Moving Forward

Chapter Four

"You're kidding," Zach said unamused. He folded his arms and turned his whole body to face me. I shook my head.

"I found her getting soaked last week. Remember the day the sky fell on us?" He gave me a quizzical look. "The day the rain was pouring really hard."

"Oh," he whispered embarrassed.

"She was in an alleyway sitting beside the dumpsters. And she did not look well when I took her home."

"I don't get you," Zach said, placing his fingers on the bridge of his nose. "You see a stranger--"

"Yep."

"Laying beside the dumpsters--"

"Yep."

"On a rainy day--"

"Yep."

"And randomly decide to take her home--"

"Yep."

"... If it really is her, then try to convince her to come back." I was taken aback with what he said. He sat properly in his desk and opened his notebook. "Just, ask her to come back."

"Okay..." I said to not pry into his request. As for why he requested this I don't know. Based on the looks of it, he won't tell me either. The bell rung, signaling the end of lunch. I got up and went to my own seat near the back and kept wondering about Zach until I found myself thinking about the girl living in my home. Kandy. Luckily the teacher never called on me so I was able to daydream the whole class period.

_________

"I'm back," I called out as soon as I unlocked my door. Walking forward, my nose was hit by a delicious smell, freezing me in my tracks. Instead of heading to my room to set down my stuff, my feet guided me to the dining room where I had a clear view of the kitchen. Standing in front of the stove was Kandy with my dad's apron on. She must've heard my footsteps because as soon as I stopped, she turned her head and gave me a small smile. It wasn't until she turned back that I noticed something was different.

She turned around and stared at my backpack. It was then I realized I still hadn't set my things down in my room.

"I-I'll be right back." I walked out of the room and practically threw my backpack on my bed, my coat following after. I rushed back to find Kandy had set down two plates with juicy looking steaks on the table. My mouth immediately watered at the sight. She sat down at the chair she usually sits and waited for me to sit as well before picking up her fork and digging in. I followed suit and my eyes widened at the taste. Who knew she could cook?

Then I remembered what I heard from today and slightly frowned. She was raised by a rich family so maybe that's where she learned. Kandy noticed my frown and frowned as well.

"Is it not to your taste?" she asked me in a raspy voice, obviously not used to speaking again. I shook my head and smiled.

"Are you kidding? This is the most delicious thing I've ever tried! Better than anything my dad could ever do and he's a chef." Kandy nodded, feasting on her own steak. My dad is a four-star chef but whatever. Before Kandy, I had the best meals from him. Although his meals were so rare, they were especially tasteful. Maybe it's because I rarely eat his food because of his job.

"Who's your dad?" she asked. I swallowed the food in my mouth and wiped away some grease.

"Enrique Giles," I answered. She nodded. Maybe she hasn't heard of him. Then again, not many people in America have heard of him. He works abroad. Last I checked he was currently in England. I finished my food, thanked her then took our plates because she finished right as I did. I washed them and set them to dry. When I came back out of the kitchen, she was seated on the couch, waiting for me. I gulped nervously. Why was I nervous?