As I walked through the crowded hallways, my mind raced with thoughts of Juniper and the strange encounters we'd shared throughout the day. Despite my best efforts to push her out of my mind, her image lingered like a haunting melody, impossible to ignore or forget.
Lost in my thoughts, I barely noticed the group of girls that had gathered in the hallway ahead, their laughter ringing out like a discordant symphony
The realisation hit me like a ton of bricks, the familiar faces of the girls now etched with cruel intent. These were the same ones who had tormented me before, the ones whose words cut deeper than any blade
As I approached the group of girls, their malicious laughter filled the air like poison, seeping into every corner of the hallway. My steps faltered, a knot of dread tightening in my stomach as I realized what was about to happen.
Before I could react, they were upon me, their hands pushing and shoving me with cruel intent. I stumbled backward, the force of their assault catching me off guard. Panic surged through me, threatening to overwhelm my senses as I struggled to maintain my balance.
"Leave her alone!" a voice called out, slicing through the chaos like a ray of light. I glanced up to see Bowie striding towards us, her expression fierce and determined.
But the girls showed no signs of backing down. With a cruel smirk, they redoubled their efforts, their taunts growing louder and more vicious with each passing moment. I could feel the sting of tears welling up in my eyes, the humiliation and fear threatening to consume me.
But just as I was about to crumble beneath the weight of their onslaught, Bowie stepped between us, her presence like a shield against their cruelty. With a swift motion, she pushed the girls away, her movements quick and decisive.
"Back off," she growled, her voice low and dangerous. "She's not worth your time."
The girls recoiled, their confidence faltering in the face of Bowie's fierce resolve. For a moment, there was silence—a tense, charged pause as we stood locked in a battle of wills.
But then, with a final glare, the girls turned and slunk away, their laughter fading into the distance "you got lucky this time nerd". I let out a shaky breath, the tension draining from my body as I realized I was safe, for now.
"Are you okay?" Bowie's voice broke through the silence, filled with concern and compassion. I nodded, unable to find the words to express my gratitude.
"Thanks," I managed to choke out, my voice trembling with emotion.
"Let's get you home." Bowie announces
As we got back, I told Bowie I just wanted too head straight too bed, she didn't contest me for once which I was grateful for.
----------------------------------------------------
The sound of swearing cut through the silence of the house like a knife, jolting me from my sleep-induced stupor. With a groan, I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and dragged myself out of bed, the floor cold against my bare feet as I made my way downstairs.
As I descended into the kitchen, I was met with a chaotic scene—flour scattered across the countertops, eggs cracked haphazardly into a mixing bowl, and Bowie frantically trying to salvage what looked like a half-baked cake from the oven.
"Shit," she muttered under her breath, her brow furrowed in concentration as she wrestled with the oven door.
I couldn't help but stifle a laugh at the sight before me, the absurdity of the situation breaking through the fog of sleep that still clung to my mind. "What are you doing?" I asked, unable to contain my curiosity.
Bowie glanced up at me, a sheepish grin spreading across her face. "Trying to bake," she admitted, her tone laced with embarrassment. "But I think I may have bitten off more than I can chew."
I stepped closer, peering over her shoulder at the charred remains of what was supposed to be a cake. "It certainly looks that way," I remarked, unable to hide the amusement in my voice.
Bowie rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of laughter in her gaze. "Yeah, well, it's the thought that counts, right?" she quipped, trying to salvage what she could from the mess before her.
"what are you doing this all for me" I question.
Bowie's cheeks flushed slightly, a rare moment of vulnerability flickering across her usually composed demeanour. "No, it's not just for you," she replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I mean, yes, I wanted to do something nice, but... I also wanted to try my hand at baking. It's not like I do this every day."
I arched an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "Sure, sure," I teased, unable to resist poking fun at her sudden bout of clumsiness. "I'll believe that when I see it."
Bowie huffed indignantly, but there was a twinkle of amusement in her eyes. "Fine, don't believe me," she retorted, her tone playful. "But just you wait, this cake is going to be a masterpiece."
"You know, I think you're doing it all wrong," I teased, my voice softening as I stepped closer to her, our proximity suddenly feeling charged with an unspoken tension. "Maybe you should let the expert take over."
Bowie glanced up at me, her gaze locking with mine in a moment of shared understanding. "Oh, really?" she replied, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. "And I suppose you're the expert now, are you?"
I shrugged playfully, a nervous flutter stirring in my chest at the sight of her smile. "Well, I did watch a lot of baking shows," I joked, my heart pounding in my ears as I dared to meet her gaze.
To my surprise, Bowie chuckled softly, the sound like music to my ears. "Alright, Miss Baker Extraordinaire," she said, gesturing towards the mixing bowl with a playful twinkle in her eye. "Show me what you've got."
As I rolled up my sleeves and dove into the task at hand, I couldn't shake the feeling of warmth that spread through me at Bowie's side. With each shared laugh and exchanged glance, the air between us seemed to crackle with a newfound electricity—a tangible connection that defied explanation.
Together, we blended ingredients, cracked eggs, and folded batter with a synchronicity that felt strangely intimate. Our hands brushed against each other's in the small confines of the kitchen, sending sparks of awareness dancing along my skin.
As we worked side by side, I found myself stealing glances at Bowie, admiring the way her eyes sparkled with determination and her lips curved into a smile. In that moment, she seemed so alive, so vibrant, so... breathtakingly beautiful.
It was as if time stood still as we lost ourselves in the simple pleasure of baking together, the boundaries between us melting away with each shared moment. And as the scent of freshly baked cake filled the air, I couldn't help but feel a swell of emotion rising within me—a longing, a yearning, a desire that I couldn't quite name.
Bowie's suggestion caught me off guard, sending a jolt of nerves coursing through my veins at the mere mention of Juniper's name. "I... I don't know," I stammered, my voice wavering with uncertainty. "I mean, what if she doesn't want any?"
Bowie shot me a knowing glance, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Trust me, Wren," she replied, her tone laced with confidence. "A homemade treat is the perfect way to win someone over. Besides, who could resist your baking prowess?"
Despite my lingering doubts, I couldn't ignore the spark of hope that flickered to life within me at Bowie's words. Maybe, just maybe, this could be my chance to show Juniper how much she meant to me—to offer her a taste of my affection in the form of a sweet treat.
With a determined nod, I sliced a generous portion of the cake and carefully arranged it on a small plate, my hands trembling with nervous anticipation. "Okay," I said, steeling myself for what lay ahead. "Let's do this."
