Deviant Fate

41 - The Truth

-Gwen-

I finished up training with Everhett, doing breathing techniques. He showed me how to control my breathing when under pressure. It was quite annoying, but it actually worked. I was able to ignore him and consistently focus on steady breathing even when I wanted to kick his teeth in.

"Since shit is about to hit the fan soon we should have a nice dinner tonight!" Zef said as we all walked back to the house.

"It's funny that you suggest dinner when we all know you're not going to cook a single thing." Everhett scoffed.

"I mean I could, but then we'd all be eating dog shit for dinner." He shrugged with a grin.

Fran giggled as Everhett shook his head in disappointment.

"I can cook." I offered. "I used to cook all the time." I boasted.

"Let's have a competition." Zaq chimed in.

"Seems a bit childish." Everhett said.

"Come on, kid." I nudged his side. "It could be fun? Something normal." I coaxed him.

He glared at me and then sighed. "Fine." He nudged me back playfully. "The actual kid convinced me. Deac, you in?" He asked Deacon who walked a few paces behind us.

He shook his head no. I wanted him to be included, but I had a feeling he wasn't interested in things like this.

"Deacon can be the judge." I proposed, giving him a smile. He nodded and continued walking in silence.

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We all stood across the kitchen table in anticipation as Deacon took his sweet time.

"Come on, asshat. Which one do you like?" Everhett said annoyed.

"Gwen's." He said monotonously.

"It's rigged!" Zef shouted.

Fran clapped softly for me with a smile.

I glanced at Deacon. He remained emotionless, but then sent me a quick wink.

"Alright alright, let's eat." Everhett said aloud.

Sitting down with everyone felt nice. It felt like a family dinner. Zaq and Zef made me laugh as they called dibs to sit on either side of me. The whole time Zaq was trying to make everyone laugh at his silly jokes and Zef was unashamedly flirting with me every chance he got. Fran just giggled while Everhett rolled his eyes. Deacon hadn't been involved until Zef yelled, "Ow!"

We all looked at him, but he was looking at Deacon. I snickered as I realized Deacon had kicked him under the table for his shameless antics.

"Serves you right." Everhett chided with a smirk.

"Gwen?" Zaq called.

"Hm?" I hummed, taking a drink.

"Are you in love with that guy?" He asked, catching me off guard.

The entire table silenced and the tension seeped into the air. I kept my gaze trained on my plate not wanting to make eye contact with any of them.

Love. There's no way I loved Arowin. I knew what love felt like and it wasn't love between him and I. There was a connection, but not by choice. I didn't choose to have Arowin invade my life.

"I do not love him." I answered simply.

"Then does he love you?" He rephrased his first question.