ache | lee felix

chapter 18 '✦ ˑ ִֶָ 𓂃⊹ pie

From the mind of Stella

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

    The eight of us stumble into the front door of my parents home, making a loud entrance as always. The boys continued to sing the Christmas song we had left off on in the car. I'm so blessed to be friends with such good singers, I get a free concert whenever we hang out. Lix's deep bass voice adds so much depth to their collective sound- I'm not sure if he has a flawed bone in his body.

    "Pie time! Pie time!" Seungmin pushes through running to the living room, yelling over us singing and plopping down on the couch.

    "Seungmin, remember, Stella made these, so don't get your hopes up." Jeongmin stands in front of him with his hands out.

    "Man," I say, hearing all the boys give me loud, exaggerated sighs and eye rolls.

    I feel Chan pat my shoulder on my left, "I'm sure they're great." I smile up at him, but turn my head to the right as I feel Lix place his hand on my other shoulder.

    "Yeah, thanks for making them for us, Ella."

    "Ready for dessert?" Mom walks in, two pies in hand. The boys give their varied cheers and yells of pure joy.

    I run over to her to help, "Thanks Mom!" The boys take their respective seats on the couch and on the floor surrounding the coffee table where Mom and I place the pies. I run back to the kitchen a final time to grab some napkins and forks while Mom chats with the boys. Counting eight forks and sixteen napkins (because I know all too well how messy we all are), I didn't even realize Lix standing over the counter looking at me.

    "Need some help?" He asks, leaning on the countertop.

    Looking down at my now complete silverware set in my hands, "You're about ten seconds too late, but thanks."

    "Okey," he turns on his heels to head back to the living room.

    "Wait!"

    He turns back on his heels to look at me.

    "Um," I bring my voice down to a whisper, "Meet me in my room."

    He tilts his head for a second before giving a nod and turning down the hallway in the direction of my room. My eyes follow his figure before it disappears around the corner. Maybe I'm too nervous to give it to him. Tonight has already been a lot for me. I look down at the gold heart resting on my chest and feel a warmness wash over me. And maybe I have nothing to worry about. Maybe he's just as nervous as I am. I know it's hardly possible. But what if this is what you meant. Giving me your heart. Am I crazy to think that? I'm okay with that. I'm finding comfort in delusion. Your bravery is easing some of my anxiety. It's helping me be honest.

    I sighed and pushed the thought aside. I walk over to the crowded coffee table and deliver the silverware before sneaking away from the group while my mom distracts them by asking intrusive questions about their lives. I lightly open the door to see Lix standing in the middle of my room waiting for me. He took off his coat and placed it on my desk chair, revealing a white dress shirt that looks just too perfect on him.

    I close the door behind me and walk over to my closet, facing away from him.

    "What's up?" He asks anxiously.

    I turn around to see him straightening out his shirt. I lift up a finger to my lips, "Shh". I turn back around to my closet and take my sweet time looking for my favorite pair of Christmas fuzzy socks and slip them over my tights. I then scurry over to my desk to look for the light blue box I bought a couple weeks ago. I opened up my top two drawers and sifted through my piles of notebooks and various stationary.