Previously :
"Stupid beer… What am I supposed to do now?"
"Why did it have to be her?"
Next morning
The kitchen was quiet.
Ellie was already up, standing in front of the stove in her oversized hoodie. Her messy bun showed she hadn't really woken up yet, but her hands moved with purpose. She was making soup—for Bella. Something to help with the headache from last night's drinking. Something warm and light to settle her stomach.
She peeled a white radish and cut it into chunky rounds, then minced a few garlic cloves and tossed them into a bit of hot oil. The aroma filled the kitchen. It smelled like home. Like something her mom would make when she was sick.
She added water, then the radish, and gently placed soft tofu into the pot. A bit of salt, a pinch of MSG, and just a little white pepper. That was it. Simple. Easy on the stomach.
She stirred the soup slowly, her thoughts drifting.
She didn't know exactly what was going on inside her anymore. Something about Bella made her chest feel heavy, strange. Maybe she was just tired lately. Maybe it was more. But for now, she tried not to think too deeply. Just focused on the soup. And on Bella.
"I hope this helps her feel better." The words echoed quietly in her mind.
Then came footsteps. Soft but getting closer.
Ellie knew instantly—it had to be Bella. There were only two of them in the house.
"What are you cooking so early? Smells good," Bella said from behind, her voice close—too close to Ellie's ear.
Ellie froze for a second, feeling the warmth of Bella's breath, her presence too near.
"Soup," she said, a little awkwardly.
"Soup? Are you gonna eat it with rice?" Bella asked, peeking over Ellie's shoulder.
"Rice?"
"You said once you're the kind of Asian who needs rice, even for breakfast."
Ellie laughed. "I didn't think you remembered that."
Bella gave a small shrug. "I do."
"Well… it's not for me," Ellie said, glancing at her. "It's for you."
Bella paused. "For me?"
"Yeah. For your stomach. After all that alcohol last night." Ellie hesitated. "You acted kind of weird. I thought you might not remember."
"Of course I remember," Bella thought, keeping her face neutral.
"Last night? What did I do?" she asked, pretending to be confused.
Ellie raised an eyebrow but didn't push it. "Forget it. Just go sit down. It'll be ready soon."
"I'll just pretend nothing happened. That'll keep things from getting messy," Bella told herself as she walked to the table.
"You're being really kind today," she said aloud.
Ellie glanced over. "You seem different this morning."
"Different how?"
"I don't know… you're a bit chatty."
Bella scoffed. "So you prefer me being cold to you?"
"Please don't," Ellie teased. "I like this version better."
Bella shook her head and sat down. A few minutes later, Ellie brought over the soup and sat beside her.
"Eat it. Tell me what you think."
Bella took a sip. "It's nice. What's in it?"
"MSG," Ellie joked with a grin.
"Very serious chef," Bella replied dryly, but a faint smile tugged at her lips.
Ellie smiled too. Joking around was easier—it kept the air light.
Bella took another spoonful, slower this time. She didn't look up when she spoke.
"My mom used to cook something like this, too."
Ellie turned her head slightly, surprised. "Yeah?"
Bella nodded, still staring at her bowl. "When I got sick. But only then. She wasn't really… warm."
There was a quiet pause. Just the sound of the spoon clinking.
"She used to say taking care of people made you weak. That it made others rely on you too much." Bella let out a dry, almost bitter laugh. Like she wasn't sure if it was supposed to be funny or sad.
Ellie didn't speak right away. Her chest felt heavy.
"Well," Ellie said softly, trying to keep her tone light, "I think I'm okay being weak sometimes."
Bella looked up. Their eyes met—just for a few seconds, but it lingered.
Then Ellie asked gently, "So… how's your mom now?"
"I don't know. We don't talk anymore. Maybe she doesn't even care how I'm doing." Bella said it casually, but there was something in her voice that didn't match the words.
Ellie didn't push. She just listened. Quietly.
She didn't know what to say, and maybe that was okay. Sometimes, just being there was enough. But something about this moment—about the way Bella was finally letting her guard down, even just a little—made it feel like a small step forward between them.