure of how to start the conversation. "I didn't know you were working with the twins. I mean, I didn't expect you to be here, doing this kind of thing."

Fey shrugged, her expression calm. "Well, my mom has worked with Drew and Erik's family for decades. They've always been kind to us, and they offered to let me help out. I'm grateful, really. I think it's just how life works sometimes, you know?"

Tristan nodded, understanding a little better now. "I get it. You know, Rick is also a working student. It doesn't change how I see him. If anything, I admire him more for the sacrifices he makes."

Fey smiled, her eyes softening. "I feel the same way. It's not easy, but we do what we have to. It's just part of growing up."

They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, the sounds of the party still echoing in the distance. Tristan felt like he was seeing a different side of Fey, one that was more grounded and mature than he had ever known. He admired her resilience and the way she was able to handle everything thrown her way with grace.

"I never knew you felt like a misfit at St. Dominic," Tristan said after a while, his voice gentle. "You seem like you belong here, like you're part of this world."

Fey laughed softly, her gaze turning thoughtful. "Sometimes I feel like I don't fit in. I mean, look at me. I'm not exactly like everyone else at this school, you know? But I'm here, and I'm doing my best."

Tristan smiled, feeling a sense of camaraderie with her. "I get that. Sometimes, we all feel like we don't fit in. But that's what makes us stronger, right?"

Fey nodded, her eyes meeting his. "Yeah, I think you're right."

It was then that something shifted between them—a quiet understanding, a budding friendship that felt genuine and true. They had talked about their lives, their struggles, and their shared experiences, and somehow, it made them both feel less alone. As the night wore on, Tristan couldn't help but feel that he had made a new friend.

Meanwhile, at the end of the night, Alfonso made his way to his car, exhausted from the party but grateful for the night. As he walked closer to the vehicle, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his face. A masked figure had punched him in the jaw, sending him stumbling back.

Before he could even react, the man turned and ran into the darkness, disappearing into the night. Alfonso stood there for a moment, disoriented and confused, his hand on his face where the punch had landed. The pain was sharp, but it was the shock of the attack that left him frozen in place.

He quickly shook off the daze and checked his surroundings, but there was no one in sight. The night was quiet again, except for the sound of his own heartbeat pounding in his ears. What had just happened? And who had attacked him?

Alfonso couldn't help but feel that something was about to change—something he wasn't prepared for.