Meori Apeuda

Chapter 3

But before the situation could get any more awkward thankfully two waiters appeared on the terrace, serving our food. Plate after plate was placed in the middle of the table, each one looking more delicious than the one before. Soon the smell of the food engulfed us and I felt my mouth watering. My stomach rumbled embarrassingly loud and Felix smiled at me from the side.

"Somebody's hungry, huh?"

I nodded, still staring at the plates. He had no idea. The last time I had eaten was about two and a half days ago, a small cereal bar before I had left my flat for the airport. It wasn't the first time I had to live without food, sadly I had to get used to it over the last few years. But now, being so close to getting something to eat I started feeling shaky, my body definitely requesting energy.

I snapped out of my memories when Felix took my plate and started putting something on it from every plate he could reach. The others did the same, chatting animatedly, pointing alternately at different plates. When Felix had finished his side of the table he handed my plate over to Chan, who had also gotten up next to me and also started loading food onto my plate from the other half of our little buffet.

When he was finally satisfied with the amount of food he had gotten me, he placed it in front of me and continued with getting his own portion.

Finally everyone had gotten their share of their favourite meals and everybody looked to I.N., who had just finished collecting and sat down. He casually took his chopsticks and started eating, the others followed as soon as he had taken the first bite. Seemed to be another Korean dining rule?

I turned to my plate and realised my next problem: how the hell should I eat with chopsticks? I never had touched some of these before! I took them and sneakily watched how the others held them. Trying to copy them I took them in my right hand, unsuccessfully trying to pick up a small piece of meat. I couldn't grab it properly and my cheeks heated again in embarrassment and frustration.

"Here, Kaylee, hold like this." Hyunjin suddenly addressed me and as I looked up he demonstrated how to hold the sticks correctly. I watched him closely and copied his hand position as best as I could. But I suddenly seemed to have lost every control of my fingers and one of the sticks slipped from my fingers and started falling.

Chan's hand shot forward like a snake and caught it mid fall, handing it back to me with a smile. "Wow, great reflexes..." I laughed, trying to hide my embarrassment. He grinned and reached out for my hand, without touching it. "May I?" he asked and I nodded, holding out my hand with the chopsticks. He gently pulled and pressed at my fingers, positioning them in the right way.

His fingers were warm and soft and I caught myself staring at his hands, suddenly asking myself how it would feel if he touched my cheek...I blinked rapidly. What the actual F, Kaylee? Concentrate! That second Chan let go of my hand, took his own chopsticks and demonstrated how to make that pincer movement, to pick up the food.

I copied him, my eyebrows furrowed in concentration. Then I turned back to my plate, testing my new learned skills on the same piece of meat that had evaded me before. It worked! I grinned happily as I got a hold of it and could lift it up.

"Yeaaah, well done!" Chan encouraged me. Felix and Hyunjin whooped around a mouthful of fried rice. I bowed my head to everyone, as if I was receiving an award and they giggled before continuing with their dinner.

I stuffed the meat into my mouth and sighed happily: It tasted fantastic, not only because I was starving. The meat was soft and the spices complimented it, without being overwhelming.

To be honest, everything on my plate tasted amazing. Quickly I was finished with the side of the plate that Chan had filled and turned to Felix' half. I took a bit of some reddish looking noodles, ready to eat them, when I noticed from the corner of my eye that Felix was watching me intently, trying to be inconspicuous. Only then I noticed the small chilli seeds in the sauce and quickly hid my upcoming smile. So, he wanted to see if I'm fireproof? Watch this, Angel-Boy.