Autism

One

'Alice, are you in there?' My mum shouts outside the door of my apartment followed by loud knocking. I moved into my own apartment not so long ago, yet still sometimes my family checks up on me to see if everything is going fine.

With a sigh, I walk over to the door and open it only to be embraced in a hug. I enjoy hugs but not for too long. She lets go off me and smiles brightly. 'How has it been going, it feels like I haven't seen you in ages!' She exclaims and I laugh out loud at her enthusiasm.

'I've been fine Mum,' I reply, going over to the kitchen to start on mac and cheese for lunch. 'Just constantly going through the normality of ordinary life as per usual.'

She walks over to where I'm stirring the macaroni and after she realises what I'm cooking, she keeps her eye on every single thing that I'm doing. I shake my head and laugh, she has always enjoyed what I have cooking every single time without fail.

Suddenly there was another knock and I freeze up. Who was that knocking at the door? Is that the rest of my family at the door? Did Mum just text everybody all over the neighbourhood and everybody is showing up for lunch? How many people would that be?

'I'll get it!' Mum says, snapping out of my constant running thoughts. Unless she brought somebody over without me knowing, I don't understand why anyone was there.

After I heard the door open, I attempt to focus on the food until I hear a familiar voice. 'It's you!' I heard a masculine voice say and I turn around to see the guy that spent time with me at the beach only a week ago.  He walks over to me, a big grin on his face.

'Hey Alice, it's nice to see you again,' He greets and I can hear the enthusiasm in his tone. 'How has the rest of your week been since I saw you at the beach the other day?'

I smile but try to hide it away from him. 'I'm fine,' I answer and look up at him for a few seconds. 'But right now I'm cooking so if you don't mind please don't distract me while doing so.'

He shrugs and walks over to the couch, chatting to Mum as he does so. After lunch is cooked, I bring the bowls over to the couch. I'm a massive fan of eating in front of the television so that's where I make everyone eat the food that I cook. As soon as the boy who I have yet to know his name takes his first scoop of my food, mum and I wait to see his reaction.

He licks his lips and grins at the both of us. 'That was some of the most delicious mac and cheese I have ever tasted,' He exclaims. 'You are such a talented cook, Alice!'

I can't help the blush rising up my cheeks.

We then spend the rest of the time eating dinner and chatting and basically having such a good time. When I snack on the mac and cheese, the flavour makes me groan with delight. It makes me feel even more giddy that he also likes it.