Page 55 of Fated

Grinning, I snuck a quick glance at Ash. Oh, he was positively pissed. I ignored him and paid for everyone’s food regardless.Fin and Keo each ordered the seafood platter, I got a shrimp-less salad, and Ash got a glass of water. We found a table big enough for four and Ash sat next to me, his arms still crossed and an unmistakably irritated look on his face.

Keo immediately dove into his food, using his hands to pick up pieces of fish while Fin took his time using his fork. Picking up my own fork, I poked at the salad.

“Not going to eat?” Keo motioned to Ash through a mouthful of food.

“He’s watching his figure.” My grin widened as Fin and Keo looked at me, unsure if I were serious or joking.

They both chuckled nervously.

“So, what do you guys do up there?” Keo asked.

I thought for a moment before answering. “Well, Ash lives directly above here, but I’m from a place much farther away, so our lives look different. But in a lot of ways, mine is a bit like life here. I go … I mean I went to school, hung out with my friends at our favorite arcade, and I loved to read books and watch TV with my mom. Oh and I babysat and sometimes walked people’s dogs for money.”

I took a bite of my salad.

“Wait, what’s adog?”Keo asked, his eyes wide with curiosity.

“Um, it’s a pet, a bit like the foxes in your shop, but these come in all different shapes and sizes. They love to be petted, and they wag their tails and lick you when they are happy …”

How strange it felt to have to describe a dog to someone.

“And ateevee?”Fin asked this time.

I thought about it for a moment before answering. “Um, do you have plays down here? Where people act out stories?” I asked.

Fin nodded.

“Well, watching TV is like watching a play, but on a small screen, and you can switch between different shows depending on what you like.”

Even though I was fumbling through these explanations, they were both nodding as if able to picture everything I described.

“Arcade?” Keo’s turn this time. “What’s one of those?”

“Oh, it’s a place filled with games you pay to play. Some are on screens, and others are physical, like throwing a ball through a basket. It’s fun to try and beat the high scores.”

Keo’s face lit up. “Like The Game Zone,” he blurted out. “It’s like what you call an arcade! Our favorite game is splatter ball!”

Both brothers’ eyes sparkled with excitement.

Fin added giddily, “Yes, and it’s only twenty minutes from here, so we could, uh, go play a few rounds. I mean, only if you aren’t busy.” He shyly smiled.

I couldn’t help smiling too, finding myself really enjoying their company.

They were easy to talk to and made me feel comfortable. If things had been different, if I’d been back home, I would’ve taken them up on their offer in a heartbeat.

But the thought of home—the thought of my friends and the life I’d had just a few days ago —tugged painfully at my heart. For a moment, I let myself imagine it, hanging out with these guys, playing splatter ball, and then going home to tell Mom all about the new friends I’d made.

The thought of Mom snapped me back to reality, the weight of everything flooding back. “I really wish we could, but we have to get back to the manor.”

Keo’s brows furrowed in confusion. “The manor? Why are you staying at the manor?”

“We’re guests of Madam Pearl,” I explained.

Keo’s face brightened. “Oh, cool! We’re students there, so maybe we will see you around.”

“I’d like that,” I said, smiling at both of them.

We finished our food, and when it was time to leave, Fin— blushing and stumbling over his words—nervously thanked me for buying their meals. Then Keo teased his brother, and they broke out into another argument, making me chuckle before they left the restaurant.

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