Opposites Attract

The Paper Lantern

"Hi, Mrs Lee," I called as we entered the restaurant.

"Rosie!" she gushed, "But you don't work til tomorrow. You know that, yes?"

"Yeah, Mrs Lee, I've just brought Layla here for some food. You remember Layla, right?" I gestured to Layla who gave Mrs Lee a little wave.

"Of course, of course!" Mrs Lee sang, "I have a booth free?"

"Fabulous," I grinned.

We followed the small woman across the restaurant floor before coming to a stop.

"Here are your menus," she said, "Oh and Rosie you look so nice tonight."

"Thanks Mrs Lee," I replied... wow, who knew skirts have superpowers too?

As I scanned over the menu, ignoring the fact I'd no doubt be ordering my usual, I saw the flower on the table wilt, out of the corner of my eye.

I looked up to see Layla staring into space, a frown etched on her face.

"Out with it," I said, "I don't care if he's my twin, he's done wrong, and I want you to feel like you can talk to me about it."

She sighed and was just about to open her mouth when Mr Lee came over.

"Are you ready to order, girls?" he asked.

Layla's mouth opened and closed like a gold fish for a second before I snapped shut my menu and replied; "She'll have the vegetarian chow mein, I'll have the sweet and sour chicken, and we'll both have tap water please, Mr Lee."

"Certainly," he took our menus and left.

"Out. With. It," I repeated.

Layla sighed; "I just don't feel important to him anymore, you know? Like we were such good friends, and I just feel like I've been ditched the second someone... prettier came along. It's just not the best feeling in the world."

I sighed; "Look he has messed up... like royally messed up. But this is just a blip. Trust me, the second she leaves my house I'll be having a word with him... and discreetly binning anything we have that happens to be pink-"

Layla chuckled.

"Layla you do mean so much to him. Everyone in our little group does, but you most of all. For God sake we've known you since we were toddlers! How could you not mean the world to him? You've been a part of our lives for literally ages, and it'd kill him a little if he ever lost you, especially if it was due to his own stupidity. Listen, boys are stupid. They're ambiguous, and they don't think before they speak, and they don't realise when they've upset you sometimes, and they are oblivious in most senses, and they do often wear the same t-shirt five days in a row, but unfortunately, that's just how they are sometimes, Will especially. I know it sucks, but if you're willing to bare with him, I'll try and set things right, okay?"

"Okay," she smiled, eyes brimming with tears, but happy tears.

"For the record, I've only worn this t-shirt for the past two days," a voice said behind us.

Layla giggled as I turned around and smirked at Warren.

"I just can't seem to get you off my back, can I?" he winked at me.

"As if you'd be able to cope if I wasn't around," I retorted.

"I'd probably get more work done."

"That implies you do any work."

"Ooooh that burned, Stronghold."

"Ha punny."

Layla was chuckling at our exchange as Mr Lee came with our food, saying something to Warren in Chinese before heading back into the kitchen.