Bittersweet Moments

34 | Peppermint Candy

34 | Peppermint Candy

There was nothing like a third-wheeling session with my friends.

I wasn't working in the shop for a while, because Mom learned her lesson on keeping unattended with the kitchen cupboards. I decided that if she was keeping me from the shop's kitchen, there must be more bottles. But it wasn't my proudest moment when Montana had taken me back here and I had to explain everything to Mom.

Anyway, I was by a table with Lawrence and Jessica. Lawrence was distractedly tapping his fingers on the table, waiting for his order to come. Jess, meanwhile, was going over the copy of Dad's contract that I gave her. I hoped that with her lawyer-in-training powers, she could find something we could use against my father.

I watched as her eyes skimmed over the words slowly as she stirred her creamy coffee. "Basic rule in law," she said without taking her eyes off the paper, "There's always a loophole in every contract. It takes a lot of effort to look for it, though."

She observed more closely. I saw her eyes narrowing behind her glasses. Jess commented, "This one's thick. And thorough. Whoever made this is good, but I can be better."

"Um, not to rush, but have you found anything yet?" I swung my legs underneath the table.

"I'm halfway through the third page," she replied.

"Why so slow? And you look old in those glasses," I said. I couldn't help but remark at the eyewear. It had this beaded string she could wrap around her neck.

She looked up at me, deadpanning, "This takes time, Ollie. I need to avoid overlooking each detail, examine this one. This one's so tricky, so tricky that it can serve as practice for my exams."

I chose to leave her in her mind palace. I trusted Jess; she can find something in there – and she enjoyed it. I turned to Lawrence, who smiled at me.

"How's life?" he asked.

"Normal, but not exactly on the bright side," I put my chin over my fist, tracing absentmindedly on the table. "College?"

"I'll get through – finally!" He stopped and leapt to his feet, taking a plate of cake from Voira. He picked up the fork and stared hungrily at the piece of cake. He didn't eat it yet, though. My stomach greedily wished for it, too.

Lawrence said, "So there are tests coming – this Wednesday, actually – but I'll get through. I'm not slacking, I promise. I've studied hard, because I want to graduate college."

"That's why you bought yourself a cake?" I smirked.

"Hey!" He jabbed his fork at my direction, "Since I'm a cake-holic and I need to de-stress first before exams, I have to reward myself from all that studying. Pre-ward myself."

I gazed down at the cake. Just a mere piece of cake that wouldn't suffice for my own stomach if I were to eat it. "And you aren't eating it, why?"

Lawrence fanned himself, "Savoring this one. I blew my cash for this cake."

"Poor cake," I mumbled, "It's going to get cold."

His fork went closer to the cake. But before it could pierce through the dessert, Lawrence held it back and dropped the fork. It clattered lightly on the plate. I shot him an annoyed look – this was more suspenseful than Sherlock.

He smiled sheepishly, "I forgot to tell you something. Brennan and I are best buddies now. He's kind of nice, you know?"

I recalled them exchanging numbers that night we visited Lawrence's flat. Mentally, I did a happy dance at the thought of those two getting along. Brennan was a lonely guy, even as a celebrity and Lawrence at least needed a guy friend-figure in his life.