Sushi

25 | Ocean Roll

"Ninety... and then the eight goes here... two..."

"Nick? Is everything okay?"

"Nineteen... square root this... then put that here... use the formula..."

"Nick, Nick, Nick, Nick!"

"Rosaleen?"

"I've been here for the past hour."

"What?! I was holding on the phone for the past hour? How did I not real—"

"Just kidding."

*breathes a sigh of relief*

"God, you shocked me for a second there!"

"Is everything okay, though? It's the first time you're calling me, so I got worried when I saw Sushiria flashing on my screen."

"I wanted to check to see what you're up to. You know, to see how you're doing and all."

"Just admit that you were lonely and bored."

"You caught me. I was lonely, bored, and I missed you."

*laughs*

"We talked yesterday, you dork."

"Was it really just yesterday? It felt like the last time we talked was two million years ago."

"And I thought Alma was dramatic..."

"I can be more dramatic if you want me to."

"I think I'm good with one dramatic person in my life, thank you."

"Suit yourself."

"I might as well place my order early today. One Ocean Roll, please."

"Are you shore about that decision? Because if you are, then... same price, same guy."

"I'm very shore, yes."

"Did you sea what I did there? I made that pun on porpoise."

"Here comes the wave of puns."

"I'm ofishally out of ocean puns. Water you up to right now?"

"Eating some Pocky. You? I'm guessing some kind of homework because I heard some numbers...?"

"Yeah, I'm doing my math homework right now. Not fun at all."

"By the way, what the heck is a Pocky?"

"First it's the sushi, now it's the Pocky? Nick, you're missing out."

"I knoow."

*sighs*

"Can I be open with you again?"

"Of course."

"I grew up in a pretty closed off household. Ate the same things often and wasn't allowed to try new things. That way of living just made me used to the usual food, so I haven't ventured out of my food zone ever since then, I guess to put it."

"Buut recently, Ben has been showing me food from his culture. I'm slowly getting out of my food zone."

"Oh... I'm really sorry to hear that you lived in a household like that. I hope I didn't upset you by making you think of that... thank you for opening up to me."

"And I'm glad you have Ben to show you some new food. What dishes have you tried so far?"

"No, no. It's okay! I didn't get upset, don't worry."

"Sisig, Pancit Palabok, Lechon, Balut, and a few others I can't think of right now. All really good."

"Yaay, I'm glad you're having a good experience with trying new things. I have to introduce you to some Korean food one day."

"Heck yeah! I wanna try that thing that looks super spicy but super good. It's like some kind of lettuce or something... I can't remember the name."

"Kimchi?"

"Yeah, that sounds right."

"I'll give you a jar of my dad's homemade kimchi. So so yummy! I think you'll like it."

"Awesome, I get to try Papa Song's cooking."

"His food is my favorite; it makes me feel comfy, warm, and happy."

"I want to feel comfy, warm, and happy too."