We Meet Again (JanTom AU)

Chapter 8

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"And this is where we are eating, the best restaurant ever!...in my opinion," Star announced as they reached their destination.

Tom looked up to see a dim lighted sign with the name "Kitchen Magic." The exterior of the building was coated with pastel blue and pink, giving it a majestic look. As they walked in, they saw a short man talking with one of the waiters.

"Hey dad!" Star said, getting the man's attention.

Dad?

The man noticed, his eyes gleamed with excitement, then walked over to them with his arms wide. "Star sweetie!"

Giving her a bear bug, he turned to the rest of them.

"Marco my boy! Looking good as ever."

He chuckled, "Thanks River."

"Janna! How's that book coming along?"

"Almost done River." For once, Tom saw Janna smile.

He finally got to Tom. "And-oh. I've never seen you before." He looked back and forth between Tom and the rest of them, trying to figure out who he was.

"Are you Janna's boyfriend? Is this a double date?"

"What?! No! River!" Janna stammered trying to defend herself while Star and Marco were laughing their asses off in the background.

"I'm Tom, sir," Tom introduced, shaking his hand. River shook in delight, before pushing his sleeve up his arm to examine his wrist.

"Why Tom, you have no meat, just bones."

He rubbed his neck with his other hand, embarrassed that this conversation was happening. "I'm a model, so I kinda have a strict diet."

River shook his head, "Model or not, this will not do. Come! We must fill you up."

He dragged Tom to a secluded area while the rest followed. They sat themselves at the furthest table, Tom and Marco on one side, Janna and Star on the other. Before Tom could even think about opening the menu in front of him, Janna snatched it away and handed it to Star.

"Wha-"

"You won't be needing it. Trust me." She interrupted, looking at Star. He decided to look at her as well.

"Dad, we'll take our usuals and for Tom, surprise him," Star said with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

A few minutes later, a waiter brought their meals to their table. Tom's mouth watered as he stared as the plates of food were passed to them. He couldn't remember the last time he had a meal like the ones he was seeing.

Probably never.

He brought his attention to the plate in front of him. On the plate was a burger with a side of fries. As normal as it was, he was grateful to eat something other than a plain salad. He looked up, seeing three pairs of eyes waiting on him to take the first bite. He finally picked it up and took a big bite.

Immediately, his mouth exploded with luscious flavor. His taste buds tingled in excitement. He closed his eyes while tilting his head back, trying to savor the taste.

This is literal heaven! What else have I been missing?

Everyone laughed at his reaction, even Janna who cracked a small smile, before digging into their own plates.

An hour and some desserts later, the four walked out of the restaurant, bellies full and hearts content.

"Ah, that hit the stuff. So, where to now?" Tom asked. He had a sudden rush of adrenaline after eating a cookie and cream sundae...twice. He had never been so satisfied in his life.

The sun was just about to set as the sky was a mixture of reddish orange and purple. They still had a few hours left before they had to head back to campus.

Star gave Marco a look before responding, "Well I saw this really cute handbag that I need to buy...and I'm taking Marco with me so Tom you can go with Janna to pick up her fruit. Cool? Cool. Alright later!" And with that she was off with Marco beside her.

Tom furrowed his brows and looked at Janna, "Is she always like this?"

She pinched the bridge of her nose, sighing. "Yeah. Let's just get this over with."

As they started walking in the direction of Fruit Basket, Tom figured he could use this opportunity to start an actual conversation with her. He placed his hands in his hoodie pockets and sped up a bit, trying to match her pace.

"So, how have you been?"

"..."

"How's school so far?"

"..."

"Any hobbies?"

This is not so great.

"C'mon Janna, let's get to know each other" he urged.

No response.

"Hm. Okay, how about if I go first?"

He used her silence as a sign to continue, "Well I'm 17, turning 18 in December. I've modeled and lived in Glendale ever since I could remember. I love cooking even though my parents don't know about it nor would support it. Every now and then, I like to watch childhood shows since, well, I never really had a childhood...I think."

He smiled over at Janna then frowned seeing she wasn't even paying attention. He was getting agitated at the fact that he was trying so hard to get to know his roommate yet she was somehow mad at him for a reason he didn't know.

He grabbed her shoulder and turned her around to face him. "Ok what is it? Why are you angry at me? Did I do something wrong? Is it something-"

"Why are you here?" She asked, shoulders drooped.

Tom furrowed his brows, suddenly losing any rising frustration. He was not expecting that response. What confused him more was that she didn't say it with hatred but with a tint of sadness? instead.

He answered her question. "Well, Star told me to go with you to-"

"No no," she said, shaking her head. "Why, all of a sudden did you decide to come to m- I mean this school?"

By now they had started walking again. Tom didn't see any reason not to tell her, at least she was talking to him. "My parents have always been protective of me, still are. They never let me do anything out of their comfort zone and I don't know why. Being a 'known' person just made things worse. I literally had someone watching my every step, sometimes sent by my parents. I honestly just needed a break from them, get to do something I want to do, have an actual teenage experience."

"No other reasons?"

"No..."

There was a chilling silence between them as they finally made it to Fruit Basket. Before opening the door, Janna sighed but kept her hand on the handle. "Look, sorry okay...I'm not one to trust immediately when it comes to meeting...new people."

Is Janna really apologizing? I've barely met her but she doesn't seem like one to apologize.

"So don't get offended and what did I tell you about that hand? It's like you want me to cut it off Lucitor."

He couldn't help but crack a smile. Ahh, there it is.

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Um Chile anyways-