Paradise
By: Mew Ami
Beta Reader: Miakemi
Chapter Four: Questions
Iris
Iris woke up from her nap. She sat up and rubbed her eyes. This time she remembered she was on the surface. She got out of bed and decided to put on her new clothes. Iris then left her room and headed downstairs. She still walked down the steps slowly. Just in case. Iris didn't trust her balance.
When she got downstairs, she saw no signs of Gabriel. Iris walked into the kitchen and noticed a note was on a fridge. She grabbed it and read it. Gabriel went down to the beach. She put the note down on the counter. Now what? She had no clue when he would get back. And she didn't want to sit around here. Iris decided to go down to the beach herself. She walked over to the back door and opened it. Iris walked out and closed the door behind her.
Once outside she noticed a pool of water. It was huge and the water looked crystal cleared. She walked over to it out of curiosity. Iris bent down to examine it. She noticed a weird looking board at one end of the pool and steps that went into the pool on the other side. She stuck her hand in the water and it didn't feel salty. It had a strange odor to it. So, humans created pools of water? It didn't look natural. She guessed it was for swimming. She quickly stood up and headed to the beach. She had to avoid that pool of water at all costs. If she fell in her secret would be out.
Iris made it to the beach and glanced around. She saw no signs of Gabriel. She wondered if he was hanging out in that cove from yesterday. Iris was debating whether to look for him. He probably wanted some alone time. They were together all day after all. Also, she could use this time to swim a bit. She did miss the feel of the water. Now she just needed to find an area on the beach where she would be alone.
As she walked down the beach the crowds were getting thinner. She eventually found a spot with no people in sight. Iris grinned. Time to swim! Just as she was pulling her shirt off, Iris heard sounds of laughter. She quickly pulled her shirt back down. She turned around and saw two boys on their bikes. They whizzed past her and then she saw a little girl who was trailing behind them on foot. She was running as fast as she could.
Iris sighed. Humans came down this far? There were no houses around this area. Those children were probably disobeying their parents. They would probably come back this way. Great. Now she couldn't swim. She would have to go down further.
Iris knew a spot that wouldn't have any humans, but she would have to climb over rocks to get there. She didn't feel comfortable about that. So, Iris just took off her sandals and held them in her hands. She walked into the water and walked along the shore. The sea water felt refreshing. She splashed some water up by kicking the water with her foot.
"How odd," said a high-pitched voice.
Iris stopped and turned around and saw a seagull standing there. She frowned. She could still talk to animals while she was human? Well technically she was still a mermaid. "What's odd?"
"You," the bird replied. He started to pick at his feather.
How rude! She looked offended.
He then looked back up at her and continued. "A mermaid on land. Very odd indeed."
"Stop saying that!"
"Iris?" Said a voice.
She jumped and turned to the left. Iris saw Gabriel standing there. He had his sketchbook in his hands. She gave him a nervous smile. "Hey, Gabriel."
"Were you just talking to that seagull?"
"What? Pfft! No! Birds can't talk!" She was trying to keep cool. Iris swung her arms back behind her back. "Don't be silly!"
"But you were yelling at it."
Iris broke into a nervous laughter and waved her right hand. "Because it was annoying me with its bird chatter. I was just telling it to shut up."
Gabriel looked skeptical. "I see..."
"So what you been up to?" She asked him quickly to change the subject.
"I was drawing," he said with a shrug. "Then these kids showed up and started to play in the water."
"I just saw a group of kids. Two boys and a girl?" Iris looked relieved. Her tactic worked.
"Yes. They were loud and obnoxious."
Iris gave him a sympathetic look. "Did you at least get to finish your drawing?"
"No and I was working on some designs. I'm going to go to a different spot. Would you like to join me?"
"Sure."
"Alright. Follow me. On the other end of the beach is a small cove. I should have just gone there in the first place."
The small cove! Of course! It was far enough down the beach that humans were seldom seen. It was easy to get to on foot. Gabriel walked off and Iris walked alongside him. It took them about 20 minutes to reach the small cove. When they arrived, Gabriel started to climb up the rocks.
Iris just stared at them. She wanted to go up there, but she was afraid she'd hurt herself.
