Lights (2019)

IHOW

I practically jump into Harry's car and soon we're seated at one of the blue booths at IHOP, menus spread out in front of us. The thing about IHOP is that it is hit or miss. The food is either really amazing or subpar. The service is either really amazing or completely horrible. This IHOP in particular has been the best so far, Harry and I use to go to this other one and it was shady as hell. It was next to a Taco Bell and I am pretty sure there were some drug deals that when down in the parking lot.

"God, I don't know what to get," I say, perusing the menu. "Pancakes or waffles? Bacon or sausage? Eggs scrambled or sunny side up?"

Harry peers at me from behind his menu. His green eyes flicker with amusement at my predicament. "When's the last time you've been to IHOP?"

"When was the last time we went?"

The waitress comes to our table and eyes Harry's tattoos warily before asking for our orders. I smile at her and she stares at me with a frown. Obviously she doesn't want to be working today. I get that this is not Disney Land, but smile damn it! The world isn't ending...yet!

I stare at the menu. "I don't--"

"Get pancakes," Harry says.

"But their waffles--"

"Blair, the name of the restaurant is International House of Pancakes. If it was International House of Waffles it would be IHOW and that doesn't sound as good as IHOP so get the goddamn pancakes." Harry smirks at me. The waitress looked mildly offended at Harry's statement. I don't know why, though.

"Fine," I say. "Pancakes then," I say to the waitress. She scribbles something on her pad of paper and looks to Harry.

"And you?" She asks with a bored expression.

"I'll just have some coffee," Harry says, handing his menu to the waitress. "Cream and sugar, please."

"Bullshit. He'll have pancakes, too," I tell the waitress. The waitress looks from Harry, to me, then back before scribbling something else on her pad. I nudge his foot under the table and he grins back at me.

"All right," she says. "I'll be right out with your food," she adds in a monotone before walking away.

"I'll just have some coffee," I mock Harry. "We're at IHOP, Harry. International House of Pancakes. If it was International House of Coffee, it would be IHOC. And that just doesn't sound right." I raise my eyebrows at him, smirking.

Harry rolls his eyes at me. "You're a piece of work."

"Oh, but Harry, we're at IHOP. International House of Pancakes." I continue to tease him, and a smile tugs at his lips.

"Don't make me take you to Waffle House instead," Harry threatens. "Remember what happened at Waffle House?"

I widen my eyes. "Don't speak of it."

"You found a bug in the syrup!" Harry says, widening his eyes in humor. "A big, fat, juicy--"

"Harry, shut up!" I cry, putting my hands over my ears. "Shut up, shut up!"

Harry laughs, his eyes dancing. "You asked for it."

"Can I tell you something?"

Harry leans closer to me from across the table. "Anything."

"Our waitress reminds me of Bridget Tice from Most Popular Girls in School."

"What does that even mean?" Harry questions.

"MPGIS? The YouTube show with the Barbie's--"

"Hey, Blairbear!" I snap up to see Shawn and his two kids walking over to our table. Shawn waves at me frantically.