Entwined

Chapter 1: Encounter

"Extraordinary," I said out loud witnessing the rising sun.

When was the last time I'd seen the rising sun? I thought, starting to recall distant memories. Before I could start scratching my chin like a philosopher. An enthusiastic noise seeped its way into my attention.

"Woah, Easton? Nah, it can't be you," she furrowed her eyebrows in doubt. "I mean, you never wake up early."

"I'm not... Well, I..." I trailed off.

"Exactly," she said confidently while pointing me.

Unable to rebuke her claims, I just gave up and let her have it, for now. After the ordeal, I noticed that she was going for a run before seeing me. I've always known she jogs every morning, but I never actually got to see it for myself.

"You done jogging, Aby?" I asked while I reach out for my phone in my pocket.

"Yeah, I was just about to head back until I saw your daydreaming," she replied and took a drink from her bottled water. "Ooo, that hit the spot."

"Daydreaming?"

"Well, you're kind of just stood there, looking at the horizon."

"I was thinking of a bright future, where I just sit every morning to admire the glorious morning shine from my beach house balcony," I said while I spread my arms in front of the morning sun.

She laughed audibly, clenching her stomach and starting to tear up. I walked faster in retaliation, leaving her behind.

"Wait, wait! Hold on! I'm sorry! It's just so funny!" She laughed even more.

I turned around to see her, she's still laughing. But in her laughter, she looked happy. Eventually I smiled, and slowed down to let her catch up. Was my statement that far from the truth to make her laugh like that?  Thinking about it is pointless.

"Sorry for laughing so much," She covered her mouth, trying to hold her laughter in which she failed to accomplish. "Look, it's not like I don't believe you'd succeed. It was your face."

"Should I just be a clown then?" I replied with sarcasm, pinching my nose and making a squeaky noise.

She laughed even more, and desperately trying get out of her laughing fit. We eventually reached the front door of her house. She invited me in, still giggling from the earlier conversation. I took off my shoes before entering, I don't want to make more work for Abygail's mom.

Abygail grabbed a towel nearby and started to pat herself dry. She told me to wait in the living room while she started getting ready. Before I could sit down, Mrs. Inoue called out to me.

"Easton, come over here. Let's have breakfast together." She offered, motioning me to a seat she prepared. "I accidentally cooked more than I need to, and it's going to be a waste if we don't eat it."

After hearing that, I found it hard to refuse her offer, so I reluctantly agreed. I slowly made my way towards the kitchen table. A lingering tasty aroma fills the air as she serves the plate in front of me. I can't help but feel the need to say something about it.

"Your cooking always has that appetizing scent, Mrs. Yohgs," I chirped a compliment.

"Aw, Thanks. Well, you're always welcome to come over." She placed another plate down on the opposite side. "Oh, and I also heard from Aby that you constantly eat instant noodles."

I jerked in response, "There may be some truth to that." I let out an awkward smile.

She made a worried face and lectured me about eating healthy for a few moments until Abygail's audible footsteps stampedes towards the kitchen.