Chapter 53 - [Bonus ]Changes

"I want to change the decor." She said and I laughed aloud, now I recognized her. Her criticism was back, which meant she must feel better. I smiled, in that moment every critic sounded just amazing for me.

"You will change it, let's order a pizza now. I am starving!" I exclaimed pulling her out of her room and taking my phone so I could call to order.

The restaurant didn't reply so I hanged up and placed the phone on the table and poured myself a glass of water.

She took my phone and started to swipe through it, my heart jumped in my chest remembering Cameron's messages, I didn't want her to ask me about him because I didn't want to lie to her.

She opened her mouth in shock so I figured out it was already too late. I took my phone back and saw she paused in the chat between me and Carl.

"You're seeing him?" She asked covering her mouth and smiling mischievously.

"It's complicated…." I didn't know what to say, what were we? Why was it so hard to define us together? We weren't a couple but sure enough, we weren't even just friends.

Since I doubt friends are cursed by such a powerful connection like the one that linked me and Cameron together.

The restaurant answered me and I took a deep relieved breath seizing the occasion to change the matter.

I hung off, "is a pepperoni okay for you?" I asked and she nodded walking to open the fridge and grabbed a bottle of juice, she poured some in a glass.

"I will start sending curriculum tomorrow because I want to help you with the rent." She said, but I shook my head.

"You should take some time to rest," I replied folding my arms when I saw she was ready to respond.

She raised her hands, "I am sure I will feel worse if I stay alone doing nothing all day."

I sighed, maybe she had a point, yet I didn't think it was the best idea to keep your mind occupied with several matters just to avoid thinking about your loss.

"Take the rest week off at least." I suggested and finally, she nodded, "alright. But while you're at work I will redecorate my room and buy you some plants." She exclaimed, driving her gaze around the house to mentally picture where to place the plants and how to decorate them.

"Sounds perfect!"

When the pizza man arrived, it was the same guy the last time and he cheered us with a big smile, probably recognizing us.

The pizzas were just as delicious as the last time and we even enjoyed some chips to the side.

After eating we decided to watch a movie together and spent the evening simply like that.

However, Joanna fell asleep about ten minutes after the beginning of the movie.

Luckily she was very petite and thin so I managed to scoop her up in my arms and walked her into her bedroom.

Then I covered her with the bedsheets and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, lastly, I closed the door so that no light could wake her up.

Then I came back on the sofa and watched a bit of the movie, before going to sleep I checked Joanna's room, she was sleeping like a sweet child.

The next morning I woke up and heard some noises coming from the kitchen so I walked there, still slightly sleepy and with my sight blurred from sleep.

The source of those noises was Joanna who was making me breakfast and had filled the table with food.

She cooked a cake and made pancakes orange juice and coffee, she turned around hearing my footsteps.

"Good morning," I said, admiring the food on the table.

"Good morning, I tried to cook with the few ingredients you had in the kitchen." She replied as I walked into the kitchen, I smiled hugely in front of the table.

"This is an amazing surprise," I commented excitedly and happy.

I sat down next to her and caressed her shoulder, "this means so much to me, nobody ever did something nice to me in a long long time." I sighed, as my heart filled with affection. Real friends are precious and I was so glad to have met Joanna, she gave me a reason to smile every day and always succeded in cheering me up, even on that day when I was supposed to be the one to be cheering the other. She was just so caring and adorable that I sometimes felt like I didn't return all the love she genuinely gave me.

I took a slice of the cake and when I tasted it, my eyes widened at that amazing taste. The last time she cooked for me was a long time ago but she must have gotten really good at baking.

"It's delicious!" I exclaimed almost not believing to my own taste buds.

"I cooked a lot in the last 5 years due to my father's illness, food was the only thing cheering him up. So I practiced a lot to make him smile with my food." Her eyes looked sad even if she smiled at that memory.

"You've got a talent, Joanna. Have you ever thought about working as a chef?" I asked raising my eyebrow.

She laughed loudly as if she heard one of the funniest jokes she ever heard.

"I am seriously speaking, Jo." I rectified with a scolding tone of voice, she was the first person to underestimate her capabilities.

She shook her head, "just because the cake is delicious doesn't mean I can be a chef."

She wasn't the type of girl who took the opportunity and risked her job, just like me she prioritized her brain over her heart.

"You can always try, at least you will do something you're passionate about. They said: choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life." I shrugged taking another bite of the cake and then drinking the juice.

She shook her head one more time so I gave up to go to work, I hugged her tightly and told her I would try my best to get at home early to stay with her longer.

I waved at her goodbye one last time before finally walking over to the door.