Finding My Muse - Nicholas Galitzine

Chapter Six: Baked Goods

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--Esmerelda's POV--

"Do you guys have any butter?" Harry asks holding a bowl with only dry ingredients. Kylie looks up from her spot on the couch and I can see the panic in her eyes. We had been having a well-deserved spa night when he knocked. She motions for me to tell him to leave but I invite him inside. She looks good but she won't admit that. Her hair is in the messy bun that men weirdly love.

"Hey," Kylie says standing up to grab him some, "Does this mean we get some of whatever you're making?" She asks as he nods his head with a smile. I sit back down on the couch and grab a handful of popcorn shoving it into my mouth.

"What are you ladies up to?" He asks as she measures out the perfect amount.

"Criminal Minds binge with face masks and milkshakes," I tell him holding up my half-empty cup from a diner nearby.

"Sounds like fun. I'm stuck listening to Nick entertain some girl," he says before realizing I've been on two "dates" with him.

"We are never going to happen," I tell him as I walk over, "But spill. What's the girl like?" I ask. The two of them laugh as I ask for the drama.

"She's nice. I think she's in his music composition class," he says as I fake snore.

"That's boring. What's the dirt? Drugs? Alcohol problem? A condition that renders her blind? What would have a girl go out with...him?" I ask as he lets out an amused laugh.

"I think she just finds him attractive. I don't know. I can text you guys later when the cookies are done, and then you can meet her," he says and I immediately accept.

"I also really want to see your apartment. Didn't you say you got some decorations yesterday?" Kylie asks.

"It's like two picture frames but progress. Alright, I'll text you in an hour or two," he says leaning in to give her a quick kiss, "You taste like cucumber," he says. I gag before walking back to the couch. When she sees him out and jumps onto the couch I look at her.

"Are you guys official or what?" I ask. She shrugs her shoulders and seems unbothered by the lack of definition in their relationship, "Is this the Kylie Franta not worrying about relationship status?" I ask as she pretends to bow.

"I know I'm proud of myself. Freshman year I wouldn't believe it," she says. I look at the time and jump when I realize how late it is, "Let me guess you have something due that you waited last minute to do," she says.

I glare at her as I run to grab my laptop, "No, I just forgot to submit it," I tell her as I lay back down. I pull up the submission box and import my video. It takes a couple of minutes before it goes through. I slide it onto the coffee table before relaxing back for the rest of the episode. It's perfect timing when Harry calls as we just finished an episode.

"Should I change or would that be weird?" She asks.

"Weird"

She gives me a thumbs-up as she slides on her slippers. I stare at the little bunny slippers I have and debate whether I should wear them or not. I'm too lazy to get other shoes. We take the elevator upstairs and follow the numbers until we get to theirs. Kylie knocks and Harry answers with a smile. The apartment smells amazing.

"I was picturing smoke and burnt piles of ash in cookie shapes," I tell him as he invites us inside. We follow him to their kitchen where a freshly baked sheet of cookies sits.

"Hey, are they done?" Nick asks pausing when he sees us, "Why are you here?" He says looking only at me.

"Why would you greet your guests when you can be rude instead," I tell him with a squinted smile. I see his eyes look to the ground before he sees the slippers.

"Are you five?" He asks as he grabs a small plate of cookies, "Thanks," he whispers to Harry before walking off.

"How do you deal with him?" I ask as he hands us both a cookie. I take a bite and I swear I could cease to exist at this very moment, "how could you be such a dick with these?" I whisper.

"I'd pay you every day for one of these," Kylie says as he takes a bite. He shrugs as if he isn't a new-aged Gordon Ramsey...for baking. I should really watch baking shows.

"I used to be in culinary school but I dropped out," he says, "But I'm happy that my short time there didn't go to waste," he adds. I point at the tray and he nods his head as I take another one.

"And for Nick. He isn't as bad as you think," he says.

"That's what I'm trying to tell her," Kylie says as I hear a girl laughing in the hallway. Nick is walking with her to the door and I have to say she is one of the hottest people I've ever seen. The three of us try to pretend we are doing something as he says goodbye to her. My eyes almost pop out of my head when she goes in for a kiss and he backs away. Her cheeks immediately become flustered as she walks away.

He closes the door and we all have the same idea, "Why did you just....dude she was hot," Kylie says making Harry laugh.

"Not my type," he says before walking off. Harry just shakes his head as he starts packing up the cookies, making sure to set some aside for us.

"Your roommate is insane but you have become my favorite person. Kylie, you have full permission to have him over every day," I tell them.

"Speaking of coming over. We are having a small dinner party tomorrow. Some friends from high school are coming," he tells us.

"That's so fun," Kylie says.

"We will be here...are you cooking?" I ask.

"Yes," he says with a laugh.