From the Ashes

The Dinner Guest

When I awoke the next morning, I laid in bed for what seemed like forever. I couldn't believe I was finally starting over. Jonathan and I are together again, I'm safely out of Jake's reach, and I have found my calling. I felt at peace with where I was. Once I found the will to get out of bed, I got ready and headed downstairs for breakfast. Jonathan was in the kitchen cooking away.

"Something smells good in here. Since when did you learn how to cook?" I joked.

"Since it got too expensive to pay the woman down the street for my meals," he laughed.

I walked over to where he was cooking and snatched a warm roll of of the tray. "If you want any bread for lunch I suggest you not eat too many of those," he told me.

"Wow, you've made breakfast and lunch. Someone is industrious."

I set the table while Johnathan finished cooking the eggs. "Why don't I make dinner tonight?" I suggested as we sat down to eat.

"That sounds like a great idea. Just because I cook all the time doesn't mean that the food is any good."

Jonathan and I talked as long as we could until he had to leave for the shop. I cleaned the kitchen and headed to the Underground, promising to stop by and see him around lunch. Danielle showed me around and we got started on the training for new people. Everything was going well, and I eventually found time to slip away for lunch. I went home and backed a basket full of food and headed to John's shop. When I got there, I heard a loud ruckus, so I made my way to the back of the shop.

"John!" I shouted. " I made it, sorry I'm la-" I couldn't finish my sentence, because I had run straight into John as he turned the corner. I would have fallen if he hadn't have caught me, ruining our lunch in the process. I finally looked up an my cheeks flushed red with embarrassment, as a pair of beautiful green eyes stared back at me. Johnathan had blue eyes like me, not green. "You're not Jonathan?" I said more as a question than a statement.

"You're observant." he chuckled. "Are you alright?" I suddenly realized how awkward this situation was, as he was still holding onto my arm as if I might fall again.

"Yes, thank you. I'm really sorry about running into you; I'm such a clutz." I freed my arm from his gentle grasp and nervously ran my fingers through my hair. I looked back up at him, but tried not to stare. Even though he was sweaty and covered in soot, he was really handsome.

"It's quite alright. Jonathan actually isn't here right now, as you probably have guessed. He had to run and pick up some supplies from town. You're welcome to wait for him though. I'm sure he'd love to see his girl." The stranger said.

I began laughing uncontrollably at what he was insinuating. As I tried to compose myself, the green-eyed stranger just looked at me confused. "I'm not his girl. Not like that anyway; I'm his sister."

Now it was his turn to be embarrassed. "Oh, I'm sorry," he began, "I just assumed- I didn't mean to suggest- It's just that I'm new working here, so I didn't know."

"It's quite alright." I smiled. "I'm new to the area myself. I just officially moved in today."

"How do you like things so far?" he inquired.

"I love it here. The town itself is nice; I've already met some wonderful people. So, how long have you been working with my brother?"

"Not long, I think it's almost been 3 weeks." The side door opened, and John walked in carrying a crate.

"Hey sis, I see you've met our dinner guest for tonight." He told me, setting the box down on the floor.

"Dinner guest?" I said surprised. He rubbed the bridge of his nose.