I scarf down the pancakes with little regard for any onlookers who are subjected to my disgusting feasting. Bryan eats with care - making sure to savor each bite of food. I’m long since finished by the time he takes his last bite. “Man, wasn’t that good?” I assume he’s looking at me but my eyes are shut with my head tilted back in prayer that my stomach won’t explode from the meal.

“Nnng…” Is all I’m able to muster through my food induced stupor.

Bryan laughs powerfully. “M’am?” I hear the tap of the waitresses shoes approach.

“Well, looks like he certainly enjoyed his meal!” I nod without even cracking my eyes open. “Here, I’ll grab these plates out of your way. Leave any room for dessert?”

I roll my head towards the voice and see her evil grin directed straight at me. I let out a long groan, accompanied by a half-hearted shake of the head. The two chuckle at my suffering. “I think we’re just ready for the check, thank you.”

In a series of moments I can’t seem to recall, we somehow got up, paid, walked back to the warehouse and gotten into a rather expensive car. “Damn, kid. You’re really out of it aren’t you?”

“Huh?” I look over at Bryan who’s just grinning from ear to ear.

“I said, where’s your apartment? The least I can do is drop you off. I think you’d fall asleep on the subway ride back.”

“Ah,” I give him my address and we’re off. The ride passes without any talking. We both let the music carry us through the city streets to my boring brick building. I thank him profusely before stepping out of the vehicle and returning to the comfortable shelter of my home. I jog up the steps to third floor where I find a familiar face standing outside my door.

Rise (pronounced Ree-say): five foot four, Japanese, long black hair pulled into a ponytail, glasses, and an admittedly adorable red panda onesie. She’d be beautiful if she didn’t hide it under pajamas and I might’ve fallen for her if I wasn’t gay. “That was a mighty fancy car that dropped you off. Was that…” She raises a concerned eyebrow to me.

“No, Rise, it wasn’t.” I roll my eyes and step past my shut in of a neighbor and best friend. I unlock my door and walk in with her close behind.

“Are you sure?” She ponders while shutting off my path to escape from this conversation.

I look at her, dumbfounded, and fall back over the arm of my couch. “How could I not be sure? I was the one in the car, wasn’t I?”

“Good. Cause you better not be back with him.” She heads to my kitchen, acting on instinct, and I hear the clinking of two glasses and the fridge opening then shutting.

“I’m not.” Rise places the wine glasses on the coffee table and pours us both our share of the red nectar. “I’d never.”

“You better not.” She lifts up my legs and sits before letting them fall back over her lap. “I never liked him anyways.” She takes a long sip of the wine and smiles at me.

“Bitch, yes you did.” I grin and we both laugh.

“He brought me nice chocolates!” She throws her hands up, pleading to God to forgive her. I shake my head and grab the glass beside me - taking a long drink. “Who was in the car anyways?”

“Friend of my dad.” I place the wine on the floor and drag myself to sit up. “You wanna go get pizza tomorrow?”

Rise’s smile disappears at the sudden change in subject. “How… How far is it?” She shifts uncomfortably, refusing to make eye contact.

“Two blocks. It’s a small place, not too many people, and I’ll be with you the whole time.” She tries to hide her gulp but it’s all too obvious. Her trembling hands cause her wine to shift ever so slightly. She moves a free hand to her mouth and massages her cheeks. “It’s alright. We don’t have to.” I sit up and wrap an arm around Rise. “We’ll order in.”

She lets out a long, disappointed sigh. “I’m sorry… Can I at least try and answer the door?” She looks to me from the corners of her eyes.

“Of course, kiddo.” I pull her into a side hug and pat her head. “But you can’t greet the delivery driver in a onesie, so get your fanciest sweatpants ready!” We both chuckle. “Turn something on, I’m gonna go to the bathroom.”

I pat her knee as I push myself up and toss her the remote. “Giving me control was a dangerous idea.”