Hearts Intertwined

Chapter Three

Hayden's POV:

As I make my way into the kitchen, the delicious scent of freshly cooked breakfast fills the air, an unusual occurrence in this house. Typically, we all grab whatever we can find in the cupboards and go about our day. The morning sunlight floods through the windows, bathing the room in a warm glow as I spot Ophelia tending to the stove, fully engrossed in her cooking. She's standing wearing a cosy, oversized zip-up hoodie that drapes gently over her slender frame. The soft, neutral shade of grey complements her well, making her look warm and inviting. Her milk chocolate brown hair is pulled back into a loose bun, a few strands framing her face softly. She's wearing simple, biker shorts that hug her legs just right, giving her a relaxed yet stylish look. As she moves around the kitchen, the sleeves of her hoodie slide down slightly, revealing delicate gold bracelets that chime softly with each movement. She's so beautiful. I mean I've seen many pretty girls but Ophelia...she tops them all. Her presence is calming, and the scent of whatever she's cooking fills the room, making everything feel just right.  I can't help but feel a sense of intrigue as I watch her, she looks so happy and content. Taking a seat on the kitchen island, I observe her carefully flipping a pancake. With a gentle turn, she places it on a plate already stacked with pancakes.

"Good morning, Hayden!" Ophelia greets me with a smile, she has a tired look about her, but today it's like it's catching up lately, you know? The exhaustion in her eyes seems to be weighing a little heavier on her like she's been running on empty for too long.  "I hope you're hungry because I've whipped up a batch of these special protein pancakes for you all." My stomach rumbles in response to the inviting aroma, and I can't help but express my appreciation. 

"They smell amazing, Ophelia, and they look absolutely delicious," I compliment her, genuinely impressed by the breakfast spread, which includes various fruit options and some Greek yogurt. The effort and care she puts into preparing this meal does not go unnoticed.

I pick up a couple of pancakes, top them with a generous dollop of Greek yogurt, and sprinkle some blueberries on top. With each bite, a burst of delicious flavors fills my mouth. These pancakes are unlike anything I've ever tasted before; they're simply divine. A soft moan escapes me as I savor every mouthful of this delightful breakfast. 

I notice Ophelia look up and watch me sneakily, her pupils slightly dilated. I watch as she grabs a pack of strawberries and some strawberry yogurt and adds them to her pancakes. The vibrant red berries create a striking contrast against the golden pancakes, making the whole breakfast look like a delicious work of art.

I catch sight of her and can't help but tease, "Hey, Ophelia, are you planning to open a strawberry farm with that mountain of berries on your pancakes?" 

Her laughter bubbles up, a sparkle dancing in her eyes as she playfully swats at my comment. Ophelia slides into the seat beside me, and I lean in a bit closer, genuinely curious. "So, how come I haven't seen you around before?" I ask, eager to uncover the story behind this intriguing girl who seems to have appeared out of nowhere.

"I've been doing pretty much full-time online school since I joined," she replies, her voice brightening as she speaks. 

"Nice! How's the transition been from online to now?" I prod, eager to dive deeper. There's something about her that makes me want to uncover every detail of her life—it's like she's a captivating puzzle I can't resist. 

"It's strange and a bit long, but I actually like it. I mean, I finally get the proper college experience, which is what I've always wanted," she reflects, a hint of excitement in her voice. Just as I prepare to ask more, the peace is shattered as two elephants come thundering down the stairs, crashing into the kitchen and interrupting us.