We swiftly arrive at the restaurant which is impressive for a mid-evening night. I'm instantly blown away by the carefully crafted interior of the restaurant which is a magical setting. It has a wooden finishing, which brings a rustic, but glamourous look with the twinkling aspects such as the grand chandelier hanging in the centre of the room. 

The hostess leads us through the restaurant, and towards the back which is seemingly less busy and crowded than the main section which is very confined.

"This will be your table for tonight," she says as she extends her arm out to the table in front of her.

We gather around and take our seats. Thankfully, the table is round so it means there's no awkward shaping that limits table conversation. Marine and Michael sit on the furthest side opposing us. Michael and Dad sit next to each other which means there's an open seat next to Marina and I.

It feels weird knowing their son will be sitting next to me, only because I don't know him. But hey, chance meets are interesting and I do need to learn to step out of my awkward quiet shell more often if I want to get anywhere.

We all start looking throughout menu, all the food dishes sound foreign. I don't understand any of the classy words they are using.

"Does everyone know what they want?" Michael asks.

"I'm not sure what anything is." I frown.

"You need a degree to read this menu," teases Marina to lift the spirits.

"Certainly do." Dad nods his head in agreement.

"I can order for everyone, if that's everyone's wishes?" offers Michael.

I nod my head thankfully. Although there's a small sense of worry in my stomach over letting somebody else order for me - what if I don't like it?

"That would be great," we all agree.

When the waitress returns, Michael excuse's himself from the table conversation and discreetly orders our food. There's a few different names of dishes which brings the idea we'll get a range of choices.

"Food will arrive within half an hour. That should be enough time for my son to join us," says Michael.

"Riley, why did you decide to come along to New York with your father?" Marina strikes up a conversation. I look over to Dad briefly to see that he's already engaged in a deep conversation with Michael about a new business scheme.

"Just to get out of town for the weekend. I've always wanted to see New York," I explain.

"Ah, New York is such a beautiful place, if you know all the right places of course." She eloquently lifts her shoulder and smiles at me.

I nod my head in agreement, "It's a shame I won't get the opportunity to stay for long."

"Sorry I'm late," a male voice calls out to the table, "and I brought a friend, hope that's okay."

"Some notice would have been nice," Michael discreetly grumbles under his breath.

My mouth drops open when I catch the sight of Nathan and his friend. I can't believe he's friends with Alex Bray from The Boy Band Project, that's mind numbingly awesome. I bite my lip and look away. I want to play it cool, not an obsessive fan girl.

"Nathan darling, the food hasn't been delivered yet, don't worry," Marina calls out, "we might need to quickly order another dinner plate and chair though."

"Great, I'm starved," he declares.

Michael gets up from his seat on the table and walks around to the front of the restaurant to clear it up. Soon enough, another chair is brought to the table and they take his order.

I shuffle to the side and find myself sitting next to Nathan, the boy I awkwardly met wish half a face of make-up. Things are certainly going to be exciting.

"Nathan and Alex, have you met Riley?" Marina asks.

I'm forced to glance at Nathan, who's smiling brightly. The butterflies in my stomach start to flutter as I wonder what he'll say about me.

"Yes, twice actually." Nathan grins at me.

Before Nathan can explain our meeting, the same waitress from before appears with a string of plates. She walks around placing a dish in front of us. I'm strangely surprised by how good it looks and smells.

"Fresh caught salmon, I hope you enjoy," Michael says.

I've never eaten salmon before, it always looks unappetizing in Mom's frying pan or even worse, how stinky it smells when I toss it into the cat's food bowl. Now it's strangely looks rather appealing and delicious. Hopefully touring will present me with other restaurants as delightful as this one.

People are correct when they say; New York isn't a city that sleeps at night. It's already eleven at night and we're just receiving our dessert. I love dessert, but I also need some sleep if I want to get up early tomorrow for site seeing.

The main course of fresh fish was amazing, the flavours, the cooking - all perfectly executed. But fish has nothing on the beautiful sugary delights, crafted into bursts of happiness. I love chocolate mousse.

"Nathan, Riley - darlings, you must tell me about how you met," Marina asks with a sneaky smile.

The butterflies in my stomach come to life as I brace myself for the hideous tale of how we met. Half a face of makeup, messy hair and in sweat pants from traveling. If only we met after I was dressed, then my first impression would be flawless and well, a Hollywood cliché then?

"Nothing mind-blowing if that's what your thinking-" he begins to say. "- Dad had me working Alex's shift today. I delivered her breakfast order, and then briefly when Riley was in a hurry to get to the lobby," he explains.

"What was wrong with you today, Alex?" Marina asks in a teasing voice.

"Mostly sick." Nods Alex.

"Sure." Smiles Marina. "Hopefully you're feeling better."

"A little." Laughs Alex.

"This geezer needs to work more." Nathan pokes him in the ribcage, "if he ever wants to work of his debt."

"I will, eventually." Alex shoves Nathan back which earns a disapproving look from Michael.

"Do you both just work in the New York hotel?" I ask.

"Every week we move around to a new destination. Alex has concerts, and other appearances to make. I just get gifted with the chance to both work and spend my summer vacation experiencing other cities," Nathan explains.

"Michael's idea," Marina whispers.

Nathan looks down at the table, crosses his arms and sinks back into his chair. "All of my friends are back home in Florida," he grumbles.

"At least you get to move around. I'm stuck at home all vacation." I try to cheer him up, but a sulky Nathan doesn't budge from his grumbly mood.

"I guess it could be worse..."

"Riley, do you have a summer job?" Marina changes the topic.

Taking a small bite from my already half eaten dessert, I swallow and reply, "No, my parents would rather I focus on my school education than work."

"Jobs can be a great learning experience, but it's nice you're putting your studies first," Marina says.

"Yeah, sometimes." I nod my head.

Nathan launches into a new conversation with Alex about something that happened to work today, while I smile awkwardly at Marina.

"Know any great places to visit?" I ask.

"Sure, I know heaps." Marian starts explaining all the wonderful places she's been to around America which gets me excited on the prospect of touring. One day I'm going to be the person telling those wonderful stories.