I could see the confusion on young Aria's face. She clearly didn't know what to do. Yes, she had watched Evelora prepare those specific dishes and more, but now she was staring at the ingredients, having forgotten how.
After hours of standing there, staring at the ingredients and hoping she would remember, she sighted her mom walking down the stairs. It was then that young Aria started slicing onions, acting like she knew what she was doing.
"Oh, Mom, you're here. Shouldn't you be upstairs resting?" young Aria said.
"No, I came to help. Cooking can be very tasking," Mom responded.
"Mom, I can handle it. You need rest," young Aria insisted, even though she knew deep down she had no idea how to cook the dinner.
"And you, Aria, need to understand that you are still a growing child. What are you always trying to prove, and to whom?" Mom questioned for the first time, a little angry.
"I… I—" young Aria stuttered.
"You nothing," Mom continued. "Throughout today I have been busy. Let me make it up to you. I know for a fact that you don't know what to do, so we are doing this together," Mom said sternly, but with a calm voice.
"Okay, Mom," young Aria said, looking down at the floor.
Mom turned on the music, set the pot on the fire, and then began slicing and mincing. The cooking began, with Mom instructing young Aria on what to bring and her putting the right amount into the pot.
When they got to the last meal preparation, everything already smelled scrumptious. Within one hour, all the food was made perfectly. This was my favorite memory because it didn't cause me pain, neither did it remind me.
"Wow, Mom, these are beautiful, and they smell yummy," young Aria praised their cooking.
"Want to know why?"
"Yes," she said curiously.
"Because we made it together. You can't always perfect things alone. Sometimes a little teamwork goes far," Mom continued. "Sit down. Let's enjoy this meal."
Young Aria did just that, and in no time they were eating and chatting happily. She told Mom about school, but she contemplated whether or not she should talk about the paper, so she decided to keep it to herself.
"I am glad you and Marie could set aside your misunderstanding," Mom told her, her mouth occupied with food.
"I know, Mom, but she shouldn't have fallen for Jasmine's trap," young Aria said.
"She didn't know it would go that far," Mom defended her.
"when i told her to forget about it. She chose not to listen to me. Jasmine always causes trouble," she added.
"I think she was just trying to protect you, just like a good friend would do," Mom said.
"It didn't feel like protection. It just felt like Marie helping Jasmine in order to remind me that it didn't matter what opportunity I got—I would never be special," young Aria said.
"You know it doesn't always have to be about you. From what you told me, the head teacher didn't listen to you both, so Marie was equally as hurt as you," Mom continued. "Why would you let Jasmine bring you down? It is clearly obvious that she was jealous and envious of your opportunity. You should be happy and proud."
"Thank you, Mom."
They had finally finished eating, so they began clearing the plates. When they kept them in the kitchen, Mom crouched to young Aria's level.
"Remember this, Aria: your hard work got you to this point. Don't let what others do or say ruin the happiness that should always be on your face," Mom advised.
"I love you, Mom. Thank you," she said and hugged her.
"Now go shower and rest. I will take care of the rest," Mom said after breaking the hug.
She nodded and ran upstairs. When she was done showering, she put on a little nighty dress.
The paper was the first thing that caught her eye. It lay there on the floor. She slowly bent down and picked it up, and then, without even thinking, she unfolded it properly.
And she saw—
LUMERIS CODEX