Friday Barnes, The Biggest Mystery Yet

One shot: The Hunt for Friday's Favourite Dessert

(This is based during the end of book 12)

Ian:

As the memories begin to create a movie in my mind, I feel like I am falling in love with her all over again. Whether it be from when I first saw her name in the newspaper when my father was convicted. When seeing her for the first time in Maclean’s geography class. I thank the heavens I didn't skip it, or else I may not have seen the blush on her face when she first saw me. I was used to this kind of reaction, but this was different. This wasn’t the awe inspired by my beauty type of blush, it wasn’t the nervous kind either. I couldn’t quite but my finger on it but I hated the feeling deep in my stomach that I wanted to see it again. Or when she pretty much hated me after the Penny Red Scandal, but that made me love her more. Her drive, her passion for justice, at the time I too wanted to hate her, but now I see she was protecting me, she always protected those she cared about and those who didn’t give her the respect she deserved. 

She was hated because she solved problems people want answers to, but were unhappy with the answers she received. She is so pure, that it seems wrong that someone like me could ever be in the same vicinity as her. She was told she was ugly, but in fact she was beautiful. Whether it be her big brown eyes, which shone whenever she made a new discovery. Her light brown hair which seemed to be the yin to the yang of the wind, flowing in unison, mocking me that she was ethereal and I was mortal. But best of all her smile. It was as rare as an eclipse, but everytime this events occurs, people cant help but watch, desiring to keep that moment ingrained in the brain, never wanting it to end.

There was no two ways about it. I loved Friday Astrella Barnes, and I love that I love her. Sure I forgot about her for a short time, but I would gladly go through it 1 million times, no matter how many head injuries I incur. Because I would gladly want to fall in love with her all over again. My memories aren’t completely back, but each passing day, I relive a moment where I fall for her harder. I wanted to do something for her, to show her how much I care for her.

Along with the good, comes the bad. Where I caused her to cry, or get upset, or worse, when I see hurt in those beautiful eyes of hers. When she saw me with some girl in Italy, Tat something, or when I showed up to Spain with another girl. Or when I almost killed her by planting a motor device under her park bench. I caused her so much pain and I never truly apologised for it. So that's what I am going to do. And what the way to ones heart is through their stomach.

Everyone knows Friday Barnes has a sweet tooth. Whether it be sucking on a lollipop whilst undertaking a hard case or eating more donuts than the police whenever they call her down to the station. The only exception being carrot cake, which, face it, no one likes, not even my mother the vegetable guru. So what is her favourite dessert?

I snapped out of my trance and made my way to Bernie. Out of everyone on this planet he would surely know her favourite dessert. I could ask Melanie but Bernie and Friday have been known to cook for each other. As I made my way through the apartment I saw Dr Barnes (her mother) scribbling God knows what onto the table’s surface in permanent marker. She must have heard me because she turned her head and scrunched her nose in disgust, surprisingly the same way Friday did (they never seemed to act like a family in normal terms). 

She asked me why I had disturbed her, which I did not but heck, she wasn’t some who'd want to argue with. So I told her the honest truth…

“I’m going to make Friday a dessert” I said

“Oh, that would be my Country Apple Gallet” she replied then went back to scribbling down some nonsense

I’ll be honest I was taken aback by this. But I don’t know which part confused me more. The fact that she responded, The fact she knew what Friday’s favourite dessert was. That it was something that SHE made. Or maybe it was the way she somewhat reminisced about it. But I didnt have time for all of that. I had to ask her for the rceipe, which was easier said then done.

“Could I please have the recipe?” I said, with as much politeness I could muster.

“No” she replied, not looking up from her work.

“Please”

“No”

“Why not?!” I exclaimed, quite angry at this stubborn woman in front of me.

“Because it is something that I share only with my daughter. You may seem to care for her, for whatever reason, but this is between me and her so could you please leave me alone”, she exhaled in one go. She was now looking at me with irritation but not from disturbance, but because I wanted to take what seems to be the only thing that shows she cares for Friday, which is odd because I remember Bernie telling me that she along with the rest of her family were currently ‘In a critical position in their research’. 

I nodded and left, trying to rack my brain around this situation. I proceeded through my original plan to go see Bernie, who was at his desk in his temporary office at CERN. He smiled at me and closed his computer screen. Out of curiosity I asked him what Friday’s favourite dessert was. He said it was mini key lime pies with blackberry ice cream that they learnt how to make when she was 7 and has been a staple for her birthday ever since.

He showed me the recipe, it was handwritten with little drawings made by baby Friday, which made me quite giddy. I decided to team up with Melanie as she also wanted to see her best friend happy and to show her appreciation as well. As we gathered supplies we ran into Quantum who decided to tag along and ‘assist’ us. We at first thought it was because he wanted to get to know his sister better, which was true, but also because he had a sweet tooth, leading him to eat all of the blackberry ice cream we created. 

It took 4 hours longer than it should have but we did it. The joy and smile on Friday’s face would counter that of the Mona Lisa and I wish it would never leave her face. Instead of mini pies we made one big one and it was safe to say it was a success. She even reached on her tiptoes to give me a kiss on the cheek. My face burnt, but in a good way. She told us we didnt have to do all this, she was just happy to have us in her lives. That resulted in a waterworks display from Melanie that would put Wet N Wild to shame. Bernie had a small blush on his face and gave her his infamous side hugs. As for me, I wrapped my hands around her waist from behind and rested my chin on her shoulder. I looked down at my girl’s beautiful face.

I was happy that she was happy, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I didn't give her her favourite dessert. Did her mother lie? Did she have some weird memory from Friday’s childhood? There was only one person who could answer that and that was Dr Barnes.  

Hope you all enjoyed :)