(Pabst Blue Ribbon on ice)
Ava was fully immersed in the task of teaching Noel how to cook—although, calling it "teaching" was more like attempting to control the chaos. Noel was quickly learning the ways of the kitchen, but her unfamiliarity with Earth’s utensils made for a rather entertaining (and slightly dangerous) experience.
Noel had already managed to drop the egg she was cracking on the floor twice, trying to open a carton with far too much force, and she nearly set the counter on fire when she mistakenly tried to light a match while the stove was already on.
Ava couldn’t help but laugh, despite herself. "Noel, you can't just grab everything like that! You have to be careful."
Noel gave a nod, her apricot-colored hair bouncing as she adjusted her grip on the frying pan. "I understand now. This cooking is... far more complicated than it appears."
“You’re telling me,” Ava replied, trying to suppress a grin. She leaned against the counter, watching Noel with an amused expression. “Okay, so let’s try this. Crack the eggs like this—gently—and then we’ll scramble them in the pan.”
Noel, ever the quick learner, followed the instructions with determination. The next egg cracked perfectly. "Ah, I see! Like this!"
“Exactly!” Ava clapped her hands in approval, feeling strangely proud of Noel’s success. She couldn’t believe how easy it was to forget that this girl had come from another world. Watching Noel so focused on a simple task made it seem like they were just two people—one teaching, one learning.
But then, Noel turned to her with an expression of absolute sincerity, still stirring the eggs. “Ava... you do not truly wish to be repaid for your kindness, do you?”
Ava blinked. "Huh?"
“You said it before,” Noel continued, her voice soft and earnest. “That you are not expecting repayment. Yet... I still feel as though I should do something for you. It is customary, as I said.”
Ava suddenly felt the heat rise in her cheeks again. She had been trying to ignore the little flutter in her chest when she saw Noel’s smile or heard her speak so earnestly. It made her feel... strange. "Look, it’s fine," Ava muttered, quickly looking away to focus on Noel's cooking attempts. "I just wanted to help you out. You’re not some... charity case, okay?"
Noel studied her closely, an odd gleam in her eyes. "If you insist," she said, her voice betraying the faintest hint of amusement. “Though I must admit, I find it... hard to believe that a human would not expect something in return for helping someone who appears so... out of place.”
Ava’s face flushed even more, but she quickly brushed it off. “It’s not like that! I just—” She stopped, realizing that she was getting way too flustered. “Forget it,” she said quickly, reaching for a spatula to help Noel flip the eggs.
But Noel wasn’t done. “You seem uncomfortable, Ava. Why is that?” Her voice was oddly gentle, as though she could see right through Ava’s attempts to hide her feelings.
Ava fumbled for a response, her heart racing. “I-I’m not uncomfortable!” she blurted out, almost too defensively. “I just... I don’t need you to keep insisting on ‘repaying’ me, okay? It’s just... it’s a little embarrassing, that’s all.”
Noel paused for a moment, her gaze softening. “I see... it is a strange thing, this... feeling you speak of. I do not understand it fully, but I will respect your wishes.” She offered a small smile, which, despite her usual air of seriousness, made her look oddly endearing.
Ava turned away, hoping her growing warmth in her chest wasn’t too obvious. “Thanks. And don’t worry about the whole repayment thing. Seriously.”
The next few minutes passed in a comfortable silence, with Ava and Noel working side by side in the kitchen. Noel was improving—slowly but surely—and Ava found herself enjoying the simplicity of the moment. It was just... pleasant. Noel’s presence had become a strange source of comfort for her, and that was starting to feel like something Ava wasn’t entirely sure how to handle.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the eggs were cooked—perfectly scrambled, despite all the minor mishaps along the way. Noel set the plate down on the counter with a satisfied smile, eyes glowing with pride.
“I believe... this is a success,” Noel said with a grin, her apricot hair falling over her shoulder as she slid the plate toward Ava. “A humble offering, but it is what I can give.”
Ava blinked at the plate, feeling a little taken aback by the gesture. “You really didn’t have to go through all that trouble for me... but... thanks. This actually looks pretty good.”
“It is the least I can do,” Noel replied, sitting down across from her. She took a bite and paused, eyes widening slightly. “It is different from what I am accustomed to, but... it is quite delicious.”
Ava laughed lightly, taking a bite herself. “Yeah, it’s not bad. Who knew you could cook?”
Noel gave a small smile. “I learn quickly, especially when something is important. And you, Ava, are important.”
Ava froze, her spoon halfway to her mouth. Her heart skipped a beat at the serious look on Noel’s face. “What... do you mean by that?” she asked, her voice quieter than she intended.
Noel blinked, her expression softening as she realized what she had said. “I simply mean that... your actions have been kind. I feel I should return that kindness, even if I do not fully understand it.” She paused and then added, almost in a whisper, “And... you have made me feel more... at ease than I have in a long time.”
Ava’s chest tightened, her thoughts suddenly all over the place. She quickly looked down at her plate to avoid Noel’s gaze. The words were so unexpected, so genuine. Noel might have come from another realm, but in that moment, she felt so... human. Just like Ava.
“Yeah... I get that,” Ava muttered, her voice soft. She didn’t want to admit it, but the truth was, Noel had started to feel like more than just a stranger she was helping. There was something about her that pulled at Ava’s heartstrings, something she wasn’t quite ready to understand yet.
Noel’s lips twitched into a small, almost imperceptible smile. “Good. I will be here as long as you need me, Ava.”
Ava didn’t say anything more, but as she ate the eggs, she couldn’t help but feel a growing warmth between them. Despite the strange circumstances, it was clear to her that something had changed overnight. Maybe it was the breakfast. Maybe it was the shared moments of silence and awkward conversation. But whatever it was, it made Ava realize that this was just the beginning.
And she wasn’t sure where this was going—but, for once, she didn’t mind one bit.