Turning the pan off, I pull out the bacon and begin piling it onto the plate.
‘Thanks for making breakfast,’ she murmurs, eyeing the piles of food I’ve produced.‘I realise I didn’t eat anything last night.I’m starving.’
‘Lucky there’s plenty here, then.Dig in.’
‘This smells delicious,’ she states.‘You’re a good cook, Biker Boy.’
‘Not just a pretty face.’I wink.
The front door swings open, and Mason and Anya appear in their running clothes.Clear sheens of sweat line both their foreheads, and their chests rise and fall.
‘Are you trying to kill me?’Anya wheezes, glowering at Mason.
‘You were the one who suggested sprints.’He shrugs.Anya kicks off her shoes and Mason neatly removes his and automatically tidies hers up.He can’t help himself.I wonder howmany hours he has spent cleaning up after the two of us.Me more so than Anya.‘Don’t talk the talk if you can’t walk the walk.’
‘If I drop dead, tell the world I was trying to keep up with this freak,’ she says dramatically.She perks up as she approaches us, her eyes zeroing in on me.‘Something smells fantastic.’
‘Eggs and bacon over here,’ I say, pointing to the left.‘Fruit this side.’
Mason grins at me, impressed.He has always been known as the cook and although he loves it, I think he’s appreciated someone else stepping up and helping out.Anya has tried to learn more about cooking.She’s not too bad, I just like to bully her any chance I get.I call it keeping her humble.
We gather around the table.Nora, Anya and Cami are all meeting up later today.I’m guessing she is going to fill them in about what happened yesterday.I still can’t quite believe it.It sounds like the plot of a drama movie, not our reality.I’m angry that I had to do that stupid extra practice instead of be there for her.
The morning sun streaks across the table.Nora dishes out the plates.Our plates and cups are all mismatched and belong to different sets.They look completely unconventional, but kind of cool at the same time.
Mason makes coffee and brings it to the table, and Anya plops down onto a seat, immediately reaching for the peanut butter.
‘I outran this competitive dude this morning,’ Anya says, looking proud of herself.‘Absolutely smoked him, and he was on a skateboard!’
‘I’d like to point out the kid was probably eight years old,’ Mason interjects, rolling his eyes.
‘So?Still beat his ass.’
Nora releases an unladylike snort.Mason raises a brow.‘You also yelled out “take that!”as you went past.His mum was not impressed.’
‘Well, that’s what he gets for trying to race me,’ she huffs.
‘Yeah, you’re real tough, sis,’ I say sarcastically.
Within ten minutes, most of the food has disappeared and the coffee mugs are empty.Anya leans back in her seat, patting her belly.
‘Wow, I think I just ate enough for two.I just put back on anything I lost during that run this morning.’
‘Remind me why you’re suddenly training for a marathon?’I ask.
‘Maybe because I am.’
‘Wait what?’I look over at her.‘Like, a full marathon?’
‘There’s a 15 km race in a few weeks that Mase and I have entered.’
‘That’s awesome!’Nora says.‘I tried to start running but realised it’s not for me.I find it so damn hard.’
‘I did, too, but I’m getting better and quicker.’
‘You are,’ Mason agreed.‘You’re doing great.’
She beams under his praise.
