In the kitchen, the boys were messing around whilst Raelyn mixed the ingredients.
"Calm down, you two." Raelyn laughed. "Jay, grab me the pan?" She asked, sprinkling chocolate chips into the mix.
Jay nodded and reached up into the cupboard to grab the frying pan. He placed it on the hob. He looked at her face and started to chuckle. "You have mix on your cheek." He stated, he wiped it off with a finger and put it into his mouth. "Mmmm!"
Carlos watched the two as Raelyn smacked Jay in the stomach for startling her. "Can I try some?" He reached over and dipped his finger into the bowl and tried it. "You are a kitchen goddess." He sighed.
Raelyn rolled her eyes. "Like I said, it's just pancakes. I'll cook something proper next time, then you can judge." She added.
"Deal." He smiled.
"Better cook for me too." Jay winked.
"Of course."
"Looks like you're having fun."
The tree turned to see Audrey standing in the doorway.
"We are." Jay stated.
Audrey peeked into the mixing bowl. "Pancakes?"
Raelyn nodded, pouring the mix into the pan. "Got a problem?"
"Oh, no. Was just curious." She gave a fake smile. She went to the fridge and got out a bottle of juice. She sat at the table.
Raelyn took a good look at her face. "Audrey?" Concern was evident in her voice. She didn't like the girl, but seeing her look so down made her want to help.
Audrey met Raelyn's gaze. "What?"
Raelyn sighed. "Would you care for a pancake?" She asked, flipping the one in the pan with skill.
"No, thank you." She replied. "I've learned my lesson, plus I must watch my figure."
Raelyn snorted. "One pancake won't make a difference, and I promise you this isn't poison."
"Yes, these are the pancakes of all pancakes!" Jay stated excitedly.
Audrey hesitated. "Alright, just one. Thank you." She smiled softly.
"Got it." Raelyn returned the smile with a heart stopping one of her own. "Carlos, could you get me more eggs? I think I need to make more batter."
"Yes, ma'am!"
"Give this to Audrey." Raelyn passed a plate to Jay.
"One for the lady." He placed the plate in front of the princess.
"Thanks." She cut the pancake into pieces and tried a bite. "Ooh!" She breathed. "This is amazing."
Jay gave Raelyn the thumbs up. "I think you acquired a new fan." He grabbed the flour from the table. "Here." He placed it next to the mixing bowl.
Raelyn piled the pancakes high in a tub. "I think that's enough, before we run out of ingredients." She looked over to Audrey, who had finished eating. She went over and placed another pancake onto her plate. "Here, you look like you need it." She smiled warmly.
Audrey looked up at the girl. "Why are you being nice to me? You pranked me yesterday." She added.
Raelyn giggled. "That was aimed at Chad. Plus, you weren't exactly pleasant towards me when we first met. Now we're even."
Audrey nodded. "Fair play."
"I also don't like seeing someone so pretty look so sad." She added, sitting in front of her. "What's the matter?"
Audrey blushed at the compliment. "Well… Chad dumped me. For you actually."
"Ugh!" Raelyn gagged. "You needn't worry there, I'm not interested."
"I know, that's why I'm not mad at you." She bit into a piece of pancake. "These are so good, by the way."
"A woman with good taste doesn't need dirt bags like him."
Audrey looked at Raelyn, for the first time, she really looked at her. This girl was both beautiful and kind… and a good cook. "If only I could meet a man with the same personality as you." She smiled shyly.
Raelyn laughed. "Go find him then."
Carlos smiled at the pair.
Jay sniggered. "Rae's got everyone wrapped around her finger now."
Carlos nodded. "She has that air around her that draws people in."
Jay walked over and placed his hands on Raelyn's shoulders. "Are we all friends now? Because Carlos is ready to devour the entire contents of that box."
Raelyn looked at her shoulders to see white hand prints and flour all over her vest. "Jay!" She whined.
"Oops!" He stepped back.
"Oh, that doesn't cover it!" She grabbed a fist full of flour and threw it at his face. "Now we're good."
He laughed and grabbed some, and aimed a throw at her,
She ducked and it landed on Carlos.
Pretty soon the three of them were covered head to toe with white powder.
"Guys!" Audrey couldn't contain her laughter. "You're gonna get us into so much trouble."
They all turned to see her genuinely laughing. It was something none of them had seen before.
"We better scram." Carlos grinned.
Raelyn turned to the princess. "Wanna join us? Just me and my villain kids." She smiled.
Audrey looked to the ground. "I don't want to impose."
"Oh, come on!" Jay grinned.
Audrey sighed. "Alright!" She laughed and ran with them down the corridor.
