Torment ( Book Two )

Chapter 18

Chapter Eighteen 

Several days later, Amber stood in the kitchen with Eva. The girls were baking cookies together. Even after spending some time with each other, they still had a lot of catching up to do.

They had just put the cookies into the oven when Amber heard soft voices from nearby. The female one sounded like Luna and she peeked out of the kitchen from pure curiosity. 

She spotted Luna across the main room, speaking with... Samuel? The two were smiling and talking normally. A pang of jealousy hit Amber hard, but she immediately shook it off. Their talking meant nothing. How could they be talking so casually, though? Amber thought they despised each other.

She watched as Samuel said something to make Luna throw her head back and laugh. Luna looked gorgeous in her black lace shorts and blue shirt tucked into the bottoms. Her hair swayed with her movements, draping over her shoulders.

Amber practically jumped when Eva's head peeked around the door with Amber's, scaring her.

"Who are we spying on?" The girl whispered, her green eyes as large as always.

Amber sighed and moved her gaze back onto Luna, who was still blabbering away with Samuel. 

"My girlfriend."

Amber could feel Eva staring at her. "Not getting jealous, are you?"

Amber shot her a look. Was she hinting at something?

"Luna loves you," Eva assured her, smiling softly.

Amber believed it. But she knew Luna missed Samuel. Amber wondered how much Luna compared her to Samuel.

"I know," Amber whispered before returning to the kitchen, shaking the scene from her head.

Not even minutes later, someone stormed into the kitchen, shouting Amber's name excitedly.

Amber instantly recognized the flinging body and wild voice as Asher's.

She grinned widely from her place at the stove and was tackled by the boy, making her stumble backward. She managed to stay on her feet and Asher soon let her go, holding her arms-length to examine her.

"I've missed you, Amber!"

Amber was laughing hysterically. It was a joy to see him. "Ah! I've missed you more!" 

Asher's hair stuck out all over the place, the black pieces jumping with each movement. "Impossible."

Amber shot a glance to Eva, who was smiling softly. Amber remembered their days in high school, which made her think of how close college was. She could not wait to go.

"How have you been?" Asher was asking, leaning a hip on the counter.

"Great! And-"

She was cut off by the beeping from the oven, announcing the cookies were done. Her and Eva simultaneously rushed over to take out the cookies, not wanting to burn them.

After placing all the gooey chocolate chip cookies on a plate, Eva turned to Amber and Asher with a sly smile. "Cookies, anyone?"

..............

The next day was the last day Amber and Luna planned on staying. Amber knew she would miss everyone dearly, but also was becoming protective over Luna with tons of people around. It was only during this visit that she realized how jealous Luna could make her.

It was early in the afternoon and Amber's parents had set her and Luna down on the couch in the living room. They stood before the two women, wearing grins on their faces. Something was up.