Hadassah

the visit

The kitchen filled with the mouthwatering aroma of sizzling latkes, and the excitement buzzed in the air as Isiah and Butker prepared for George’s visit. I hovered nearby, sneaking bites of the crispy treats as they cooked. I couldn’t wait to see my best friend. George was always such a blast, and it felt like every time we hung out, we just clicked more and more.

“Do you think George will like these?” Isiah asked, flipping a latke in the hot oil. His focus was intense, but I could tell he was eager to impress.

“Of course! Who wouldn’t love latkes?” I replied, taking another bite and nodding vigorously. “You’re the best, Pops!”

Butker leaned against the counter, a smirk on his face as he observed Isiah’s cooking prowess. “Just make sure there’s enough left for us. We don’t want to be left with crumbs after you’ve overwhelmed George with your culinary skills.”

“Don’t worry; there’ll be plenty for everyone,” Isiah said with a wink, but then he paused, glancing over at the door. “Speaking of George, I’ve been meaning to ask… have you noticed how he looks at you, Haddie?”

I froze mid-bite, my mouth full of latke. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, it’s pretty obvious the kid has a crush on you. I see it every time you two hang out. He gets all shy and smiles like he’s won the lottery,” Isiah said, his voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper.

“No way! George is just a friend. He wouldn’t be into me like that,” I insisted, feeling my cheeks heat up at the idea. It seemed impossible.

Butker chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re kidding, right? The way he lights up when you walk into the room? It’s like a scene from a rom-com.”

Just then, the doorbell rang, and I raced to answer it, my heart skipping a beat. When I opened the door, there was George, his straight blonde hair falling perfectly over his forehead, a big smile on his face. “Hey, Haddie! I’m here!” he said, practically bouncing on his toes.

“Hey, George! Come in!” I pulled him inside, and the familiar warmth of our friendship enveloped me. He walked right into the kitchen, where Isiah and Butker were busy with the latkes.

“Hey, George! Ready to chow down?” Isiah said, flipping another latke with flair.

“Absolutely! I’m starving,” George replied, his eyes lighting up at the sight of the food.

As we all settled around the kitchen table, I could feel Isiah and Butker watching us, their eyes exchanging mischievous glances. I could see George’s cheeks flush as he caught me looking at him. Was he nervous? I thought it was cute how he fidgeted in his seat.

“Man, these are awesome, Haddie! You’re lucky your dad is such a good cook,” George said, taking a big bite of latke.

“Right? Pops is the best!” I agreed, shooting Isiah a grin.

Butker nudged Isiah with an elbow, clearly enjoying the dynamic. “So, George, what do you think of the Chiefs? I hear they have a new secret weapon.”

George shrugged, but I could tell he was trying to play it cool. “I mean, they’re alright. But I’ve got to be honest, I’m more into soccer. I’m just here for the latkes and my best friend.”

“Just your best friend?” Isiah teased, his voice dripping with faux innocence. “You sure about that?”

“Is that so?” Butker chimed in, raising an eyebrow at George, who looked like he was about to sink into the floor. “You’re not just here for the food, are you? Maybe there’s a certain someone you’re excited to see?”

I could feel my stomach twist in knots at their teasing. George scratched the back of his head, looking a little embarrassed but still smiling. “Yeah, Haddie’s cool, I guess.”

“You guess?” I shot back, laughing. “I’m definitely not just ‘cool’!”

As we continued to eat, I couldn’t help but notice how George’s gaze lingered on me. It was like he wanted to say something more, but he kept it to himself. A part of me was curious, but I didn’t want to push him. It felt too complicated, and besides, I was just happy to have him around as my best friend.

“Did you guys know I play the drums?” George suddenly asked, his eyes lighting up with enthusiasm as he shifted the conversation. “I’ve been practicing a lot lately.”

“Drums? That’s awesome!” I exclaimed, genuinely impressed. “I’d love to hear you play sometime.”

Butker leaned back in his chair, looking amused. “So, you’re telling us there’s a rockstar in our midst?”

George laughed, the tension easing a bit. “Only in my dreams.”

Isiah gave me a knowing look, one that said he was definitely onto something. I rolled my eyes at him, hoping he wouldn’t say anything more.

After a while, the food was gone, and we were all lounging around the table, chatting about random things. George’s laughter filled the room, and I felt warm inside. I had no idea what was brewing beneath the surface of our friendship, but at that moment, I just wanted to enjoy the time we had together.

As the evening went on, I sensed Isiah and Butker exchanging glances, clearly enjoying the lighthearted banter. They had their own little secret about George’s crush, and part of me wondered if it was just a silly teenage phase or if something more was in the air.

It was all a bit confusing, but I decided to focus on the fun we were having. After all, who wouldn’t want to enjoy delicious latkes with their best friend and two of their favorite people?