Just Friends

Chapter 9: Baking

I ring the doorbell. Dakota, Hunter, and I are at Clary's house to bake some brownies. She invited me over to do some baking. What I didn't expect was for her to invite Dakota over. Although, Dakota brought Hunter with him because he wants the two to make up. I was a little worried because Clary can hold a grudge for forever.

     The door opens, revealing Clary in a black baggy shirt, black cotton shorts, and black socks. Her ombre hair is in two french braids. She was smiling a bright smile until she saw Hunter. I gulp down the fear of what she was about to do.

     "What is he doing here?" Clary asks, refusing to say Hunter's name.

     "I invited him," Dakota replies nonchalantly.

     She turns to glare at him and says, "I invited you over so you and Colette can have some bonding time. As much as I hate to let you near my daughter, I have to. But you just had to ruin it!"

     "I'm sorry, but you and Hunter need to make up. He's already sorry for everything he's done," Dakota says sternly.

     Before I can say anything, Hunter surprisingly interrupts. "Clary, I'm really sorry. You're tearing me apart by not forgiving me."

     Clary glares at him, fire burning in her eyes. "Good, I hope it kills you."

     "Clary!" I yell, surprised she said that.

     Clary rolls her eyes and steps aside, gesturing for all of us to come in. Dakota, Hunter, and I awkwardly walk into the room. We all walk to the kitchen to see no ingredients. Dakota and I raise an eyebrow as we look at Clary.

     "Where's the ingredients?" Dakota and I ask simultaneously. 

     "I don't know how to make brownies, so you have to tell me the ingredients and I'll buy them," Clary smiles a very innocent smile.

     I sigh, stupidly realizing that Clary hates baking. Although, she approves of baking if I'm by her side. I grab a piece of paper and write down the ingredients. Once I finish, I hand Clary the paper.

     She takes it and says, "I'll head to the market right now!"

     Before she can leave, Dakota interrupts her. "Take Hunter with you."

     Clary stops at her tracks and turns around. "No."

     I look at Clary, silently telling her to take him with her. It'd be best for both of them to have some quality time to make up. Clary sighs in defeat and mutters, "let's go."

Dakota and I were waiting for Clary at the dining table. It's been an hour to be exact. 

     Just as I was about to call Clary, the door opens. Dakota and I get up to greet them. We see Clary holding nothing in her hands.

     "Where's the ingredients?" I ask.

     Before my question was answered, Hunter comes in holding bags of ingredients. He was already sweating from carrying too much. Dakota immediately helps Hunter, while I look at Clary.

     Clary shrugs and says, "he wanted to carry them."

     "You could have helped the poor guy!" I scold her like a mother.

     "Can we just get started?" Clary asks.

      I roll my eyes and nod my head.

     Clary, Dakota, Hunter, and I set the ingredients on the table. Clary organizes them, while Dakota and I write down the recipe. Hunter is too busy resting. In fact, his hoodie is off and revealed a black tank top, exposing a lot of skin. I could have sworn Clary was blushing.

     "So I got the eggs, vanilla extract, salt, semisweet chocolate chips, flour, baking powder, sugar, and butter," Clary pauses and continues, "get started, guys."

     Dakota looks at Clary confused. "What do you mean?"

     "I'm not baking the brownies. You and Colette will," Clary replies, obviously proud.

     My eyes widen in realization. The only reason why Clary invited Dakota was so I could be alone with him. That sly girl! Clary notices me and smirks deviously. I glare at her, letting her know that I know.

     "Then what will you be doing?" Dakota asks. I'm surprised at how he accepted this.

     "I'm going shopping!" Clary throws her arms up in the air.

     Wait; Clary's plans were ruined once Hunter got here. I think she was expecting just Dakota and I alone. If Clary goes shopping alone, then Hunter would still be here. In that case, Clary would have no choice but to bring Hunter along. This time, I smirk deviously at Clary.

     She raises an eyebrow, pushing up her glasses. She asks, "why are you smirking like that?"

     "So I guess Hunter will help us bake," I let out a fake sigh.

     Clary's brown eyes widen in realization. She glares at Dakota. Although, the boy is really confused at what was happening. Clary calls out, "Blondie, we're going shopping!" I hold back a laugh at the bitterness in her voice.

     Hunter shuffles into the room and asks, "why?"

     "Because I said so. I've got the money, we're going shopping."

     Hunter was about to refuse, but Clary interrupts. "If you don't come with me, I'll never forgive you."

     Hunter's blue eyes widens and immediately follows Clary out the door.

I set down the two cups of chocolate chips onto the table. I furrow my eyebrows in concentration, trying to remember what to do next. Although, I was interrupted by something hitting me on the back. I turn around to see Dakota's brown eyes wide in worry and fear. In his hand was the bag of flour.

     "What's wrong?" I ask.

     That's when I realize the floor had a trail of flour, leading to me. I glare at Dakota and he shakes his head. "I swear it was an accident."

     I grab a fresh egg and throw it at Dakota, hitting him square in the chest. He looks at me and I stick my tongue out. "It was an accident."

     "You're on!" Dakota throws more flour at me.

     I squeal and grab another egg, throwing it at him. The egg hits him on the forehead and drips onto his nose. I burst out laughing as he glares at me. Dakota grabs the last egg, getting ready to throw it.

     "Dakota, let's talk about this!" I scream and run around, but the egg hits me on the forehead. 

     "You should see your face right now!" Dakota burst into laughter, clutching his stomach.

     Immediately, I grab the baking powder and made it rain towards Dakota. In a minute, Dakota is soaked with baking powder.

     Dakota smiles and puts his arms out, walking towards me. "I want a hug."

     My eyes widen and I laugh. "No, wait, Dakota!"

     Too late. Dakota engulfs me in a bear hug. The baking powder clings onto my clothes. We both look like a huge mess, along with the kitchen.

     "Clary's going to kill us," Dakota says as he pulls away.

     "You got that right."

     We turn around to see Clary and Hunter. Clary has her arms crossed, completely angry.

     "Fix this mess!"