34. We’re mates
Lucy
Matt took my head and pulled me along into the building.
“We’re going to at least find out what kind of ramen you like today.”
“Okay.”
We got to the restaurant. Everyone seemed to recognize Matt, but when they looked at me, I could feel their dismissal. Matt pulled me through the restaurant with his arm around my waist and walked me to the bar in front of a man in a white jacket.
The man smiled pleasantly and bent his head. “A pleasure to see you, Mr. Chance.”
Chance? Was that their last name? Was that my last name now too?
“And your lovely companion. I will be taking care of you today. Can I start you off with something to drink?”
I turned my head, looking out the window. The windows looked different from the inside, but I could still see the rest of the city. Nearby, there was a woman glaring at me. Her face was flushed. Her make-up looked like she stepped off the cover of a magazine. She looked like she was wearing an expensive outfit. Her necklace glittered around her neck.
For a moment, I thought she might get up and come over, but she seemed to be settling back into her seat with the woman she was sitting with. She turned back to the woman and said something. Then, the woman glared at me too.
“Lucy.” I turned back to Matt. His eyes were skimming the menu. “I got the sampler for you to try and a cocktail.”
“Okay.”
“Let me know if you have questions,” he said. “I realize that you might not know what everything is.”
I looked down at the menu and read a few descriptions before sliding the menu away.
“I’ll just have whatever you think is best.”
Matt’s nostrils flared, and he let out a low rumbling sound, but he didn’t sound angry. He sounded pleased.
The sampler came. The waiter asked if I would need a fork like Matt, and I frowned.
“Am I supposed to eat it with my hands?”
Matt shook his head. “My brother is the only one who eats with chopsticks. Don’t worry about it.”
The waiter gave me a set of silverware. Matt ordered some more food. Then, the waiter was gone. I stuck my fork in the small tower of food closest to me and ate.
“What do you think?” Matt asked.
I shrugged. “It’s good.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
I ate some more. When I got to the end of the row, he looked at me with a smile.
“Well, what do you think? Did you have a favorite?”
“No.”
He frowned. “Nothing standing out to you?”
I shook my head. He frowned and picked up his fork. He ate the other half of the platter, looking more frustrated with every bite.
Then, the waiter came back with whatever he ordered. The bowl that was set in from me smelled good. Matt didn’t start eating, staring at me.
“Try it. See if you like it.”
The drink in the glass was pretty, but it tasted like medicine. I stuck my fork in and picked up some noodles. It tasted fine, but Matt didn’t look happy.
“What’s wrong?”
“You don’t like it?” Matt asked.
“It’s fine.”
He set his jaw and pushed his bowl towards me. “Try mine.”
I did as he asked, but it tasted fine too.
“It’s a little spicy.”
“Do you like this one better?”
“No.”
He huffed and turned back. We ate in silence, but I could feel how frustrated Matt was. He paid the bill and led me out just as quickly as we’d come in, but he didn’t head towards the exit. Instead, he led me further into the mall. We walked past a bunch of stores.
“What do you think of that?” Matt asked, pointing at a mannequin in the window.
“It’s fine.”
“Would you want to wear it?”
“Where?” I asked.
He blinked at me. “Anywhere you wanted.”
I shook my head. “I wouldn’t have a reason to.”
“You could just wear it around the house.”
“Do you want me to wear it?” I asked.
“Yes, but—” he shut his mouth and turned, pulling me away from the store. “Never mind. Come on.”
We walked through the crowd of people, and every once in a while, I thought I caught sight of the woman that had been glaring at me in the restaurant and her friend.
“Everyone has a favorite ice cream,” he said, leading me towards a small stand where people were lined up. “What do you want?”
“I’ve never had ice cream.”
He looked down at me. His eyes were wide and a little horrified. “Never? Not even in school?”
I shook my head. “They serve ice cream in schools?”
“Don’t humans celebrate birthdays in school with cake and ice cream?” Matt asked.
“Not where I went…. I can’t remember there ever being a celebration there.”
He groaned, and we moved up in the line. I turned my head and saw them. They weren’t too far away, sitting just out of view. Both of them were glaring at me. One of them was on the phone and seemed even angrier than before. The other just looked like she wanted to come over and say something.
Matt ordered a bunch of things before nudging me to the side. When the order was ready, he led me over to a section of tables and set the tray of cups down between us. He looked like he had a plan as he sat down and gave me a spoon.
“Try it.”
I took the spoon and started with the cup closest to me, taking a spoonful of each. Most of them were really sweet. I didn’t know what any of the flavors were. One of them tasted like a breath mint. The more I tasted, the less excited Matt looked. He stared at me. His shoulders were tense, and I felt nervous under his stare.
Then, I got to the end and waited for what else he wanted me to do.
He glanced between the cup and my face, then back again, but he didn’t say anything. His eyes twitched.
“Well?”
I frowned. “Well…?”
“How was it?”
I shrugged. “Sweet. Cold.”
He sighed. “Did you like any of them more than the others?”
I looked across the cups and glanced up at him. I didn’t really remember any of the flavors, and I didn’t really care, so I just picked one. He sighed and hung his head.
“Lucy, you don’t have to lie,” Matt said.
“You just… seem like you really want me to… choose one.”
Matt looked at me.
“You don’t have to try so hard to…” I frowned. “I don’t even know what you’re trying to do.”
Matt groaned. “What does that even—Lucy, you can’t just—”
He shut his mouth with a loud click before grabbing one of the cups and starting to eat. I ate the rest of the ice cream in the cup I’d chosen quietly as he started on another one. His cheeks were flushed.
“I’m sorry,” I said quietly. “For upsetting you.”
“Don’t,” Matt said. “You haven’t upset me. I just…”
He rubbed his head. “We’re mates. It’s not supposed to be this hard.”
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