But Who Would You Live For?

I Took Some Food For Thought

Jenna:

Tyler was on the other side of that door.

Sitting at one of the booths.

Waiting for me to walk in so we could start our lunch.

That thought alone should have given me the courage to enter. But I couldn't. I really just couldn't. Because the more I stood here the more I began to worry. What if my hair didn't look good enough? I shouldn't have washed it right before I left. I should have just braided it. Or what if my outfit was too much for this place? I didn't want to wear a dress but Kristin insisted that I did. And it was sort of casual. She told me the color made my eyes pop. What if Tyler wasn't there yet? He could be running late and forgot to tell me. He could have forgotten completely.

Okay, I knew that one was stupid. I'd texted him before I left to confirm time and place and a told me he was waiting for me.

That's it. No more stalling.

Tyler wouldn't have agreed to come if he didn't like me the way I was. It wasn't like this was some big fancy dinner date. I was having lunch with my potential boyfriend. Just the hottest guy in Columbus. No. No Jenna. Don't psych yourself out again.

I was maybe considered hot by some standards. Yeah, I was hot too. We were just two hot people going on a date. But the date can't start until I walk in.

I pushed the door open. The air conditioned room sending a chill through me. One I needed because I could feel my pits starting to nervous sweat. The place was full of people as it always was. I told Tyler I would prefer booth seating but I couldn't find him in that area. I must have looked lost the way I was searching from left to right for the familiar face.

Tyler stood up from one of the center tables and waved. I exhaled in relief. Waving back as I skipped over to him. The smile on my face massive. Stretching my lips to its full potential.

He was wearing all black. It was cute on him. The dark color was a great contrast to his pale skin. It was as pale as mine. We both were in dire need of a tan. Our next date could be to the beach.

"Hey, Jenna." His awkward one armed hug made me smile every harder.

"Hey."

"I like your dress."

"Thank you. I like yours too. I mean I like your shirt."

"Thank you." His chuckle was worth the screw up of words. "Please." He motioned to the chair. "Have a seat."

I sat down and then he followed suit. What a gentleman. I ran my fingers over the familiar logo on the front of the menu.

"Have you been waiting long?"

"No. Not at all. Just a couple of minutes."

"That's good." I lifted the laminated booklet up. "Do you know what you want to order?"

"Oh no. I haven't even looked. I mean, I've eaten here before but I don't like to order the same thing. Consistency can be boring, ya know?"

"Yeah."

"I do have a small confession to make though." He peeked at me from over his menu. A sheepish look that was both adorable and funny.

"What's that?"

"We did order ice cream. I didn't know how long you'd be. I know you said you were on your way. But my ex girlfriend used to say that and still take forever."

"I think I can forgive you for ordering a small treat since you had to wait for me." The table was empty though. "Where is it? Did you eat it already?"

"Nah." He shook his head. "It didn't have enough sprinkles so he went to ask for more."

"Cool. I love sprinkles too." My eyes landed on the two spoons in front of him. "I'm guessing it's not a cone?"

He blushed. I almost awed out loud at the sight of his reddening cheeks. "It's sort of a sundae."

"Sort of?"

"Without the bananas or nuts."

"Ah-"

"I hate bananas."

Noted. "I'm sure the abundance of sprinkles will make up for it."

"Me too."

This was good. We were talking and smiling. He glanced over his shoulder. Turning completely in his chair. Watching a curly haired boy approached our table with the infamous banana-less sundae. I knew him. Josh. From church. The drummer. Tyler's best friend was also a waiter? I didn't think he'd have the time. With all the music stuff they had going on. He sat the ice cream in front of Tyler.

"I added more caramel over the chocolate too."

"Did they seem bummed that I didn't like it the way it came?"

"Nah, man. Those guys are cool." He smiled over at me. Finally noticing I was at the table. "Hey Jenna." He pulled out the chair beside Tyler. Taking a seat. "Sorry about this. We thought you'd be longer. Tyler's ex used to-"

"I told her, man." He elbowed him to shut him up. "She said it was cool that we got it."

"That's pretty cool."

"That's pretty cool." Tyler mimicked in a higher voice."

"Pretty cool." Josh went even higher. They both burst into laughter. Maybe it was an inside joke.

As they were talking, they each lifted up one of the spoons. Josh was the first to taste the dessert. Tyler's spoon was seconds behind his. They looked down  at the bowl and then up at each other. Humming their approval at the newly renovated treat.

The ugly realization dawned on me. Josh was here to stay. He was joining us on our date. Tyler thought it was a good idea to invite his best friend on our date. And now they were sharing a sundae in front of me. Effectively making me the third wheel. I'd never been more embarrassed in my life.

"Now I feel pretty bad since you're just sitting there." Tyler pushed the bowl towards me. "Have some." He offered his spoon.

"It's really good." Josh encouraged.

"I- no thank you. If I eat that I won't be able to eat lunch."

"Maybe we should order then. Tyler placed his spoon down. Picking up his menu again.

"Just order me whatever." Josh pulled the half finished bowl back towards himself.

"That is enough ice cream for two. You'll get sick if you finish it."

"Is that a challenge?"

"No. It's a fact. Don't do it."

"Challenge accepted." He took Tyler's spoon as well. Using both to fill his mouth with as much ice cream as possible.

"You're sick." He laughed. "I'm so sorry about this animal, Jenna."

"It's okay." That high pitched mess couldn't be my voice. I cleared my throat to normalize my speaking. So what if Tyler bought his best friend? If that was normal for him then it was normal for me. We'd all three have a good time. "It's actually kind of impressive." I looked at Josh. "But only if you finish it. That's a challenge."

"If he vomits all over our lunch it's going to be your fault." Tyler teased.

I laughed. "But if he doesn't. Think of how awesome it'd be. He'd go down in history."

"It would be pretty awesome, Tyler."

"Fine." He held up his hands in surrender. "Two against one. Finish it."