Shattered Bonds

EPISODE 19

Drake woke up early the next morning, the faint glow of dawn seeping through the curtains. He blinked a few times, adjusting to the dim light, and as he turned his head, his eyes landed on Tristan, still sound asleep beside him. For a moment, he simply lay there, watching him. There was something peaceful about Tristan when he slept—his usual playful smirk absent, replaced by a serene expression that made him look almost angelic. His dark lashes fanned out against his skin, his lips slightly parted, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Drake took a deep breath, memorizing every detail—the strong curve of his jaw, the way his dark hair fell messily over his forehead, the faint traces of exhaustion still lingering from the nights of studying.

Drake let out a quiet sigh, feeling his chest tighten. He had spent so much time liking Tristan from afar, never daring to believe he would ever be this close to him, let alone waking up in the same bed. He felt a warmth spread through him before he carefully slid out from under the covers, making sure not to wake Tristan. He tiptoed across the room and slipped into the bathroom to freshen up. The cold water splashed against his face, helping him shake off the lingering drowsiness. Once done, he made his way downstairs, looking for something to do to help out around the house.

The house was quiet, the only sound coming from the occasional chirping of birds outside. As he stepped into the kitchen, his eyes scanned the refrigerator, mentally taking note of what was available. A small smile crept onto his lips—cooking had always been second nature to him. He had spent countless hours in the kitchen with his mother, learning the art of making delicious meals. He rolled up his sleeves, took out the necessary ingredients, and got to work.

The scent of sizzling eggs, freshly baked toast, and warm pancakes soon filled the air, blending with the rich aroma of coffee brewing in the pot. Drake moved with precision, flipping pancakes with ease, adding a touch of cinnamon just the way his mother used to. By the time he was done, the dining table was set, complete with fresh fruit, butter, syrup, and a neatly arranged stack of plates. He glanced at the clock—still early. Smiling to himself, he rushed back upstairs to take a quick shower before anyone woke up.

Julie stretched as she got out of bed, ready to start her usual morning routine. As she stepped out of the bedroom, the delicious aroma of food drifted through the air, making her pause. Her brows furrowed in confusion. Tristan? No, her son was too lazy to even step into the kitchen unless he was looking for a snack. Alfred was still in bed. That left only one possibility—Drake.

Intrigued, she walked toward the dining area and was taken aback by the sight before her. The table was already set with a variety of breakfast options, the steam still rising from the plates. She blinked, momentarily stunned, before a warm smile graced her lips. So, the boy could cook too? Impressive.

Without wasting time, she hurried back to her room, shaking her husband gently.

"Honey, wake up," she urged. "Breakfast is ready.

Her husband groggily blinked at her. "Already? Honey, you’re fast today."

Julie chuckled. "Just come downstairs and see for yourself."

As she called out for the boys to join them, Alfred sat down at the table, already scooping food onto his plate. The smell alone was enough to awaken his appetite. He took a bite and let out a pleased hum. "Mmm, this is good. Really good."

Drake was the first to come downstairs, offering a polite greeting before taking his seat. Julie caught his eye and winked at him, mouthing a silent ‘thank you.’ He only smiled in response, a little shy under the attention.

A few moments later, Tristan finally appeared, yawning as he pulled out his chair. "Morning, everyone." His eyes flickered to Drake. "Did you sleep well?"

Drake nodded. "Yeah, I did."

They both served themselves and began eating when Tristan paused, his brow furrowing slightly. "Mum, did you try something new? Breakfast tastes different today, but it’s delicious as always."

Julie burst out laughing, earning a confused look from both Tristan and Alfred.

"Honey, why are you laughing?" Alfred asked.

"Because," Julie said, barely containing her amusement, "I didn’t cook this breakfast. Drake did."

All eyes turned to Drake, surprise written all over their faces. Tristan blinked. "Wait, you cooked? You can cook?"

Drake gave a small nod, somewhat shy under the sudden attention.

Alfred chuckled, shaking his head in approval. "A man who can cook wins the world. Your future partner is going to be very lucky, Drake."

His words carried a certain weight, and when he glanced at Tristan meaningfully, the implication wasn’t lost on anyone. Tristan shifted slightly, feeling an odd, unfamiliar warmth creep up his neck.

Julie playfully nudged her son. "If I had a son like Drake, I wouldn’t be so tired all the time. Unlike you, who is as lazy as the laziest animal on Earth."

The table erupted into laughter, Tristan rolling his eyes but unable to stop a small smile from forming. The rest of breakfast was spent in cheerful conversation, filled with warmth and laughter.

---

The weekend passed in a blur of intense studying, and soon, Monday arrived, marking the beginning of exams. Everyone was too busy with their books to think about anything else. Even Drake, despite his usual calm demeanor, was completely absorbed in his studies. He had less time to spend with Tristan, but at least they continued studying together in the school library whenever they could.

As quickly as the exams came, they finally ended, bringing a collective sigh of relief. The tension that had gripped the students eased, replaced with excitement. A few classmates, close-knit despite their differences, decided to celebrate the occasion with a class dinner on Saturday night.

The restaurant buzzed with conversation and laughter as the group gathered. Nathan, Carl, Dylan, Sophie, Annie, James, Andrew, Kane, Mark, Lena, and Sam were already seated when Sophie turned to Dylan. "What about Tristan and Drake? Are they coming?"

Dylan barely had time to answer before the restaurant doors opened, revealing the missing duo. Tristan and Drake walked in together, Drake laughing softly at something Tristan had said, the warmth between them unmistakable.

They greeted everyone before taking their seats beside each other. Sophie, ever the responsible class monitor, cleared her throat, drawing their attention. "Alright, everyone. We’re here to celebrate because I have full faith that we all did great on the exams. So, let’s raise our glasses—to a new class, a new academic year, and whatever comes next!"

A chorus of cheers echoed around the table as glasses clinked together. The mood was light, the food delicious, and for a moment, it felt like nothing else in the world mattered except the friendships they had formed.

Midway through the meal, Tristan leaned in slightly towards Drake. "I’m going to use the restroom. I’ll be back in a sec."

Drake nodded, his attention briefly lingering on Tristan as he walked away. But he wasn’t the only one watching.

Nathan, sitting by the window, had also noticed. And barely a minute later, he quietly excused himself and followed after Tristan.

Carl smirked, watching the interaction. "And so the drama begins."