Friends are found in unexpected places

Part 3- In which friends are made

"Okay then," they wondered, "What shall we do?"

"Well, I had lunch planned with my friend today. It's a bit early, but I can drive you around downtown if you'd like. And there might be traffic, so it probably won't hurt to set out now anyways," I suggested. I do not know why, as Tamari is most definitely an android and cannot eat food because their insides are robot parts.

Nonetheless, they seemed excited about it. "Excellent! I would love to accompany you." 

I led them to my car, and we went on our way. For almost the entire ride, they were looking out the window at everything we passed. Once we got to the Red Robin parking lot, I texted my friend Angie.

- I'm at the restaurant

- I brought someone else if you don't mind

- I know it was supposed to just be us

- But I need to make an exception today

- sorry :(

- :0 who??????

- girl u know me well enough to know it's ok

- I'd love to meet your other friend!

- Ok gr8 <3

-And it's a surprise

- <3

"Who is that?" Tamari's voice startled me.

I answered, "Oh, I'm just texting Angie to tell her we're here."

"Is Angie your friend?" they asked.

"Yeah, we've known each other for a very long time. She should be here any minute-" at that exact moment, Angie's car drove up into the space next to mine, and she stepped out.

"Ophie!" She exclaimed.

"Ange!" I exclaimed back. We hugged each other for a minute. I was so happy to see her again after all this time.

"It's been a bit," I said.

"Yeah," she agreed. "I missed you."

"I missed you too."

"Anyways," Angie began, "Who'd you bring? I wanna meet your new friends! Not that I want to replace you with whoever you brought, I just wanna know who you know now, y'know?"

" I know exactly what you mean, don't worry." I laughed. Tamari hadn't wandered far from us. They were only a few feet away, staring up at the Red Robin sign in awe.

"How do you think those letters got up there?" they wondered.

"OPHELIA WATSON, DID YOU BRING AN ANDROID TO LUNCH?" Angie yelled.

"Uh, yeah, I guess I did."

"ANDROIDS CAN'T EAT, OPHELIA."

"I know, but what else was I supposed to do, leave them at home?" I asked her.

"Okay, fair point."

"Are you Ophelia's friend?" Tamari asked. I had temporarily forgotten that they were there.

"Yep!" Angie smiled. "And your name is Tamari, right?"

"I see, you already know who I am, too," Tamari observed.

"Yeah, just some side effects of having a GHOST-loving best friend!" she playfully nudged me in the arm. I laughed and nudged her back.

"Anyways, it's lovely to meet you, Tamari," Angie said.

"Same to you," Tamari responded. Then, we all walked into the Red Robin together and got seated at a table.