"Good morning darling," my mum calls from behind her Ipad drinking her daily herbal tea.

I can only grumble in response as I feel like I have just woken up from sleeping on a pile of rocks. 

Why you may ask, did I sleep on the couch made out of rocks instead of the perfectly good pullout guest bed?

Great question.

I may have completely forgotten about the more comfortable option until I was covered in itchy blankets. Plus I had only just found a good position that I couldn't move from.

My eyes adjust to the fluorescent lights of the kitchen, "What's so good about Tuesdays? I'm barely through the start of the week, nothing interesting ever happens and I find that everyone is just a slacker." I rummage through the fridge hoping to find something half decent for breakfast. 

It was definitely time for us to restock the fridge as there are only some very sketchy containers and a couple spreads inside.

"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed," another voice surprises me when they enter the kitchen causing me to bang my head on the ceiling of the fridge. 

"Maybe if I actually slept in a bed I wouldn't be so grumpy," I snap back giving the bed thief a deadly glare.

Sadly I am not immune to Sam's lazy grin which makes so I almost melt when he runs a hand through his dishevelled hair. Curse him and his good looks.

"Why didn't you sleep on your bed? You know, the rectangle thing with a mattress on top in your bedroom?" Mum lowers her device to look between Sam and me curiously.

Throwing the tub of Nutella down on the table I walk back to the freezer to retrieve a packet of waffles, "I don't know? How about you ask this intruder who was nice enough to leave drool stains on my pillowcase!"

Sam lifts an eyebrow, "You were watching me sleep?"

"No," I pause for a second to ponder the right words that won't dig me into a hole I can't get out of. "I was considering smothering a pillow over your face, hoping it would suffocate you but decide against it as."

He leans against the counter with to much swag for this time in the morning "You realised how much you would miss me?"

"No, I didn't want to hide a dead body in the middle of the night. Too much effort to dig a hole in the middle of a forest or dump your body off a bridge.

He loops his arms around my waist and hangs his head on my shoulder. "Just like old times."

I elbow him, uncomfortable with our close proximity, "Yep, just like old times."

"Honey, there would have been plenty of room for two if you pushed him over a little."

"I think you mean fully off the bed. And I'd like to remind everyone that the bed is a single. Uno. By itself. Made for One. Lonely."

My attempt at eating my waffles is a failure as Sam comes from behind and takes the top one off my plate. AKA the one with the most Nutella. AKA the best one.

Infuriated, I slam my hands on the table making everyone jump. "First, he falls asleep my on my bed now he's taking my waffles. Who does he think he is?"

"Your boyfriend sweetie ." Mum lightly patting me on the shoulder before leaving to get ready for work.

I tense at the word.

Ah yes, the matter of our pending relationship. Now I remember what I was trying to avoid. Maybe I should have stayed on the couch a little longer.

It dawns on me that we've been left alone with a plate of waffles for company.

Cautiously I pull the plate closer "Well they are my waffles so hands off." I shew him away hoping he'll get the hint.

Instead, he takes that as a cue to drag me to my feet. "Get changed. We're going for a walk." He guides me in the direction of my room.

Struggling to get out of his grip I flick my head up to him. "For your information, I have things to do that do not include going for a morning stroll with you. I have to go meet my new boss today pick up my new uniform."

The playful gleam in his eyes is a sign that there will be no arguing, "It'll be good for us to get some fresh air and you've got the entire day to pick up your uniform. I think you can spare half an hour for an old friend eh?"

"Fine but we bring food because I haven't had a proper meal."

I leave my room in a pair of black tights and a thick jumper ready to brave the cool noting air.

Sam is already standing at the door waiting for me in a different change of clothes. This leaves me to wonder if he brought them knowing he'll be staying the night or if he always has a spare pair in his car for an emergency.

He's lazily scrolling through his phone when he realises that I'm ready to go. A warm smile lights up his face as he offers me a hand.

I take his withdrawn hand and am pulled along to the path outside by an eager Sam. The cool morning breeze reminds me that I came back in the middle of winter. Talk about bad timing 

"So you're back?" Sam starts a conversation with a great observation.

"Ah yes, that seems to be the situation."

"How was London? What did you do there?

I nod my head while shoving my hands in my pockets to stop frostbite "Cold. I ate and read and wrote and ate some more. You know the usual."

