Ava And Ivy

24 (Boiling Water)

*Ivy's POV*

Ava helped me unpack the containers and transport them up into the tree-house. We needed to boil the water and although it seemed faster to do so out in the garden with a campfire she suggested to use the kettle because it was now Autumn and some days would sweep cold into our bodies with sharp wind.
We shortly conversed about winter and its disadvantages and dangers, as well as solutions and advantages. I finally agreed, feeling it would give us more to heat up the tree-house from the kettles heat.

"I remember doing studies on the seasons and the change in the garden instead of homework before the living-dead outbreak," She sighed, taking a long look at the trees along the neighboring gardens, her eyes reminiscing about the past.

I leaned against the wall at my back, a few personal memories coming up.

"I would spend all seasons committing to studies of school and online college courses, of course pleasing my high achieving parents. My brother would interrupt me, but although he annoyed me and laughed at my mishaps, his presence was greatly enjoyed by me," I closed my eyes, feeling them prickle with tears.
"Elijah was why I have any normal childhood experiences, and why burnout never got the best of me."

Ava smiled down at me, lowering the rope with the next now-empty container.
"He sounds interesting."

"He really was. I apologize for the rant."

"Es ist kein Problem."

"Deutsch? That means German, am I correct?"

"Ja," Ava grinned "One of my mothers was German, but my other mom was American. She taught us two Deutsch, so I know a bit."

"That is very cool. And not in a sarcastic way"

"I know right? Do you have any non-American roots?" I opened my eyes and smiled back at her.

"No, not any that I am aware of."

Ava jumped down to me, making me back away as she landed, my back hitting the tree. She turned to me and placed her right hand right above my shoulder with a sinister smile on her face.
"Sorry, your only roots are nerd, aren't they?"

"I- What?" stuttering I looked away, my face red. She only winked at me in response.

I stood there for a bit longer before gathering myself and getting to work.

We soon finished, Ava disappearing briefly to get some mint that grew in the garden. We made tea and continued harassing the poor kettle, hoping it would not break, not boiling all the water supplies just yet in the end anyway.

It was the right amount of peaceful to distract me from what I had seen today.