Whispers of the Heart

Chapter 12: Alisha

Chapter 12 Alisha

"Alisha!" A high pitched, feminine voice shouted and I turned to see Shelly standing in the doorway. Her blond hair fell down her back as her blue eyes sparkled brightly. "I have a huge favor to ask you!"

"And what would that be?" I questioned as I turned back to the bowl of brownie mix in front of me. The light glistened off the brown batter as the spoon fought its way around the bowl, combining the ingredients together.

"A friend of the family is having a potluck this Sunday and wants us to bring deserts. They've invited all of us, including you, but I was just wondering if you'd be willing to make the deserts." She giggled and skipped up towards me. "Mother and I could do it, but things have been hectic lately and we just won't have the time."

"I can do it." I told her, a gentle smile playing on my lips. "I'll need to go to the store to get the ingredients."

"Oh that's fine!" She exclaimed, hugging me slightly. "I'll ask Lucas to take you."

"What should I make?" I questioned, attempting to hide my disappointment. I needed to stay away from him, to stay away from the chance of getting close to anyone. Every time I was around him it was like I could forget, that I could be happy and live a normal life. But I knew that it couldn't happen, not so long as that man was free.

"Chocolate chip cookies will be more than fine." Shelly smiled brightly, her eyes twinkling. "Goodness knows everyone loves cookies, plus everyone else always makes pies so let's be different."

"When should I have them done?"

"Saturday, so in three days."

"Alright, I'll make sure to make plenty of cookies then." I told her as my mind wandered around, attempting to figure out how many things I'll need to buy to make enough for a potluck. "Would four or five dozen be enough cookies or would I need more?"

"Six might be best, just in case." Shelly whipped around, her hair flying around her. "I'll get Lucas to take you to the store today, so don't disappear on us!" She laughed and slipped out of the room.

"So how much do we need to get?" Lucas demanded as we walked into the store. I grabbed one of the baskets, my fingers wrapping around the handle, the metal pieces digging into my palm as I walked towards the flour and sugar.

"We need a couple things of flour and sugar, a few things of chocolate chips, eggs, and another thing of vanilla." I rattled off. I knew what was needed off the top of my head, the recipe floating around in my mind as I continued on my way.

"So, you're making them from scratch?" He rushed up towards me, falling into step on the side that I held the basket. A moment passed and I could feel his hand slide onto the handles of the basket, brushing against mine in the process. Jerking back, I felt the basket slip from my grip and I turned to glare at him.

"I can hold the basket without your help!" I exclaimed, my fists clenching in frustration as I stared up at his cocky smile as he turned to look at me.

"I wasn't trying to help you; I was trying to take it from you." He shrugged and walked forward, away from me, his smile as bright as ever.

Why did he have to do that? To act so gentlemen-like while being natural about it. It made it almost impossible to want to avoid him and I knew that it was dangerous.

"So, which way is the flour and sugar?" He called back, his head moving slightly as he read the signs above the aisles.

"This way." I told him and walked passed, refusing to make eye contact. He was trying to help, trying to show I could trust him and I knew that, I knew he was trying to take care of me, but I couldn't let him. I needed him to accept that, to let me go and to move on with his life. But, no matter how hard I pushed, he continued to come back.

Lucas's arm slipped around my shoulders, pulling me close to him, my head resting against his chest. "I've never enjoyed shopping; walking around the aisles was always boring to me."

"Boring or not, it needs to be done." I mumbled, shrugging his arm off of me and turned to rush down the aisle with the sugar and flour. Lucas joined me as I had a couple things of both and held out the basket for me to place them in. Turning on my heel, I whipped around and rushed towards the next aisle over to find the chocolate chips. Halfway down, I found them and a bottle of vanilla extract nearby. After that, I rushed towards the refrigerated section to grab a few things of eggs.

"Is that is?" He demanded and I could tell that there was something else that he wanted to say and I could only hope that he wouldn't say anything.

"Yes." I whispered. He nodded in response and the two of us turned and walked towards the cashier to pay for the food. Silence developed between us as we drove home, nothing being said between the two of us.

"Mira." Lucas's voice interrupted the silence, sorrow and defeat filled his voice as we turned into the property. "What happened to you?"

"Nothing." The lie slipped from my lips with ease and I could tell by his eyes that he knew that it was a lie.

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