Maca is vegetarian and she loves animals so Evergreen is perfect to take her for lunch. I have to plan stops like this one; I can’t have her starving the whole day. This restaurant is great, very homey and rustic, and everything is organic. It’s a vegan restaurant at which Archie works and the food is amazing. So this will be the next stop in Maca’s Day and I just have to make sure to leave the check paid and let Steph know of what will happen, even if she’s not the one who will receive Maca here. I have to speak with that person first, but I want him to see Steph first so he’ll be in a better mood.

Yes, Archie will be that person.

So we walk in the restaurant and Steph comes to receive us. That’s her main job, receiving the new costumers, guiding them to their table and then delivering menus. Sometimes she takes orders.

Now, Steph is a really cool girl, a vegan and activist Archie met once in a manifestation. She has short hair and dyes it purple, she has amazing tattoos and many piercings. My favourite has to be her septum piercing. And Archie is crazy about this girl who defies authorities and wears whatever she wants, who’s not afraid to speak her mind and fights for those who don’t have a voice. And I’m sure, oh so sure, she’s crazy about him too because when we walk in and she sees Archie next to me, I turn invisible and she can only see him, her eyes light up and her smile becomes too radiant for me. I have the urge to put on some shades because the whole meeting is quite blinding.

Have you heard of Skinny Love? Yeah, these two, right here and right now.

I think everyone knows of their feelings for one another, probably even they know, but they still don’t do anything, too shy and whatnot to make a move.  Someday I’ll just accidentally lock them in a room and conveniently lose the key.

Shit happen, you know?

“Hello, Archie,” she says and she doesn’t even bother greeting me. She’ll take another three minutes to remember they are not alone, blush and look away, too awkward for her own sake.

Two minutes and forty-three seconds later that’s exactly what happens.

“Oh, Reid, hi,” she says blushing furiously and I just grin, making things worse for them. “Please, follow me.”

She walks ahead, looking down and I stare at my best mate next to me whose eyes can’t look away from the girl in front of us. It’s really frustrating to see them like this, but quite amusing at the same time. People say one changes when in love, but more than changing I think a new side emerges, a side not even one is aware of. This extremely shy and lovesick guy that Archie becomes when Steph is around is that side he had hidden until he met her.

We are guided to the usual table we have when no one else is using it and we sit one across the other. “The usual?” she asks and I nod.

She leaves us and Archie follows her with that foolish smile on his lips, he even sighs when he can’t see her anymore and only then he turns to look at me again. “Better now?” I ask and he laughs.

“Much better,” he accepts and my smile widens.

“But seriously, mate, when are you gonna ask her out?” I ask and he turns tomato red.

“It’s complicated, Reid. She’s not just the girl I fancy, she’s also my friend and co-worker. You know how awkward would it be if she turns me down? Or worse, if she agrees but it doesn’t work out? I don’t wanna lose her as a friend. I rather having that instead of nothing at all,” he tries to explain and I can’t even believe he is using those excuses again.

“How many times do I have to tell you she feels the same way? You just have to try and make it work.” He looks down and I roll my eyes. I’ve told him this so many times and the reaction is the same, all the time.

But it’s Archie’s lucky day because right then Steph arrives with our food so we end this topic. However, before she leaves I ask her, “Could you sit with us? I have something to ask you both.”

Archie glares at me with the most panicked look I’ve ever seen, but I shake my head to put him at ease.

Steph looks behind, trying to see if there are too many costumers or not. She estimates she can sit with us and I point to the seat next to Archie. Of course I will point that one, what else could I do? Blushing again, she sits next to him and both are so tense because they know I know their feelings and I’m pushing them together.

Ugh, they are so difficult.

“Steph,” I begin. “I’m doing something special for a friend. She’s coming this Sunday so I need to leave a full meal paid for her and I want you to serve her. You’re the best here, after all. It’ll be her first time here,” I tell her and I see Archie relaxing.

“Sure, no problem, Reid. What’s her name?”

“Maca,” I say and I can’t help the smile coming to my lips.

“Are you gonna meet her here later or what?” she questions and my smile changes.

“Oh no, Archie will be waiting. You can make him company whilst he waits, right? It’s a whole thing I’m planning and Archie is helping me, so are many others. So for when she comes here, I want her to have lunch with this one.”

I look at my best mate and he seems surprised, so I just smile at him, asking him to agree to this without saying the words.

“Are you setting them on a date?” she inquires next and I almost laugh at loud at her jealous tone.

“Not at all! I’d never do that,” I confess and now is Archie staring at me with arched eyebrows and inquisitive eyes. “He’ll just have to answer some questions and hand her a letter from me. That’s all. Is that okay?” I know there’s no problem with what I’m planning, after all I’m going to pay for it and everything, I just want them to sit together.

