Blossomed Memories

6 - Scrumptious!

<Ara's POV>
Excitement immediately takes me over as I realize today's Saturday. Today I'm going with Add on a friendly date! I rush down the stairs, half dressed, and gobble up the breakfast that Auntie Eun set out for me. "Mmmmmmnommmmmm..." I say as I savor the brown sugar in the oatmeal. After breakfast I race back upstairs to grab my phone and text Add, since I had recently got his phone number, where to meet up. I proceed to get ready and look somewhat decent, with a button up orange-yellow shirt and denim capri pants.

As I look in the mirror, I think about Add.

What is it that is so familiar about him? His hair that shined in the moonlight... The eyes with a piercing stare, Add just seemed so familiar...

Maybe perhaps....

No.... I have more important things to think about right now.

I head out the door, texting Add that I would be there soon.

<Add's POV>
I sit outside the sushi restaurant, keeping to myself until I see Ara walking over, waving at me. I get up, casually waving back. She skips towards me, giving me a cheery smile, while taking my arm and pulling me towards the restaurant.

"Alrighty, it's time to get some of the best sushi in Elrios!" I continue to look at her. There is just something about her, she's.... Pretty? Yeah, I think you would call her pretty... Wait...what? I shake my head then walk into the sushi place.

Once we get to our table, the waiter comes up to us, asking what we wanted. I let Ara order, since it was my first time here. As the waiter sets down our heaping plates of sushi, Ara grabs something wrapped and opens it, revealing.... two sticks?

"Eh, Ara, why are you eating it with a stick? Can't you use a fork or something?" I look around for a fork, but I only see a bunch of those sticks that Ara is using. Ara starts laughing, and I look at her in confusion. "Uh... Something the matter?" Ara shakes her head, smiling.

"These are chopsticks, Add. Because of the Asian culture in Velder, it's tradition to eat things like sushi with chopsticks." I suddenly start feeling like an idiot. "Okay, so how do I use these?" I say, taking the chopsticks out and holding them in my hand.

She explains and demonstrates, taking a piece of sushi from the platter and plopping it in her mouth. "Mmmm, so good! This place never disappoints. You try now." I nod and take the chopsticks, holding it in the way Ara showed me, and press my index finger down to grab a piece of sushi with my chopsticks. The sushi is orange, with rice underneath and a small band of seaweed holding it together. I quickly place it in my mouth and chew. Many different tastes fill my mouth, and my eyes widen. Wow, what flavor! The texture of the rice, mixed in with the firmness of the fish and the tangy taste of the seaweed.... Almost better than chocolate! And to think I just thought that...

Ara grinned at me, knowing that I had enjoyed simply the first bite. "So, Add. Let's get to business! Where are you from?" She says, pushing her plate aside.

I swallow my bit of sushi. "Feita. I transferred here from Feita Secondary, remember?" Ara nods, "I'm from a place called Fahrmann. I don't remember much, since I only lived there for a few years. Hmmm... What are your siblings like, if any?"

I hesitate for a moment, remembering how every single foster family's kids would laugh at me and cast me out, for being a weirdo fanatic. I would simply plug in my headphones and blast music over them when that happened.

".... I don't have any siblings."

Ara sipped her drink and set it down. "Hmmm... It must be lonely at your house then... I mean, I had a brother myself as well, but he's in university." So Ara has a brother... He must have been much better than my previous "siblings." Ara looks out the window nostalgically, then looks back and notices that every plate is practically cleaned off. "Oh! I'll go get the check." As she makes her way to the register, a waiter comes and clears the table. I should ask HER some questions on our way back! As we walk out, I turn toward her.

"Hey Ara.... Have you ever wanted to forget something?"

....

<???'s POV>
They're laughing. They're talking like they're old friends. Why? Why is Ara so friendly to him, especially? That....that freak. I know what he did, long ago, back then. I'm going to make sure he can't hurt Ara. I have to do this to save Ara from him before it happens...