Blondie//Isaac Garcia

12

Today marks the final day before the break, with Thanksgiving awaiting us tomorrow. George, ever the bearer of weather-related news, issued a warning to Isaac about the impending snow. Thalia, entering the kitchen, caught wind of the conversation.

Isaac, undeterred by the forecast, defended his choice of a leather jacket. "Sometimes you have to sacrifice comfort for style. This jacket says 'tough, chill, smooth.' You getting it?" he quipped with a grin, earning an eye roll from Thalia at the absurdity of his words.

Katherine, orchestrating the Thanksgiving preparations, gathered Thalia and Jackie. "We each make one plate for Thanksgiving. If you want to contribute any Howard tradition, let me know, and I'll get the supplements," she announced, smiling as Jackie joined them. Jordan chimed in, "Except for me".

Jackie, her mind burdened by the recent loss of family, forced a smile. "Thanks, but I think I'm gonna pass," she kindly declined. Thalia shared a similar sentiment, wanting to acknowledge the weight of the holiday without making it too heavy for everyone. "I'll make mac 'n' cheese," she suggested when Katherine looked her way.

Isaac, perhaps motivated by a desire to annoy or simply her to spend time with her, pretended to protest. "But I wanted to make it."

Katherine, the peacemaker, intervened, "Just make it together, kids." Thalia rolled her eyes, and Isaac couldn't help but smirk at her reaction.

Lee inquired about their father's plans for tomorrow. "He'll be calling at 11 o'clock Tomorrow," George informed, providing a schedule for the anticipated family call. Thalia took a seat at the table next to Isaac, the holiday atmosphere tinged with both a sense of tradition and the weight of recent loss.

Amidst the lively Spanish class, Thalia found herself sandwiched between Isaac and Lee, both fully engrossed in the lesson. Seizing a sudden burst of confidence, Isaac opted for a unique approach to capture Thalia's attention.

"Blondie," he began, a mischievous glint in his eye, "tus ojos son como estrellas que iluminan la noche." (Your eyes are like stars that illuminate the night.)

Thalia, earnestly trying to keep pace with the lesson, shot Isaac a perplexed glance. "Uh, thanks?" she replied, missing the nuances of his compliment.

Unaware of Lee's growing irritation, Isaac persisted. "Rubia, cada momento contigo es como un sueño del que nunca quiero despertar." (Blondie, every moment with you is like a dream I never want to wake up from.)

Thalia, now even more bewildered, turned to Lee with a quizzical expression. "What is he even saying?"

Lee, rolling his eyes, translated, "He's saying you're like a dream or something. Classic Isaac, trying to impress with fancy words."

Isaac, still lost in his poetic attempts, continued, "Y tu presencia es como una melodía que llena mi corazón de alegría." (And your presence is like a melody that fills my heart with joy.)

Thalia, a mix of confusion and amusement on her face, finally spoke up. "Isaac, can we focus on the class? I have no idea what you're saying, and Lee looks like he's about to explode."

Lee, exasperated, interjected, "Thank you! At least someone understands."

Isaac, chuckling, finally relented and switched back to English. "Alright, alright. I was just trying to find some Spanish words to impress the ladies."

Thalia, relieved, redirected her attention to the Spanish class, grateful to escape the labyrinth of Isaac's overly poetic attempts at flirting.

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Amidst the aromatic whirlwind of Thanksgiving preparations, Thalia and Isaac found themselves not only grappling with the nuances of mac 'n' cheese but also navigating the intricate dance of unspoken tension. The kitchen, once a space of collaboration, now simmered with a subtle romantic undercurrent.

As Thalia meticulously measured out the macaroni, her gaze occasionally met Isaac's with a lingering curiosity. Isaac, in turn, wielded the cheese grater with a carefree confidence, stealing glances at Thalia that lingered just a beat too long.

"You really should boil the pasta first, Isaac," Thalia insisted, the air charged with more than culinary debate. "It ensures proper cooking and avoids a mushy disaster."

Isaac, meeting her gaze, grinned with a hint of mischief. "One-pot magic is the way to go. Adds that extra flavor."

Their eyes locked, and for a moment, the kitchen was a battlefield of unspoken desires masked by culinary differences. Thalia, feeling the intensity of the exchange, shifted uncomfortably.

"Isaac, cooking is a science," she stated, her tone hinting at a deeper conviction. "Ignoring essential steps jeopardizes the whole dish."

Isaac, seemingly impervious to the rising tension, replied with a twinkle in his eye, "Sometimes, you gotta break the rules to create something extraordinary."

As they moved on to the cheese sauce, Thalia couldn't ignore the subtle chemistry beneath their culinary dispute. She suggested a traditional roux, her eyes locking onto Isaac's as if seeking confirmation.

Isaac, a playful smirk on his lips, poured milk directly into the pot, brushing off convention. "Roux is overrated. We can achieve creaminess without the extra steps."

Their hands brushed as they reached for ingredients, a momentary touch laden with unspoken electricity. Thalia, her heart betraying her logical arguments, could feel the magnetic pull of the romantic tension they were both determined to deny.

In a moment of culinary defiance, Isaac accidentally spilled flour on the countertop. Thalia, fueled by a mix of frustration and something more, exclaimed, "This wouldn't happen if we followed a proper method!"

Isaac, still maintaining a light-hearted facade, chuckled, "A little mess never hurt anyone. Adds character." He grinned,

They continued, as an intricate pattern of gazes and proximity, all while both Thalia and Isaac remained steadfast in their denial of anything beyond friendship. As they placed the mac 'n' cheese in the oven, the unspoken tension lingered in the air, a secret ingredient infused into the Thanksgiving dish—a blend of emotions that transcended the culinary battlefield.

•——————•°•✿•°•——————•

The Thanksgiving gathering unfolded with unexpected twists, turning the day into a tapestry of adventures and emotional revelations. Isaac and Lee, anticipating their dad's traditional Thanksgiving call, found themselves mired in a tense argument when the anticipated call never came.

Meanwhile, amidst the familial chaos, Thalia and Jackie were approached by their uncle Richard. He proposed a proposition that would change the trajectory of their lives – an invitation to live with him. The gravity of the decision hung in the air, intertwining with the holiday festivities.