"Do you need help?" He asked her.
She looked up and saw him sitting on the top. He was a fast climber. Iris nodded her head. "I'm not good at climbing."
He stared at her.
"What?"
"Nothing," said Gabriel. He scooted down the rocks and held out his hand. Iris grabbed it and held it tight.
She placed her right foot on the first rock. Then with her free hand she held on to a rock that was above her. Gabriel pulled her up which guided her as she climbed. Iris could feel butterflies in her stomach. Something could go wrong, but at least there wasn't water down below. She told herself to stay calm. She was almost to the top, but suddenly both her feet slipped and she felt herself falling downward. Gabriel quickly grabbed her other hand and pulled her up to the top.
"You okay?" He asked her.
She nodded her head and sat down on the rock they climbed on. Out of habit, she was sitting like a mermaid. "Yes. I guess I'm clumsy." She laughed sheepishly and tucked some hair behind her right ear.
He stared at her.
"What?"
He just shook his head and opened up his sketchbook. He pulled his pencil out of the binding and got to work.
Iris stared at her hands. Was she acting suspicious? No. How was being clumsy suspicious? Humans got hurt on the beach while doing something stupid all the time. Iris looked back at him. Change the topic! "Can I see your designs?"
"When I'm finished," he replied without looking up.
She didn't say anything and turned around to face the sea. The view was lovely up here. In the distance, she could see dolphins playing in the water. She watched them for a bit. It always amused her that humans were in love with dolphins while her people found them annoying.
When the dolphins swam away, Iris noticed something strange. Something was poking out of the water. She squinted her eyes and was able to make out that it was a person's head. Oh no! Was someone drowning out there!? That area was too deep for a human to swim! What should she do!? Then the head disappeared and she noticed a green fin sticking out before it disappeared as well. Oh, it was just a merperson.
Wait, a merperson!? Oh no! If they were able to recognize her from that distance, they would probably report to her father! Then he would use his magic to turn himself human and drag her back home.
Suddenly, Iris felt something hit the side of her head. She placed her hand over the spot that was hit. She glanced down and saw a pebble. She picked it up and examined it. How did she get hit by this? She glanced back at Gabriel, who was deep into his work. She frowned. Then she felt another pebble hit her head. This time she crawled to the edge of the rock and glanced down into the cove. There, she saw Élise poking her head out of the water. She motioned her to follow her and pointed in the direction to go in. She then went back underwater.
Iris glanced back at Gabriel. He was still oblivious to everything. She cleared her throat. "Gabriel."
"Yes?" He replied without looking up from his sketchbook.
"I'm going to take a walk."
"Do you need help getting down?" He asked her and finally looked up from his work.
Getting down should be easy, right? She didn't want to be a bother. She shook her head. "No. I've got this." She crawled over to the other side and started to slowly climb down. She paid closed attention to her footing. Luckily, she made it to the bottom without any problem. She glanced up and saw Gabriel staring at her. She smiled. Was he worried about her?
"I'll be back in a bit," she said.
He just nodded his head and then vanished behind the rocks.
Iris walked around the cove and went along the shore. She kept walking until she spotted her sister sitting on the shore. Iris walked over to her and squatted down next to her. She didn't want to get her clothes wet.
"Iris," said her sister with a look of relief on her face. "I'm so glad you're alright! Everyone is worried about you! Papa has the guards looking for you!"
Iris bit her lip.
"How are you a human?" Élise was staring at her legs.
"Fu helped me run away," Iris replied. "I'm still a mermaid. I just magically gain legs when my body dries out."
"Fu!? You went to that old hermit?" Élise said in shock.
"Technically, no. I saved him from a shark."
"A shark!?"
"Would you please calm down? I'm fine and that's all that matters. Now please promise me you won't tell Papa and Mama."
"And why not?" Her sister crossed her arms.
"Because this is my home now," said Iris. She felt her legs shaking so she stood up.
"Iris, you don't belong here!" Élise gave her sister a look of disapproval.
"I don't care. I'm not marrying someone I don't know."
"Piero, isn't that bad. He's nice and he's worried about you."
"Hpmg." Iris frowned. "He only likes me for my looks. It's probably why he picked me over you. You saw the way he was staring at me. I'm just a prize."
