"How 'bout that. I'll make sure to bring enough cake for everybody."

"Mmm, cake."

"So much cake," he promises.

"Awesome. So how've you been?"

"I have been awesome! I'd tell you the details, but you don't want 'em."

"I will take your word on that."

He laughs. "Because you know me."

"I do."

"You do," he sighs, hugging himself contentedly.

"Why is that sighworthy?"

"I like that you know me," he says. "And, you know, aren't running for the hills."

"Well, I did suggest that maybe we shouldn't have you over to set off fireworks, but the hills seem uncalled for."

"I just didn't want to find out experimentally how you and firework safety mix. Especially when it's my mom setting out the rules."

"Mm, yeah," he says, conceding the point. "Me, rules, and explosives is a bad mix."

"See," Bella says, "I know you."

"Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww."

Bella bursts into helpless giggles.

Trouble beams at her.

The rest of the school day elapses. Bella cooks - spaghetti, easy to make enough for a crowd.

Trouble shows up first, with cake.

"Hey you. You are the first to arrive."

"I feel so special," he laughs.