"That's nice." He combs his fingers through the messy brown mop of hair in his head, "how was class last night?"

Sighing, I take a hold of Sams arm and softly tug on his sleeve so I can loop my arm through his.

"Sam, I really appreciate your effort and everything but can we skip the small talk it's completely exhausting and unnerving." He looks down at our linked arms and back to me. His face softens when he gives me a look I can't decipher.  

"What's really on your mind? Why did you bring me out here to talk because there are more interesting topics than weather and how we are?" I nudge him while trying to avoid the tripping hazards on the ground. 

Carefully he moves his arm so he could fit his hand in mine. Well for one I knew that if we were outside in the morning cold you were less likely to run away and hide if I went onto a topic you didn't like and I know it seems cliche but I always seem to lose my breath when you're around.

Well I'm out of breath all the time because I'm unfit so don't feel special

A light huff which I'm guessing is a restricted laugh comes from Sams direction.

"Why did you leave?"

I've been preparing for this question for a while, "I needed to breathe. And when I say breathe I mean working out life by myself without people telling me their opinions on what I should be doing next or what I need to be doing. Everyone's voices were just getting annoying." 

The pressure at the end of the year had gotten to me. The only thing people wanted to know about me was what I was going to be doing with my life. I sadly did not have a clue and when I said things like 'not sure' or 'I'm going with the flow' I would just get pitiful looks. It had gotten exhausting so I did the only reasonable thing that came to mind. I ran away.

"So you went to the other side of the world?" he asks with a hint of amusement.

"It seemed like a good idea at that point in time. Also, I'm not known for making the most rational spontaneous choices okay. And I can you just stop looking at me like that, I can't deal with it." I have to bite my tongue to stop myself from blubbering on any further.

Sams eyes glisten as his mischievous grin widens, "With what?"

"You looking like that," I motion up and down at his simple jacket and jeans attire that looks like they were made for him.

When he bites his lips to compress a smile I can't help but admit my heart skipped a beat when I saw him. Well, I wanted to go hide under a table.

He shrugs like this is brand new information, "I'm the same person so I don't really understand-"

"You got hotter. And I don't even know how it is even possible but you did. And here I am, a plain Jane who is overweight because she gained at least 5 kilos from the number of pastries she ate and is a complete mess. I wouldn't blame you if-"

Sam cut me off when he stops us on the sidewalk, "Go on a date with me."

Any words that were on the tip of my tongue have now disappeared "Sam-"

He pulls me close so we are standing toe to toe "A real date, where it's just you and me and we can talk and eat. Nothing more. Just us catching up." he says drawing circles on the top of my hand. 

I hesitate for a second but when he smiles i can't help but feel my lips tug up as well

"And no Lee," he promises "I still don't understand how he always ended up being at the same place as us."

Yes, who could forget the very few time Sam and I went out before but found our friends coincidently there at the same time. I'm still convinced he has a tracker on our phones.

"We could just start with coffee. No pressure. Just two people enjoying each others company. I'll even buy you food."

I can't ignore the flutter in my stomach so I slowly nod, "Okay, I don't usually trust people that steal my waffles but I'll make an exception for you."

"Why? Because you think I'm hot" Sams smile is shameless and I hit him playfully on the shoulder.

I shrug "Maybe because I kinda missed you." 

"I'll ring you later?" Sam bounces on the balls of his feet and he walks backwards. Well someone is excited.

"Yeah," I hang my head, embarrassed not knowing where to go from here.  I'm waiting to hear a thud from him tripping over his own feet.

I'm taken by surprise when my head is tilted up and a soft kiss is placed on my lips. A tingling sensation runs from my lips and the way down to the tips of my toe. The zoo inside my stomach is running rampage again and my heart is racing a hundred miles an hour.

The golden flakes in Sams' eyes sparkle when he winks "Waffle thief strikes again!"

I think the waffle thief has stolen my heart.

Choc Chip Tip #4 

Protect your waffles and your Heart with all your life as you never know when is going to steal them

:):):)

I'm hungry.

I'm also happy that I finally got this up. Yesterday was a nightmare with the neighbours doing construction on their house. Can they not drill a hole for their pool more quietly?

How are you?

Did you like Mackenzie and Sams little D&M?

I hope your August has been swell

You are amazing and Deserve a plate of waffles and Nutella. You deserve the world.

Lots of waffle love 

Theforgottonone