𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐚

𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦

╔══════════════╗

'people will fall in love without reason, without even wanting to. you can't predict it. that's love. -haruki murakami'

If Nicole could describe home in three words it'd be the Yang household. Maybe it was because she never experienced what a normal home is like but there was a mysterious veil of warmth that surrounded the Yangs. All of them. No matter the obstacle thrown their way they jump over it with a wide smile and keep moving forward.

They drew you in with the kindness they spread and opened their home to you. Nicole got used to seeing the familiar array of gnomes lining the garden or the pile of bricks next to the unfinished well. Because this was more her home than her actual one. That's more of a prison than anything else.

So when Baker pulled into the driveway Nicole didn't hesitate to unbuckle her seatbelt and jump out of the car. Her feet moved to get to the front door as quickly as possible. As soon as she opened the door her nose was overwhelmed by the delicious smell of freshly baked goods. Mei stood next to the stove, shoveling cookies with a spatula to place them on a plate.

Mei turned at the sound of the door, her face lighting up in exaggerated delight. She gasped dramatically, as though she hadn't seen Nicole in years, and bustled over to her with arms outstretched.

"Nicole!" Mei exclaimed, pulling her into a tight hug, her voice as sweet as sugar.

"Hi Mrs. Yang." Nicole greets, just as excited.

Mei waved her hand dismissively, then pointed at Nicole with a playful smirk. "I told you to call me Mei. I've known you since you were this high," she said, holding her hand low to indicate Nicole's childhood height.

Nicole smiled, shaking her head lightly. "Of course, Mei."

"And I've been telling Baker to bring you over, but that boy—" Mei paused for dramatic effect, rolling her eyes—"he's always got his head in the clouds."

As if on cue, Baker walked in, bags in hand, kicking the door closed behind him.

"Did I hear my name, Ma?" he called, bending down to shove off his shoes.

"Oh, just telling Nicole about how adorable my son is," Mei teased, a mischievous grin placed upon her lips.

"Ma!" Baker groaned, sounding like a whiny child.

Nicole stifled a laugh, while Mei winked at her. Baker, unimpressed, rolled his eyes before tugging on Nicole's arm. "You wanna go do homework?" he asked.

Mei's eyebrows shot up. "Homework? You? Nicole, what have you done to my son?" she exclaimed, laughing as she shook her head.

Baker gave his mother a pointed look, but Mei, ever the mom, was unstoppable once she got going.

Nicole stepped in before the teasing could escalate further. "Yeah, Bake, let's go," she said, smiling as she took her bag from him.

Typically Nicole finished her homework rather fast. Depending on the subject. But with Baker around it took her an extra hour to get it done. Every few minutes he was bouncing out of bed to complain or to 'stretch' his limbs from the tiring workload. Not that it bothered her, the distractions were heavily welcomed.

When they finally finished, both let out matching sighs of relief.

"Thank God," Baker groaned, already pushing his books and papers off the bed and onto his desk in a haphazard pile.

"If I have to look at another math problem today, I might cry," Nicole said, stretching her arms over her head.

Baker, the restless soul he was, suddenly sprang up and scooped her off the bed.