The Mute Girl's Tutor

Project Day

Morning came quicker than I thought it would and I woke up still feeling tired a few minutes before ten. Rubbing a hand over my eyes they opened a bit reluctantly when greeted by the bright sun shining in through my balcony windows. I moaned in discontent stuffing my face back into my pillow and willed myself to go back to sleep and wake up refreshed in an hour or two.

As tired as I was, sleep denied me its privilege and after a while, I dragged myself into the bathroom to accommodate a hot shower and a minute to brush my teeth as well as drag a brush through my knotted caramel locks. Looking in the mirror I appreciated that my bags had depleted and I looked more awake than asleep.  Leaving my hair to dry on its own I fit myself into a pair of legging and olive knit sweater before heading downstairs to make some coffee.

Flicking my eyes from the machine I eyed the tin covering the cake and sighed, rummaging through the cabinets so I could start the frosting. Sipping off my steaming mug I grabbed for the vanilla extract and confectioners sugar in the cabinets, listing off the quick and easy recipe in my head twice to ensure I get it correct. Sifting in the dry ingredients lazily I yawned blinking slowly as the sun beamed in through all the windows. Why do we keep those open? Glaring at the harsh sun for intruding on my morning I slammed the rest of my coffee and whisked the frosting until it was the soft buttercream texture I wanted.

Turning to the cake I lifted the tin and frosted until the entire dessert was covered in the fluffy white coating, noticing how much extra I had leftover and setting it aside. I'll use it for something later, I thought shrugging plopping the tin back on top and dropping myself on the couch.

Flicking through the channels I settle on some nineties comedy before collapsing my head into a pillow probably a bit harder than necessary. With Dad gone the house felt so empty, I had nearly forgotten how big it was, echoing loudly every time I shuffled or put something down. Feeling down I closed my eyes and willed myself to fall back asleep even though the caffeine I consumed was already coursing through my veins, and I highly doubted it would relent just because I wished it.

I kept my eyes closed for a long time, or maybe it was a short time but some time had passed of me drifting in and out of my own thoughts before my phone buzzed bringing me back to reality. Blinking my eyes open almost hazily I looked down at the device to see Aaron flash across the front along with the time.

Game is starting soon, see you in a bit! x -Aaron

I stared down at the device, blinking slowly before bringing it up closer to my face to make sure I'd read it right. Heaving a heavy sigh I close my eyes again feeling a small smile tip the corner of my lips. My chest felt a little warmer and suddenly this house didn't seem so huge anymore.

Aaron is going to be here soon. In my house.

ok. -Me

Wringing my fingers together I hit send immediately hating myself and standing up to walk toward the kitchen, shaking my head. I know what I want to do with the leftover frosting now.

Digging through my cabinets I ignore the panging echoes as two spices fell in my almost frantic search. Once my finger grasped the food dye box I practically did a cheer as I twisted to whisk in a few drops of blue. Satisfied with the cobalt color it turned out to be I forked it into a small sandwich bag with a small hole cut in the tip. Bringing my thumb up to my mouth my teeth nipped at the flesh as I skeptically looked at the cake, wondering if I can really write in cursive with my chronically shakey hands. Deciding against it I simply gripped the bag, willing my hands not to shake as I slowly spelled out my message in sloppy uppercase letters.

THANK YOU AARON!

Dropping the mostly empty bag into the trash I dragged the dirty bowl with me to the sink where I also washed my hands. Drying my hands quickly I turned to pick up the cake and brought it to our excessively large dining table, placing the shittily decorated pastry on display in the middle. Giving it a second look I fought the urge to facepalm as a hot flush worked its way up to my cheeks. Aaron's done so much for me without even knowing it and instead of telling him how I feel, I bake him a cake. Resisting flipping the cake over in embarrassment I headed back to the kitchen to get out the tools needed to start our project.