"Do you really want to live here?"
"Yes."
"How are you going to make a living?" She paused. "I saw a man with you. Who is he? Does he know you're a mermaid?"
"No he doesn't and his name is Gabriel. I think he's the same age as me. I'm currently staying with him."
"What!? But you don't know him!" Élise's tailed splashed around in the water.
"I know, but he's really kind. I told him I was a shipwreck victim and he said I could stay with him until I sort things out." Iris shrugged. "I don't know why, but I just trust him, Élise. Now please don't tell anyone I'm here."
"But you can't stay with him forever."
"I know. I'll figure something out."
Élise frowned and more water splashed around from her tail.
"Pleaseee," Iris said in a begging voice.
"Fine, but I will check on you every once in awhile."
"Oh, thank you!" Iris said and bent down to hug her sister. "You have no idea how much this means to me"
Élise gave her sister a faint smile. "I'll see you later."
"Bye." Iris stood there and watch her sister get back into the water. She stood there until her sister vanished underneath the water. She then turned around and started to head back. However, she came to a complete stop when something crossed her mind. She was alone. She could go swimming. Gabriel was engrossed in his work. A quick swim wouldn't hurt.
Iris walked over to a rock that was laying on the beach. She took off her clothes and placed them down on the rock. She then turned to the water and walked into it. She kept walking until the water covered her lower half. Iris's legs then magically changed back into her fin. She smiled and went under water. It felt amazing. She was happy she found a safe place to swim.
Gabriel
Gabriel looked up from his sketch book. He placed it beside him and put the pencil on the top of it. He was finally finished with his sketches. He wasn't 100% pleased with them. Gabriel leaned back on his hands and gazed out at the sea. There was a gentle breeze. The waves were slowly making their way to shore. Gabriel let out a sigh. Maybe he should work on his sketches a bit more. He sat up and grabbed his sketchbook. He opened it to the middle and tapped his pencil on one of the pages.
A seagull flew past him and was chattering away. He looked up and watched it fly off in the direction Iris went in. He frowned. It had been awhile since she left. Should he go looking for her? No. She seemed capable of taking care of herself. Yet. She seemed naive. Maybe because of her memory loss?
Gabriel closed his sketchbook. Iris's story was bothering him again. She claimed she could only remember her name and the wreck. However, she remembered never trying quiche and coffee. Also, not being a good climber? It didn't add up. He started to play with his sketchbook. Perhaps he should investigate. Maybe ask her questions? To see if she really didn't remember anything. Sounded like a solid plan. He would just have to pretend he was helping her so she wouldn't be suspicious.
Now all concentration was lost. Might as well go for a swim. Gabriel pulled off his T-shirt and kicked off his flip flops. He climbed down the rocks into the cove. Gabriel went underwater. The water was nice and cool. He floated there for a bit. Still no sign of Iris. What was taking her? He should probably looking for her.
Gabriel stood up and walked out of the cove. He then walked off in the direction she went in. Gabriel walked along the shore. Eventually, he came across her clothes on a rock, which meant she was around here. He glanced around.
Wait. He stared back at her clothes. Gabriel saw her underwear sticking out under her shorts. She was swimming naked? But he bought her a swim suit. He then heard a big splash. Gabriel turned and looked around. That splashing noise was similar to ones he heard yesterday. Gabriel walked into the water.
"Iris?" He called out. He walked a bit further. The water was shallow but was starting to cover his waist. Gabriel then spotted something moving behind a rock. He walked over to it.
"Don't come over here!" Said a voice from behind the rock. It was Iris.
"Why are you swimming naked?" He asked her and stopped in his tracks. He was standing right in front of the rock. It was huge and he couldn't see her.
"I didn't bring my swimsuit because I wasn't planning to go swimming, but I got hot from walking," she said nervously. "I'll meet you back at the cove!"
"Okay then," he said. Gabriel turned around and headed back to the cove. So, she remembered how to swim, but not climbing rocks? How strange. Then again if she was lost at sea she probably swam to the shore..
