Page 18 of Infinity Chronicles 1
“Why don't you choose first?” Milo says when no one else reaches for anything. My eyes widen and I give a quick shake of my head in dismissal.
“Well,” Ollie starts, “I want a burger, we all know that.” He winks at me again when I look up at him as he grabs the biggest burger I've ever seen come out of the kitchen. The other two look around the table and they each glance at each other before shifting the plates around so they each have burgers in front of them.Milo's is piledhigh with a fried egg and guacamole, while Dante’s has thick slices ofcrunchy bacon falling out the sides.
It seems that Oliver knew exactly what to order for the guys and I'm left with the thought that all this extra food is for me, or at least for me to pick from.
The gesture of kindness is more than I've ever been given, and it makes me feel guilty I was trying to leave earlier.
“Well, what will it be Laura? You better pick cause these guys have no problem eating all of it.”
Feeling slightly mollified that maybe this wasn't all for just me, I reach for the plate that makes me lick my lips in anticipation.
The lasagna is piping hot with layers of gooey melted cheese and thick noodles. I'm in heaven after the first bite. The breadstick leaves my fingers full of greasy butter and salty goodness, making it hard not to lick the deliciousness right off my fingers, but I refrain.
The table is quiet again, but not the awkward silence it was before. Now it's just the lull that happens when hungry teenagers fall upon food, keeping us from acknowledging each other.
Half way through my meal, my bites slow. My tummy is getting pretty full considering I don't usually wait all day to eat, and then scarf down a huge dinner.
Trying to be sneaky, I peek up at the guys as they eat. Surprisingly Oliver’s plate is almost empty, and he's reaching past Milo to get the cheese sticks on his plate. Without missing a beat or even looking up Milo grabs the fried cheese and hands it over before Oliver touches it.
It seems these boys have either been friends for a long time, or they're all really comfortable together. A thought sparks as I watch them move effortlessly around each other. Snagging food from each other's plate, leaning on one another to reach for something on the others’ plates, or to grab the ketchup and salt.
Maybe they're together, together. Like romantically. My head tilts as I examine them in a new light. A slight pang rattles my chest, or is it stomach? I’m not sure which, but I don't think I like that thought for some reason.
I peek over at Dante quickly and notice he's staring at me in much the same way I am him. He couldn't know what I'm thinking, but I still feel a weird sense of guilt,
which doesn't even make sense.
I feel a hot wave of jealousy when I think about him with Delaney, and now I'm feeling something akin to that when I think about the two boys in front of me being an item?
I shake my head in refusal at the thought and dismiss it just as quickly. I'm probably feeling a bit of a crush for all of them because this is the only real attention I've ever received.
“What was that?” asks the voice I'm starting to associate with Milo. Snapping out of my head, I snap my gaze toward him then down at my food briskly.
“Did you say something?”
I look around again, wondering who he's talking to.
“Laura?” I jump when he says my name.
“Me? No,” I reply then clear my throat.
“Oh, thought I saw you shaking your head. I was wondering what I missed,” Milo continues while pulling something half eaten right out of Oliver hand then shoving it in his mouth before Oliver can protest. His mouth is still open, and he grunts and grabs an onion ring instead.
My suspicion confirmed about their relationship, I find a small smile tipping my lips, even with my crush they're impossibly cute with each other.
Eight
Maggie comes by once to check on us, but the guys dismiss her quickly,promising to clean up after themselves.
It's nearly five o'clock when Dante leans back in the seat with his hand draped over his stomach. “Oh god, I already regret that,” he moans.
I don't know how they did it, but almost all the plates are empty. Between the three of them there’s barely a crumb left. I now feel silly for ever thinking they ordered all that just so I could pick what I wanted, but I’m grateful for the distraction of their company. I've been way to consumed with them to obsess over where my mom is, or if she's coming back.
They talk easily with each other now that the strangeness of my presence seems to have worn off for them. Most of the time they carry on as if I'm not even here, not that they're ignoring me, more like they're so comfortable with each other they can't help the way they react to one another. I find myself engrossed in watching them, paying way too much attention to every movement Oliver and Milo make, since they're easier to watch seated across from me.
Dante’s presence almost becomes bearable next to me. I'm relaxed enough that some tension in my shoulders has lessened. My elbow lifts to the table and I lean my cheek and temple on my palm.
They're talking about school and assignments, a paper none of them want to start is due, and I blink slowly. My belly is full and last night’s sleeplessness seems to be catching up with me.
