Recover: Book 2 of the Magic Mutations Series | ✓

45: The Monster I've Become

The waiter came over to our table, asking again if we'd like to order yet.

"They're not coming," I grumbled to Jayce and Erica. "Just order."

"But maybe—" Jayce started, though Erica cut him off.

"We will order a lot in case they turn up. Maybe they are running late," she said. Turning to the waiter, she said, "Can we please get a large serving of pork belly, two servings of mandu—"

"Two? You know Ben and I can't eat them," I interrupted.

"But Ollie—"

"She's vegetarian," I quickly said.

Her eyes narrowed at me before turning to the waiter again. "Okay, make one of the mandu the vegetable one. Give us as many different types of banchan you have. One side of lettuce and one side of perilla leaves." Erica began to read off nearly every single item on the menu and the waiter's eyes grew wider and wider as she went on. When she finally finished, she took a deep breath.

"Um," the waiter then said, "Is it okay if this all doesn't come at the same time?"

"Of course, of course!" Erica replied. "Serve your other customers as per normal. But if you could send us a plate of something every now and then that would be great. Oh, but can you give us a pitcher of water for the table?"

The waiter nodded and then left for the kitchen, seemingly overwhelmed.

But before I could pick on her for it, she turned to me. "How do you know Ollie is vegetarian?"

Shit, I thought. The honest answer was because I lived with her... but I had to think of something fast. "She didn't touch any of the meat at Jade's thing," I quickly said, relaxing slightly at my quick save.

Erica's eyes narrowed impossibly further, but before she could question me, the smile returned as her eyes flickered over my shoulder.

Meeting her green gaze, Ollie grinned at me, holding a present bag up high as she exclaimed, "Happy birthday!"

My eyes flickered between her and the gift bag she was passing to me. "Did you get me something?" I asked.

She nodded as she said, "Hope you like it. Ben helped me."

I glanced over at Ben—who never got me anything. But he shrugged. Evidently this wasn't his idea.

"She insisted," he then explained, "Even though I tried to talk her out of it."

I didn't expect anything from her because this Ollie still didn't know me too well. But, at the same time, I don't know why I was surprised. She'd go to the ends of the earth to show people whom she cared about that she appreciated them. My heart warmed at the idea that I already meant something to her, even if she didn't remember us. Even if she didn't remember me seeing her a couple of days ago...

So I peered into the bag, noticing the copy of Skyrim inside. I bit my comment back that I already had it, and instead looked up with her with softened eyes and a smile. "I've been wanting to play that one," I lied, because I already had played it... with her right by my side. "Thanks Ollie. I haven't had a present since... gosh. I don't even know. It's been more than fifty years."

Ollie's eyes narrowed as her and Ben took a seat at the table. "How old are you now?" she questioned.

"One hundred and forty-seven."

"You're ancient!" she gasped loudly, causing a bunch of patrons to glance our way. Jayce snickered beside me while Erica pressed a hand to her mouth, trying to stifle her laugh.