Chapter 223: Pure recipe for love 1

''A toast to Ever'' Jade said lifting her glass of wine up and everyone did the same. They clicked their glasses together before congratulating her for her winning.

''Congratulations, Ever''

''Congratulations, Ever''

''Congrats, Ever''

''Big sis, I always knew you would make us proud'' Cody said making them laugh.

''Thanks everyone. I am so happy to have a lot of people cheering me on. Your presence made me feel so special and contributed to my confidence, especially Brave. He helped me a lot today''

''Elder cousin, you can call me any day and I will be there to help you''

''It's so good to have everyone here today, especially Alice. We missed you so much'' Liyah said turning to face Alice.

''Oh, don't look at me like that. I already received a lot of scolding from Amber. I took a sabbatical leave, so expect me on every family dinner from now 

''Mom, I love you'' Amber placed her head on Alice's shoulder.

''I love you too dear''

''So, it was clear that Ann was behind all the problems that Ever went through. What is going to happen to you two, now?'' Jade asked and the room turned quiet.

''You should mind your own business and let them sort it out themselves. You don't even have a boyfriend of your 

''Mom, today is not about me. It's about them'' Jade pouted her lips.

''I am against any form of relationship between Jayden and Ever again'' Kash said and they turned to look at him.

''Why?'' Leo Martins asked.

''He is not worthy''

''My son is not worthy? There is no better person than my son. How dare you belittle him?'' Aaron Saint defended his son.

''He was so gullible and allowed that little secretary to deceive him''

''That was just an unfortunate incident''

''I think this is our cue to leave?'' Channing said and they all stood up to leave. tiptoeing towards the balcony, they heard August Maijune's voice.

''Everest dear, tell us. Do you have no feelings left for Jayden? Your father is acting so obnoxious tonight. You know how I always care for you, right?''

Her voice slurred. It was obvious she was drunk, no, it was obvious their parents were drunk except Alice.

''You have to tell us today. Is my son really not worthy of your affections?''

Ever looked at everyone. Their eyes were on her. She let out an awkward laugh as her face turned red.

''Ever, don't be intimidated by anyone'' Kash told her.

''Can we not talk about this tonight? It's a beautiful night and we are here to celebrate me, right? When did it suddenly turn into a question and answer session?'' she asked the latter part more to herself.

''Ever, do you like my son or not? Look at him, he is so handsome and well-mannered. There is nothing bad about him'' August Maijune said pointing at Jayden who stood next to Channing.

''Is my daughter ugly? Look at her, she is so beautiful and talented. She has a lot of good qualities'' Kash retorted.

''Are they really our parents? Damn, they look so wasted'' Jade asked rhetorically and turned to look at the others.

''I know, right? A congratulatory party just turned into a strange competition'' Cody added. Jade's phone buzzed and took it out and smiled seeing the caller ID.

''Well, I have something interesting going on later, see you later guys'' she said and turned to leave.

''Well, Channing and I also have something going on, Chan, we should go, right?'' Amber said and gave him a sign.

''Yes, we should go'' they quickly left leaving Cody, Brave, Jayden and Ever. The two boys looked at each other and nodded their heads.

''Cody, let's go and play the new game you bought'' Brave said pulling Cody along.

''Yes, let's go''

''You two can leave. I will handle things over here'' Alice said to Ever and Jade.

''Thanks, aunt'' Jayden said and turned to Ever, 'let's go''

''Oh''

...

Our parents were really wasted tonight'' Jayden said, trying to break the awkward silence as they took a stroll down the school park.

''I guess so'' Ever clasped her hands together.

''This place brings a lot of memories to mind, right? I remember meeting you for the first time here after you changed schools to this place''

''Oh, I was lacing my sneakers and the students stumbled on me'' Ever said as the memory of that day came to her mind.

####

The Year 20xx

16-year-old Ever walked around the park with her backpack behind her. She stopped at a distance and watched the male students playing football while the female students cheered them on. She smiled after seeing Jayden.

Though they were one big family, she stayed the most part of her life with her grandparents and only transferred schools after they passed away. Her eyes stayed glued on him.

The school bell rang and she came back to her senses and turned to leave when her sneaker lace came out.

''Oh, when did this come out?'' she said more to herself and knelt on one knee to tie the lace well. The students rushed forward towards the school assembly and some pushed her down as they ran. She fell on her butt and hissed and some four boys who were among those playing the football saw her and started laughing.

Ever bit her lips as her face flushed. She felt so ashamed of herself. She attempted to stand up and fell again.

''Is she stupid or what?'' one of the boys asked the others.

''The stupid ones are the ones laughing at a girl without helping her out'' Jayden said and walked up to her. he stretched forth his hand towards her, ''get up. Don't pay attention to these fools'' he said after helping her to stand on her feet.

''Thank you'' Ever mouthed out softly and saw him smiling.

''Everest France, right? My parents told me you were transferring here today'' Jayden asked and she nodded her head shyly. ''Let's go. I will take you to your homeroom teacher''

''Is she someone you know?'' one of the boys asked curiously because this was the first time Jayden was acting nice towards a girl. He always stayed far away from the girls in the school except his sister and cousin.

''Yes, so you guys better not make fun of her again or you will have to answer to me''

''Is she also your cousin?''

''No!!'' he said firmly and Ever looked at him.

''Then, is she your girlfriend?''

''That is none of your business. Just know that she is family to me. If you mess with her, I will make you pay'' the boys felt the warning and turned, walking away. Two excited voices called as they ran towards them.

''Ever, Jayden'' Jade and Amber ran to them. they pulled Ever into a hug.

''My mom said you were finally transferring to our school. Do you know how happy we were?'' Amber said.

''Hi'' Ever said shyly and awkwardly.

''Are you shy even with us? Amber, we need to do something about this or Ever is going to be antisocial'' Jade said and touched Ever's face, ''whoa. What were you eating, Ever? Your skin is so beautiful and your form has come out so well. Girl, big sis is jealous and worried already. What would we do if boys start coming to you?''

''No boy would come to her'' Jayden said angrily.

''Why are you getting angry with me? Are you Ever?''

''You… let me warn you. You are not allowed to have male friends apart from Channing and me'' Jayden said and walked away leaving the girls speechless.

''Is that really Jayden? That didn't sound like him at all'' Amber noted.

''I know, right? he sounded more like a jealous boyfriend than a brother. Anyways, let's take Ever to the Principal's office'' Jade said and took the backpack from Ever.

''Okay. Ever, these two big sisters will help you settle down. Leave everything to us''

''Thank you''

''There is nothing like thank you and sorry between family members'' Jade pulled her along as they went.

...

That day, during break. Ever took out her lunchbox and waited for everyone to leave the classroom before she placed it on the table and removed her bottle of water.

''Is she eating in the class alone?''

''I guess so. I heard she transferred to this school after failing the exams in their previous school. Our homeroom teacher was complaining to the Principal when I sent the homework books to her. She said her academics were zero to nothing''

''I heard some of the girls saying they saw her with Jayden''

''She just came and she is already hooking up with the most popular boy in our school?''

Ever paused her actions when she heard the voices. She turned and saw the three girls that weren't so subtle about their conversation at the back door. They looked at her and laughed before going away.

Ever looked at the walnut pancakes in her lunchbox and lost her appetite. It was true she didn't know a lot of things but today was her first day at school. how could those girls say such things in front of her? she was there when the homeroom teacher was complaining to the Principal about her results but she didn't think news about her was going to travel so fast.