Escape the Covenant || Shawmila [Completed]

Chapter 2

The delicious smell of an apple pie fills my nostrils the exact moment I step into the house. My mouth immediately waters and my stomach growls, pushing me towards the kitchen. Standing on the threshold, I watch as my grandma graciously add a little bit of salt on what's cooking in the pan. Her slim hands work fast and with precision while cutting some veggies. She hums the tune of an old song, probably her jam during her youth, and I catch a glimpse of brightness in her eyes. She always seems so lively, like nothing can tear her down. She lifts her sight, acknowledging my presence, just to welcome me with a sweet smile. «Thought you would be hungry. Come on, dinner's almost ready».

I sit as she sets two plates on the table, and I lick my lips. No matter what she cooks, it's always delicious! As I start to eat, she asks about my day.

«Any progress today? Did you figure out what's missing in the spell? ».

I groan, annoyed by my failure. «Not really, but I'm not giving up. I was thinking that maybe I could take a look on mom's grimoire. I'm not sure if that could help, but I don't mind trying».

She smiles weakly, a hint of sadness flashing in her eyes. Whenever my mom is mentioned, my grandma's face scrunches up with hurt, even if she tries to hide it. «You are much more skilled than you mother was, I don't think you'll find anything in that book».

I ignore her comment, not in the mood for hearing her ranting about my mother recklessness and her lack of talent. So, I decide to inform her about the newcomers. «Did you know that old Gerard's son is back in town? Earlier I saw a moving truck outside that house. It seems like that man and his son are staying here for a while. They had a lot of stuff».

She doesn't seem surprised. «Yes, I've heard something about it. They say that he came back here to live with the old man after his divorce. He'll probably stay here just for a couple of months, until he gets tired of Gerard and goes back to where he came from».

I'm not used to hear such bitterness in her words. «Wow, it looks like someone doesn't like him...» I tease her. She playfully rolls her eyes while trying to suppress a smile.

«What can I say, he didn't make it on my favorite people's list».

I snort hearing such a silly remark. «And why is that? »

«I just think he's such an ungrateful man. Since he was a kid he never really cared about his father. He just wanted to go away to live a different life and forget about this place. It was like he was ashamed of who raised him. I know that Gerard can come across as a weird man, and we can all agree that something seems off with him, but I know for sure that all he ever wanted was for his son to be happy».

My grandma has known Gerard since she was a child, and even if he keeps on giving off strange vibes, she has always something nice to say about him. I personally don't get why she acts like that, given the fact that it looks like he hates us, but I don't bother to ask for some explanations.

«What about his grandson? » I ask. «What do you think he's like? ».

She shrugs a little. «I don't know. He seems to be a good kid, but I've never really paid much attention to him. I don't think he's like his father though: Pete Mendes would have never spent his summers with his grandpa».

To me, Pete Mendes come off as a major asshole, so I hope that Shawn didn't inherit much from him. In any case, that's not my concern. It's not like I have to talk to him or be his friend. And, if my grandma is right, he won't stay here for long. The same unpleasant feeling as before twists my guts as I picture in my mind that luscious dark locks and that hazel eyes. I dig my fork in my slice of pie hoping to distract myself from his beautiful face, forcing myself to think of something else. I just have to repeat in my head that Shawn Mendes means nothing to me.