Page 55 of Glad You Exist

I focus on taking a bite of the cake and ignore the urge to go around the island and take her in my arms too. I watch her turn off the burners and load two foil pans with pancit. Then she immediately starts piling lumpia onto a tray.

“Can I have some of that?” I give her my best smile hoping she’ll give in.

Her mouth quirks up in a smile.

Without looking up from her task, Liz grabs a piece of lumpia and hands it to me.

I don’t know what possesses me to do this because were not alone and Kim has already started watching us curiously. I lean over and take a bite of it right from her hand.

Startled, Liz looks up at me, the tongs she’s holding on her other hand falling to the floor.

Kim nearly deafens me with her scream and knocks Kyle right off of his seat.

“I’m too young to lose my hearing babe.” Kyle grumbles as he straightens himself back on the stool. Oblivious to the rest of us, he gets back to work rolling.

Kim’s mouth stays open in shock as her head ping pongs between Liz and me.

Liz and I are staring at each other. Then she blinks and breaks eye contact, placing my half-eaten lumpia on my empty plate.

Picking up the tongs from the floor, Liz turns away to wash them in the sink.

My gaze never leaves her. I’m paralyzed equally by frustration and embarrassment.

Kyle finally notices the tense silence and his eyes bounce between the three of us.

“What the fu—?”

My mom chooses that moment to walk in, all smiles. She hangs an arm around me and kisses me on the cheek. “Happy Birthday bud.”

I sling an arm around her waist and squeeze it.

“Thanks Mom.”

She gives my head a pat before going around the island to where Liz is busy washing the utensils and pots they used.

With a disapproving cluck of her tongue, she pats Liz’s hand to get attention.

Liz gives her a small smile and drops the pot she’s scrubbing back into the sink.

Liz is actively avoiding looking at me now. I can’t tell if it’s because I caught her off guard or because of what happened between us a few hours ago.

“Sorry Auntie, we made a mess. Just wanted to clean up.”

My mom flings a hand to the door, “You’ve done more than enough. You kids get ready. We have a little over an hour until everyone comes back from their tour in Seattle.” She reaches out to squeeze Liz’ hand, “I’ve made these countless of times with your mom, I’ll finish up here”.

I don’t need her to tell me twice. I’m aching to talk to Liz alone.

But my mother raised me right so I ask, “Do you need me to do anything Mom?”

With a firm shake of her head, “Go on, run a brush through that mop on your head.”

Kyle snorts. Liz ducks her head as she makes for the door. Kim intercepts her by hooking an arm around Liz’s.

I follow them out the door, with Kyle close behind me, tapping on his phone.

Kyle speed walks until he’s walking beside me and nudges me.

“Hey so I spoke to Coach Wilde this morning about that asshole Hunter. He’s called a mandatory team meeting after school tomorrow and that he’s talking to Principal Gardner about it.”

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