The next day after a breakfast of just a simple glass of milk, Genichiro decided if Rowen was old enough to walk to school then he was old enough to walk to the library.
It would be the same thing as yesterday.
He was to go strictly to the library and stay there until closing.
When the library he was to come straight home.
Eager to see his friend again, Rowen waited until the house was out of sight and ran the rest of the way to the library.
He got there a few minutes after the library had opened to the public and headed to the reading room.
Wondering if Serenity was already there, he went to the corner where they had hidden the day before, but she wasn't there.
Feeling disappointed, Rowen went and dragged another bean bag and placed it in the corner before setting out in search of some books.
Wanting to surprise his friend, he went and got enough that would last them awhile.
Searching through the shelf's he selected a wide variety of books. He figured that if they didn't like what he picked out then they could try again.
With his arms full of books, Rowen headed back to the corner.
Going around the shelf he saw Serenity already there. She must have just arrived as she was setting her backpack down.
"You came" Rowen said sounding delighted and at the same time amazed that she had kept her word and returned.
Serenity gave him a smile "Hi ya Ro!" She looked at the stack of books in his arms and the smile left her face. For a moment Rowen was worried that perhaps he should have waited for her and then they could have gotten their books together, but Serenity sat down on the bean bag and was going through her backpack.
"What time did you get here?" she asked not looking up as she still was searching through her stuff
Rowen set the books down by her feet and sat next to her "I got here when the library opened" he told her quietly "If you wanted to go with me and look for books I'm sorry" he sounded so sad that Serenity stopped what she was doing and looked up at him.
"It's okay Ro. I don't mind" she told him with a worried look on her face "I'll be here tomorrow when the library opens as well. I was just trying to um well….." she went back to her searching "Did you eat anything for breakfast?" she asked him quietly
Rowen shook his head "All I had was a glass of sour milk. Last night for dinner all I had was a glass of milk that had been sitting out and some bread with mustard" he sighed "I'm not complaining" he said quickly "At least it was better than what my Father has been feeding me"
Serenity found what she had been looking for and took a paper bag out of her backpack. She looked around and handed it to Rowen.
"It's not much, as we're indoors and not supposed to eat, but I hope it's better than what you had.
Rowen took the paper bag and reached inside. He felt something warm and pulled out something that was wrapped in paper towels.
Unwrapping it he could smell cinnamon and his mouth watered. He put the towel in his lap and stared down at his lap.
It was a round shape that was puffy and he could see swirls on cinnamon and raisins. Picking it up he took a small bit.
As he chewed his eyes grew wide with happiness and he took a bigger bite.
Serenity had been watching him with worried eyes and seeing Rowen's reaction, she covered her mouth and giggled
"Haven't you ever eaten a cinnamon roll before?' she asked as she handed him a bottle of water.
Shaking his head no, Rowen finished his breakfast and licked his fingers before taking a drink of water
"That's the best breakfast, I've ever had in my life" he told her.
Sarah had never been one to bake treats and goodies. She preferred to buy premade sweets and while they were good, it just seemed to be lacking something.
"Your dad is a good baker" Rowen told Serenity and was surprised when she laughed
"I made those myself" she told him giggling as he stood up "What's wrong?' she asked suddenly alarmed
Rowen shook his head "Nothing I just need to wash my hands" he told her and left quickly
Sighing and feelings hurt Serenity gathered up the trash and packed it away.
While washing his hands Rowen thought back to what she had said "I made them myself"
He wondered if he had hurt her feelings by disappearing quickly, but he didn't like having his hands dirty and also Genichiro had beaten him enough times for getting the slightest bit dirty, so he had to get them clean. He hoped that she would still be there when he returned so he could explain this to her.
Returning he found Serenity sitting there with a book in her lap unopened. He noticed it was in Japanese and felt bad for grabbing it by mistake.
Sitting next to her he touched her shoulder and she looked up at him.
He could see the hurt in her eyes and felt bad, but at least she had stayed and wasn't crying.
"I'm sorry for taking off like that" he told her "I well you see, my Father, kinda well gets upset if I get dirty"
Serenity sighed in relief "I thought maybe you didn't like them because I made them and not my dad" she told him giving him a smile.
Shaking his head, Rowen spoke running a hand through this hair "I just can't get over how someone our age can cook and bake. My mom was an adult and all she could do was cook. I suppose my Father can cook, but I wouldn't know as I've never eaten his cooking before"
"I've been cooking and baking since I could read" Serenity told him "My dad said if you can read then you can cook. I like to cook and bake. It's fun"
Rowen sat next to her "I can read, but I can't cook" he said shaking his head
"I can teach toy if you want" Serenity offered as Rowen picked up a book of his own and watched she he turned it to the first page
"No. My Father would never allow me to cook. He likes to make me suffer" Rowen said as he stared at his book.
They say in silence for a while. Rowen reading his book and Serenity staring at the first page of hers.
He kept glancing at her to see if she could even read Japanese as she had told him that her Japanese wasn't that good.
Serenity never turned the page and Rowen began to wonder if she was to embarrassed to put the book down and select another.
Finally he spoke "You don't have to read that if you don't want to" he told her once he had finished his book.
She looked at him and they book he had finished then her cheeks went pink and she hung her head so he couldn't see her tears
"I'm trying to read it so we can trade, just like we did yesterday" she told him fighting the urge to cry.
Rowen hesitated for a few moments and then put an arm around her shoulders "I'll teach you to read Japanese" he whispered in her ear "I'll even help you learn to speak it better okay? Just dry you eyes and everything will be okay"
Serenity wiped her tears away with the sleeve of her sweater
"Really?" she asked in a small voice
"Really" Rowen told her as he took the book from her.
Putting a finger under each character Rowen told her what is was and had her repeat it after him. He spoke slowly pronouncing each word carefully and corrected her if she made a mistake.
They continued the lesson until it was time for lunch.
Serenity persuaded Rowen to join her, but again he refused saying he had to stay inside.
This time Serenity would not take no for an answer and pulled Rowen to his feet.
Amazed that she could even do this as she only came up to his shoulder, he gave in and followed her.
Bypassing the front doors Serenity led Rowen to a side door and pulled him outside with her.
Shutting his eyes Rowen was sure that Serenity had led him outdoors for the world to see. However when he didn't hear any traffic, he slowly opened one eye and then another and his eyes went wide as he took in the sight where he had taken him.
