Chapter 8: Cooking Catastrophe
Marigold was determined to surprise Clover with a homemade dinner. Their newfound relationship had blossomed after their undercover date, and they had been spending more time together. Today was the day Marigold decided to showcase her culinary skills, or lack thereof.
She spent hours scouring cookbooks and YouTube tutorials for a recipe that seemed foolproof. Eventually, she settled on attempting a fancy three-course meal.
As Clover arrived at Marigold's apartment, he was greeted by the inviting aroma of garlic and herbs. Marigold, dressed in an apron, greeted him with a bright smile.
"Welcome, Clover! I've prepared a special dinner for us tonight. Please, have a seat."
Clover couldn't hide his excitement and curiosity. "Wow, Marigold, this looks amazing. I can't wait to taste it."
Marigold served their first course, a creamy tomato basil soup, which had been bubbling away in a pot for hours. As Clover took his first spoonful, his face contorted in an exaggerated grimace.
Marigold's eyes widened with concern. "Is it...bad?"
Clover cleared his throat, attempting to hide a chuckle. "Well, let's just say it's quite...unique."
Marigold laughed along with him, admitting, "I might have added a bit too much salt."
Their laughter filled the room as they sampled the rest of the courses. The main course was an elaborate attempt at chicken Alfredo, but the sauce had somehow turned into a thick, cheesy paste. Marigold tried to pass it off as "rustic," but they both knew it was far from the original intention.
Clover, ever the gentleman, tried to reassure her. "You know, I've always loved cheese."
Their dessert, a chocolate soufflé, had risen too much and deflated dramatically when Marigold tried to plate it. It resembled more of a chocolate crater than a soufflé. However, the taste was surprisingly good.
Clover chuckled, "It may not look perfect, but it's delicious."
As they cleaned up the kitchen together, Marigold's culinary adventure became a hilarious memory they'd cherish. She confessed, "I may have overestimated my cooking skills. I just wanted to make something special for you."
Clover gently put his arm around her, still grinning. "Marigold, it doesn't matter if dinner didn't turn out as planned. I appreciate the effort, and I had a fantastic time sharing this laugh with you."
Marigold leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. "You're too sweet, Clover. I'll make it up to you with takeout next time."
They continued to bond over the failed dinner, laughing at the mishaps, and talking about the other amusing moments they had shared in their time together. The evening may not have gone as planned, but their connection had only grown stronger through their shared laughter.
As they relaxed on the couch, Marigold and Clover exchanged stories about their childhood cooking disasters, cementing their shared history of culinary chaos. It was an evening filled with love, laughter, and the understanding that their relationship was built on more than just romantic moments—it was about the joy of being together, no matter the circumstances.
**The Group Selfie**
It was a sunny day on campus, and Marigold had made plans to meet with Bruno to discuss an upcoming environmental club event. As she arrived at their designated meeting spot, a tree-lined courtyard with benches, she spotted Bruno already there, engrossed in his phone.
"Hey, Bruno," Marigold greeted as she approached.
Bruno looked up and smiled warmly. "Marigold, you're right on time. I was just checking some event details. How are you?"
Marigold sat down on the bench next to him. "I'm good. Excited about our upcoming tree-planting event. By the way, have you seen the cherry blossom trees by the library? They're in full bloom!"
Bruno's eyes lit up with excitement. "Oh, those are stunning! We should definitely check them out after our meeting."
As Marigold and Bruno continued discussing their club event, Clover had been watching from a distance. He couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy as he saw them engrossed in conversation.
Determined not to let his feelings get the best of him, Clover decided to join the conversation, but in a light-hearted way. He approached the duo with a playful grin. "What's all the excitement about, you two? Am I missing out on something?"
Marigold and Bruno looked up, surprised to see Clover. Marigold replied, "Hey, Clover. We were just talking about the cherry blossom trees by the library. They're beautiful right now."
Clover, ever the charismatic charmer, leaned in with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "You know what would make this moment even better? A group selfie with those cherry blossoms in the background!"
Bruno, always up for some fun, laughed. "That's a great idea, Clover! Let's do it."
Marigold couldn't resist the infectious enthusiasm and agreed. "Sure, why not? Let's take a group selfie."
Clover held out his phone, and the three of them huddled together with the cherry blossom trees providing a stunning backdrop. Marigold stood in the middle, with Bruno on her right and Clover on her left. They all put on their best smiles for the photo.
However, as Clover was about to take the picture, he couldn't resist the urge to add a humorous twist. He made a hilarious, exaggerated pouty face, trying to steal the spotlight in the selfie.
Marigold and Bruno, caught by surprise, couldn't help but burst into laughter at Clover's silly expression. The selfie captured their candid and infectious joy.
Clover took the photo, and as they checked the result, Marigold giggled. "Clover, that pout is epic! We have to take another one."
Bruno chimed in, "Absolutely, but this time I'm joining in on the silliness!"
They took another selfie, but this time, Marigold and Bruno exaggerated their own comical expressions. Marigold puckered her lips in a fish-face, and Bruno crossed his eyes while sticking out his tongue. The result was a trio of goofy faces and hearty laughter.
As they reviewed the second selfie, Clover couldn't help but chuckle. "Now, that's the perfect selfie! We should call it the 'Cherry Blossom Clown Crew.'"
Marigold nodded in agreement, still laughing. "I love it! The 'Cherry Blossom Clown Crew' it is."
Their selfie session continued, and each picture became more outrageous than the last. They imitated funny expressions, posed with silly gestures, and even tried to photobomb each other. It was a moment of pure, carefree fun under the cherry blossoms.
With each picture, the group's bond grew stronger. Laughter had a magical way of bringing people together, and Marigold, Clover, and Bruno were no exception. The shared humor and camaraderie that day were etched into their memories as the "Cherry Blossom Clown Crew," reminding them that even in the midst of rivalry and romance, there was always room for laughter and friendship.