Resilient Bonds: Encounters, Conversation and Culinary Adventures

I smile and follow Claire. As I am climbing down the stairs, I come across a picture. It is mine, Amber's and Claire's. Amber is really creative in such things and she has literally created a collage. This makes me feel really happy. I continue to climb the stairs. The entire house smells like coffee now.

I enter the kitchen. Claire is seated while Amber is leaning on the kitchen's counter and talking to her. I pull a chair and sit down facing both of them. Amber gives me a steaming mug of coffee and I take a sip. When I look up, I notice that they are looking at me. Their expression is a mixture of worry and curiosity.

"Amber told me that you had an encounter with Cedric" Claire says finally breaking the silence.

I simply move my head in approval. Claire continues to look at me. Amber comes and places the box of pancakes in front of us. Claire takes one and takes a bite. I knew that she loves pancakes that is why I agreed to bring it along.

"Why aren't you having?" she asks.

"Oh, you have it, I brought it specially for the two of you" I tell them with a smile.

They both smile and Amber comes and sits down. They both finish the pancakes while I finish my mug of coffee. After cleaning the kitchen, I help Amber the load the dishwasher and all three of us head to Amber's room.

They sit on Amber's bed while I pull a chair and sit facing them.

"So can you tell us the whole event that took place on your first day at FPU", Claire says.

I describe the whole event and they listen in complete silence. The one thing that I like about our friendship is that we never pass comments when one of us is talking or sharing something. By the time I have finished explaining, they both are looking worried.

"Why did you run?" Claire finally asks.

"I don't know, when we had an eye contact, I was shocked and I could feel pain deep down but when he entered the class and passed by me, I felt suffocated and the first thing that came in my mind was to run, so I ran" I tell her.

"You shouldn't have run, it made you look like a coward" she says.

"I know but I couldn't think about anything else" I tell her.

"Did he try talking to you yesterday?" Amber asks.

"No" is all I say.

"Do you have someone to talk to at FPU?" Claire asks.

"Not really but I met a girl named Adele as I was running down the stairs and she is quite friendly" I tell them.

"Hmm " they say together and all three of us end up laughing.

"Did you tell your mom about your encounter with Cedric?" Amber asks again.

"Nope, she will just get worried" I say.

"For now don't tell her about it and just continue to ignore him. We know that seeing him after so long after everything has affected you but you have to be strong and face it bravely" Claire says.

"We are always there for you Charlotte" Amber says.

I stand up and go and stand near the window.

They stand up as well and walk towards me. "How about a group hug?" Amber asks smiling.

I smile in approval and we group hug.

"What do you wanna have for lunch?" Amber asks.

"Spaghetti and meatballs and I'll cook", I tell her.

"Okay we'll help you", she says smiling.

"Lead the way head chef" Claire says winking and the three of us walk out of Amber's room.