I woke up the next morning with one thing on my mind.
Ella.
I knew she wasn't okay, even if she was trying to act like she was. And for once, I didn't want to stay stuck in my own head.
So I picked up my phone and texted her.
Me: Are you free today?
She replied after a bit.
Ella: Yeah… why?
I smiled slightly.
Me: We're cooking.
There was a pause.
Then:
Ella: Cooking what?
Me: Jollof rice. Don't argue.
She sent a laughing emoji.
Ella: Okay boss.
When we met up, she looked fine.
Too fine.
Like she had already decided she wasn't going to let anything show.
I noticed it immediately, but I didn't say anything.
"Come," I said, grabbing her wrist lightly. "Market first."
Ella looked at me. "You're actually serious about this?"
"Very serious."
She narrowed her eyes. "You? Cooking?"
"Don't annoy me," I said, trying not to smile.
At the market, I started picking things like I knew what I was doing.
"Rice… tomatoes… pepper…"
Ella crossed her arms. "You're guessing."
"I'm not guessing," I said quickly.
She took one of the tomatoes from me. "This is unripe."
I paused.
"…It adds character," I said.
She laughed, shaking her head. "Give me that."
And just like that, she took over.
We moved around together, arguing over small things.
"This rice is fine," I said.
"It's not," she replied. "You just like it because it's cheap."
"That's called being smart."
"That's called being broke."
I rolled my eyes. "Wow."
She laughed again.
And this time, it lasted a little longer.
By the time we got back to my place, things felt… easier.
Not perfect.
But better.
We dropped everything in the kitchen.
"Okay," I said, tying my hair back. "Chef Anna is in charge."
Ella leaned against the counter. "God help me."
"You'll eat and survive," I said.
"Hopefully."
Cooking made everything lighter.
"Pass me the onions."
"You didn't wash them."
"I was going to."
"You weren't."
I sighed. "You like arguing."
"With you? Yes."
I smiled a little.
At some point, I noticed she had gone quiet again.
Not completely.
Just softer.
So I nudged her.
"Don't disappear inside your head again," I said.
She looked at me.
"I'm trying not to."
"That's why we're doing this," I said. "Distraction."
She let out a small laugh. "You're not even good at it."
"I didn't say I was professional."
We kept talking, cooking, arguing over nothing.
And for a while, it worked.
Later, when everything was almost ready, Ella leaned back against the counter.
"Thank you," she said quietly.
I looked at her. "For what?"
"For this," she said. "You didn't have to."
I shrugged. "I know."
She smiled faintly.
And that was enough.
After we ate, she got ready to leave.
I walked her to the door.
"Text me when you get home," I said.
She nodded. "I will."
There was a small pause.
Then she hugged me.
This time, I hugged her back immediately.
"Don't go back into your head," she murmured.
I exhaled slightly. "I'll try."
She pulled back, gave me a small look, then left.
When the door closed, the house felt different.
Quiet.
Not the peaceful kind.
Just… empty.
I stood there for a bit before walking back inside.
I never saw myself as lonely. Like I needed someone.
But when Ella and I had that issue, everything just felt off.
That was when I realized something.
Everyone needs someone.
I did too.
And I think that was why I let myself open up to Jay.
I sat on my bed and picked up my phone.
For a second, I just stared at it.
Then I opened his chat.
Jay.
Still nothing.
No text. No call. Nothing.
I frowned slightly.
Then typed.
Hey.
I stared at it.
Almost deleted it.
Then I sent it.
A few seconds later—
Seen.
That was it.
No reply.
I kept staring at the screen like something would change.
Like maybe it would show typing.
Nothing.
I dropped my phone beside me and leaned back slowly.
"…Wow," I muttered.
A small breath left me.
"…another one."
Then quieter:
"…just like that."