Gabriel returned to the cove. He climbed back up the rocks and grabbed his T-shirt. He put it back on. He stared out at the sea. That splashing noise sounded like it came from a big fish. Then he found Iris right after. The news from yesterday popped up in his mind. What if she was a mermaid? What if she was the one who was messing with him? Charlotte said she spotted one by those rocks from yesterday. She was sitting like one earlier. No! Gabriel shook his head and ran his fingers through his hair. What was he thinking? Mermaids weren't real. He let out a frustrated sigh.
He just sat there and watched the sea. He was trying so hard not think about mermaids. As he was watching the sea he noticed the waves were slowly getting rougher. Strange. The wind was gentle today. He looked up at the sky. There were no cloud in the sky. There was a myth that mermaids could control the sea. Ugh. He was going crazy.
"Gabriel," said a voice.
He glanced down and saw Iris standing beside the rocks in the sand. She had a smile on her face. Was she always this happy? He just gave her a small smile. Her smile was contiguous.
She slowly made her way up the rocks. Iris sat next to him and when she reached the top. "Sorry for taking so long. I had to make sure I was dried off."
"It's fine," he said. Gabriel looked back at the sea. "Hey, Iris."
"Yes?"
"Do the waves look like they're getting rougher?" He pointed toward the water.
Iris looked back and for a brief second there was a look of fear in her eyes.
She quickly shook her head and looked back at him. "No."
Gabriel just stared at her. Why did she look afraid? Maybe she had a flashback from the wreck? "Okay. Maybe I'm just seeing things." He then stood up. "I'm heading back to the house. I need to go to the store for dinner."
"Oh, what are we having?"
"Not sure. I'll figure something out before I go. Any requests?"
She shook her head.
Gabriel put his flip flops back on and grabbed his sketchbook. He then climbed down the rocks. Iris followed right behind him and he held out his hand to help her down. They then both headed back to the house.
When they got to his beach house, Gabriel opened the back door and went inside. He closed the door behind them. Gabriel then threw his sketchbook on the kitchen counter.
"Before I go to the store I'm going to take a shower," he said. "So think about what you want for dinner."
"Alright," she said as she walked over to the couch and sat down.
"Did your clothes get wet?"
"The back of my shirt is wet from my hair."
"You can throw them into the wash. You probably want to wash the rest of your clothes as well." Gabriel was making his way to the stairs. "The laundry room is down a hallway right off from the kitchen. It's on the left right across from my father's office." He placed his right foot on the step and started to walk up the stairs.
"Laundry room?" Iris whispered to herself, but Gabriel heard it. He stopped mid step and looked back at her. She was staring toward the kitchen with a puzzled look.
Gabriel stared at her. She didn't seem to notice. Did she not remember what a laundry room was? The idea of her being a mermaid popped up his thoughts again. Mermaids don't have clothes so Iris would have no clue what doing laundry meant. No. Stop! She was not a mermaid! Maybe she didn't have a laundry room back home! Yes, that was it! Maybe she lived in an apartment. They were normally small and the washer was in the kitchen. He should help her. "Do you want me to show you how to use the washer and dryer?" He turned around.
She looked startled when he spoke to her. She turned her body to face him. "Yes please."
Gabriel walked down the stairs and was joined by Iris. They walked down the hallway and went into the laundry room. Gabriel then turned on the lights. He walked over to the washer and dryer and explained how to use both. She still looked confused about something. Gabriel leaned his back against the washer.
"Don't remember doing laundry?" He asked her.
She slowly nodded her head.
Time to put his plan into action. "Iris, would it help if I ask you questions? Maybe it will help jog your memory."
"What kind of questions?" She seemed nervous. He could tell she was trying to hide it.
"Just general questions you would ask when getting to know a person."
Iris opened her mouth to say something, but the doorbell rang. The sound of the doorbell startled her.
Gabriel looked annoyed. He had feeling he knew who was at the door. "Someone's at the front door." He left the room and headed to the front door. He wanted to ignore it, but there was a chance it was someone else. They had neighbors. He stopped at the front door and opened it.
"Gabby!" It was Charlotte. She tried to throw her arms around him, but Gabriel quickly stepped aside. Charlotte caught herself from tripping. She turned to him. "Hey!"
