teenage nightmare ² ━━ amour

o3.

o3.
chapter three:
wish me luck.
just do it.
<3

"Ash? You there?"

I snapped out of my reverie and stood up. She blinked, looking up cutely. When I set my mind on something, I do it.

"Do you have to shower?" Her reaction was instantaneous, red flushing her cheeks. Realizing the blunder, I hurriedly added, "Or—er—are you ready to go places?"

"Oh, I-I'm ready. Just give me a moment," she responded, before picking up the cups and walking to the kitchen. I struggled to calm my feelings, hoping the color in my own face would not be quite noticeable. When she walked back into the sitting room, she was wearing a red sling bag to suit her crimson cardigan. "Let's go."

"Are you okay with my car?" I asked as Serena picked up her keys. She blinked, before dropping two of the keys and taking only one of the three on the keyring.

"Sure."

As we exited the house, I couldn't help but smile. This day was looking good.

We drove around Vaniville for the most part, stopping at the shopping district for Serena to get some household supplies. While she was browsing for veggies, I had a secret gift packed for her along with a bag of freshly baked croissants.

"I guess that's that," she declared, settling back into the seat next to mine with a smile. "Thank you for helping me, Ash. I would have had to make another trip here if you hadn't reminded me of getting meat." I chuckled and shook away her gratitude. She looked cute when she smiled.

"Just remembered I had seen it on your mum's list, so don't mention it. Where to next?" I asked. She took a munch on her croissant, before mumbling something incoherent.

"Pivy sweet!"

"Er?"

She shook her head, choking on her food. I offered the onboard water bottle, and she took a great gulp. "Ivy Street. That's where I live!"

"Daft dimbo!" I teased, revving the engine. "Home would have sufficed."

For some reason, I caught sight of her flushed face in the mirror. Why, I had no idea.

It took no longer than ten minutes to reach her house. We were greeted by a surprise when we got out of the car.

"Here they come!" Misty exclaimed. She was seated on the porch along with a brown-haired girl and an orange-haired guy. "Where have you both been after inviting us?!"

"Geez, chill, Misty!" I tried in vain, holding up my hands. I wouldn't want to get caught in her moody storms. "Just to the marketplace to get supplies."

"We concluded that," Calem, the boy from yesterday, guessed. I frowned at his presence. He was a childhood friend of Serena's too?

"I'm so sorry! I'll get started on the table right now! Please come in and make yourselves comfortable!" Serena apologized, unlocking the door and walking in. We followed her lead, and I didn't stop with the others, instead followed her to the kitchen with the bags. "Oh, I'm so clumsy! I totally forgot about the bags!" she exclaimed, hitting her head and rushing to me to help. "I'm sorry, Ash!"

I chuckled, once more waving her off. She was cute. "Can I help heat the breakfast?"

Serena looked at me as if I had sprouted two heads. "You're my guest! Guests don't hafta help!"

"But I want to!" I stood my ground. I don't wanna leave her alone again, not when she has been lonely for so long. Serena sighed. Already having started on the work, I could see her half-smile.

"Alright. Preheat the oven for five minutes while I make hot cocoa!" I nodded and tried to figure out how the oven worked. Thankfully, there was a timer, and I set it to five minutes, and stood by it, watching orange light streak out from the inside of the gadget.

My eyes slid to the girl, who was at work with the drinks. The air carried her soft hums as she danced, her steps light. I bit my lip. I had to control the urge to hug her from behind. How could someone be so cute, addictive and clumsy at the same time?

By the time she served them, I was placing a dish inside the oven. It contained fried bacon, but was cold. Serena hurried in, bringing the waft of strawberries along with the wind. She quickly plugged the toaster in, and set to making sandwiches. I offered to cut the tomatoes, and she pouted cutely as I forcefully took the knife from her.

"If you're gonna do everything, what am I supposed to do?"

"Doll up the place!" I smirked, and felt her wrists punch my back. "Careful there! I'm handling a knife, y'know?"

I heard her shriek, before she stepped to my side and began examining my hands. I blinked. My mind went blank as soon as her skin touched mine, and I craved for more when she let go. "I'm sorry!"

I sighed, out of disappointment or something, I don't know. "Hey, stop apologizing. You've done it a thousand times since I arrived here."

She shrugged, and went to attend the oven when it beeped. As soon as I was done with slicing the tomatoes, I looked at her for cheese. She put another dish into the oven, and withdrew the cheese from the refrigerator on her way.

We worked on making the sandwiches together, simultaneously feeding bread to the toaster and sending the raw ones to the griller. Each time we made contact, I could not help but flush. Throughout the session, not a word was exchanged, but I could see pink sprinkled on her cheek with every touch. What if she felt the same as me?

If she did, this would be the right time to confess what I felt. I opened my mouth to speak, heart racing with every word I uttered. "Serena. I just want to tell you something."

She wheeled around, her beautiful blue eyes coming to rest on me, and I gulped down the nervousness that threatened my gut. "Yeah? I'm all ears!"

"I..."