Ups & Downs

Ups & Downs- 3

I was so tired last night that I immediately fell asleep as soon as Mag pushed me inside her room and commanded me to sleep. It's amazing actually that they trust (a stranger) me enough to allow me to sleep at their home. I've been awake for sometime now but I just decide to coddle in Maggie's thick furry pink blanket and let my thoughts wander.

A moment later the delicious aroma of freshly brewed coffee invaded my nostrils which makes me instantly sit up. I pick up my bag on Mag's table and waddle out her door. I'm glad I wore a pair of high waisted palazzo tribal trousers yesterday because if I have worn shorts, my legs would have fallen off by now due to the morning cold.

"Morning," I groggily greet.

"Morning!" Mag's cheerful voice replies me back instantly.

She is sitting on one of the chairs surrounding the table with three mugs of steaming coffee in front of her. She reaches out a cup and puts it to her lips.

"This is perfection," she sighs.

I laugh at her action.

"Can I have a cup?" I ask.

"Sure, here." She hands me one. "Your favourite, cappuccino."

"Thanks," I gratefully tell her.

I put the mug to my lips. The coffee soothes down all my worries and makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. The taste of my safe haven. The taste of Challenges.

"This is amazing!" I exclaim at the taste. It is that amazing. Whenever I drink coffee, I prefer to not add any sweetener as it breaks the real taste of coffee.

I put the mug down and take a seat. "Where's Trevor?" I ask.

"Trevor's here," his voice comes first before he comes into my view.

The fact that Maggie's brother is gorgeous is an understatement. His bed hair is sticking out all over the place and his eyes still hold the sleepiness.

"So I heard you like the coffee I made," he says smugly.

"I love it. I don't really see you making coffee at the shop though."

"The barista of the shop is Dave, Mag's boyfriend. He's only going to arrive at 7.30. And the great me here is the baker." he says pointing to himself. "But I also have to make coffee if Dave is away."

"You bake those scrumptious cookies?" I find myself asking. Disbelieving.

He just nods, putting his cup of coffee to his lips.

"Carina, why don't you help Trev out in the kitchen today if you are free. You know, today's going to be a super frantic day," Mag says with a glint of mischievousness in her eyes after Trevor heads back downstairs.

"I uh-I don't know. I don't have anything to do today, so I guess I can help." I tell her warily.

"Perfect!" Mag exclaims, clapping her hands together.

"Why don't you first go and brush your teeth?" Mag continues afterwards.

"I totally forgot about it!" I exclaim.

I can't hold back a laugh after that. I clutch my stomach and fall down on the floor laughing my head off. It has been so long since I've laughed this much.

Maggie soon joins me on the floor laughing.

After approximately ten minutes of laughing around, I manage to let my legs carry me down to my morning hygiene routine. Mag lends me some of her clothes and offers to put mine in the wash.

By the time I step into the kitchen, Trevor is already putting a batch cookie dough into the oven. I stop at the door, unsure of what to do.

Trevor sees me and gives me a smile.

"Hey, come on in," he gestures me inside.

As I have noticed before, their kitchen is large and immaculate. There are numerous baking apparatuses setup at the perimeter and a long metal table in the centre.

"Have you ever baked before?" Trevor asks while pulling out a large bag of flour from a cabinet.

"Yes. But I'm not very talented," I answer honestly.

"I will guide you," Trevor says while giving me a reassuring smile.

"Okay," I say, not a least bit convinced.

"I have just put three trays of cookies into the oven but we still need to make another four trays. I'll help you with mixing the dough. You'll eventually get the hang of it, don't worry."

Speechless, I just give a nod.

Trevor is a very talented baker. I know that because I've been eating his pastries ever since I discovered Challenges. When he bake, his usual quirky self turn into a serious and calm demeanour.

With his help, in no time, we've successfully baked four trays of perfect golden cookies.

"Well, you are not bad. Just a little more practice and you'll be even better than me," Trevor tells me while wiping his hands on a wash cloth that is hanging off his waist.

"I doubt so," I tell him, laughing.

We continue our baking process until it is one in the evening. By then both of us are tired and the customers are already slowly streaming in. Trevor asks me to go rest while he makes lunch for us. I offer him help but he just waves me off.

I walk over to my usual seat and gaze out the window at the murals. The short time I have spent here is more enjoyable than all the previous years combined.

A/N: It'd be awesome to vote for this story if you liked it.

Tell me what beverage is your favourite~

And just a little note. From this chapter onwards, I'll be dedicating to anyone who comments first. Everyone needs a little exposure in my opinion.

xxVic