Chapter 34 - The Royal Dinner

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

---Thank you to anyone who Reads, Votes, Shares or Comments. It makes my day! ---

After we calmed our excessive laughter, we sat on a stone wall next to the sidewalk.

"Well that was fun." Gale said grinning widely.

"Totally!" I chuckled.

"Dude your soccer skills are pro!" He praised with excitement. 

"T-Thanks." I fluster, shyly rubbing my head. A little while later he stood from the wall, stretching a hand in my direction. He helped me stand from the short wall. He was being surprisingly friendly. It made me happy.

"Alright, well I should be heading home." He announced, stretching his arms to the air. I was about to wave him off but remembered something.

"Shoot, I think I left my groceries at your place." I say in shock.

"Oh, I didn't know you had brought those." He responded shrugging. "Whatever. Lets get going then."

We walked down the street towards his house. The sun had progressed in the sky quite a bit already. We spent over four hours together today. It was a lot of fun hanging out with him. I couldn't have imagined things would turn out this way.

"T-thanks for today..." I say looking up to Gale, whom is walking beside me.  He raised a brow. "You uh, comforted me through my little episode, and bought ice cream when you didn't have to."

"I've never done anything like this before." I add. He looked at me, with pain showing in his eyes.

"I suppose that's partially my fault." He sighed.

"No! I didn't... mean it like that..." Though I suppose he had a point. Everyone avoided me like the plague cause of Liam and his friends.

"I had a ton of fun. It felt as if I was hanging out with a... a friend." I blurt out. The air went silent.

"L-Look, can we start over?" He asks a bit embarrassed. "I know I have no right asking this, but I'm truly sorry for what I did to you. I was being ignorant..."

"It's okay. I forgive you, as long as you don't kick meals out of my body." I tease. He chuckled but was still showing pain.

"Like, can we be friends, or something?" He asked with his embarrassment growing. He was quite nervous. My eyes lit up.

"Y-Yeah! That would be great!" I accept cheerfully, surprised by his question. I didn't expect him to be the one who asked. A smile quickly grew across his face.

We continued down the street to his house. We made it to the wonderful Knightstorm yard, and up the steps. Gale walked through the front door, motioning me in.

"Oh, Gale, you're back!" Clare spots him walking in. 

"Oh, and your little 'acquaintance' too." She puts quotes on acquaintance.

"Friend." Gale corrects, looking back at me with a smile.

"Gale!" Clare shouted in frustration. "Make up your mind already!"

We both burst into laughter at her response.

"Ah, I just came to collect my groceries." I say wiping a tear from my eye.

"Why don't you stay for dinner?" Clare suggests. I had no objections, I wasn't sure if Gale felt the same though so I shot him a questioning look.

"Yeah that would be cool." Gale says simply.

"You rascals find something to do with yourselves. It'll be awhile before me and Nova cook something up." She orders. So they cook together? That's actually very cool.

"Follow me." Gale says heading to the clear glass door at the back of their home. I follow as he told. We made our way through the door and appeared on a porch, well more like a lounge area. Gale hopped on one of the many chairs that were lined up. He let out a sigh of relief. I hesitantly sat on a chair, not sure if they would mind. 

"Relax..." Gale sighed, noticing my tensity. 

 "S-Sorry. I wasn't sure if I was allowed to sit." I apologize. He just rolled his eyes. I listened to what he said and relaxed. I stretched in the lounge and chair watched the setting sun. I look over to Gale and spot him on his phone. I wasn't much of a phone person but I did own one. I'd just rather watch the sunset. 

About an hour later the glass door slid open. I jerked my head to see who it was.

"Gale can you keep an eye on the food? Me and Nova are heading out for a bit." Clare asked.

"Mmm." He responded, not taking his eyes off the phone.

"Alright, well see you boys soon." She said before leaving the doorway. I heard the car start up, and drive off. Some time passed, Gale hadn't moved in inch since Clare asked him to watch the food. He looked lost in the phone, so I decide to check the food myself.

"I'll be right back." I tell Gale, heading inside. He didn't respond. I looked around a minute for the kitchen. I saw a pot on top of the stove turned on low. Vegetables and ground beef were simmering inside. I pick up a wooden spoon from the counter, and stir gently. They were sticking to the pot, thankfully I made it just in time. I notice another pot, but with boiling water. I spooned out a tiny sip to see if it was salted, It wasn't. I would finish the dinner but don't want to intrude. So instead I continuously stir the contents of the pot, hoping Clare and Nova would return soon. Around twenty minutes the veggies and beef were fully cooked, so I turned off the burner. The water was still pointlessly boiling though, I didn't know what to do with it.

