Levelling the Playing Field (HD&D Sequel)

Chapter 19 - Maybe in Another Life

"This is great, Arya!" Declan exclaimed through a full mouth. The others nodded in agreement.

"You must give me the recipe," Bennett said, using a napkin to wipe the side of his mouth.

"Arya's our resident cook, everything she makes is delicious," Dominic told the Musketeers proudly.

The eight sat around the dining table, eating Arya's hearty meal.

I could get used to this for the rest of my life. Jordan thought.

They eventually finished just as the sun was coming up. It had been a long night.

Tessa and Davina began to get up. "Well, this has been nice, but I have to -" Tessa started.

"Hold it," Arya cut. The two froze in place.

"You two can do the dishes,"

Tessa and Davina groaned as they began stacking plates. Bennett got up to help them.

The others made their way to the couch and took a seat. Dominic and Jordan began playing a video game with Naomi egging them on or making snarky commentary.

"So, where did you learn how to cook like that?" Declan asked Arya as they sat and watched the others play.

Arya smiled at him. "I was visiting my uncle in Bhutan when I was 13, and he was a chef. He taught me a few things there, and when I came back, I continued practising,"

Declan nodded. "Do you still cook with him now?"

"I-uh," Arya's smile dropped as she didn't know what to say. "He died a few years ago in a crash,"

Declan's eyes widened. "Oh, I am so sorry. I didn't mean to-"

Arya waved him off and smiled again. "It's okay. I can talk about it,"

Declan wanted to kick himself internally. He was glad the others were engrossed in their game that they didn't hear or notice.

She continued to look down. "My dad also died that night," She looked back up at him with sad eyes that didn't match the slight smile on her face. "Effectively making me an orphan,"

Declan looked down at his own hands. He had some idea of what she was talking about, more than probably anyone else in that room. He looked up for a moment with questioning eyes.

She seemed to have already anticipated his question because she replied. "My mom gave me up to my dad when I was a newborn. Then died a couple of years later," She waved off like it was nothing.

"She missed out on a wonderful daughter," Declan replied.

"Thanks," She smiled, her eyes still shiny from the topic.

"Did you go live with family afterwards?"

"No, I didn't have any close enough or young enough to take care of me. I ended up in a care home,"

That piqued Declan's interest. "You were a care home kid, too?" He asked.

"Yeah," She answered with a questioning look before it dawned on her. "Were you one also?"

"Yeah," He said quietly.

"That's weird. We're like brothers and sisters of the system," Arya playfully nudged Declan.

He smiled at her in response.

Arya looked down at her lap, recounting a story in her head before telling Declan.

"I was sent to care at 14, older than most kids there. They didn't know what to think of me since they knew I had parents once and that I'll be out again at 18. My dad's will meant I would be financially able to care for myself once I became an adult. It was only four years, and I could do it," She laughed slightly in an attempt to hold the tears back.