Arsonist's Lullaby

Chapter 5 - Sam

Jesse had gone to work earlier this morning so I was surprised to hear him open the front door.

"Back so soon?" I asked. He made a face and tossed his keys on the counter before replying.

"It's three o'clock Sam."

I looked at the time on the microwave and gasped making Jesse laugh. I had lost track of time making lunch. I was almost done when Jesse passed by me to get to the fridge. I jumped, not hearing him come in and scowled when he called me a "scardey cat".

"Mmmm smells good." Jesse commented opening up a Diet Dr.Pepper. I remembered our little debate on how diet was just as bad as the regular soda and made a note to print out a list of evidence from the internet later.

"Grilled chicken and mushroom alfredo pasta." I tell him. "Is that okay?" I asked, turning slightly to see his reaction only to catch him already studying me.

"Y-yeah. Sounds great." He quickly walked back to the living room. When I told him it was ready, Jesse came and cautiously sat in a chair by the booth looking worried. As I slid him his plate from across the counter, he looked relieved for some reason but I didn't ask why.

"Where did you learn how to cook so well?" He asked already halfway done.

I chewed in the inside of my cheek as I tired to remember.

"I don't know." I mumbled slightly shaking my head.

"Right. Sorry." Jesse apologized looking a little guilty. I gave a small smile to make him feel at ease.

"I honestly don't know what I would have done if I had to take takeout again." He said fake gagging and making me laugh.

"Well this is the best deal I've ever made. I actually like cooking." I smiled starting to pick up the plates.

"Consider yourself my personal chef then. Even when you're all old and wrinkly." He joked helping me with the dishes. When we were done, we headed towards the living room and sat on opposite sides of the couch, picking up our debate from last night on diet vs. regular soda.

Halfway through he made me so frustrated, I grabbed a pillow from behind and threw it at his head. making his brown curly hair stick out all over the place. He looked shocked at first and I froze feeling surprised at myself when he began to giggle.

It was the cutest thing I had ever heard.

Days went by and we started talking more. I got to know him a bit better which made me feel comfortable about living with him. I realized as we got to know each other better, Jesse was more than what he let people see and was actually a complete dork with a really big heart.

"So your sister, are you guys close?" I asked sipping the tea he had made me and crossing my legs onto the sofa in front of him one night.

"Yeah, she's not my actual sister, she's my cousin but her dad took me in when I was a kid so we see each other more as siblings really." He answered picking at his leather bracelet.

I could sense his change of mood at the mention of his family so I decided to change the topic when fortunately, there was a knock on the door. We both looked at each other in surprise and Jesse frowned in confusion after glancing at the clock. He got up telling me to wait here when I heard a woman calling - well, screeching - his name loudly.

"Jesseeee!" She was going to wake up half the floor.

"Veronica?" I could hear the surprise in his voice. I don't know why, but I frowned, feeling like she was invading my territory as she managed to squeeze past him and saunter in.