TIME Academy

Chapter 24: Ride and Dinner

~*Katara*~

He had a motorcycle. A MOTORCYCLE. And I was riding it! I couldn’t believe this was happening! My parents would kill me for doing it, but that what made it even more fun! Could Hei get anymore amazing? I was so happy, I was almost disappointed when we got to the house. “Can’t we just, ride around more?” I asked as I slipped off and pulled the helmet off my head.

“I-I would. But, it’s rare I’m e-ever allowed t-to ride. I’m nor going to p-push my luck.” Hei answered, wheeling the bike into the garage and putting a cover over it. He yanked off his helmet and I giggled at his helmet hair. He quickly smoothed it down. “F-Follow me.” He said and we both went into the house. It was quaint in the best way. Nice and cozy. I looked at the clock and on cue my stomach growled. “A-Are you hungry?” He asked. I chuckled a bit.

“Yeah…” I answered. He led me to what I assumed was his bedroom.

“You c-can put your stuff h-here. W-What would you like t-to eat?” He asked. I put my bag down and stretched.

“I’m not sure, that’s alright, you don’t have to make anything.” My stomach made itself known again and I sighed.

“It’s o-ok, I’ll make something s-simple.” Hei said and then went to the kitchen. I followed, looking around at the décor, which wasn’t much. It was very clean and simple.

“I’m not picky. I don’t think I ever told you, but I’m bad at cooking.” I said.

“T-That’s ok. You don’t h-have to be good at e-everything. Everyone h-has their faults.” Hei said, getting out a few pots and pans, as well as food from the freezer and cupboards.

“What are you making?” I asked, curious.

“Food.” He said.

“Oh ha ha ha.” I smiled and laughed for real.

“You’ll like it.” I saw a small smile on the corner of his mouth and I nodded. For the next hour I watched him cook. Not creepily, but I learned a few things, and he looked at ease with all that he was doing. Once he was done, before me was nothing short of a feast.

“Hei…” I was flabbergasted.

“Eat up.” He told me, setting a plate and silverware in front of me.

“I don’t even know where to start.” I said. I glanced at the salad, and the garlic bread, the steak and potatoes, parmesan noodles and glazed carrots, beans, and corn. An hour, and all of this stuff had been made. “This is amazing.” I told him.

“I-It’s nothing really.” He said. So humble.

“If this is simple, Thanksgiving might just kill me.” I took some salad and began with that.

“D-Dan a-always makes sure I d-don’t go overboard.” He said and I leaned my head on my arm as I ate.

“Oh no please go overboard that’s quite alright.” I chuckled and saw him rub his arm a little.

“I-It’s kind of embarrassing.” He said. I finished my salad and started in on the rest of dinner.

“How so?” I asked him. He was actually talking to me, and it was just us. This felt really nice.

“I-It’s not something I really tell people.” He explained.

“I think it’s really interesting. And you’re really good at it.” I said.

“T-Thank you.” He nodded. We ate dinner without incident and I helped him clean up and put leftovers in the fridge and left some in the microwave for Doc for when he got back.

“Im going t-to take a s-shower.” Hei told me then gathered some clothes and went to the bathroom. I pulled out my favorite pillow from my bag and threw it on the left side of the bed. I sat there and waited for Hei to come out, and when he did, I asked if I could take a shower next. “We wouldn’t l-let you stay h-here for a week w-without showering.” Hei said with a little smile.

“I hope not!” I laughed and went to the bathroom and shut the door. Showers without flip flops were the best things ever! Then I realized I left my clothes in my bag. I sighed and wrapped myself in a towel and went into Hei’s bedroom. “Sorry, forgot my clothes.” I apologized. Hei glanced over and his face instantly got red as a tomato.

“I-I-I’ll leave.” He jumped up and ran out of the room, shutting it behind him.