In Time

-Twenty Two-

10 April 2017, Monday

------

The assortment of sushi laid on my plate, as though testing my ability to resist temptation on an empty stomach. Tamagoyaki. Grilled salmon belly. Grilled shrimp with sea urchin. Unagi. I took a small spoon of miso soup in a desperate attempt to slow my salivation. But my stomach gave an unsatisfied growl in response.

"X, you're starving too huh? Why is George's Western food taking so long?" Aus stood up to get a better view of the snaking queue.

I turned up my wristwatch; we only had twenty minutes before recess was over. I wasn't impressed; I wanted time to savour my sushi.

"Ohh there they are!" he signalled as George and Jon approached our table. "Wow, Jon really is a changed man today. I've never seen him treat George so nicely before."

Jon was carrying a tray of Chicken Chop while George trailed behind him with a pout on her face.

I shrugged. "Love does change a person."

Aus pretended to gag. "Stop it X, don't ruin my appetite. But George is the last person I have in mind whom will be the recipient of such chivalry."

George sat down opposite me while Jon set her tray of food down in front of her. Aus and I took the unsaid cue to dig into our meals in record time.

"You didn't have to help me back there. I'm not useless y'know."

I continued devouring my sushi. Typical George.

"I didn't said that you are, you admitted so yourself," Jon rebutted with his signature smirk. "Anyway, you're hurt. So let me help you," Jon added on with a softness that I didn't know existed.

"Wow Jon. Smooth," Aus remarked with his mouth still dripping with curry sauce.

I looked up and realised that George had her right wrist in a splint. Making a clumsy stab at a piece of meat, the pesky chunk of chicken slid off her plate - thanks to the lubricating mushroom sauce - onto the canteen floor. George cursed.

Jon saw. "Sure, you don't need any help," he rubbed it in further.

I could almost see fire burning in her eyes. "Is that from Saturday?" I gestured to her wrist, changing the direction of our conversation, hoping to increase the odds of Jon walking away from this in one piece.

"Yes X. I fell while competing with this guy over here and he laughed at me for a whole minute before helping me up," her voice dripped with discontentment.

"Hey, it definitely wasn't for a whole minute! Maybe just ten seconds," Jon denied.

George widened her eyes. "Ten seconds is a lot better Mr Jonathan Lim! Good job! Let me give you a medal!"

I grinned. Jon and George still had their differences, but I was sure that I'd brought them closer together, somehow.

"Cut it out guys! Go get a room for your lovey dovey banter. I'm trying to eat here," Aus rolled his eyes.

"I'm just saying that I refuse to bend to the will of the patriarchy..."

"...I'm just being a decent human being..."

"A decent human being wouldn't laugh at me for ten seconds..."

I looked at Aus. He had his earpiece on and was completely tuned out from the conversation. I followed suit, agreeing mentally that it was the easiest thing to do at this point.