Altogether unusual

She stole my candy

'I thought that was a really childish idea. So I did it.' David Eschenlohr

The next day I walked in the mess hall early. Luckily for me, that wretched table was still empty. I walked towards it and took a seat in the same place. I almost started laughing like a lunatic when I saw it, right under my nose. He had written down his name. Ugly writing I must say. And childish. As its owner. He doesn't know, but I have an amazing visual memory. I kind of have to, doing what I do. This wasn't here yesterday. Smartass! I take out my pencil and write my name in a less obvious spot. Then I resume eating. It doesn't take long until I hear the same deep voice behind me.

"Is English language hard?"

Of course I don't answer. Maybe he's not talking to me.

"Hey, you there!"

I keep reading as he sighs and takes his place at the end of the table. He finally decides to tap me on the arm.

"Yes?" I say looking directly into his eyes. Apart from the fact that he uses the yesterday stare, clearly out of fashion, he looks.....yum!! I always thought the slim fit suits shouldn't be worn by everybody. And I was right. But this man? He totally wears every inch of that suit. Dark blue with a white dress shirt underneath. A few buttons open at the neck. No tie. He stands out among all the guys, not only because he's dressed like the stars you see on the telly, but for the simple fact that he looks like a man. And that is an achievement for guys my age. He seems fit, wide shoulders, lean and tall. Dreamy. So Britishly dreamy.

"I thought I told you yesterday that this table is off limits to you. Don't you understand English?"

Suddenly his 2-seconds-ago charm disappears. He enunciates slowly every word, as if he were talking to a mentally disabled person.

"And I think I told you yesterday that I don't see your name on the table!" I reply using the most accentuated South African accent I have.

"Look again! You must have skipped it yesterday." He's impatient, ogling the place on the table where his name is supposed to be, obviously not playing his part well.

I lazily turn my head towards the table.

"Look, I only see my name here. But it was here yesterday. And yes, you can stay at my table if you wish." I smile triumphantly.

"Your name couldn't have there here yesterday! "

I think he's losing it, eyes wide and mouth agape, staring at little ol' me.

"Maybe. Maybe not. But you don't know my name, so you can't actually tell, can you?"

His eyes go wider seeing my shit eating grin.

"Johnny boy, drop it!" the beautiful girl from yesterday says. "She beat you at being childish and she did it with style, if that's even an acceptable combination", she comments with a little lip twitch toward her boyfriend. "Hi there! I'm Eve."

I can't help but smile at her while I extend my hand and tell her my name.

"Please stay here whenever you like. Indeed you look odd enough to eat with us."

I guess I should have felt a little offended by her comment, but she did say it in a truth-be-told manner, as if I were really part of their group.

"Thank you! I will." I answer, afraid to hear comments from the masculine part of the table.

The thought must have been visible all over my face, because the next thing I hear is:

"Oh, darling", Eve says with a laughter which reveals perfect white teeth, "don't be afraid of Jonathan! He can act human if he wants. Sometimes I think I can see a real man in there, somewhere....."