Speak | Book One of the Gem Series (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter Thirty-Pancakes

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Ben

I had just finished my meal when there was a knock on the door. Wiping my mouth, I opened the door to be greeted by a stranger. I tensed, but relaxed when I saw Miri standing beside him, dripping wet from the rain.

"Where's Jenna?" I asked, but then I saw a head with golden hair behind the strange boy.

Jenna peeked out from behind the boy and waved, smiling. She tapped the boy's shoulder and pointed downwards. He nodded, then crouched down onto one knee. She climbed off and her hands did some motions.

"She said 'Thank you'." Miri translates.

I look at her in surprise. "When did you start reading sign language?"

Miri shrugs. "For a while now."

Jenna starts to walk towards me but then she stumbled and started to fall. If I hadn't caught her, she would have face-planted onto the ground.

"What happened?" I asked, trying to keep calm, but even I could hear the worry creeping in my voice. When no one answered, I asked again, louder this time. "What happened?"

"Relax." Miri answered. "Just some cat that scratched her on her leg." But her smile is gone.

I looked at Jenna's legs, and noticed there was a white bandage wrapped tightly against her right leg, blood staining the cloth.

Oh god.

I gently lifted her up, slung her over my shoulder, walked inside, and set her down on the bed where she had slept before. "Jen-" I started, but then realized that Jenna's asleep. She looked so calm, so...peaceful, as if her leg isn't bleeding.

I thought back to this morning, when she gave me her hug. That seemed like a long time ago. Tucking the blankets underneath her chin, I couldn't help but smile as she hugged a part of the blanket like a teddy bear. I considered giving her a hug, but it's going to be difficult if I do. So, I did something else that came to my mind.

I quickly checked no one is here and watching, then planted a kiss on her forehead.

I heard clapping.

I turned around to see Carol grinning at me from her corner of the room, completely camouflaged in the shadows except for her now clapping hands.

"It's about time you make a move Ben." Carol's grin was unnerving.

I feel my cheeks heating up. "Don't tell her, alright Carol?"

"Okay." She grinned.

***

I woke, did my morning routine, then went to the kitchen to make breakfast. Miri and Carol were talking at the breakfast table, four plates piled with pancakes.

"What's this?" I asked.

Miri's eyes glinted in an evil way. "We're celebrating you on making your first move."

I felt myself turning red again. "Don't-"

"Tell Jenna." Miri finished. "Carol told me. I won't tell."

I relaxed. "Good."

"Maybe." Miri said. I shot a frown in her direction. "Just kidding." She quickly added.

And with that, we ate our pancakes.

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