The Mystic Hearts Series

Chapter 87- Robin

"Today we're going to switch things up for this project," Mrs. Chlebek says, strolling back & forth through the culinary room as she usually does as she speaks. "You guys have gotten too comfortable with your cooking partners. The point of this is not to stay in your comfort zone, but to be able to collaborate! No matter who you're with! So..." She stops suddenly, pulling a hat from behind her desk, as though a magician. "I already wrote down everyone's name on paper slips... So we can draw groups randomly!" [Groan] "Hey, this'll be fun, you'll see! You can even make new friends!"

. . .

Unfortunately for me, I don't end up with my only friend in the class, Shreya. Which, I mean... makes sense, I guess, probability wise, but... still sucks.

"& Robin, you are partnered with..." I look up, holding my breath. "Helios."

The whole room looks at me as I look around for who that guy is. My friend Shreya elbows me from her spot standing next to me. She points the guy out, & I hesitantly walk toward him.

I hadn't known who that was at 1st because I'm terrible with names, but once she points him out, I remember who he is. Helios Kokki-something, the toughest kid in school. Always dressed in all black, with eyeliner & leather boots, deep red skin & an air of quiet intimidation, nobody messed with him. I gulp nervously as I trail behind him to our shared culinary space. He remains quiet the whole time, & I can't help feeling something bad is going to happen.

Mrs Chlebek hands out recipe lists for the project & everyone gets started, my group slower than the rest. I start getting ingredients slowly, with Helios surprisingly helping out as well. I was expecting him to sit back & not do any of the work, making me do all of it, but he actually helps me collect the ingredients too.

He gets out 2 bowls & a whisk & I look at the sheet, trying to follow along. He looks at me quizzically between starting to measure out the dry ingredients as I just stare between him & the sheet nervously.

"Start helping me measure out the dries," He says surprisingly calmly & softly. "It'll take too long just doing it by myself..."

I nod fervently, doing as he instructs without hesitation. "Yessir..." He looks at me for a moment, 1 eyebrow raised, before going back to the work at hand, a slight smirk on his face for some reason. I follow his steps unquestioningly, internally wondering how he knows how to make a cake so well, but externally not saying anything, for fear of being beaten up or something.

We manage to put the batter in the cake pan in a good window of time, & as I'm about to take it & put it in the oven, he stops me, with a surprisingly gentle hand briefly on my shoulder, despite my momentary flinch.

"Here- let's add some birthday cake rainbow sprinkles... It'll add a little color to the batter..."

"Mmm... I dunno... Aren't we supposed to follow the recipe?"

"Mm, not really... She said as long as we meet the bare requirements, we can do whatever with it after that... So are rainbow sprinkles ok?" He raises an eyebrow in my direction & reluctantly, I nod.

"Sure... why not..." A gigantic grin springs on his face & he walks toward the station with the extra ingredients. I watch him from afar, weirdly surprised by how happy he got about the sprinkles. I mean... they're just sprinkles... & he's supposed to be the tough guy... Weird...

They're finally interacting :O. How will it go?

Happy Pride & see ya lates :D <3