"Charlotte, what do you want?" He said rudely, ignoring her comment.
"To eat dinner with you!"
Gabriel cringed. If she came all the way here that meant she told her parents. If he shoved her out the door she would tell her father. He just sighed. What was he going to do about Iris? Charlotte couldn't know she was living here.
"Oh, I'll make it too! I'm quite the chef." She had a smug smile.
"Actually, Charlotte," Gabriel began to say, but she cut him off with a scream. He turned and saw Iris standing there. Damn it!
"What is she doing here!?" Charlotte shouted angrily.
"We went swimming on the beach," Iris replied crossing her arms. "We just got back. Is that a crime?"
Gabriel was relieved that she didn't say she was living here. He opened his mouth to make a comment, but Charlotte beat him to it.
"Then where were you?" She demanded.
"In the laundry room. Gabriel was letting me wash my bathing suit. It was full of sand."
Charlotte narrowed her eyes. "So that means you're staying for dinner?"
"Yes."
"I understand if you want to leave, Charlotte," Gabriel finally spoke up.
"Oh, no I'm staying! Iris and I will make dinner."
Gabriel looked at Iris. She turned her head away, but he could see a look of panic in her eyes. He looked back at Charlotte. "No I'm making dinner. Iris is a guest and you invited yourself over. So, you don't get a say in anything."
"But!"
Gabriel just crossed his arms and gave her a stubborn look.
She sighed. "Fine. So, what are we having?"
Great. He needed to go shopping for dinner. Also, he still wanted to take a shower to get the sand and salt off him. But he couldn't leave Iris alone with Charlotte. Which also meant they would both have to go shopping with him. "We have to go to the store. I'll figure out something along the way. Iris, come with me. I need your help with something first."
Iris just nodded her head.
"Follow me." He walked toward the stairs. He noticed Charlotte following them. He turned to her. "I said Iris not you. Wait here."
"But!"
He gave her a look.
"Fine.."
Both of them headed up the stairs and went into Gabriel's room. He closed the door right behind them. He then turned to face Iris.
"So what do you need help with?" She asked him.
"Nothing. I just need to talk to you. Iris, you can't tell Charlotte you were lost at sea."
"Why?"
"Because she might tell her parents and they could get involved." In reality that was the logical thing to do. Charlotte's parents had better resources to help Iris. But for some reason part of him was telling him no.
Iris's eye widened. "What should I tell her? If she asks."
"You live in Paris," he said and paused to think. "The 16th district, Passy. Your mother is a client of my father. That's how we met. Oh, and your father is a doctor."
She nodded her head. "Is that where you live?"
"Yes, but we live in the 7th district."
She just nodded her head again.
"Iris, feel free to tell her off if she tries to ask you personal questions."
"Oh don't worry I'm not afraid of that bitch."
Gabriel actually laughed.
Iris smiled. "Anything else?"
"Hmm. Oh, you're here with your family on vacation."
"Gotcha! Don't worry I can bullshit answers."
He gave her a small smile. "Let's go." He turned around and opened the door. They left his room and went downstairs. Once downstairs they saw Charlotte standing behind the couch leaning against it.
"What took you?" She asked.
"We were looking for my wallet. Unfortunately, it wasn't in my room," he lied. Gabriel then went into the kitchen to pretend to look for his wallet. He knew where it was. He kept it in a basket on the kitchen counter. After a few minutes of "searching", he grabbed it out of the basket. Gabriel walked back over to the girls. "Let's go."
They left the house and walked down the street into town. Gabriel had no idea what to make for dinner. Something simple. As they walked, it was quiet between them. He couldn't help but feel suspicious. Charlotte had to be plotting against Iris. She was a threat since she was a girl. Despite telling her that Iris was a friend.
The thing about Charlotte was she was only a brat around him and her parents. To everyone else, she was a heartless bitch. She only acted nasty if you tried to take something from her. Like him. A lot of girls tried to befriend him at school, but Charlotte made sure that didn't happen.
They arrived at the store and Gabriel grabbed a basket. He glanced at Iris and noticed a look of curiosity in her eyes. Mermaid stores probably look different. No! Enough of this! He shook his head.
