Love Aint Always Pretty

Petrichor

- the scent of rain on dry earth

Origin: Greek

16

After visiting their mother's tomb, it was almost twelve noon when we left there and I'm terribly starving right now. The car paved way to the gravel road and I saw us arriving on the pathway of this old looking house. Tracy seemed so excited to be here but Nick was just quiet after we left the cemetery.

"Starving Savannah?" Tracy gazed at me over the rear view mirror.

"A little." I answered.

"Don't worry. Nick is here. He knows how to cook." She says before unbuckling her seatbelt.

When they stepped out of the car, I did too. I pulled my blouse down to cover my showing skin above my garter and then finally stared at the white colored house. Vines were creeping on the corners of the house and I see a patio swing right on the porch. I walked behind them as we march our way near the house.

"Who owns this house?" I asked.

"We do. It's where we used to live before we headed college." Tracy answered.

Nick inserts the house key to the knob and finally opens the front door. It was a small house and everything inside looked untouched, like they were still new furnitures. The living room couch was colored light green and the walls were white. There's this staircase that leads to the second floor and I see a door right across the living room which is probably the kitchen. Tracy closed the front door behind me as I watch Nick entering the kitchen.

"Are there still foods in the kitchen Nick?" Tracy asked.

"Yeah. I called Mr. Moore that we were coming over today so he did some grocery." He answered.

Tracy and I headed to the couch. "Your brother knows how to cook? Seriously?"

She nods and grabs the remote as she starts to turn on the television. It was an old looking tv but it was still working.

"Who's Mr. Moore?" I asked.

"The caretaker of this house. He's the one who's been looking after our place when we left for college. He lives a little close by."

The kitchen door swings open, "What do you girls want for lunch?"

"Make your all time famous spicy spaghetti Nick." Tracy said happily.

Nick gazed at me. "Would you want that for lunch?"

I nodded right away. "Yeah. Sure."

He walks inside the kitchen. "Could you look after my brother for me? He doesn't wanna be alone inside that kitchen."

"Why?" I asked.

Could you? I just need

of us stand. "Sure. No problem.

by little I slowly reach for the door and opened it. I see Nick chopping some spices, he pulled his head up to

marched inside. "I was wondering if you needed any

chop this for me? I'm still going to make the sauce."

paused. I don't know how to do that.

the shapes of what

the burner. I sat down on the same chair and started chopping. We were both quiet while we were both doing our thing. When I was done chopping, I stand and handed him the chopping board with the chopped spices that he needs. I was just watching him

you been cooking? Guys don't really

years now."

to cook?" I tried

"No." He said quickly.

me if I do so. He's in a foul mood right now and I don't know why he is. Gosh he's so moody. I cleaned

called

and turned to

said that night when you

gazed at him, he's talking about Catherine. He was still focused on what he

was very delicious. It tasted a little bit sweet and spicy. It was great. He's even a better cook than I do. But then I noticed that he's been even more very quiet since that time he told me to forget about what he said that night and I'm

afternoon, we were done watching this rom-com movie. Tracy and I were both laughing about the movie but Nick was just quiet right next to Tracy. Then Tracy and I started playing cards while Nick was just watching us. By six, when we were ready

can't leave yet." Tracy called out while she was

the rooftop little by little, I looked up to the ceiling, then it poured hard with the next ones in a few seconds. I hurriedly ran to the window and the rain was pouring outside the house making everything totally soaked within two seconds. The loud pitter patter of the rain echoes inside

maybe slippery on the way back. It's

mean we have to sleep here for tonight?"

a choice." Tracy answers.

early class tomorrow that I

going to take the risk on driving on a

I gave up.

and I wonder how he got this skill. Tracy and I were the only ones talking while eating. By the time it was time to clean up the table, Nick helped me place the dishes to the sink while Tracy went upstairs to prepare a room for me. Nick and I started washing and drying the dishes together. The sound of the rain on the rooftop were echoing and the plates clinking each other too. But the silence between me

it was my chance to look at him before this night would end. His golden-brown hair perfectly paired with those mesmerizing blue eyes, his broad shoulders, sharp jawline and goodness the way he always

door swings open. "Savannah. I'm done preparing your room. You're going to sleep on

could see her old photos when she was young while she was with Nick. I smiled as I look at his younger self, Nick has always been a

What if a robber could've come inside and fought with Nick? We glanced at each other and Tracy

Tracy called out.

and ran to the kitchen. My eyes widened out from my sockets. Broken glasses were scattered on the floor and a knife too.

There's blood.

Blood dripping.

His blood is dripping all over the floor.

Tracy shrieks.

Tracy and I ran to him.

tight with the other. "The knife slipped