LUCY
It wasn't a bad idea, to be friends with Nora. After she left America for Scotland, I have always thought, or rather I've seen her as rude and sassy. But she proved me wrong these few days. I think she's hiding her sassy attitude, though. I also suspected Jasper told her to do that. She must be a good actress, to have acted so well. Though, I still suspected a bit of her sassy attitude. From the few days, I've spent with her, I'm becoming more comfortable with her. I look forward to spending more time with her. I enjoy the games we play together, and the time we spend together in the kitchen. We planned to have a Friday night at the penthouse. We are going to be watching some horror movies. According to Nora, she loves horror movies rather than love movies. Right now, we are in the kitchen getting some things ready for the movie night. It's been over a week now since we became friends. I should say close. We ain't friends yet though. I'm only keeping up with her to prevent her from leaving.
**
I tasted the food for the last time. "Do you think I need to add salt or...". I noticed she wasn't responding to everything I'd said before. I turned to see her staring. At first, I wasn't sure who or what she was staring at. She seems lost in her thought or something. I walked closer to her and clicked my finger, jolting her out of her thought. She chuckled. "Have you been listening at all?"
"What... What did you say?" She stuttered slightly.
I groaned but quickly conceal it. "Can you taste the food for me?". She was staring again. "Nora, Nora!!" I yelled but there was no answer. I walked closer to her using my hand to wave across her face. When there was no answer, I had no option other than to touch her. "Are you, ok?"
She flinched. "Were... you talking to me?". I groaned. She isn't listening again. "What did you say?"
I rolled my eyes. "I said you should come and taste the food. In case I need to add salt"
She chuckled and stood up. I rolled my eyes. I noticed as she walked closer to the pot, that she was rubbing her hands together. I rolled my eyes. I wanted to ask her what was wrong and why she lose concentration these days but I changed my mind. I only followed her. After tasting the food, she turned. She clashed with me in the process. We both stared at each other for a while, until I regain myself. She moved back quickly. "I... I... I think it's ok" she stuttered vigorously
I nodded, wiping nothing in particular, away from my temple. There was silence and she was trying to hide her gaze from me, making the atmosphere awkward. To ease the awkwardness, I decided to speak up. "Can you help me set the table?"
She chuckled nervously. "Sure"
After she left, I sighed. Is there something I'm missing here? Nora seems to lose concentration more often. She also spends her time staring at nothing. "Are you sure she was staring at nothing?" my subconscious mind said. I rolled my eyes. What is she staring at then? "You of course," my subconscious mind said. I batted my lashes. Me?. Why will she want to stare at me? For what reason exactly? "You ask too many questions. You should serve the food"
I rolled my eyes and set to work.
**
I breathed a sigh of relief when the dinner ended. I felt awkward throughout. Nora kept stealing glances at me. Well, it's better I say, we were both stealing glances at each other. My mind kept drifting back to what my subconscious mind said. Can Nora be staring at me as it said? I rolled my eyes. It can't be. I stood up to clear the table. Nora stood up also. As I stretched to pick the plates, our hands touched and I pull my hand back quickly. She pulled back also. "Sorry" she muttered. I sighed but said nothing. "I will just take the plates"
I nodded. I watch her take the plates away. I wanted to go Into the kitchen and help with the dishes but I know, that going there will only create a more awkward atmosphere and I don't want that. I will just go and sit down on the couch while I wait for her to join me.
**
We settled on the couch, with popcorn and ice creams, getting ready to watch our movie. Though Nora isn't saying anything yet, the look on her face made me relax on the couch. At least, it's better than the one in the dining. "Which movie should we start with?" I asked
She rolled her eyes. "Anyone"
I nodded and pick up the remote control. I decided to play the possessor. I noticed she adjusted on the couch a bit. I stood up from the couch. "I think I should off the light"
She mumbled some words but I couldn't hear them. "You don't want me to turn off the light?"
She rolled her eyes. "You can turn it off"
"Are you..."
"I'm sure"
I sighed and switched the light off. I went back to sit down and the movie began. I was expecting her to flinch or something but she never did. I was so engrossed in the movie that I did not notice she had covered up the long space between us. I felt a hand wrapped around my hand, I moved a bit. I wanted to turn but decided against it. Though I'm not comfortable with her being close to me, I don't want her to feel bad. After a while, she dropped her head on my shoulder. I turned slightly to see she was fast asleep. Her ice cream was untouched and so is her popcorn. I chuckled. I lay her down on the couch and stood up to sit on another when she held my hand. I rolled m eyes. "Don't go" she mumbled
I sighed. There is no way I can seat beside her on this couch. I decided to take her into her room. I stopped the movie and lift her. I took her to her room and dropped her on the bed. As I turned to go, she held my hand. This time more tightly. I noticed the sign of dried tears on her face. "Did she cry?" I thought. She must have cried. Why can't she just tell me she isn't the horror movie type? I sighed and sat down beside her. With her hand wrapped around mine, so tightly, I won't be leaving here anytime soon.