One Way To Find Out

Chapter Eight: Dinner

RUSTLING VOICES WAKES me up from my peaceful slumber as small groan slips from my mouth. I pick up Zayden's familiar voice, with a hint of impatience.

"No mom, she's not sick only exhausted. There is no need to be paranoid, she's fine." Zayden stresses out the word fine to emphasize that the is no need to go overboard, but it's Mrs. Lakewood we're talking about here.

"Let me check her then, what if she's caught a cold or maybe she's having her horrible tummy ache again and you know how they take a tool on her." Amanda ramble her frustration out, she truly cares for me and I truly appreciate her love, but her paranoia isn't good for her health.

"Mom she's still resting, let her be." He hisses back, trying very hard to mask up his annoyance for his mother's antics.

"I'm going in there Ledger and you won't stop me." Leaving no room for augment, the door opens briskly by the force of Amanda, resulting her shoulder length salt and pepper hair dance around while worry grace her face.

"Sweetheart, you're awake, how are you feeling? You've been sleeping almost the entire day, is it a cold? You need some medication and water, you know how weak your immune system is. Zayden please bring a glass of –"

"I'm fine, no need to worry." I cut her concern rambles short, touching her warm hands and giving her a smile assuring her I'm alright – apart from the throbbing headache.

"See mom, Liana is alright and stop being dramatic she just dosed off while watching a movie with us." He rolls his hazel eyes, spotting a playful annoyed look.

My attention turns to Amanda looking fondly at my frail body covered with black sheets adorned with Zayden's smell.

"Honey, dinner is prepared, let's head downstairs so you can eat something maybe you'll be your jovial self again." She announces leaving her son and I in the room. Zayden throws an apologetic smile my way before following his mom downstairs.

I walk into the bathroom to freshen up, feeling a lot better than earlier. I change into a pair of black loose shorts and a white long-sleeved shirt, pleased by my clothing I walk out and head downstairs where everyone is.

I hope she's not there.

To my surprise I'm greeted by Taylor's presence instead, wasn't he supposed to be gone already? I sigh lowly as I walk towards the dinner table placed with scrumptious dishes.

Zayden waves to me to come sit next to him, without hesitation I lounge on the chair next to his, but regret it because Grumpy is directly sitting in front of me, wonderful.

"Decided to grace us with your presence?" Frank's brow go up in a questioning manner, making me scoff.

"I never say no to free food man, you should know that by now." I smirk causing him to simply chuckle and mutter something along the lines of you're crazy. Mrs. Lakewood smiles at me before situating herself at the end of the table.

We start to serve our plates with food and I happily feast on the delicious food cooked by Mrs. Lakewood I resist the eager to moan.

"Taylor, I heard you and your family moved in the house down the street the previous weekend, how do you like the town so far?" Amanda stirs a conversation, breaking the silence.

"It's fine Mrs. Lakewood." He replies back politely, shocking me at the respectful tone he's using with Amanda, what the fungi!?

"Please call me Amanda, how is Excellence Academy?" She chips back, looking lovely at the stiff boy — he looks uncomfortable and I like it. Take that for being rude.

"It's a great school, Amanda." He smiles at her—a faint  before looking at me blankly, his sapphire grey eyes dancing on me for a second..

"That's pleasing to hear and you Liana sweetheart, how was your quiz today? I hope you nailed it." I start to cough hysterically because THAT was not the question I was expecting at the moment, especially with Taylor here.

Zayden's hand rubs my back as I gulp at the glass of water he handed me, my face feels hot. This utterly mortifying, I just want to disappear.

"Ah...it was fine-ish I guess." I respond to a concerned Amanda, not daring to look at Taylor.

"Okay honey, but please don't choke on your food next time, because I had one patient who was recovering from a chronic condition and when his family come together to celebrate at the hospital, he choked on his meal and passed on on the spot. It was epic really and it ended totally bad for the family even me........"

I completely zone out of Amanda's past experience at the hospital talk, my brain can only what Taylor might be deeming. I haven't sent a single stare after the embarrassing moment, courage wasn't never my best qualities so I'm pretty not eager to look at him.

The way I was so consumed by my thoughts I didn't even notice the missing presence of Amanda and Frank collecting the used dishes for dinner.

"You know it's your turn to wash, Lia." I look up at the brown headed boy with four dirty plates on his firm hands.

"I'm tired Franky, please do them for me." I state out with pouted lips and adorable eyes at him, I hope it works. He rolls his eyes and that gives an indication that he will do them.

"Fine, but it's only for this time, monkey." He huffs and pinch my left cheek painfully.

"That hurts, doofus." I smack his hand off my precious face and he laughs his way to the kitchen. I can't help the smile on my face as I particularly gawk at his back, what am I going to do with you Lakewood boy.