CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
( CHINESE )

     CARMEN GRABS A tub of ice cream. Zach takes a seat next to hers as she grabs a spoon, and pulls the lid from the tub. Aurora marches in, a smile spreading across her lips as she gets to the refrigerator. After opening the door, she turns to Carmen.

"Hey Caramel," She says, closing the door. "Do you li-"

"THE FLOOR IS LAVA!" Daniel yells, cutting the girl off as he sprints into the kitchen.

Aurora scrambles onto the island immediately, and pushes Jack off to make room for a bewildered Carmen. She gives Jack a smile as he tumbles to the floor, gratefully taking his spot, and looking at Aurora.

"Was that really necessary?" Jack groans, rubbing his back.

Aurora shrugs unapologetically, taking a spoonful of her ice cream as she glances around at the others. Carmen does the same, a giggle leaving her lips.

Zach stares at her from a barstool as she laughs, the corner of his lips twitching up. Daniel and Jonah sit on the counter, both dangerously close to the soapy sink.

"Where's Corbyn?" Aurora asks, furrowing her eyebrows as she didn't catch sight of the boy.

"I'm right here."

They all look around, not seeming to find where the voice was coming from. Zach spots him before any of the others did.

"How did you get on top of the fridge?" Zach questions.

"I'm a ninja," Corbyn grins broadly. He jumps from the fridge, landing on his butt in the process.

"Smooth," Carmen comments, shaking her head as she chuckles.

Corbyn ignores the comment, laying back on the floor as he proceeds to mumble curse words to himself.

"So, Caramel," Aurora says, hoping to not be cut off again. "Do you like Chinese food?"

"Love it," She replies, nodding her head. "Why?"

"Because I'm craving some," Aurora explains, hopping down from the island. "Ask the others if they want to get some while I change, okay?"

She heads to the door, not waiting for a response. Jonah hops from the counter, speaking to her as he follows.

"So?" Carmen looks over to Zach expectantly. "Would you like to join us?"

"As if I'd let you go alone," Zach rolls his eyes, moving to stand between her legs. He rests his forehead on hers, their height matching. "Besides, why would I pass up quality time with you?"

"You tell me," She smiles, draping her arms over his shoulders. "I have to ask the others, though. Can you let me down?"

"Nah, I think I'd prefer for you to just stay," He grins, leaning closer.

Carmen places her hands on either side of his face, moving to kiss him. But as they get close enough for their lips to touch, she side tracks, and slides from the island. Zach whines in protest as she sprints to find Daniel, leaving him alone.

---

Less than an hour later, Carmen, Aurora, Zach, and Jonah walk towards the entrance of a Chinese resturant.

The other three boys had decided to stay home, Corbyn having said something about it being nap time.

"Your brother said you were banned from Chinese restaurants," Jonah says, wrapping his arm around Aurora. "They're not going to let us in willingly if that's true."

"It's true," Aurora says, grinning wickedly. "But that's only for the restaurants in Virginia. They haven't banned me here."

"Yet," Zach adds.

"Now, Aurora," Jonah says, opening the door for them. "You have to eat at least one plate of real food before you wipe out the desserts."

"Technically speaking, all food is real," Aurora argues, crossing her arms over her chest defiantly.

"You know what I mean," He says, before turning to the man behind the counter.

Carmen tugs at Zach's arm excitedly, pointing at the large fish tank at the back of the resturant. "Look at the fish!"

"You want to know something?" Aurora asks her, indicating the fish. "That's how this place gets their sushi."

"Oh my gosh!" Carmen gasps, covering her mouth as her eyes begin to water. "Aurora, please tell me you're lying."

"Of course she's lying," Zach mutters in her ear, pulling her into his chest. "Their sushi is shipped here. Those fish are just for looks."

"Yeah, some people like to play with their food," Aurora laughs darkly. "That's why they have stray cats roaming around outside."

"Jonah," Zach groans, holding Carmen. "She's scaring her."

"Aurora, go get some food," Jonah sighs, looking at Carmen with a worried expression. "Are you okay?"

"She was making really bad jokes," Carmen frowns. "About the fish and cats. They don't really cook them here, do they?"

"Only on Tuesdays," Aurora chimes in, still standing at the conversation.

"It's Monday, though." Carmen furrows her brows.

"That means they should be fetching the cats outside then," Aurora says with a wicked grin. "You hear that? They're starting to boil water in the kitchen. Do you know what they put in the boiling water?"

"Gosh, Aurora, stop-"

"That's where the fishies are transported to, where they can-"

"Okay, lets go get some food," Jonah interrupts her, dragging the girl away from Zach and Carmen.

"Oh! I can't wait to choose- fish or cat?"

---

"LET GO, YOU JERK!" Aurora yells, shoving at the small Chinese boy. "IT'S MINE!"

"What is she even doing?" Carmen asks, setting her fork aside as she glances over at Zach. "What did that poor boy do?"

"Apparently he touched the cheesecake," Jonah sighs, rubbing his temples.

"DON'T MAKE ME PULL OUT MY WEAPON!"

"Oh god, what has she done now?" Zach asks.

From the rows of desserts, Aurora holds an air horn in the face of the small boy. He stares at her with wide eyes as she moves to press the button. Then, his expression changes to one of terror as she actually presses the button.

"GET AWAY! IT'S MINE!"

The boy rushes away as Carmen holds back her laughter. Several workers then begin to gather around Aurora, yelling to each other in words that none of them could understand.

Then, Aurora grabs the plate of cake, and sprints out the front doors of the resturant.

"COME ON, GUYS! I DON'T WANT TO BE ARRESTED!"

"Yet another place we're banned from," Zach says, helping Carmen from her seat. "This is great."

"I find it funny," Carmen shrugs.

_____