"Hey. You are here too?", Max asked.
"Hi...Max", I said nervously laughing. "Umm, please don't tell Kendricks we were here. I really don't want to_" I whispered to him until someone interrupted me
"Thumbelina"
"Thumbelina!?" I said turning around and looked up, "Kendricks", I gasped and fell to the ground with my butt because of the shock. He was a little too close.
"What are you doing here?", Kendricks asked lending me his hand to help me get up
"We're shopping. But what did you mean by Thumbelina?", I said lifting myself stand up without his help.
"Are you not? Thumb size", he held up his thumb finger, "Plus, it's cute"
Amelia stood a step closer to me,"Girl, you're blushing. Don't make it obvious", she whispered in my ear.
"What? Obvious!?", I said covering my cheeks, "We have to go now, bye". I used one hand to drag Amelia and the other to cover my face. I made Amelia carry all the bags.
Was I really blushing?
"Shorty"
I stopped and turned around.
"Please don't call me that too", I said.
"Then why did you turn around?",he asked.
"Because I know you're talking about me"
I turned to were I was going once again and began to stomp away
"We're going for dinner at a restaurant right now. Would you both like to accompany us?", Kendricks asked.
I stopped. Why? I had a quick debate between my heart and my mind
My heart wants to follow my love for food yet my mind knows very well that I am not pretty to look at when Im eating good food.
I had to go with my mind and I did.
"We can't. We have something to do", I rejected his offer.
"Like what?", he asked.
"It's none of your business. Stop being nosy"
"Are you upset with me?", he asked.
"Why would I be upset with you?"
"Because I'm taken"
Amelia looked at me smiling with suspicion.
"I already told you why I can't talk to you anymore"
"And I already told you not to worry", he wasn't budging.
"I'm not that hungry"
That must have been the biggest lie I have ever told in all my years of existence. I am that hungry. I'm always hungry.
"Plus it's expensive" Facts.
"I'll pay"
"Okay let's go. Lead the way", I quickly agreed
Free food? I can't miss out on that.
I thought I went with my mind. What happened?
"We can walk. It's three minutes away", Kendricks said pointing at the direction.
"What are we waiting for?", I said following behind.
Darn
I only agreed because I was starving, never been to a fancy restaurant in New York and Amelia was there so it will be less awkward.
And maybe because I wasn't the one paying.
In the restaurant...
Looks like I wasn't quite dressed the part and everyone else was either in formal attire for dinner meetings, some fancier for dates or hanging out. Here I was in my oversized jeans and hoodie. Amelia wasn't even at all bad as she's always dressed cute but edgy. So, it's just me.
"What would you like to order?", the waiter asked taking out his booklet and pen. I didn't even notice him approach us.
Gosh, so much on the menu I'd like to order. It all sounds delicious.
"I'll get the steak and fries please", Max said pointing to the picture of the food on the menu.
"Rotisserie chicken for me", Amelia said going back to her phone.
"Braised short ribs sounds good", Kendricks said giving back the menu to the waiter
And I was still debating on which to order among the thirteen dishes I wanted.
"Okay, I've made up my mind. Can I get the chicken pot pie, lobster roll, the fried chicken waffles, Cobb salad...and the wangyu beef stew", I said pointing at each one of them. "Cheers", I concluded.
"Sure, is that... all?",the waiter asked.
"I mean...", I said taking one more look in the menu but Kendricks gave me the eye he gave Max the other day in his car. "Okay that's all, thank you", I said closing the menu, a little unsatisfied.
Should I have switched out the cobb salad for the fries?
The waiter took the menus and walked away.
"Shorty"
"Hmm...stop. Don't call me that" I was getting irritated
"I thought you said you are not after my money"
"And you said you are not hungry", Amelia added still looking at her phone. As always.
I elbowed Amelia and looked at her. She looked at me as if she didn't know why I did that. I looked back at Kendricks and cleared my throat.
"I'm not after your money. It's just my first time here, that's why" I said then quickly looked away trying to distract myself by looking around
"And what if you don't like the food?"
I looked down in shame and embarrassment.
Why the heck did I order so much food? Is he going to call me foodie instead? I'll try to not finish all of it.
"It's okay Thumbelina. I don't mind if you don't eat it all" he assured me as the food arrived at our table.
Amelia took a few pictures for Instagram then we began to dig in.
15 minutes later...
Everyone had been chatting and then the sudden silence that had started to arouse a few seconds ago caught my attention.
I saw Amelia, Max and Kendricks looking at me in shock.
I just looked straight back at each one of them in confusion. My mouth was full of food and I looked down to my plates.
"Hiccup...Darn", I continued to lick my fingers
Oh goodness. I ate it all.
I swallowed my food.
"Wow, have you ever considered entering a speed eating contest?", Max asked after swallowing his steak.
"Look at the bright side, at least you didn't waste any food", Amelia said taking a sip of her drink.
I looked at Amelia, "Way to make me feel better about the fact that I literally devoured all the food"
Gosh I said that out loud.
I laughed nervously and quickly went sad while wiping my mouth with a cloth.
Kendricks and the others continued eating.
Everyone else wasn't even done when they just ordered a plate of food, and here I ordered five and ate it all in less than twenty minutes.
The waiter came over to our table after a little while. He looked just as shocked to see the empty plates in front of me. Stop already.
"Would you all care for dessert?"
My eyes were enlightened from hearing that word.
"Dessert?" I gasped.
But then Kendricks looked at me and I looked back down.
"No thanks. I think I've spent a lot already", Kendricks said, "May you bring us the bill please?"
"Sure, I'll be right back".
"Thank you. The food was nice", I said still looking down to my thighs which were aggressively shaking.
"You're welcome", he said back.
"Anyways, Erica and I have to go now", Amelia said picking up her purse and the shopping bags.
"You're leaving early", Max said.
"We know. It's because it is almost past Erica's bed time. If she goes to bed late, she'll be grumpy in the morning and she'll sleep in. See you guys later", Amelia said.
"That makes sense", said Kendricks.
"Amelia, I'm done being your best friend. I'm leaving", I said stomping my way out the restaurant.
"Sis, come on. Did you forget that I'm the one with the car?", Amelia said following behind me.
"So childish", Max said continuing to eat.
I waited by the car for Amelia because she was still in the restaurant for God only knows why.
I should have not come in the first place. I literally acted like I was seeing food for the first time.
"Sis, are you upset?", Amelia said coming up to me.
"Yes. The only reason I'm talking to you is because I need a ride home, I'm too full too walk home"
"Sure, but after I drop you off, I'm getting ice cream", Amelia said packing the shopping bags in the backseat.
"Fine, I forgive you", I said taking her hand in both of mine showing my puppy eyes.
"Oh, Erica. I thought you said you are full"
"There's always room for dessert", I said tapping on my stomach.
Amelia burst out laughing. "Let's go"
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