Illusion

SEVEN

That night, I quietly sneaked inside our room and went straight to the bathroom to change my clothes. It's already past midnight when I laid on my bed comfortably. I slept with a smile.

Saturday came and I don't have anything to do. My eye lids were still heavy but I tried to stood up and join Alec for breakfast. She's already preparing for her Saturday class.

"So what are your plans today?" She asked after we greeted each other 'good morning'. I know she's getting curious on my relationship with my family now. Given the fact that she heard me turning down my mother, she's probably thinking that I'm a big rebel and a liar.

"Gonna read books," I simply answered and started eating breakfast. I don't know why it is so important to her to eat breakfast together.

"The whole day?" She raised a brow suspiciously.

"No. I'm doing some paper works after that needs to be submitted Monday morning," I explained trying to sound casual but she smirked. I closed my eyes and just ignored her. Did I sound so defensive?

"I knew you'd say that," she chuckled a bit. "I'm going, take over."

When she's out, I did the chores she left. I washed the dishes and went back to our room to fix myself.

Like what I told Alec earlier, I'm gonna read books minus the paper works. I don't really have an official plan.

Now I'm thinking what should I do tomorrow. I told Mommy I'm busy but I don't really have anything on my plate. I felt a knocking guilt on my system for trying to avoid them.

It's still early, I figured it's not that hot outside so I went out. I walk straight to the tree where I went last night. I made myself comfortable and started reading...

I was so engrossed with the story that I did not noticed I'm about to finish it. It's exciting and I can't get enough of it.

When I finished the book, I look at my watch. I gasped when I realized it's almost time for lunch. I grabbed the book and stood then immediately walk back to our dorm. Maybe Alec was there already.

"Yes, ma'am. I will,"

My forehead creased when I heard Alec talking to someone. I thought we have a visitor but when I went close to her, I can't see one.

I heard her sigh heavily and turned

"Oh crap!" She glared at me while holding her chest with her phone. "H-how long have you been there?" She asked when I laughed at her reaction.

"I just came here, Alec. Don't worry I didn't heard anything," I laughed. Seems like she didn't believed me though.

"I swear I heard nothing! Oh gosh, why won't you believe me? Quit that expression. You look funny," I giggled and went to our room to put back the book I read. She look nervous and guilty over something.

I went to the kitchen and sat on the chair beside the dining table.

"What are you cooking?" I asked.

"This is what you called fried hotdogs, Asher," she sarcastically answered. I rolled my eyes at her. Her phone rang so she took it out and gasped when she read who's calling. She look troubled.

"Hey, what's wrong?" I asked.

"Uh Asher? You know how to fry, right?" She suddenly asked.

"Oh come on! Of course I do. That's just trying!" I proudly said and stood up. She look suspicious at first but she still gave me the floor. I gave her a smile as an assurance.

"I'll be back. I just need to take this call," she said then she left. I faced the stove and look at the hotdogs.

"Okay, so what should I do next?" I asked myself. I am now sweating bullets. Oh gosh, I hope she'll make the call fast.

"When will I know that it's already cooked?"

I tried turning the hotdogs upside down but the oil dripped to me. Damn, never thought this would be hard. I waited for minutes before turning it again. I gasped when I realized it was already turning black so I immediately get the hotdogs out of the cooking pan.

I groaned, "Gosh can't this get any harder?"

I stared at the burned hotdogs and felt so stupid. Is it still edible? Aish.

"Asher, done?" Alec asked when she entered at the kitchen and I swear I felt so stupid even more.

"W-woah," she exclaimed when she saw the cooked hotdogs. I am getting embarrassed now and I just want to disappear, I swear!

She even lifted one and smirked at me. Now, I know that look! I regret being a good Samaritan, now. I should've just told her I didn't know how to fry.

I breathed heavily and held my head up! Come on, she should thank me for volunteering and doing it for her.

"T-the oil was dripping t-to me s-so I find it hard t-to turn it on the other side a-and then it turned out b-black. That's not my fault," I said defensively and I almost choke myself. Why did I even say that? To save face? Ugh.

"Oh yeah? So it's the oil's fault," Alec mocked. I rolled my eyes then sat on the table. She's obviously suppressing her laughter!

"Exactly!" I said still trying to save face!

"Well it is still edible. The other side, I mean," she laughed and I almost stab her with my fork. We started eating and I feel guilty for the hotdogs.

I literally burned them!

"Stop feeling guilty about it. You should feel proud instead. It was your first time cooking," she said but with a small chuckle.

"Duh, I'm not! I told you it wasn't my fault why it got burned!" I defended.

"Oh yeah. Right," she laughed.

"What's funny?" I asked getting a bit irritated now.

"Nothing. It's just that... compared to the first time you entered our room, you became more talkative now. I can't help but to feel proud," she said that startled me.

"R-really?" I asked.

"Really!" She answered merrily. I remained silent after that.

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Sorry, lame.
No Illude for this chap! Haha