Needing is One Thing

Chapter 10. But now it's all just hazy

"Hey," Matthew ducked his head into the living room. Mika looked over at him, startled, and gave him a wan smile. Seeing it, he hopped over the back of the couch and dropped down cross-legged next to her, making her bounce. "You okay?"

Mika quickly brushed the corners of her eyes with the side of her hand, hoping to erase the signs of her tears. At least she hadn't bothered wearing makeup today.

"Yeah," she croaked, cleared her throat and tried again. "Yeah, just watching some anime." She nodded to the TV where she was randomly playing one from her list. It was something the message boards had voted as #1 for anguish porn. She hadn't been paying much attention, really only listening to the piano music.

"Huh." Matthew sat and watched with her for a couple minutes before turning back to her. "Well, it's definitely not working," he announced.

"What?" Mika turned to him, confused.

"It's not cheering you up at all," he explained, picking up the remote and shutting the TV off. He stood and offered his hand. "Come on."

"Where are we going?" Mika asked, quickly scrubbing her cheeks with her sleeve before taking his hand. Matthew smiled as he pulled her up on her feet.

"You'll see." He kept her hand in his and shoulder bumped her as he led her from the sitting room, through the dining room, and into the kitchen. With a grin, he guided her over to one of the stools at the kitchen island and sat her down.

"I'm sorry, I'm not really hungry," Mika apologized, looking down. Matthew chuckled, walking over to the other side of the counter and rummaging in the drawers.

"That's good because we're not eating." He picked up a towel and tossed it over her shoulder. Surprised, Mika looked up at him. His bright grin softened a little for a second before he turned to the fridge. "I volunteered to make dessert again today and you are going to help me."

"Are you sure?" She tugged at the towel, noticing the bowl and measuring spoons in front of her.

"Sure I'm sure," Matthew laughed. "Don't worry, you won't screw it up. It's my specialty."

Mika looked back up and raised an eyebrow as he pulled the eggs and butter from the fridge. "Strawberry cupcakes?" She guessed.

"Nope."

"But I thought that was your specialty." She cocked her head as he walked into the pantry.

"For a housewarming party, yes. This is for a different reason." He set down the flour and sugar with a definitive thump.

"What reason is that?" Mika asked, becoming curious.

"That's for me to know and you to find out," Matthew chuckled, tapping her on the nose as he walked past her to get more ingredients.

*

Mika laughed as the fluffy little white toy jumped just out of reach. It landed on the floor, the prize of a warm fresh-from-the-oven chocolate chip cookie tucked under one paw. Its cheeks were puffed with another it had crammed completely in its mouth.

"Come back here!" Matthew dove under the kitchen table only to have the vicious rodent hop over his head and bounce down his back before landing back on the tile and scurrying out the kitchen doorway.

Mika couldn't stop herself from laughing as Matthew tried to stand and banged his head against the edge of the table.

"Ow!" He smiled sheepishly and rubbed his head, fluffing his shaggy black hair, a small white cloud puffing out from it. They'd had a bit of a flour fight, both of them dusty from it.