A War Within Two Worlds

Chocolate Cake

Victor's POV

I kissed her. I don't know how, but I did. Everyone thinks I should be courageous, but I'm not. Truth be told, I was always a 'mama's boy' as my dad called it, so naturally I inherited her sensitivity and warmth. My dad always told me though, that real men show emotions and don't hide them.

Mini was eating across from me. Last night was hard for everyone, so Miss Peregrine went to town and brought back baked goods of all sorts. Mini nibbled on a chocolate croissant and bacon while Millard and I ate donut after donut. Emma hasn't come down all morning, she's devastated. Millard even told me that Abe hadn't even offered to bring her with.

Abe and I shared a room, we'd stay up late talking about Emma and soccer and mocking Miss Peregrine. I miss him, our room feels so empty. Granted it's only been a few hours, but I know tonight will just be dreadful. Mini feels the same I bet, her and Charlotte seemed to be close.

"Victor! Save some for Emma!" Claire scolded.
"I'll bring her some." Hugh grabbed a plate and put a few muffins and donuts on top.
"Bring her an apple as well." Miss Peregrine suggested. Honestly, I was shocked she even bought this much sugar, she valued nutrition more than anyone I know.
"Will do." He said as he turned for the stairs. Mini excused herself and followed him up.

After breakfast I found her laying back on Charlotte's bed.
"I've been here for a week." She said. I sat down on her bay window and put my legs up.
"I know."
"I've been here a week and two people have left already."
"That's not your fault."
"I guess." She sighed.
We sat in a comfortable silence for awhile. I didn't dare bring up the kiss, though I wanted to.
"So what's our deal?" Mini asked.
"You don't mince words huh?" I laughed. Mini smiled and sat up.
"Never saw the point, the truth always comes out eventually." She smiled.
Damn, that smile has me weak in the knees.
"I want to take you on a proper date."
"Oh?" She smiled playfully.
"Let's go to town for lunch."
"Sounds lovely, but won't Miss Peregrine be mad?"
"We'll bring Wyn with, it looks less like a date then."
Mini smiled and blushed, "and about going to town, she's never cared much about us leaving for lunch."
Miss Peregrine didn't care where we were during the afternoon, but if you were gone for dinner you better have a hell of a good reason. The day we walked to the beach, Miss Peregrine almost had my head.

Wyn, Emma, and I were waiting at the bottom of the stairs.
"Hurry up!" Emma hollered. She was still angry about Abe and Charlotte, and she was projecting onto Mini. I wasn't going to invite her for this very reason, but Wyn demanded she came with because she seemed so depressed. I loved how empathetic Wyn was, but it definitely backfired on me at times.
Mini leaped down the stairs two at a time. She was wearing a white dairy dress with white sports shoes. Her curly hair was pulled back into a bun with a daisy stuck behind her ear. She had two long curls and a few little ones framing her face. She looked like an angel.
"Took you long enough." Emma muttered.
"Beauty takes time." Mini smiled sourly.
"Be nice, Em." Wyn scolded.

Emma and my sister went walking around town while Mini and I ate sandwiches from the deli.
"I think I'm in love with this sandwich. What is this called again?"
I laughed, "it's a Bruntley Club, our dad used to make them. It's only tomato, Mayo, turkey, bacon, lettuce, cheese, more bacon, mustard, and a few pickles, but you picked those out."
"I'm a woman of class." She said sarcastically.
"You sound like Horace."
"Well if he doesn't like those sour rounds then maybe he has the right idea, too."
Mini looked past me to Emma and Wyn making wishes in the fountain.
"I bet she's wishing for Abe to come home." She said softly.
"Probably."
Mini looked at her knees and started picking at her nails.
"Don't pick, the scabs just started to heal over."
Mini laughed, "you sound like Miss Peregrine."
"Mini?"
"Yes?"
"What would your wish be?"
Mini looked deep in thought for a moment, "that Eliza was here, or the rest of my family. Even if they couldn't be in this loop, I wish the were alive." She bit the inside of her cheek and wiped away a stray tear, "what would you wish for?"
"Chocolate cake. Just a big chocolate cake like the one my grandma used to make."
Mini sniffles and laughed, "it must have been some cake, usually people wish for people they love to come back."
"I never understood that. Mama always told me that once you die, you're at peace. I'd never want to take that away, even if it would make me feel better."
Mini frowned, "I change my wish then, I want some chocolate cake from grandma Bruntley."
Mini smiled and had a mischievous look on her face, "I have an idea."

I was supposed to meet Mini in the kitchen at 11, but she wasn't here.
"What are you doing?"
I jumped but relaxed when I saw it was just Hugh and Fiona.
"What are you doing?" I asked wiggling my eyebrows. Fiona blushed and hid behind Hugh's shoulder.
"Alright, you caught us. Just don't tell the bird."
"I doubt she doesn't know about you guys already, but I won't." I winked at Fiona. I heard a tapping at the door and Fiona frowned and went to open it.
"Carful, love. It could be a wight." Hugh whispered. Fiona shrugged it off and opened the door to show Mini beaming with bags of groceries in her hands.
"Hey Fee can you help me with this?" Fiona nodded and took a bag.
"You wanted to meet to help put away groceries?" I frowned.
"Nooo, we're making the Bruntley chocolate cake." She beamed. Fiona leaned over to Hugh and whispered something.
"We'd like to be of assistance as well." Hugh said.
"Children? Why are you awake at this hour?" Miss Peregrine was at the base of the stairs and frowning.
"W-we uh,"
"We're making a cake." Mini said defiantly with her hands on her hips. Miss Peregrine sighed and rubbed her temples, "very well, but clean up after yourselves and be quiet. We'll discuss this more in the morning, alright?"
Mini nodded eagerly.
"Now, how do we make such a cake?"

Fiona, Hugh, Mini and I sat on the couch each eating a slice of cake.
"Just like my grandma used to make." I smiled. We ended up making two cakes so we'd have enough for everyone else, but I put an extra large slice in the back of the ice box for Wyn. Fiona whispered something to Hugh.
"Fee says her grandma was crazy and always talking nonsense, but could make a mean rabbit pie."
"You should make it for us."
Hugh shook his head, "Fee's a vegetarian now."
"That's really cool!"
Fiona blushed and smiled.

Eventually, her and Hugh went upstairs to bed.
"Doubt they're going to do much sleeping." Mini joked as she stood up.
"Where are you going?"
"To clear the dishes."
I shook my head, "you bought the ingredients, I should do the cleanup."
"Well technically I stole them." She shrugged.
"Your lucky the bird didn't catch you."
"The bird?" She asked skeptically.
"Miss Peregrine."
"Ahh."
"So let me help you."
She rolled her eyes playfully, "ok Bruntley, let's see what you can do."
She tossed and dish at me, "good thing you didn't drop it, the bird would be angry." She mocked.
"You're going to use that all the time now aren't you?"
"Of course." She sung.
I helped her scrub the dishes. Once they were folded away, I put the cake on the cake tray and put on the lid.
"Walk me to my room?"
"Always."

5/1/21