"Something wrong, Gabby?" asked Charlotte in a disgustingly sweet voice.
"No. I'm fine," he said. Gabriel walked off with the girls following behind him. As he looked at the food, Gabriel decided on pizza. It wouldn't take long to make the dough. He headed toward the baking aisle.
"So, Iris," said Charlotte as Gabriel grabbed the ingredients he needed for the dough. "How long have you two known each other?"
"Three years," Iris replied. "My mother is one of his father's clients."
"Oh? So, you're from Paris? Where do you go to school?"
Shit. He didn't think of that. Maybe she guessed she lived in one of the high end districts.
"I'm home schooled," Iris replied. He glanced back at her and noticed she was looking at Charlotte straight in the eyes. She was a good liar.
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
"No."
"I see."
"Let's keep moving," Gabriel ordered. He walked off. This time he walked around the store at a quick pace. He wanted to get out of there. The sooner they got home the sooner Charlotte would leave.
After he gathered all of the ingredients to make a pizza, Gabriel paid at the register and they headed back to his beach house. On the way home, he also had them walking at a quick pace.
When they got home, Iris sat down on the couch. While Charlotte was in the kitchen with him. Gabriel ignored her and focused on the pizza. He decided to go with a veggie pizza. As he was making the dough, in the corner of his eye, he noticed Charlotte was getting out a knife. He turned to her.
"What are you doing?" He asked.
"I'm going to cut up the vegetables," she replied simply.
"No. I don't need your help."
"But, Gabby!"
"I said no. Now put the knife away. Why don't you go watch TV or something?"
Charlotte put the knife down on the counter and marched into the living area. She sat down on the chair and crossed her arms. "You're so cruel, Gabby."
Gabriel rolled his eyes. The dough needed to rise so Gabriel placed it into a bowl and covered it with a towel. He then grabbed a cutting board out of a drawer and placed a tomato on it. Gabriel picked up the knife and started to slice and dice it.
"So, Iris," said Charlotte.
"Yes?" Iris said and looked at her.
"How old are you?"
"17," she replied. Gabriel looked toward her. She was either lying or she remembered her age. Something to ask her when they're alone.
"You're the same age us."
"Yeah, so?"
"Then why on earth are you home schooled?"
Iris made a face. "Because my father thinks I'll receive a better education."
"But look at the result. You don't have a boyfriend."
"Excuse me? I have other friends besides Gabriel. It just so happens that I don't have a boyfriend."
"But you're 17."
"Yeah, so? You're 17 and you don't have a boyfriend."
"Uh yeah I do."
"Chasing around Gabriel does not count."
"Enough," Gabriel spoke up without thinking he slammed the knife down into the cutting board. It was sticking up in the wood. Things were starting to get out of hand. "No more talking until dinner."
"But she insulted us!" Charlotte said. She twisted her body around in the chair to face him.
"No she didn't. We're not together, Charlotte. Now be quiet."
She pouted and turned around. Luckily she stayed quiet until dinner was ready. Gabriel set the table in their breakfast nook. He brought over the pizza and set it in the middle of table. He already cut it into slices. The three of them then sat down and each took a slice.
"Wow!" said Iris after taking her first bite. She looked at him. "This is really good!" She had a child-like look in her eyes.
He couldn't help, but smile at her. "Thank you, Iris."
"Oh please. It's just pizza," said Charlotte. "It all tastes the same."
Gabriel's smile turned to a frown. He looked at her. "Thanks for insulting my food."
"What? I'm speaking the truth."
"Well it's rude," said Iris. Gabriel glanced at her. He could see a hint of annoyance in her eyes. "Gabriel worked hard on this. I'm sure you can't make something like this."
"Yes I can," said Charlotte coolly. "In fact I can make something more complex." Then a grin appeared on her face. "You know what would be fun? A cook off!"
"A cook off?" Iris somewhat stuttered.
"Yes! The winner gets Gabriel."
"Hey," Gabriel spoke up. "I'm not a prize."
"You're on," said Iris.
Gabriel looked at Iris in shock. Did this mean she had a crush on him?
"Excellent! I'll get my classmates to be the judges. A lot of people from my school come here. We'll have the cook off at my vacation home."
"Fine. When?"
