𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝.

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭

Toby got up from his seat and walked back inside, the sliding door squeaking softly as it closed. He walked into the kitchen, trying to think about what he was going to cook. After a short while of contemplation, Toby decided he was going to try and make something simple. Chicken schnitzel with a pesto pasta. 

He already had some frozen schnitzels in the freezer, so that wouldn't be a problem. The only thing he had to do was make the pesto pasta without messing it up. He even went as far as to google a recipe to ensure he did it right. What could possibly go wrong?

It took Toby around an hour to make, cook, and plate the "gourmet" dinner he had made, calling Holly inside as he placed both servings on the table. The duo sat across from each other, Holly eyeing the food suspiciously. "It looks okay." Holly commented, sticking her fork through a few pieces of pasta. She laid the pasta on her tongue, trying her best not to make a face. Her eyes widened slightly as she looked up him, chewing slowly. "It's uh.. it's interesting!" By the tone of her voice, Toby knew she was lying. "You hate it don't you? See, I told you I can't cook!" Holly shot the boy a smile, her eyes pitying him. "Look, I wouldn't say I hate it, I'm just saying it's not exactly something I personally wouldn't eat." Toby's facial expression fell flat. He knew that it was Holly's way of sugarcoating the truth. However, he liked that she didn't want to hurt his feelings.

Holly sat there for a second, thinking of what to say. "How about I teach you how to make it? While we're at it, I can also teach you a few other things too if you want!" Toby's face lit up at the suggestion. He knew Holly had a certain knack for the culinary world. He smiled brightly before looking at her again. "I suppose I could allow you to give me a little advice." He joked, causing Holly to roll her eyes as she laughed lightly.

Holly stood up, grabbing both her and Toby's dishes and took them up to kitchen as she scraped the inedible food into the bin. She beckoned him into the kitchen as she grabbed out a second bag of penne and all the ingredients needed in order to make pesto. 

Toby sat across the bench from her, listening in as she explained what she was doing and how she did it. He was mostly listening to the melodic tone of her voice rather than what she was actually saying if he was being totally honest with himself. 

When she finished up, she slid a plate over to Toby along with cutlery and a tall, icy glass of lemonade. He took his first bite which he quickly swallowed as he was eager to eat more. Toby liked things fast. His food, his sports, and other things too. He took no time to savour to flavours Holly had incorporated into the meal, however Holly wasn't surprised. She simply just rolled her eyes and smiled as she took another bite of her pasta. 

After dinner, the sun had completely set and the wintery weather decided to make its debut. Holly shivered slightly as she walked over to the lounge room, turning the heater on full blast. She sat in front of it, her arms crossed in a feeble attempt to shelter herself from the cold. Toby walked behind her, taking off the jacket he had on and putting it over her shoulders. Holly graciously accepted it as she put her arms through it. She turned around to thank Toby, to which he responded. "Anything to get your to shut the fuck up!" He laughed walking over to the couch as he grabbed the remote, switching on the TV.

"A little bit of love, a little bit of love

A little bit of love"

Holly could recognise that song from a mile away. Farmer Wants A Wife. She rolled her eyes, scoffing as she did so. "This shit again, Toby? It's bad enough we're actually in the country, now we have to watch a stupid show about the country?" Toby looked at her, preparing his rebuttal. "It's about romance too, you know. Aren't you like a major sucker for these kinds of shows?" Holly laughed. "It's giving yeehaw version of The Bachelor oh my gosh!" Toby chuckled at her snide comment as he slapped his forehead with his hand. 

The two of them bantered for a while, Holly eventually giving up and taking a seat next Toby. He discretely put his arm around her as he rubbed her arm softly. Holly didn't protest. If anything, Holly wished he'd act the same way he did when they last spent time alone together. She didn't know why, but she was still craving his touch.