Ethereal Madness

Chapter 60- Dominos

Olivia and I sat there at the table, waiting. It only took one glance at her to she was bored and was bored and wouldn't look at me in the eyes. To keep her in interested, I asked of if she knew of the game patty. And she didn't, because of course she didn't? I don't understand. I had a childhood, I just can't remember it. Did she just not have one? No, that can't be the case, because I was told she played with us when we were little.

Initially, she was frustrated she was failing the beginning stages and even called the game stupid, but that didn't stop her. Like everything we did, she was improving very quickly. In the span of ten minutes, she was matching me with perfect rhythm and her smug smile broadcast itself on her face.

"...you really do learn fast," I said while we were playing.

"But of course." She held her head up high. "Why wouldn't I be able to?"

If I were to shatter that pride of hers, would it make me feel good or bad?

Fifteen minutes since their stand-off, Mr. Broussard bust out of the double doors in his usual extremely extra fashion. In his left hand, held up was a silver platter with a cover over it. "Ready up! It's time to change your taste buds missy!" He declared.

"As if Mr. Broccoli could make anything that Nera hasn't already." She folded her arms. "You're a mid-tier chef and there's nothing wrong with that. Just accept there's no place for you at the top."

"Hoho, I see you've learned how to move your mouth since I've last seen you. Hope that means you're able to eat greatness now." He placed the food in front of her. "A kid deserves a kid's meal, don't you think Arthur?" He took the top off the platter, revealing chicken nuggets you see from a premade package from the frozen section of the grocery store. The crinkled fries also appeared generic and flavorless. To the right of them was a small, round eraser shaped brownie. The worst of all was there was no ketchup or anything. It was completely plain.

"Huh? You think I'm even gonna bother with this horrible excuse for food? You must be out of your mind. No." She pointed at him. "You should be ashamed!"

Ah. I really don't think it's that serious. Maybe bringing her to the dining room was a mistake.

"You know, you're right. This was indeed a blunder from me. A mistake, one would say. But please, do humor me and spare me a bite, would you?" He gestured towards the food.

"...whatever." Olivia snagged a fry. "Just one then. Enough so I can confirm how much better Nera is."

She opened her mouth to bite half of the fry, and I paused when I heard it. The way it crunched was unnaturally crisp. Sure, I was sitting next to her, but I don't think I should've been able to hear that.

Olivia chewed it and her eyes slightly widened. She glanced at Mr. Broussard, who was smirking at her. "Hmph." She composed herself and threw the other half fry into her mouth. "It's okay. Nothing special."

"Really?" Mr. Broussard said. "Do try a nugget then."

"If it'll shut you up." She said. She grabbed a random nugget and but half of it." She stopped after three bites. She looked at Mr. Broussard angrily. "What did you do?"

"Hm? What are you referring to?" He leaned down, meeting her eyes.

"There's no way this nugget can be this good!" She slammed her fist on the ground. "You did something! You had to it! Probably an illegal substance you added to it!"

Mr. Broussard let out a typical hearty laugh. "Is that what I'm getting accused of? Cheating. Well then. Arthur?"

Only natural fate would find a way to rope me into this stupid situation. I grabbed a nugget and tossed it into my mouth. It was just the right amount of crunchy without being overbearing, and it was also...sweet? And tangy? What? The multiple flavors danced on my tongue and I swear this kid's meal had more going for it than half of the places Tucker and I eat at.