The Bird That Couldn't Sing (GBFF)

Chapter 9 - Sang

After we were finished getting the boys' suits fitted, Silas complained adamantly that he was hungry, claiming he "hasn't eaten in forever". So we left to go to the food court. I was hungry, but not overly so. Honestly, I could've gone much longer without eating. My stepmother makes sure I only eat one minuscule meal a day, usually consisting of a water bottle and a pack of crackers. Unless I'm being punished. Then I get deprived of food for about three days. Occasionally, I'll sneak downstairs in the late hours of the night and sneak a bite of leftovers from the meal I made, but wasn't allowed to eat. So basically, I can only stomach so much before I get the urge to puke my guts out.

I hand Victor his phone back with a grateful smile. He'd leant it to me while they were getting their suits tailored, and he let me play Angry Birds on it. He's too sweet.

He takes it back with an equally large smile before he casually grabs my hand as we follow along behind the other two amazing guys, making my heart skip a couple beats. He does it like a second nature, like we've been doing it for years. I can only bask in the sparks before he's asking me if I'm hungry, too.

I shrug a little, shaking my head no. "Im still a little full from breakfast." I show him the paper, and Kota and Silas strain to see it as well.

"Oh, none of that!" Silas insists. "You're eating, aggele."

"Yeah. And besides, Victor's paying, anyway," Kota adds.

I'm about to object, but Victor speaks up. "He's right. It's my turn to pay."

I sigh, knowing there's no use in objecting. Do friends pay for each other's lunch? When will it be my turn? I slump a little, knowing I probably couldn't pay them back.

"What do you want, princess?" My heart unconsciously swells, yet again, at his endearment. I shrug in answer, trying to ignore the way my heart feels like it's about to beat out of my chest. "How about sushi?" He suggests.

"No fish," Kota asserts. "Not after last time." Victor rolls his eyes but doesn't comment further. My eyebrows knit in confusion, but I don't further question them on the topic.

Kota suggests a burger place. We all agree, including me--not that I'd argue it, anyway. Victor gets an Angus beef hamburger with Swiss and mushrooms, holding the condiments. Silas orders three double cheeseburgers and a large fry. I mimick Kota's order: a chicken sandwich and a small fry, knowing that I wouldn't even be able to finish that in itself.

Victor then pulls out a black credit card and swipes it. Isn't that for people who are, like, very wealthy? Maybe I'm wrong, but Victor also doesn't seem like he's struggling in the money department. So maybe I'm not. I dismiss the thought, not really caring for the answer at the moment because it really doesn't matter to me. As long as he isn't struggling financially or he doesn't realize he's too good for me, then I really don't care.

We fill our drinks, Silas telling us to go fetch a table while he waits for the food. There's a carousel in the middle of the food court, a sea of tables surrounding it. I'm about to suggest sitting there before Kota points out a table near the edge of the food court, secluded away from everyone else.

I go to pull out my chair, but Victor beats me to it. I bite my lip to suppress my smile, my head falling a little to hide the massive blush that's taken over my face. I sink down into my chair, the boys doing the same as Silas returns with a tray of food.

He hands me my chicken sandwich with a grin and I take it thoughtfully, returning the gesture. We all fall into a peaceful silence as we eat, but I'm only able to eat about four bites of my sandwich and a couple fries before I get too full and have to quit. The boys continue chowing down on their food and I take this time to study them.