Chapter 6 – Stirring Things Up
If anyone had told me a month ago that I'd be standing in the Section E home-ec room, wearing an apron next to Alys of all people, I would've laughed in their face.
Now? Here we were — bickering over garlic cloves.
"Crush them, don't slice them," Alys said, snatching the knife from my hand.
"I was crushing them," I argued.
"You were murdering them." She dropped the perfect little pile of garlic into the sizzling pan, the scent instantly making the room warmer.
Keifer leaned against the counter like he owned the place, tossing an apple in one hand. "You two look cute in aprons."
"Shut up," I said without looking at him.
"Why? Afraid you'll blush?"
"Afraid I'll accidentally season you into the stew."
Alys smirked without looking up. "Do it. I'll stir."
Across the table, Drake was peeling potatoes like the fate of the world depended on it. He hadn't said a word since we started, so naturally, I poked the bear.
"Hey, Palma, you missed a spot," I said, pointing to an imaginary blemish on a potato.
"Tss." He kept peeling.
"Wow. Two letters. New record."
"Keep talking and I'll peel you next," he muttered.
Kiko, who'd been lingering suspiciously close, suddenly piped up. "Jay, you know, if you ever get tired of these guys, I could—"
"No," I said instantly.
"Didn't even let me finish—"
"Because I already know where you were going."
We were halfway through cooking when Eman, normally one of the quieter guys, shuffled in with his backpack slung low. He looked… off.
"You okay?" Alys asked.
He hesitated, then sighed. "I'm dropping out."
That made everyone pause.
"Why?" I asked.
"My family's restaurant is drowning. My dad's working double shifts, my mom's exhausted… I need to help full-time."
Something in my chest tightened. I glanced at Alys — she was already looking at me like we're doing something about this.
"We'll help," I said without thinking.
"What?" Eman blinked.
"We'll volunteer. Work shifts, whatever you need," Alys added.
Eman shook his head. "You guys don't have to—"
"Too late," I cut in. "You're stuck with us."
Apparently, we were also stuck with everyone else, because the moment we left school that afternoon, Section E just… followed.
"Why are you all here?" I asked as we walked toward Eman's family restaurant.
Keifer grinned. "Because you're here."
Kiko shrugged. "Free food, maybe."
Drake didn't answer, but he was walking with us anyway, hands in his pockets like this was just another Tuesday.
And just like that, helping Eman went from a Jay and Alys thing… to a Section E mission.