“Sure,” she agrees but I know she’s still a bit jealous. I could clarify things for her, but maybe it’s good that she feels jealous. That could push her to make a move. “Well, it’s lunchtime so more costumers should come. I’ll leave you two now. Later,” she says leaving before we can reply. Quick steps and eyes on the floor, fists tightly clenched and I chuckle.

“Do you really want her to meet me first?” Archie asks me as we start eating our lunch. Oh man, this is so delicious.

“Of course, you’re my best mate. It’s important for me that you two meet,” I explain as if it were the most normal thing in the world. “What could put her more at ease than meeting you?  Plus it’s lunch, she needs to have someone to talk to for a good time and I’m counting on you for that. I think you can even play twenty questions. I mean, whatever she wants to know, you’re free to enlighten her.”

“Even if it means humiliating you?” he defies and I squint my eyes, looking at him suspiciously.

“You wouldn’t dare,” I defy back and he shrugs. “I would take my revenge on Steph.”

“She already knows how lame I am,” he defends and it’s true so I just sigh defeated.

“Yeah, even then. I want her to feel certain by this point,” I continue more serious this time and Archie nods. “Plus, I trust you to make her feel comfortable.”

I focus on my food as I remember that week in which we exchanged more about us. I just wanted to know more and more about her so I had to directly ask, but it had to be different, it had to be special so I came up with this game about sharing a virtue and a flaw. I wanted to force her to say something good about herself because most people have it so hard at complimenting themselves. With that I didn’t only want to learn more about her, I also wanted to confirm something.

It had been four months by then and I was pretty sure Maca struggled with depression or at least a very, very negative attitude. So when I asked this and I did it, I made a contrast. I always started with my virtue whereas she started—most of the time—with the flaw. I could tell she has harsh on herself and she struggled to come up with some virtue. Flaws were abundant and easy, virtues came from what others said about her or as a reaction to a flaw. Sometimes even only as a reply to my share of the game.

Her attitude was negative and hard on herself, I confirmed it that week and I decided then that if I ever gathered the courage to ask her to meet, I would make it special. I would make of that day a bright one, a day that would bring her happiness and good memories to fight those dark thoughts of hers.

And that’s why I want Archie to meet her. He’s a happy and nice lad, he’ll make her feel at ease and will make her smile. He’ll be a proof that she’s important to me because he will tell her. Even if it fills me with jealousy that he’s seeing her first, I want her to have a wonderful time. I want her to share a vegan meal with someone who understands what’s to be vegetarian.

“I think it would be better if you just meet her here and have lunch with her,” he tries to convince me and I know it’s the most practical option and what I would like best, but I’m doing this for her.

“If you don’t want to meet her, that’s okay, I can ask someone else. Maybe Steph,” I say knowing that’s not it, but just to push him.

“Reid, you know it’s not that. It’s just that all this scavenger hunt seems so… so unnecessary.”

“It’s necessary, I know it,” I reply because I know she needs a day like this. It’s not just meeting with her, it’s changing her somehow, painting her life in many ways in just one day.

“Fine, it’s your decision at the end. I’ll meet her here, answer all her questions and then send her to the next stop. But you didn’t need to bring me here to tell me this, you know?” I laugh, happy that he’s agreed but also amused because he doesn’t realise the real reason I brought him here.

“I know. I brought you so you could see Steph. That’s all,” I confess and he blushes furiously again. “I always enjoy teasing you about this.”

“Yeah? Well, at least I know how she looks and if I wanted, I could ask her out right now. I can text her, call her and spend the whole day with her. Can you do that? Do you even know Maca’s number?” he defies and I tense up.

“I asked her out, kind of. Anyhow, I did ask her to meet me, which is more than what you’ve done. Have you asked Steph out yet? And for how long have you known her?” is my comeback and my smug expression infuriates him, I know it. “I think I win.”

“So competitive, Reid. Don’t you know getting there first doesn’t exactly mean winning?”

I snort. “That’s what losers say.”

“Whatever, mate, but you just accepted you fancy Maca with the whole asking her out. Just saying,” is Archie’s response that makes me freeze as I see him taking a sip of his juice. “I. Win.”

I don’t say anything, I won’t dig my grave any deeper. Instead, I change the topic.

“After this we’re meeting my friend Coni,” I explain and he looks at me confused, although he still has that contempt smile on his lips. “The next stop is The Street of Art, and Coni is the perfect guide for this one,” I explain and Archie nods, understanding what I mean.

“Fine, but we’ll get dessert first.”

“Deal,” I agree, chuckling and finishing our meal. The dessert is always the best part.

-:-:-

I just love their friendsip! Picture of Steph on the multimedia!

500 votes for a new chapter? Just like you did for this one. I have it ready ;) 

Bel, xx