"Hmm. Tomorrow evening. My parents will be at dinner party so they'll be out of the way."
"Great. So, a dinner dish then?"
"Yes. Oh! Dessert as well!"
"You're on."
Charlotte gave her a nasty smile. "I look forward to you losing."
Iris actually looked confident. "We'll see about that."
Gabriel just sat there stunned. He never imagined two girls fighting over him. He looked at Iris in the corner of his eye. She was eating her slice of pizza. Why was she so confident? Did she remember how to cook? Earlier she looked afraid at the idea of cooking. He was confused about her memory loss. It wasn't making any sense anymore.
Charlotte stood up. "I hate to leave so soon, Gabriel, but I need to call our classmates about tomorrow. Bye." She then got up from her chair and made her way to the front door.
After the door closed, Gabriel turned to Iris. "Do you remember how to cook?"
"Nope!" Iris replied calmly.
He stared at her, eyes wide. "Then why did you agree to her challenge?"
"To save you," she replied as she reached for another slice of pizza.
"To save me?" So she didn't like him that way..
"Yeah. I can tell she's driving you crazy."
"I'm used to it."
"Gabriel, it isn't right for a person to act like that. I don't think she truly loves you."
"Probably not."
"You should be with someone who cares for you and respects you."
Gabriel stared at her. He felt his heart leap for some reason.
"Since you're such a great cook, you can make the dishes for me!"
That snapped him out of his daze. "No, Iris. You're going to have to cook."
"But!"
"That would be cheating. Besides if she tasted it, she'd know I made it. However, I will help you."
"Wouldn't that be cheating too?"
"Oh you'll be cooking. I'll be coaching you."
Iris gave him a confident smile. "Sounds like a plan. What should I make?"
"Something simple. We can go through my cook book."
"I won't let you down, Gabby!" Iris said and then giggled.
Gabriel rolled eyes.
"I'm sorry. I couldn't resist! Of all nicknames, she picked that?"
"Unfortunately," he said. Gabriel ate some of his pizza.
"Hmm you need one that suits you," said Iris. She then paused for a minute. "How about Gabe?"
"Gabe?" he glanced at her.
"Yeah! You look like one and it doesn't sound like a nickname you give a pet."
He chuckled. "Go for it."
"Really?"
"Sure."
Iris gave him a grin. "Tomorrow, Gabe, we will be victorious and Charlotte will leave you alone forever!"
Gabriel just shook his head in amusement. "You're such a goof ball, Iris."
She laughed. They continued their dinner and when they were finished Gabriel got up and cleared the table. He cleaned the dishes and then grabbed his cook book out from a drawer. Both him and Iris sat back down at the table.
"My grandmother taught me how to cook," he explained to her as he opened the book. "Most the recipes I have are from her."
"Neat," she said.
He shoved the book toward her. "Pick out something that looks simple."
She nodded her head and flipped through the book. Gabriel studied her expressions. He could see her confidence slipping away. He sighed. He grabbed the book from her. She looked at him.
"Iris," he said. "We can take back the challenge."
"No! I will beat her! Just, all of this is new to me!"
"What?"
She had a brief look of panic and she looked away.
Gabriel just stared at her. He could tell she didn't mean to say that. What did she mean by that? Then his plan appeared in his mind again. "Iris."
"Yes?" She replied but didn't look at him.
"Can I ask you questions to help you remember? You seem to be remembering some things. Like your age. Or did you lie about that?"
"No. I'm 17."
"So, can I help?"
"Sure," she looked reluctant for some reason.
"Alright. Well, I'm going to go take a shower. Keep looking for a recipe." She just nodded her head. Gabriel got up from his chair and went upstairs into his room.
He closed the door behind him and walked over to his bed. Gabriel started to get undressed. Iris was trying to hide something from him. He could tell by her range of emotions. She was terrible at concealing them. Once he was naked, Gabriel went into his bathroom. He walked over to the shower and turned it on so it could heat up. Gabriel then walked over to the vanity and stood in front of it. What was she hiding? Well, whatever it was he wanted to find out. But he had to make sure not to be forceful. He didn't want to lose this friendship. Gabriel turned around and got into the shower.
