Delirium: Crash & Burn

Part XVIII

Harrison 

My eyes squinted as I stared at the pages of the recipe book. This was supposed to be easy cooking I thought to myself as I began to get increasingly frustrated. Easy cooking my ass. My eyes darted back to my own pot then back to one which was perfectly photographed on the left side of the book. I scowled at the pages feeling cheated. I used my index finger to push my glasses back up regaining some clarity in my sight.

I was trying to make dinner for me and Evie, it was the first real date we were going to have and I thought it would be a good idea to cook for her. I completely forgot my inability to cook or follow instructions. I took a deep breath in feeling defeated in my conquest. The clock echoed its tune from the hall way, I quickly looked at the iPad on the docking station it was 6pm, Evie would be here at any moment.

The room was full of a thick foggy smoke, was something burning? Surly not because I didn't put anything in the oven I thought to myself. Well something is definitely burning. I open one the four ovens which were mounted on the wall gasping at my discovery, remembering that I tried to bake a cake as well. Shit. I quickly turned the oven off and grabbed a dish cloth wafting the smoke around in hopes to diffuse the situation, I open the French doors which lead to the backyard swinging them open hoping the fresh air would hid my poor attempts of being romantic.

In the midst of my frantic panic I heard the door bell, it was Evie. I walked through the hall way to the front door, opening it slowly. Evie stood at the door with a odd looking plant in her hands, she was wearing grey fitted sweats, a cropped hoodie and Doc Martins. Her hair was down in flowy waves, she looked effortlessly stunning. I sighed feeling my body warm up and my heart thunder under my t-shirt.

"You said comfy casual. I hope I look alright?"

She beamed at me revealing her adorable smile, I smiled back, I couldn't help it. I nodded quickly reassuring her with silent actions that she looked great, I moved a side allowing her to step in.

"Is something burning?"

She turned to me quickly panic evident in her face. I shook my head dumbly.

"Well it was, I've defused the situation, kind of."

I laughed sheepishly and rubbed the back of my head feeling oddly embarrassed. I had never tried to cook for anyone before yet alone a girl. I felt a need to impress her I wanted her to see me as useful, like the kind of guy she'd have around the house. She smiled at me gently and boldly handed me the plant, her eyes lighting up as she did so. I took the plant out of her hands whilst furrowing my eyebrows unsure of how to receive the odd gift.

"What the hell is this?" I asked smirking, trying not to laugh as I spoke. Evie made a small giggle before responding.

"It's a yucca." She emphasised the 'ucc' sound allowing the vibrations to sound from the back of her throat. She sounded rather pleased with herself which made her more adorable.

My bottom lip quivered as I tried to stop myself from laughing. I was suddenly very giddy, I could already feel my stomach tightening as I tried not to laugh. Evie had this ability to bring out this side of me which I never knew I had. I had become so serious, so angry since Jade died. I had missed out on so many chances to laugh and be happy, but when Evie is around I feel like I have a chance again, I felt happy.

"What the fuck is a yucca?!"

I could not contain my laughter anymore and I began to laugh hysterically as I held the ugly plant in both hands. Evie soon followed laughing just as hard. We grapple on to each other for support as our knees became weak with laughter. In between breaths she tried to speak.

"Listen. Harrison. It's a, it's a- h-h-house plant, try not to kill it."

I was touched by her gesture to get me something, what made it better was the fact she knew it would make me laugh, that it would cheer me up and bring a smile to my face. She was kind like that, she thought of me in a way no one ever bothered to. I sighed lifting my glasses off my face to wipe the tears from my eyes from laughing so hard. I notice Evie studying me, I cocked my eyebrow suspiciously.

"What?" I spoke quickly suddenly felt shy.

"I never knew you wore glasses-", she paused, roaming her eyes over my body then back up to my face, "you look really good in them."

She spoke effortlessly as the compliment rolled off her tongue. She did not need to fake anything that she said. I coughed unsure on how to take the compliment; I quickly turned away to hid the blush rising in my cheeks.

"Since I've burnt our dinner, how about we order take out?"

I suggested quickly moving the subject away from myself. Evie noticed my sudden change in subject and pulled close into me, holding me in a tight hug. She spoke into my neck.

"Thank you for cooking, and as much as I want to eat whatever it is that you made, take out sounds like the better option."

Through her sarcastic murmur I felt an odd feeling of appreciation. I reached into my back pocket for my phone, with one arm still around Evie I called a Chinese takeaway. We began to walk, linked to each other, towards the kitchen as I ordered the food. We wove through the hallways and I led Evie out through the French doors in the kitchen out to the backyard.

The sun was just setting and the outdoor lighting came on. Evie's face lit up as the branches on the trees did with the fairy lights. She spun around dramatically uttering how magical it all was. My parent's house was higher up in the hills and the back yard looked over the rest of the neighbourhood offering us a feeling of secluded tranquillity. The lights bounded off the surface of the pool creating an iridescent glow. I too began to marvel at the scenery suddenly becoming overwhelmed to how much I had grown up in privilege and never realised or took the time to be grateful.

"I'm really glad you came, Evie."

 I was suddenly short of breath as though I had been running, my heart race increased. What is going on with me lately I thought to myself. I was never one to feel deeply about anyone. The last time I felt like this was with Poppy. I sighed internally recalling the first time I confessed the emotional attachments I had developed for Poppy. I remembered the way she looked at me pitifully as though she felt sorry for me. The pity that she felt was masked by the constant sex but I knew she had no true love or appreciation for me and she never would.

Evie joined me by the side of the pool placing her hand on my lower back. She looked up at me.

"Well, I'm glad you invited me." She playfully nudged my shoulder. I took her into another hug unable to keep from showing my affection.

"Want to go for a swim, Harry?"

Her voice was low, barely above a whisper. I was taken back that she suggested to go for a swim though I didn't think that she had brought a bathing suit.

"Did you bring a bathing suit?"

I questioned suddenly feeling nervous butterflies fill my stomach at the thought of Evie in a bathing suit. I shook my head to empty it of the thought before I got too excited. Evie shook her head no as she proceeded to pull her hoodie over her head and her joggers off too. She turned to look at me; she was left in just her bra and pants. I managed to somehow pick my jaw off the floor, I couldn't help but marvel at her. The sun setting created a warm haze over her body. 

She wore an innocent mischievous grin on her face as she jumped into the pool. The water spilt and gathered as she entered it, a couple of seconds past and her head pop up over the surface, she moved her hair from her face, pushing it backwards.

"Are you coming in?" 

Evie beckoned me into the pool. I couldn't say no. I couldn't resist her.