TEN

He could still remember how he had reacted when she had first purchased the boom box early that week. He had been sleeping when the loud music woke him up. Angrily, he had stormed to her house,  only to say the direct opposite of what he had planned to say.

He was still paying for what he had said that day; she had made it a must to play music at least thrice a day and he couldn't complain for he had said he loved it. 

Walking up the stairs to freshen up, he resolved to treat himself a very delicious meal; he sure deserved it. Besides, it had been quite a while he cooked; he had lived on junk.

Water dripped from his hair as he put on his night wear and headed to the kitchen.  He opened his cupboard to see what he had. Sighing heavily, he picked the last flour he had, settling to make some pancakes.

He sure would have to do the shopping he had been postponing for a while now lest he died of hunger.  He wished he didn't have to shop for groceries.  

Halfway through the preparation,  a knock came in and he smiled; he had expected it. It was funny how he had a visitor every day unlike how his life had been a month back.

He knew Maeve would come for him immediately she discovered he was back from work.  She had been doing so through out the week and he couldn't blame her; he knew just how much joblessness could push a person. He had been there once.  

Maeve stomped in immediately the door was opened for her. She assessed the young man who stood beside her, clothed in a funny looking yet cute apron, flour staining his cheek and apron. She stifled a laugh.

"What are you doing?" 

"Pancakes." He shrugged. 

"I guess pancake is making you." She remarked and he raised his brow in confusion. 

"Huh?"

She rolled her eyes at him and moved to the kitchen which was quite a mess. She sat on one of the stools as she watched him make the snack. 

"You couldn't stop by when you came." She began and he shrugged once again.

"Didn't want to disturb.  You seem to enjoy yourself."

 "I was bored as fuck." Maeve chuckled and Drake joined her. 

"I understand." He glanced at her with a smile on his face. 

"How was work?" He watched her tug at a strand of hair, a deep frown etched on her face as she concentrated on pulling the small plank that had found its way to her head.

Surprisingly, he found that attractive and so could not take his eyes off her until she looked up at him with a raised brow.

He quickly turned his gaze to the pancakes which were almost burnt and brought them out of the hot cooking oil, placing them on a plate. 

"How was work?" She reiterated and he shrugged. 

"Fine?" He dished the meal into two plates and took a pack of juice from the fridge. He didn't have enough yet he felt nothing but joy to share with her. How insane! 

"Just fine?" Maeve watched him pour the juice content into two glasses and tossed her one with her plate of pancakes.

"I just ate." She informed.

"Oh! I - "

"But I'm not satisfied." She grinned and he snorted.  

He settled on the next stool beside her, eating carefully as his mind wandered to her question.  How exactly was work? Horrendous!

"There is a party tomorrow, right?" 

Drake nearly choked on his juice when he heard that. He turned to look at her; she was watching him. 

"How did you know that?" He couldn't help but ask. He had tried to keep this away from her for he knew she would definitely like to attend and he wasn't ready to drive her there. He wasn't ready to show his face at that arena. 

"Nala said that the last time she came, remember?"

He would have corrected her had he not been tensed but right now, he could only focus on his beating heart as he stared at his food.

"Well, I am not going."

"Why?" 

"I've told you before. I don't like parties."

"Have you tried attending one?" She pursued and he felt faint. He wished she would let him be.

"You'll love it, Drake. Come with me. I was alone last time at the bar. I don't want to be lonely tomorrow." 

"Then don't go." He flatly stated.

"Come on! Then what will I do at home?"

"Erm . . ."Drake sought for what to say. "Watch a movie.  You love the movies I gave you. I have more and I promise you'd love them too."   He shoved some food into his mouth though he had lost his appetite.  

He looked at her with an ounce of hope when she didn't reply but the look on her face told him she didn't buy the idea.

"Remember you spoke about not judging a book by its cover? Remember I decided to try your movies even when I didn't want to.  It's your turn now." She blustered and he couldn't help but bury his face in his palms. She was using his words against him. 

"I can't." He whispered. 

"You can and you will." She smiled at him, humming a happy tune as she fed on her food.

Drake on the other hand didn't share such enthusiasm with her. He wished she could see from his face that he didn't like this at all. How would he act in the party?

He would have to face his colleagues again - people he was glad not to see for the next two days. He disposed the remaining pancakes into the trashcan in annoyance and dumped his plate into the sink.  

Maeve watched him. She knew he didn't like the idea and she couldn't understand why she wanted him there.  

There was something comforting about his presence; it felt like he was the only one she could trust  - though she would never admit that to him. Perhaps,  she was being selfish, forcing him to do what he didn't want to.