3

   We get seated at our tables. A woman in a white button up shirt , white skirt, and red apron approaches. Her hair is long and wavy. She is holding a little flip notebook with a black pen  and hands us these shiny little books. I think these are called menus. Sometimes Kev would bring me things and tell me about them. I loved to learn things and to read about the world whenever he would give me books to read. 

     I didn’t have to look at it to know what I wanted though ,I said thank you anyway when she handed it to me. Layla and Caspian play a game with their hands I haven’t seen before. 

     “What are you doing?” I ask.

     “We’re playing rock paper scissors,”Layla said, confused. 

      “I’ll be right back,” Jax and Cas say at the same time. 

    They laugh and get up and walk away. 

         “Have you ever played rock paper scissors before?” 

         “No, I never even heard of it till I asked what you and Cas were doing. I thought maybe sign language or something.” 

          “Oh no,” she smiled, “well..would you like me to teach you how?”

         “Sure, why not,” I smile back. 

     Layla puts her hand flat. “This is called paper,” she then put her hand in a fist, “this is called rock.” She then grabbed my hand, and put it in what looked similar to a peace sign but sideways. “This would be what we call scissors.”

       I laugh,”Thanks.” 

     She nods with a smile on her face. I like this new feeling.   I don’t know how to describe it. It’s like she takes all these bad thoughts and replaces them with good thoughts. It’s like a magical feeling that I don’t feel anywhere else but besides when it includes her. 

   Caspian and Jax come back and sit down. They look at me and Layla as our hands are still together the same way. Cas grins at me and then raises his eyebrows twice. Jax looks at him and laughs. I don’t understand until I look at Layla. She glances back to me and then it's like she realized she was still holding my hand. Her eyes got big, her face bright red, and she let go instantly. Cas and Jax continued to laugh. Then reality hit me and then I could feel my face bagan to get warm. Do I like her? I just met her. I can’t believe it. I got friends and a crush on the same day. Wow.  

     We all got a drink and a couple of cinnamon rolls. When we are done the lady comes back and grabs what is left and then we talk more. I learned that Caspian used to want to work here at “Hell’s diner” when he was younger. Time flies by as conversation goes. Time seems endless now. I look at the time which reads 8:30. So, we’ve been here for about over an hour. 

       I don’t know why but Cas’s smile fades and he gives me a concerned look. I try to take my mind off of it. Well, we all start talking about cars. I know a good bit about cars since I read a lot about them. Then the waiter comes back with more of our drinks. I just ordered water because I’m not sure what other drinks even taste like. I only ever drank tea and water. Everyone else ordered pop, I read once that pop is not very healthy so I try to avoid it. Layla ordered a red berry. I think it's called strawberries. 

         “You want to try one Ash?” 

      Layla seems so nice. I wonder how she would act if I asked her if those are strawberries or not.

         “No thanks,”I say,embarrassed that I can’t remember if it's called a strawberry or not. 

    I remember when Kev would always talk about different things in the bakery. Sometimes he would come into my room with a sandwich and eat with me. I think besides a wrapped sub or sandwich I never really got food from other places besides whatever Kev made or when he brought leftovers. Whenever it was winter I remember Kev would make me chicken noodle soup. So, I did have other food besides bread, cake , and other stuff from the bakery. 

 I’m in a daze again. 

        “So,... where to now?” asks Cas. 

        Me and Layla shrugged at the same time. 

        “What about the mall,” suggested Jax. 

        “The mall…? Sure, that could be fun. Is there one around here?” Layla asked. 

         “Yea, just a few miles away. It's not really in the city though, so not too far away from here.” 

        “Oh , ok then. What do you guys think?” 

   Layla then turns towards us with a face full of excitement and thrill. 

     Me and Cas look at each other, shrug with approval , turn back to Layla,and nod with a grin. 

        “I don’t see why not,”Cas says with a shy smile. 

        “Yeah, sounds like it could be fun,” I say happily. 

        Layla stands up quickly. She practically shouted,“Come on guys, let’s go!”

       The rest of us stand up and Jax puts the money to pay for everything on the table and Layla then goes out the door , leading the rest of us to follow her.