Diddly Doo Squad

Chapter 2

Cat wiped her hands on her apron. "Okay, Al, Ryan. Watch the pan. Stir it a bit. If it starts to get brown, turn the flame off. Okay?"

Both boys nodded and looked intently at the spatula. "So," Al said. "Who's stirring first?"

Ryan was fiddling with his wristbands and grinning. "You go,"

Al eyed the splashing oil and thought of first degree burns and hospitals. "Maybe you should. You're older."

"Wow," Ryan huffed. "You're a jerk, I hope you know that." He edged towards the spatula, and grabbed it like a lifeline. He began to cautiously push the spring rolls back and forth, cringing at every spark of oil. "If I die..."

"Death by cooking," Al laughed.

"I hate yo-frick! My hand!" Ryan jerked, dropped the spatula onto the counter and rushed to the tap, dousing his hand with cold water.

"What happened?" Al jumped away from the pan as soon as the spatula dropped, nearly tripping over his own feet in the process.

"I thought I felt like a burn thing. Your turn now."

"But I'm scared," he whined. "What if it burns me?"

"Just be careful, keep your- oh wait. Here." Ryan handed him baking gloves. "That should protect you. Hopefully. Maybe. Good luck." Cradling his wet hand, he snickered as Al picked up the spatula. He bit his lip, watching Al flip the spring rolls, seeing parts slightly burnt. Oh well, he thought. It's not that bad.

*-*-*-*-*

The group, gathered together in the cosy living room, munched on slightly-burnt spring rolls as they watched The Incredibles. 

"Who picked this movie?" Trevone asked.

Danielle raised her spring roll, and took a bite out of another.

"Dani, nobody's going to steal your spring rolls," Rija said. laughing. "Calm down."

"No! I gota eat 'em all!"

"That's my line. I'm a Munchlax!" Allana said.

"You were a Munchlax four years ago, mate," Danielle countered.

"Yeah, and I'm a Munchlax now!" Allana retorted, making her friend grin. "Never gona be a Snorlax. Just a Munchlax. Cause they're cute."

"Yas," Danielle agreed. "And so are you!" Allana nodded in agreement.

"I mean," Myles paused as he took a bite and chewed. "Al and Ryan did work hard on it. Apparently, Ryan got burnt in the process."

Already finished with his plate, Ryan lounged lazily on the couch with a blanket around him. "I did! It was sparking and...yeah. Al was scared though."

"So were you! You probably didn't even get touched by oil and just thought you were and ran to the tap."

"Ooo, call outs," Cat grinned around her spring roll. "I think so too, actually."

"Nuh-uh! I'm a man!"

All the girls snorted, and Ryan whimpered, hiding under the covers. "That's mean," he whined.

Grinning, Danielle looked up at him from her position on the floor. "Kidding," she said.

Allana  and Trevone spoke up soberly, "I wasn't."

Ryan whimpered again, making the whole group laugh.

The group soon became silent as they got engrossed in the movie. Frozone was building an ice wall to buy Mr. Incredible some time, and the tension was building. When the metal claw had bulleted through the monster's body, applause broke out from Danielle and Allana. But soon died down when Syndrome had kidnapped Jack Jack. They watched the rest of the movie in silence and audibly sighed when it ended.

Rija sighed, tired and content. "Who's doing the dishes?"

The screen had just turned black, and the silence  droned on. She waited, until Danielle sighed loudly. "I guess I'll do it," she offered.

Before she knew it, her plate was stacked with other plates and all her friends all but flew into their rooms.

Left to clean up the movie, the dishes and the pans, Danielle huffed and sang Cinderella songs.

Cat peeked from her bedroom with Rija and Trevone. "Danielle, you need help?"

Danielle turned her head and gave Cat a reassuring smile. "I got it, gracias."

"You sure?"

"Yep, yep. Head to sleep, yo. Work tomorrow. Already."

Groans came from all the bedroom. Ryan yelled from his bedroom with Myles and Al, "Don't remind us!"