#Chapter 42: Decisions

Despite the smile on his face, that sentence alone produced a certain edge to his voice. “Oh, those rumors!” I placed my hands on my cheeks, hoping my cool hands would thaw them somewhat. Alex was still towering over me, closer than before. “Yeah, don’t pay any attention to those.” He laughed. “Oh, believe me. I don’t. I’m past my juvenile years.” The next morning, I woke to the scent of batter and cinnamon drifting through the air. I lifted my head and peeked my eyes open to see the time on my digital clock. It was only nine, but it felt like I’d slept for ages in such a comfortable bed. I was almost too reluctant to slide out of it and put on my slippers, but I wasn’t so prepared to sleep the day away when breakfast was waiting in the other room. With a yawn, I shuffled out of the room and into the kitchen where Aria was flipping pancakes on a skillet. She noticed me after a few seconds and gave me a tired smile. “Morning!” “A working stove?” I smiled and drifted