𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫

7 | hueningkai

I learned how to make pancakes.

It may seem like a small task, but for me, it was like an accomplished mission.

I can imagine my position—squatting and hunched down on the table with a spatula on hand. Slowly, I set one pancake on top of the other, stacking up three. I know Maria's looking at me from behind, probably laughing, but I don't really care at the moment. I'm too busy admiring the masterpiece I had just created... which technically wouldn't be made possible if it wasn't for her.

It's so beautiful.

I hear her groan at the back and my grins vanishes as she taps her foot impatiently. "Are we going to stare at it all day or are we going to eat it?"

I roll my eyes at her, placing the plate of pancakes on the food cart. We've made six batches of the multi-flavored dish— plain, blueberry, strawberry, chocolate, matcha, and vanilla—all drizzled with maple syrup and topped with fruits. For once, I'm excited for breakfast. I want to see how the kids will react once they find out I made this. I'd be overflowing with smugness.

I set a plate with a single blueberry pancake on the counter near hers, as she requested. I watch her take a bite out, until she finishes it. She hums in satisfaction. "Nice."

I grin, brimming with pride. I prepare to push the food cart out of the kitchen.

"Not so fast. You're coming with me." Maria stops me. She rips out a page from her notepad. I didn't even notice when she had started writing. She hands the paper to me, and out of curiosity, I accept. It's a list. A grocery list, to be exact. "We'll need to stock up on the ingredients we used."

And just like that, my plan dissipates. My eyebrows furrow together, complaining. "But what about breakfast?"

Maria lets out an amused chuckle, shaking her head. She rolls her eyes. "You and I are going to the city, silly. Aren't you craving for fast food? I don't know about you, I've been dying to eat chicken nuggets all week."

My stomach grumbles at the thought. I hate to admit it, but she's right. I'd do anything for a burger and French fries right now.

"Oh, and if you're concerned about the bragging rights," She continues, a smirk displayed on her lips. She taps her working hand against the handle of the food cart. "Kyungsoo will tell the kids you made these."

I could feel the corners of my lips curve. "I'll just get my jacket."

The kids were still fast asleep when we left. I'm once again inside of the black van, only this time, Maria called shotgun and Chanyeol is at the driver's seat. Now that I notice it, she changed her outfit too. She traded her plain white tee for an oversized black shirt, her denim shorts stayed though. I don't get why women loves everything high-waist. She tied her thick black hair into a messy ponytail too. A few strands frame her face, which kind of loses the purpose of a ponytail.

"I can see you looking at me, stop it."

My attention lands on the rearview mirror and I find her hazel eyes glaring at me, one brow questioning. I turn my gaze away, crossing my arms to hide my embarrassment. I scoff. "Why were you staring at me in the first place?"

"I-I wasn't—ugh, whatever." She is not in the mood for bickering.

Six o' clock is definitely too early for grocery shopping. A car would appear on the bare road every moment here and there. But, I doubt any mall is open at this hour. I look out the window, noticing that we're approaching a fork in the road. A sign stands tall in the middle. I couldn't read the Hangul script, but there was English written on it too. Chanyeol steers left, and I wonder if he just made a mistake.