The Place of Love

Steve or Salad?

I sat with my plate full with salad and pasta. Pasta was my all time favorite. Shane had offered to serve food for me and I'd let him. He seemed too sweet for a normal young boy like him but I decided not to worry about it. Maybe this was what I missed all these years.

I waited seated on the table, my stomach growling but Shane hadn't come yet. Stretching my neck I tried to search for him and fixed my eyes at a glimpse of Shane and Steve having a chat at one of the food counters.

They didn't have very calm faces for two friends catching up on something, nor did they have curious faces like they'd met for the first time. I was sure by now that they knew each other from before. Their postures didn't seem very pleasant and the conversation ended too soon.

The morning session earlier, had concluded with the story of how the Master and Mistress had met. 'We were in high school together" she had started excitedly. "We could hardly tolerate each other. We used to change paths on seeing each other. I had a best friend and he was everything to me, but love. He loved me and I knew that. But I also knee that I couldn't love him the way he loved me." She paused as if trying to push those memories back.

"When Blake and I got closer and became friends, he got jealous. I couldn't believe someone like him would ever want to hurt me.. but he did. He created many misunderstandings and we got separated. Blake left to complete his studies and I continued mine as well. But our love never reduced. I thought I'd lost him until one day our paths crossed and we met after two years of missing each other so much. It wasn't easy but we ended up sorting things out. We wanted to spread the love we found and make others believe in it too! And soo.. here we are!" She finished, her eyes glittering from the threatening tears. She soon covered it up with a smile.

Their story awed everyone and with that the session had ended. There were too many hungry souls by then and so lunch was announced getting everyone to the food table.

Shane had got me enough pasta for the entire day. Not that I would waste any.. I loved pasta! But along with enjoying every bit that touched my taste buds, I couldn't stop thinking about Steve. I wanted to talk to him.
After knowing everything about him, something in me was drawn to him. I wanted to know why he looked at me during the session. I wanted to know why I felt so attracted to him.

My eyes searched for him among the crowd but in vain. The only way I could get up and search for him without having to explain to Shane would be by getting myself more pasta. My stomach debated but my senses agreed arguing that I can eat less during dinner.

I got up and looked towards the food counter and there I spotted Steve, his concentration fixed on his plate trying to stick the maximum quantity of pasta at one same time in the fork. I smiled thinking about the child he can be. He stood alone at the side of the counter.

I excused myself and walked towards him. I could feel Shane's gaze at my back but I didn't turn to look. I didn't approach him directly. There was a salad counter beside him and I walked in it's direction.

As soon as he saw me coming his body tensed. He straightened himself but continued to eat, his eyes travelling from me to the plate.
Serving a spoonful of salad on my plate I whispered, "So.. a construction company huh? Big man" making sure he heard me. He looked at me from the corner of his eyes not turning and replied, "Yeah." That was all he decided to say.

I rolled my eyes in reply and turned to leave before he decided to speak. "I'm sorry about last night.. your tent is just next to mine. I got confused" his tent was next to mine? I didn't know until now.

I turned to face him "It's okay. it wasn't your fault" "Still. I'm sorry I shouldn't have seen you.. like.. that" his face was turning pink and I was enjoying it. "Was it that bad?" I asked smirking "Yeah it was. Wait what? No! You were beautiful.. I mean hot... shit what are you doing!" he managed almost dropping his plate embarrassed.

I burst out laughing balancing my plate in one hand. One moment he was confused, next moment a small smile crept on his lips. I wanted to know what's it like seeing him laugh but for now, the smile was fine. I noticed his cheeks flush and couldn't help but blush even more. "Thanks by the way!" I winked at him.

Before he could say anything, I felt a strong hold on my waist. I gasped before turning to look at Shane's bright eyes gazing at mine. "Hey pretty face. I thought you were coming back with some salad. I was waiting for you" he said frowning. "I saw you here so I came to get you" he said, his lips curled into a smile.

I turned to look at Steve. His then glittering eyes were now filled with.. fury. His body looked more tensed and his hands curled in a fist. I was sure now about the two of them. They knew each other very well and by the looks of it, Steve couldn't stand him for long.

I decided not to increase any tension and turned to face Shane, "Yeah I needed more salad" or Steve? I didn't say the last bit loud. "Oh. Need more? Or can we go eat?" he asked weirdly. When I should have argued about the way he spoke to me, I chose to only nod in response.

I turned to go back to our tables but not before smiling towards Steve who wasn't even looking at me anymore.

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What would you choose? Steve or salad? Or pasta?? XD

Hit vote if you liked it!