Valhalla High (A Magnus Chase Fanfic)

Falafels Taste Like Freedom

December 26

     I had always thought falafels tasted like freedom. I mean, they both start with the letter "f", they're both amazing, and they both are some of the finer parts of life. Going to Fadlan's Falafels after leaving the hospital only reinforced that. My mother had kindly brought clothes for me so I didn't have to be discharged in a hospital gown (I was not in the mood to start a new fashion trend). I changed into my grey jeans and dark green sweater, feeling a lot more me.

        I was really hungry, so my mother gave me a granola bar to eat as we drover over the mall. Sam and Alex rode with us and everyone else carpooled together. When we got to the mall, it was bustling with people looking at the after Christmas sales. We picked our way through the crowd and headed to the food court. I immediately zeroed in on Fadlan's Falafels. They were three people  in line; it could be worse.

     "So this is your favorite restaurant?" TJ asked.

       "It's the best one in the entire world," I confirmed.

Sam was blushing when it was our turn. Amir, whose work uniform was somehow free of soot, oil, and flour stains, smiled brilliantly at us. "Magnus," he said. "I heard what happened; it's good to see you well again."

"Thanks," I said. "It's great not being a popsicle anymore."

Amir chuckled at that. "We have some leftovers from yesterday — actually a lot. Legally, we cannot sell them so there yours if you want."

"Really?" I asked.

"Course," Amir said.

He turned to look at Sam and how I could see color on his cheeks. "See you tonight at Bibi's place?"

She nodded. We found a seat and immediately my mother commented that she was going to go to her own table, so we'd have some privacy. "I'm sure if Magnus faints or something, he'll be in safe hands," she said. "Also, I'll only be ten feet away."

I laughed at this, grateful for my mother. "So Sam," I said. "Is this a date you're going on tonight?"

She laughed. "At my grandparents' place? We're just having dinner together."

"Sounds romantic," Alex commented.

"We'll be sitting on different sides of the table and my grandparents will be watching us like hawks," Sam said.

"The entire time?" Jack asked.

Sam nodded. "Why?" Jack asked.

Sam sighed. "I was born out of wedlock . . . It brought shame onto my family. I'm lucky my grandparents were even able to find me such a good match . . . I need to be in my best behavior so no one can doubt me. A lot of people would've said no, but the Fadlans are good people."

"And good cooks," I said.

Sam half-snorted, half-laughed. "That too."

       Amir announced our order was ready. We got up to get it and it was a good thing we all went since there was so much. Amir had given us pita bread, gyros, two types of hummus, babaganoush, falafels, spanakopita, seasoned potatoes, and baklava for dessert. We returned to our table laden with food and people gave us looks like: how come you get to live like a prince. Or maybe they were just gawking at us because Alex had doodled a mustache on my face; who knows?

     "So, what did you guys do on Christmas?" I asked.

       "We went to the hospital," TJ said, "but the nurses wouldn't let us see you. They told us to visit the next day when you were awake and better."

       "They should've just let you in and you could've woken me up," I said.

      Alex shook her head. "You were unconscious and on an IV. Plus your blood pressure was really low."

      "Apparently, only Alex was allowed to come in at first," Mallory said. "I think the nurses shipped you."

     Halfborn smirked. "I bet they were writing fan fiction about you during their breaks."

    I facepalmed. "No, I'm pretty sure that would violate HIPPA guidelines."

      "Hippo what?" Halfborn asked.

      I explained to him the rules about patient privacy. "So, if I, for example," I started, "met one of the nurses in public, they couldn't acknowledge me unless I acknowledged them first."

     "But that doesn't mean they can't change your name and include you in a memoir!" Jack said.

      "What would they say?" I asked. "Blonde guy was in here for a full day. He said something while he was unconscious about hating blue wolves. I'm sure that would be a really interesting anecdote."

      "I'd read it," Halfborn offered.

      Jack was frowning. "What do you have against blue wolves?"

      "Their fashion sense, obviously," Blitzen said, "and don't even get me started on their manners or their hygiene. It's atrocious! They never wear deodorant or eat asparagus with their hands!"

      "Since when do wolves eat asparagus?" Mallory asked, laughing.

"Since the beginning of mankind itself," I said in my best impression of David Attenborough.

Alex broke down in giggles. "I have the best," she said and then added a string of colorful words, "boyfriend in the universe."

"Multiverse," I corrected, sticking my tongue out.

Alex stuck her tongue out in response. "Multiverse."

"See?" Halfborn said. "Who wouldn't want to write Magnex fan fiction?"

     "Fierrochase," Mallory corrected. "It's Fierrochase."

     "As you say, esteemed lady," Halfborn said.

      "Sometimes, I feel like everyone is dating but me," TJ said.

     "Technically, I'm not dating Amir," Sam said. "We're just betrothed."

      "That's even more serious," TJ said.

     Jack patted TJ on the back. "You won't be a bachelor forever. In fact, if you want, I could set you up with—"

     "I'd rather not," TJ said.

     Jack looked hurt. "You don't trust my matchmaking skills?"

"A lot of fine couples matchmake themselves," TJ said.

"I better put that on my resume," I said.

My friends chortled. "Magnus, you have a resume?" Blitzen asked.

"Yeah," I said in my most matter-of-fact tone. "On it I have these skills listed: falafel critic, fluent in sarcasm, and now I'll add this one: self-made matchmaker."

"I'll never understand you," Jack said, shaking his head.

"Don't worry," I said. "Neither do I."