04

BURNING

. . .

I burnt the chicken.

Additionally, the doorbell rang, and Dave came from behind it with a visitor. Once they got in, they coughed and swatted the air around them, hoping to get rid of the suffocating smell. I remained in the kitchen, reddening in embarrassment as Dave stood there, examining the darkness the space has sunk in.

“What have you done?”

I flinched. I wanted to take in a breath, but if I did, I would surely choke. I covered my mouth and left the kitchen. Dave followed me after opening the window.

“I’m sorry,” I apologised first thing when I faced him outside. Talk about bad timings for calls. If only Kevin waited a little more before he pressed that button and called me for that long to explain things, but it was too late to wish.

He frowned, still unable to grasp an idea of what happened. Meanwhile, his companion stood there awkwardly, awaiting an explanation.

“I tried to cook,” I explained, “but I… got busy on my phone and burnt the food.” There went my pride under the mat.

Dave’s calm demeanour transformed into annoyance. “Who said you needed to cook?”

Blame my attempt at being decent back to you. “I… I thought you’d like to find a warm meal when you come back home.” My fists curled and uncurled. “I also… wanted to express my gratitude for your cooperation.”

“Who is she?” the friend whispered to Dave, but I could hear it.

Dave looked between us back and forth in a word loss. “Umm, Kyle, this is—”

“Perrie.” I did the job for myself. “I’m sorry for the inconvenience.” I unconsciously chewed on the inside of my cheek.

Kyle cleared his throat. “Ehem, well, Perrie, I’m Kyle, Dave’s friend and workmate. Nice to meet you.” The guy offered me a smile and a handshake that I anxiously accepted.

“Nice to meet you.” I shot the guy an embarrassed smile. At that moment, I was sure I had enough embarrassment for years and years in my future. I had to leave the picture as soon as possible. “Well, you guys have your time together. I’ll clean my mess.” I looked again at my housemate and mumbled only for him to hear, “I’m sorry again, Dave.”

Dave shook his head and sighed, surrendering to reality. “No worries… as long as you’re not hurt.”

I nodded as my lips pressed in a tight line. I entered the kitchen and opened the window wider, allowing what little left of the smoke to leave. I could only hear mumbles from the living room, but I assumed Dave was already explaining to the guy how he ended up housemates with a loser like me. I bit my lip, squeezing my eyes shut while I gripped the skillet’s handle as if I was about to hit someone with it. God, how much I managed to embarrass myself barely twenty-four hours in?

After I had cleaned the mess, I planned to disappear into my room, having no intention to reveal myself to the guys again. That could’ve been a friendly introduction to Dave’s friend, but I ruined it with my stupidity. I embarrassed myself in front of two people. I could use a cup of green tea to calm down.

The two men approached the kitchen as I drowned the teabag in the cup. I focused on the discolouration of the liquid rather than hearing their chatter and getting myself over paranoid.

“Oh, hey, Perrie. Thought you were napping already because you didn’t join us,” Dave remarked, getting his friend a glass of water.

I had no idea I was supposed to join them. Regardless, I inhaled and offered my politest smile. “Do you guys want some tea?”

Kyle nodded. “Would be nice as it’s getting cold.” Kyle smirked at his friend. “Dunno about Dave, though. Maybe he’s still afraid.”

I blinked at Kyle as he burst into laughter while Dave blushed a deep red. “Pardon?” I mumbled.

“Oh, Lord,” Dave gushed. “Not that again.”

Kyle finally stopped laughing and faced me. “He hates tea more than his exes.”

I felt myself ease up as I folded my arm against the island and leant forward. “I suppose that has a story behind it.” I smirked.

“Bingo,” Kyle’s lips formed an ‘o’ at the end.

Dave raised his arms in surrender. “Alright. Keep pretending I’m not here.” He proceeded to open the fridge and cabinets to look for a snack, but obviously, he was uncomfortable and wanted to hide.

“C’mon, man.” Kyle slapped his friend’s shoulder, but Dave remained focused on his task. Kyle chuckled and started, “Back in our university graduation, his mum made him drink that giant mug of tea because he was sick, and she insisted he drank something hot to fight the sore throat.”

I could hear a low growl come from Dave as he gave us his back. “Man, do you really have to?” he mumbled.

