Little Moments

Chapter Five

    “Drake?” I whispered to the seat next to me. I glanced at the clock on the teal hospital wallpaper, 6:30. I looked back at Drake. He had his tear-stained head in his hands. His wavy brown hair hung down in loose waves.

“Drake Lottwood?” A nurse came up to us in the waiting room. “Your grandmother is ready to see you.” We all walked down the hallway occasionally glancing at the patients in the small white rooms, some elderly, some young.

The nurse left when we came to a closed door. My grandma opened it and poked her head in. We all made our way in the tiny room. Drake’s fists were clenched at his sides and you could visibly see veins in his bicep. Otherwise he managed to stay pretty calm.

His grandmother sighed when she saw him, “Drake, unclench your fists. I’m fine, I’m feeling okay and I’m alive aren’t I?” I smiled at the frail little lady. She didn’t look very good. “Just a minor stroke.”

“There’s nothing minor about a stroke!” he said through clenched teeth.

“You know what Drake? You’re eighteen, so I’m going to be honest with you. I’m feeling  pretty bad, but I’m a tough lady and I’m going to be okay. The doctor said I should stay in the hospital for a while, but you can visit me.” she tried to cover the pain with a smile.

“How long is a while?” he asked looking down.

She spoke quietly, “Three weeks.”

His shot up, “Three weeks?”

“I don’t know what I’m going to do. Maybe you can stay with Angela and her husband.” she said pressing two fingers to her lips, thinking.

“Grandma,” Drake complained, “I’m eighteen, I can take care of myself.”

“No you can’t. I get nervous going to check the mail in the mornings. I don’t think my heart can stand you home alone for three weeks.”

My grandma immediately spoke, “He can stay with us?”

I looked up from the chair I was sitting in. My grandma had a smile and Drake a smirk. This can not be happening.

“What?” My grandma asked noticing my look of dismay and dragging of my feet. I chose to ignore her question and make the best of this. I mean, it’s only for three weeks.

I immediately flopped on the couch and texted McKenna right as we walked in the apartment room. I was flipping through a People magazine when two hands grabbed my waist, causing me to shoot up and screech. I turned around face to face with a grinning Drake.

“You gave me a heartattack!” I yelled hitting him in his chest with a magazine. He just continued to obnoxiously laugh his cute laugh.

“What is going on in here?” My grandma asked drying her hands on a towel as she walked out of the bathroom.

“Drake grabbed my sides and scared me.” I complained.

“She hit me with a magazine!” He retorted.

I crossed my arms across my chest.

My grandma ignored our complaints and changed the subject. “They’ve closed roads due to the storm, so Drake can’t get his stuff until tomorrow.”

“That’s fine,” he shrugged, “Thanks for letting me stay.”

“It’s not much, I feel bad you have to sleep on the couch though.” she sighed, “Oh no!” she looked at her watch. I have to head to work. You guys wanna come?”

I realized that I never really asked what she did for a living, but whatever it was couldn’t be worse than being alone with Drake.

“So you own this place?” I asked leaning against the coral-pink counter of the small bakery. She nodded as I examined the place. A large cork board, tacked with recipes of all kinds, hung under the mint green clock on the light yellow wallpaper. The place smelled of the savory sweets it held. I walked to the front of the bakery where guests could chat and enjoy a gooey piece of apple pie or a luscious red velvet cupcake topped with cream cheese frosting. I looked through the glass displays at all the desserts.

    “That’s really cool. Do you need any help?” I asked watching her mix ingredients into a bowl.

    “You could start on the chocolate chip cookies,” she said with a smile.

    “Sure, whatever you need.”

    She lead me back into the storage room where we gathered our supplies to bake the cookies. We brought them back in and set them on the counter.

    As I started adding ingredients into my bowl my grandma dropped her vanilla. Glass shattered everywhere and a brown liquid covered the floor.

    “Are you okay?” I ran to her from where I was working.

    “That was the last of my vanilla,” she sighed. I need to pick up more. “Mind watching the shop?”

    “Sure,” I smiled and she walked out the door. Just as her car sped off I heard a crash and a yell from the storage room. That’s when I realized that I was alone with Drake.

    I slowly turned around and walked to the storage room. I turned the knob and pushed the door open to the black room. I switched on the light to reveal Drake on the floor covered in flour.

    “What did you do?” I asked looking at the flour falling from his shirt on to the floor as he stood.

    “I couldn’t find the light switch.” He shrugged shaking his hair to get out the flour. I bit my lip to hold in laughter.

    “What’s so funny?” He frowned crossing his arms.

    “You look ridiculous!” I laughed.

    “At least I’m not the one covered in flour!” he said.

    “You are covered in flour. I’m not,” I laughed in amusement.

    I walked out of the storage room to the cash register when Drake embraced me.

    “Drake!” I yelled and laughed at the same time.

    “I told you were covered in flour.” I didn’t have to see him to know he had that adorable smirk on his face. He rested his chin on my shoulder.

    I smiled to myself and stuck my opposite hand in the bowl of cookie dough, scooping a round blob in my hand. I lifted it up right in Drake’s face. The dough landed between his eyes, down his nose and just above his mouth.

    I laughed and yelled, “Karma.”

    He smirked, “Now you have to get it off my face.”

    “Nope,” I laughed and his arms wrapped tighter around my waist.

    “Let me go.”

    “Only if you get the dough off me.”

    “No.”

    “Then I’m not letting go!”

    I wasn’t even paying attention to anything. I didn’t notice anyone come in the door until I turned around and saw Kaleb standing and watching us.

    “Is now not a good time?” he asked uncomfortably, his hands in his pockets.

    That’s when I remembered Drake was hugging me. He immediately let go and walked back to the storage room.

    “No, what’s up?” I must have looked as read as a tomato.

    “I was wondering if you would want to... um... come like, hang out with me?” he was looking at the floor with a red face and his voice was shaky. He was absolutely adorable.

    “Yes!” I smiled dusting as much flour as I could off me. “Drake!” I yelled, “I’m going for a couple of minutes.” There was no response, so I followed Kaleb out of the bakery.