Second World

Chapter 19

Alongside Yuko, we are on our way to the dining room and are conversing with each other about books and our own interests when Mama Wilda stops us in the middle of the hallway.

"Ooh! Wrong direction, girls. Lunch will be by the pool today since a lot of us are up there." She pushes a food cart towards the lift and Yuko and I follow suit.

When we arrive at the pool area, it's filled with loud voices and laughter. I'm greeted with the sight of children splashing in the pool, teens in the deep end and older adults chilling and chatting in the jacuzzi.

A long table is set slightly further away from the pool and plastic chairs surround it. Sebastian is currently arranging the dishes and meals on the table and Mama Wilda pushes the cart in his direction.

"Thank you, Sebastian." She smiles.

"It's my pleasure, Ms Wilda." The man grins and nods his head.

Mama Wilda shakes her head and looks down to me. "Sebastian is the only one who insists on calling me that. One of the most stubborn people, I know." She chuckles before going away to set up the table.

"I hope you had fun reading at the library..." Yuko gives me a gentle smile. "You should come by more often."

"Definitely." I return her smile with my own. "There are so many books there for me to read. I don't think I'll get enough."

Yuko chuckles and she waves at me before going off to join a different group of friends.

"Lunch is served!" Mama Wilda hollers to everyone. There are all sorts of food spread around the table. Fried rice, sausages, fries, sandwiches, soup, salad and so on. They look amazing!

The crowd cheers. The children almost stumble over one another, trying to get a seat around the table. "Now kids, if any of you plays with your food, you're in big trouble!"

A few squeals of laughter and shrieks come in return and I try to find a seat that isn't already soaked from the people who just came out of the pool.

"Rii!" I see Ruby, Code and Jade approach me with towels around them, their hair sticking to their heads like wet mops. Ruby takes the seat next to me and Jade takes the other side with Code sitting across. "How are you? Are you feeling better now?"

"Yup," I reply. "I feel like I'm completely recovered."

"Cool." Code says. "You missed a lot though."

"Yeah, you would have been able to catch Code getting so wrecked at the pool volleyball match. It was hilarious." Jade snickers and Code shoots a glare at her.

"Not as hilarious as when the ball smacked your face that one round!" Code lets out a bark of laughter.

"You should be glad Mama Wilda is here or I'll chuck this food over your head!" Jade threatens.

"Rii." My head snaps away and a huge smile automatically spreads across my face.

"Zua!"

Zua enters the pool area along with Gene by her side. She has a warm smile on her face and my hand reaches out for hers as she nears.

"How are you feeling? I'm sorry I didn't check up on you this morning as I should have. Ruby and the others said they would go in my stead."

"It's alright, Zua. I'm fine now." I grin.

"The lil' lady 'ad a whole night to 'erself. I'll bet 'er energy's all filled up now." Gene ruffles my hair and I playfully swat him away, laughing. Then, I spot the picnic basket in his hand.