Rodwood Academy

Chapter 90: Fresh State

After arriving to their small rustic apartment the three friends spent no time dilly dallying. Instantly they began taking the longest showers of their lives. All three of the humans relished their time in the steamy water as they cleaned themselves of their months worth of stench.

They couldn't have felt better. Feeling the water washing away all of the dirt and mud covering their bodies was relieving. And feeling the soapy bubbles against their skin was long missed.

Even the small act of changing their clothes had never felt so satisfying to them. Changing out of their torn up rags, the friends found themselves once again comfortable in their new pairs.

And while they had all finished cleaning themselves, before they decided to leave for the evening, the friends couldn't help but address one other issue—their grumbling stomachs.

Sitting around their small circular table both Rose and Zander waited eagerly with cups of water placed in front of them as Alia walked over with three plates balanced carefully in her arms.

"Here you go." The blond girl said placing down two plates filled with beans, dried fruit, and a side of peanut butter for the others to enjoy.

While it wasn't the greatest dish in the world, she was grateful that by some chance her beans and the fruit and peanut butter that Kaila had picked were still in edible condition.

"Don't we have anything better." Zander asked as he scrunched his face from the sad sight of a meal in front of him.

"Everything else we had expired. Well get more food later. Just eat up so we can get going soon." Alia explained before digging straight into her own matching plate.

Grumbling as he picked his fork up, the boy stabbed a single bean before pressing it to his quivering lips. He could taste it the minute he breathed in its scent and instantly his stomach grumbled.

While beans weren't his favorite, he was quick to get over it. Indulging in the food, Zander couldn't get enough. Beans, dried fruit, and peanut butter had never tasted so good before.

He had to admit the combination was a little off but he let his stomach do the talking.

Meanwhile, as Alia and Zander ate their food, Rose clenched her stomach as she rubbed her fingertips against the soft fabric of her romper.

"Eat babe."

"I don't want to." She mumbled.

"Can I have your food then?" Zander asked from besides her with a trail of peanut butter down his chin.

As he spoke Alia wasted no time in giving his arm a gentle slap. "You've got your own."

"But she said she doesn't want hers."

Again he earned another tender slap against his arm.

"Ow!" He exclaimed as the hit burned more against his sensitive skin from the first slap.

"I'll make it worst if you keep complaining." She threatened seeing him straightening himself out quick. "We're all hungry and Rose needs to eat too. If you still want more after you've finished yours, than you can have the rest of mines if you'd like." She offered instead.

"Really?" Zander asked with a small smile.

Alia nodded.

Of all things, Alia knew the one thing that could put Zander in a good mood was having some food in his system. Besides she really didn't care for the combination that she had created.

But with their budget after putting aside their overdue rent money, she had to put up with it.

And after only a few bites the girl was done with her plate. Her stomach was too used to being empty. It wasn't boding well for her.