Silence

Chapter 15 - Perfect

I awake later to a lit room. The lights aren't on so it must be coming from the window. I breath in smelling a fresh, soapy scent and open my eyes. Carter is gazing at me, his hair a little damp.

"Good afternoon, Emma." he whispers.

I smile and turn my head to look at his face.

"Sorry, but I went take a shower while you were asleep. I couldn't stand being sweaty when you smelled so good," he admits.

I close my eyes and laugh. He kisses my head before I open my eyes again.

"Are you hungry?" he questions me.

I nod my head because my throat feels scratchy and irritated from this morning. I sit up and stretch out my arms. Carter stands up and takes my hands, helping me off of his warm bed.

We walk to the kitchen and I sit in a tall stool at the wooden table. I place my elbows on the table and my chin in my hands.

"What do you want to eat?" he asks turning the light on and washing his hands.

I give him a questioning glare when he looks back at me. I didn't know he could cook.

In return he places his hand over his heart and gives me an expression mocking pain like I was wounding him, "I'll have you know I am a great cook," he firmly declares waving around a stirring spoon with his other hand.

I giggle at his silly outburst.

"Okay, maybe not great," he admits, "but I can make homemade pizza."

I raise my thumbs in the air. Even though my throat doesn't hurt much anymore, I still don't want to talk. I'm angry that it could be my fathers fault for that feeling.

I think that Carter recognizes my expression, and motions his hand for me to walk over to him. I get up and walk to the counter, stopping behind him. He has already taken out the ingredients for the dough including yeast and flour that he begins to measure into a mixing bowl. He turns around suddenly with his hands crossed behind his back.

"Let's ignore your troubles for the day. Agreed?" he asks.

I stare into his eyes for a moment before nodding my head. I would love to ignore them for the rest of my life, but a day is great too. He moves closer to me and leans his head down. I tilt my face up, and in the moment that I thought he would kiss me, he flicks a pinch of flour into my face. I gasp shocked at what has just happened, but then smile evilly at him. He is skilled at distracting me.

He wiggles his eyebrows at me, silently asking what I'm going to do about it. I take a step to the side reaching for the flour, and he reaches his arms out to stop me. I duck quickly under his arm and grab a scoop of flour. He turns around and tries to move, but isn't quick enough. I flick out my hand and his face is suddenly covered in the white powder.

He blows out a breath and flour puffs into the air like smoke. "I'm going to get you for that," he says.

I put my hands over my mouth and silently giggle. He charges towards me and wraps his arms around my waist. I lean in to him, not caring that his face is covered in baking ingredients.

I mouth sorry to him, still smiling. He holds on to me with one hand and grabs the bowl with the other. I try to wiggle away, but he's to strong. I suck in a breath and he dumps the bowl over my head then drops it on the tile floor.

He lets go of my waist, smirking, and I take the chance and push him backwards. I don't push him hard, but he trips over the bowl and falls backwards. I reach and grab his hand, trying to stop him but I get pulled to the floor on top of him. In the process, many other dishes and ingredients fall off the counter and rattle around us.