Rheostat

4.Peach Perfect

The attention was soon diverted to Eveline who had started narrating about a incident in her school.

They were listening to her so keenly. Even Stephenzo.

I craved that kind of attention, too. But even if I tried I won't be as intriguing or graceful like her.

"She really did that!" Eveline defended when Noah refused to believe the validity of her story.

Why were they even talking while eating? It was strictly forbidden in my boarding institute. If you even made a sound while chewing they would starve you for a whole day.

I didn't participate the whole time and no one bothered me as well for which I was kind of glad.

After I was done eating, just as I was about to get up Stephenzo stopped me.

"You didn't even touch the dessert. Eat some of the peach pie." he commanded.

I had indeed not eaten dessert. Thats because all the dessert items were solely made by peach. And I was severely allergic to peaches.

Was it punishment for speaking at the start of the dinner?

Even the lunch lady in my previous boarding school was considerate enough to let me off for not eating peaches.

Weren't they my family? I seriously doubted it sometimes.

I looked at Stephenzo, my eyes pleading.

But he took that as hesitance and simply urged me to eat it, "Go ahead, try it."

From the corner of my eyes, I saw Kai stop eating his meal and look at me as if waiting for me to decline.

I had already angered Stephenzo once. I didn't want to do it twice in a row so as slowly as I could, I took a slice.

Why were they cut in such huge slices?

As I prepared myself for the physical pain that would surely follow, a warm hand grabbed my wrist, stopping me before I could even take a bite.

"Why do you insist on hurting yourself?" Kai looked at me with disappointment.

I couldn't reply because my mouth wouldn't open.

"What do you mean?" Ezra finally noticing the tears asked in alarm.

"She's severely allergic to peaches." Kai snarled at him. Though it felt like his anger was directed more at me.

"What? That can't be true? Isn't peach her favorite?" Ezra asked in obvious shock.

Are they kidding me? They didn't know? What about the number of times I had fallen sick for eating peaches as a kid?

"Is that true?" Stephenzo asked.

Should I deny it? I was too scared to go against him.

But my pale and teary face had already given him the answer he needed.

Stephenzo stood up, his features contorted in frustration.

"Ezra, a word please." He ordered. "Aylin, I want you in my study in the next ten minutes."

Ezra nodded solemnly before standing up to follow Stephenzo out.

I felt terrible. Ezra couldn't even finish his dinner because of me.

But the worst part was I didn't feel bad because he would have to sleep with an empty stomach but rather I was scared of the possibility that this would mean the end of his kindness towards me.

I looked at Kai who was still holding my wrist. It was all his fault. If he didn't stop me from eating the pie Stephenzo would never have gotten angry. And Ezra would still like me.