Eraser•

Deleting 8%

After my first,second and third  period classes,I grab my lunch bag and go to the Teachers' lounge.
"Oi!"
The stranger from earlier waves to me,carrying a black and white container.
"Hello." I say politely.
Because manners are most important.
"Nice to see ya again."
"Likewise,Mister?"
I look at him expectantly.
"Theodore Cortez."
"It's a pleasure."
I shake his hand,surprised when he presses mine to his lips.
"The pleasure's all mine,miss?"
"Alexandri Di Campobello."
"Beautiful name for a beautiful girl."
He lets go of my hand and opens the door to the Lounge.
"After you."
I walk into the room.
Everyone goes silent.
Well,there's a first for everything.
I make my way to my usual sectioned off corner like space and sit in my cozy chair.
Theodore takes the seat across from me.
The rowdy noise starts up again.
I place my lunch bag on the table,taking out a container of Alfredo noodles.
Theodore sits his black and white container down,opening it.
The scent of something I know but can't describe envelops the area.
"What is that?"
It looks like cake with a fruit on top,red syrup on it.
"You've never had strawberry cheesecake before?"
He sounds incredulous.
"Strawberry cheesecake?"
I tilt my head to the side,trying to fathom why I can not recall this sweet smelling treat.
"Here try some."
He takes out a fork,scoops up a piece and holds it to my lips.
I raise a brow.
"Say ah."
"Ahh."
He sets the piece in my mouth and smiles when I gasp.
"This is amazing." Which comes out like "Whis ais amuzing."
"Thank you,I made it myself."
I chew the rest of the cake,swallowing the sweetness.
"Its really good."
"You really think so?"
"Yes."
"I guess I'll be owning my own studio and have a TV show called " Cooking With Cortez."
He grimaces.
"What?"
"I'd have to wake up early."
I roll my eyes and look around.
Everyone is leaving,it seems like the lunch period is over.
"We should go or we'll be late for our next classes."
The world spins when I stand up.
The tile floor turns into a light colored hardwood.
The smell of Strawberry cheesecake wafts through the room.
I see an elderly looking woman humming standing beside the Lounge's oven,oven mitts on both her hands.
"Are you okay?
Her long graying hair is braided down her back.
The world is spinning.
Round and round in circles.
The woman takes a cake out of the oven and turns to me.
" Little Tiger,the cake is done!"
"Gramama,I'm here!"
A little girl with my brown hair and my darker brown eyes runs through me,bounding to her 'Gramama'.
The girl's Gramama laughs,"So jumpy already, maybe you don't need any sweets?"
"I neeeeeeddddd the cake,Gramama."
The girl pouts at her Gramama, tugging at her apron.
"One slice before dinner but don't tell your mama,OK?"
"I promise."
The girl hops up on a step stool and smiles,showing a tooth gap,"Let's ice the cake!"
"Okay,my little tiger."
Spots of yellow fill my vision when I open my eyes.
"Gramama?"
"Who?"
Theodore is hovering over me and when I sit up,I knock heads with him.
"Are you okay?"
He looks worried.
"Yeah,fine."
Yup,biggest lie of 3k24.