Indiana, Invincible; Chapter 11, Part 3

by Maryam in A Land Of Desert And Sun

(Indiana's POV)

Okay.

Now, I know I'm totally nuts. I do. I really do. I've lost my mind completely. I have.

Oh, my goodness gracious.

WHAT AM I DOING?

Through the mental noise of my inner shrieked monologue, my fingers move in their accustomed, familiar way, nevertheless, stirring up the batter I put together so easily. I dip a finger around the bowl and taste it experimentally, closing my eyes.

It's acceptable. Quite good, actually. Very good for a brownie batter.

And I WON'T think about who it's going to.

***

15 minutes in the oven have passed; it's time.

I'm putting the foil around the cake pan; I've cut the brownie into pieces; I'm shaking my head wearily, disbelieveingly to myself.

I'm actually going to skip over to Liam Rheston's house and drop this off as a token of my apology.

I ACTUALLY AM.

Oh, wow. I really am nuts.

Shaking my head again, this time almost admiringly, I head out of the kitchen, balancing the pan on one hand as I grab my hat off the stand, and shout to my mother, dusting the delicate crystal around the dining room (it's very delicate, which is the only reason I'm not over there helping her and giving into this foolish escapade),

'Mom, I'm out for a bit! I'll be back in like fifteen minutes, is that okay? Just going out for a walk!'

Her assent is lost to my ears as I gently grasp the door and haul it inwar;.

I head outside with a spring in my step, my heart beating audibly:

Thump - thump - thump - thump.....