The Odds in Our Favor (WLW)

NINETEEN

DISCLAIMER: Wow there's been a lot of these lately. Anyway,  my motivation has been in the gutter as of late (school with all higher level classes, tests and quizzes, studying, life being a bitch, etc.). Just bare with me plz 🙏.

ALSO TW: Mentions of homophobia and abuse

♥Lucille♥

All five of us are in Deven's kitchen. Deven managed to invite what Kiara referred to as the art history hottie? I don't know, it's just a guy Deven apparently has a crush on. His name is Lucas and he seems pretty sweet. Timid, but definitely nice.

Dakota is here too, of course, as well as Kiara and I.

We're all making pizza. Deven is a little nervous it's gonna explode their oven, but they're letting it happen. Kiara and I were going to split one, Lucas and Deven were too, but then both Lucas and Kiara wanted to make a typical Hawaiian pizza, so they're making a whole one together instead.

I'm not big on putting fruit—or any topping—on pizza, so I end up making mine just a cheese with Dakota, who just wants a small amount of pepperoni on her half.

Deven makes their own, smaller one, adding a motherload of various toppings, from pineapple to olives to simple pepperoni.

"How long should I set the timer for?" Dakota asks me. Our pizza is the first one in the oven.

"I am not the person to be asking." I explain. I think back to the time my dad attempted to teach me how to cook. We'd also been making pizza oddly enough. It did not go well. My dad burned his hand trying to put out the fire I'd managed to cause. Me and my mother are far too similar, he had said.

"I'd say around 15 minutes for now. It'll likely need a bit more though." Kiara fills in.

"And keep an eye on it. This oven gets too hot sometimes. My landlord is supposed to get me a new one, but I'm still waiting on that." Deven explains.

Dakota sets a 15 minute timer and we sit down at the kitchen island to wait.

"So, you two," Deven says, directed at me and Kiara, who is leaning back against the counter beside me. "How was your date?" They ask in a teasing voice.

"It was the best date I've been on—" I say.

"Sounds like a recency bias but alright."

"Oh, no, it's definitely biased but that doesn't mean it wasn't amazing." I don't bother admitting it's the first real date I've been on.

"You're all cringe." Dakota rolls her eyes.

"You're mad you're single." I argue.

"I'm single by choice. I've been asked out plenty of times, but I'm not interested in the whole dating thing." She gestures vaguely with her hand. "So I assure you, it is anything but jealousy."

"Are you aromantic?" Lucas asks, speaking up for the first time in a few minutes.

"Something like that, I think." She admits. I was not aware of this.

Lucas nods, going back to being quiet. Deven is clearly into the softer type, which surprises me considering how energetic they can be. I guess that's a lot of what Kiara and I are though...