"What the heck are you doing in here?" The sound of Gale's voice made me jump. I shop my head towards him.

"You scared me." I sigh, holding my chest. "I was watching the food."

"...O-oh, I forgot about it. Thanks." He says in relief.

"You cook right?" He asks tilting his head slightly. I simply nod.

"Why don't you finish dinner?" He says with a devious grin at his face.

"I uh... I don't know." I reply, nervous. "I don't want to mess anything up."

"Oh come on!" He pesters.

"...F-Fine. Only if you help me though." I shyly demand. He raised a brow.

"What would Clare usually put in this pot?" I ask pointing towards the boiling water.

"Hmm. The only thing she'd boil in a pot like that is rice." He replies. Ah, okay... I'm pretty good with rice.

"So, I-Is it really okay if I finish up the dinner?" I ask, nervous.

"Sure, go to town with it, I'm sure Nova and Clare would like it, plus they're already running pretty late." He states.

We talked in the kitchen while I finished up what seemed to be sloppy joe. The kitchen smelled wonderful. The spices they have here are so amazing, and exotic.

Moments later we heard a car pull in. It seemed they had returned. The door popped open and in came a chatting Nova and Clare. When they made it half way through the living room they paused, then quietly walked over to the kitchen.

"What's going on in here." Clare gasped. Her sudden voice made my soul extract its self from my body. I was so nervous they'd be upset with me.

"Hey mom, hey dad. Harvey and I are just finishing up dinner." Gale shrugged.

"Oh my, you boys didn't have to do that!" She said eagerly making her way further into the kitchen.

"Uh, yeah actually, we did." Gale said, rolling his eyes.

"I'm sorry, me and Nova got a little wrapped up. We were out buying wine when we spotted an old friend. We chatted a little too long." Clare apologized and giggled.

"It smells really good in here, everywhere actually!" Nova said in shock. "Are you some kind of master chef Harvey boy?"

"We'll see soon enough." Gale teased, poking my shoulder. I just smiled at them.

"Do you need us to take over?" Clare questioned.

"Its okay, we've got this, right?" I now send a question Gales way.

"Sure." Was all he said hopping onto a counter. Ten minutes later everything seemed to be ready.

"I finished the dinner." I announce to Clare in the living room. She was listening to the radio. How old school.

"Oh goody!" She hops up from the couch. "Gale bring the pots to the table."

"Sure mom." He did as she said and set the tables with pots. She brought four plates from the kitchen and scooped the food out onto all of them. Its strange how family dinners differ from household to household.

Nova came from outside and looked overjoyed that dinner was waiting for him on the table.

"Perfect timing, I was just about to call you." Clare said walking over to her seat.

"This looks very expensive." Nova complimented.

"Lets eat!" Gale rushed. We all scooped our first bite at the same time.

"Oh my goodness, this is far better than my recipe!" Clare said, quickly going in for another bite. 

"I guess you guys are professional chefs!" Nova said in awe.

"It was mostly Harvey." Gale said quickly shrugging.

"You helped me a lot though Gale!" I reassured him.

"All I did was hand you the ingredients you asked for." He said with a little chuckle.

"We could hire you as our personal chef." Nova joked, like he was some kind of king. I flustered from all of the attention I was receiving. I hardly knew these people, yet they were so nice. I looked at the clock right when we were done eating. Its seven-ten. I had to get going before it got too dark out.

"Thanks for today. I had a lot of fun." I say to them. "Its getting late so I should probably head home."

"Aww okay. Do you need a lift?" Clare asks.

"Nah, my house is only about a mile away. I'll walk." I inform.

"Oh... Well okay then. Bye angel." She said waving her fingers. Gale and Nova looked a bit confused by the nickname, I obviously blushed. I picked up the bags of groceries that I'd placed on the floor earlier today. I spotted Shoeske making his way to me as I was leaving. It was a real shame I didn't see him more often today. Gale stood at the doorway as I made my way down the steps.

"You have to come over again sometime." He said, giving me a slight smile.

"A-Are you sure?" I ask not knowing if he really meant it.

"Of course, ya dummy." He said, in an obvious tone. A smile grew at my face. I was happy I'd get to experience another day like this. I waved to Gale and began walking down the street. This was one of the best days I've ever had. The day Liam and I kissed had to take the cake though. My thoughts suddenly now on Liam. I would make sure to win this match. It doesn't matter who Zeal bring to the field, I'll crush them... for Liam's sake.

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net