Kyle ignored him. “Let’s just say the guy stayed bothered the whole ceremony. In the graduation footage, he walks like a wriggling worm until the stage.”

Dave slammed the cupboard a little too forcefully that we flinched. “That’s not true!”

I laughed, unable to hold it in to be polite anymore while Kyle mumbled something along the lines of ‘I can show her the footage’ to Dave.

I made them two cups of coffee instead, and we ended up sitting by the island and chatting. I learnt Kyle sought joy in spilling Dave’s embarrassing secrets in front of me. Couldn’t deny I had a good laugh off some stories.

“That’s enough! Back to the living room to finish the papers, Kyle!” Dave left and expected Kyle to follow him.

Kyle gave me a last look and said, “Glad Dave has company now. His father’s death has been tough on him.”

I flashed a tight-lipped smile. Kyle left the kitchen, and I went to my room. After a while, I heard the door close after the guest, and it was already seven in the evening. Dave knocked on my door, instantly causing me to sit up. I wondered whether he was pissed about my kitchen mess still. Or maybe because I knew his graduation story then.

I took in deep breaths, walking to the door. I counted to three and told myself I should be ready to open the door after that. I gripped the handle and twisted it carefully. Behind it stood Dave in trousers and a deep blue t-shirt, having the blankest face ever. When he took in my sight, his rosy, thin lips smirked as if teasing me about whatever stupidity I had done. At least he wasn’t angry.

“I’m sorry again about the mess I made,” I apologised.

“It’s okay. The place is not burnt, and you’re not hurt. Although the food loss is sad, it’s just a little food in the end. Unintentional. Replaceable.”

His simple logic left me relieved. He was right. No great, irreplaceable damage happened. I had to relax and think of how to make it up to him, but certainly not by cooking another meal.

“Are you hurt anywhere? Burnt?”

His concern was foreign to me. “Fingertips, but no biggie. Will go away soon.”

He nodded. “I have a first aid kit if you need it,” he informed me. “You didn’t have to cook, Perrie. Friday is a takeaway day.” He smiled.

“I get it. I’ll make it up to you.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Why do you feel so indebted? It’s okay. Not like I offered you five-star services.”

Perhaps because I was used to everything coming with a price, or because I didn’t understand what ‘unconditional’ meant. I played with my wrists. “Don’t… mind me. I’m shit at cooking. Won’t try again.”

Dave agreed with me and decided to end the matter there. He changed the subject, “I asked around about what we can do with the ownership thingy.”

I couldn’t help but think he was hassling to get rid of me. Not a day had passed yet. Then again, who wanted a wrecker like me in their house? I already caused him trouble. “And?” I pushed for details.

“As I said, we need to submit a complaint against the previous owner. They’ll try to contact the British embassy in Canada to find the man.”

I nodded. “Let’s get into it.”

He leant against the doorframe. “So, what’s your job—if I may ask?”

Tell him. Just tell him.

“I model,” I admitted in one go. I had to be honest with my housemate, at least, for he was the closest to me at that moment.

His eyes widened. “Model? Like, a runway model?”

I shook my head frantically. “No, not at all. I’m too far from being a runway model. Just advertisements photoshoots.”

“Wow, how interesting. I… It didn’t cross my mind you were that type of person. You looked more like… a teacher or something.”

Did he mean I was unattractive? I was aware I wore baggy clothes most of the time, but that was only because I was comfortable in them, and because I had a housemate. I had to keep some modesty for my comfort’s sake. At that moment, Dave started looking at me more observingly, trying to capture my details. His gaze questioned every feature of mine whether it fitted modelling, from my face, my chest, hips, and lastly, to my long legs. I cowered under his gaze, taking a step back.

“You mean?” I asked.

He smiled. “You’re beautiful, nonetheless. I don’t mean anything.”

I took his words for what they were and dismissed him. He told me he’d be watching some TV, and I could join him, but I wasn’t comfortable doing any activity with him yet. I needed my time and space.

When I was alone again in my room, I scrolled through my contacts on instinct to call a friend. When I reunited with my empty list, it re-hit me. I moved out. I moved away.

. . .

Thoughts?

What do you think of Kyle?

Predictions about why Perrie moved?

Dave?

Chapter 5 is coming soon, so I can finally submit this book to contests and review shops!

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