As usual, I find it cringy and I don’t know if it is even possible, but my face flushed even more. I hate how he always manages to make me blush, even through a phone. My heart warmed and the butterflies in my stomach appeared.
I open my mouth to say something, but I don’t know what to say. I was speechless. Then I heard laughter from the other line. Luke’s laugh was so infectious that I also laughed.
“Did you see what I did there?” He said in between laughter.
“Yeah yeah. It’s sweet.” I said. Not wanting to be defeated, I formed a plan in my mind and said, “But that won’t change me, not approving to be your girlfriend.”
His laughter died down. “Why do you always say that? Did you know that it breaks my heart every time you tell me that?” He said seriously.
“Stop being dramatic.” I snorted, but not before smirking in victory, I high-five myself. “Now, you lose.”
“Okay okay, you win.” He said, now surrendering. “Back to the topic. Why did you call Snow again?” He asked.
Oh… How could I forget to tell him about the dinner later? Talking with Luke had made me forget it.
“Ohh yeah right. Well, I just want you to know that… I passed the exams!”
“What?” He said in shock. “I thought you wouldn’t, ” He said, obviously teasing me. How I wish for him to see my death glare right now.
“Kidding… I could feel your glare over here. Anyways, congratulations!” He exclaimed.
I smiled at that, “Thank you! So… My mom said that we’ll eat dinner later at the restaurant. She said I can invite you all..”
“Really? Of course, I’ll be there!”
“You can also bring the boys…” I added, and he agreed. “Okay.”
“Okay. Bye, see you later.”
“See you! Mwuah!” He said, imitating a kissing sound and I just laughed at him. After that, I ended the call. I text him the address.
Well, it’s not part of the plan but I just suddenly missed the boys… Leroy’s loud voice, Dax’s constant teasing, and… a certain robot….
Plus it has been a long time since I last saw them. They even stopped going to the shop so I’m guessing if something wrong happened to them.
After that, I went to the bathroom to take a shower and get dressed. I wore a simple navy blue dress, the dress that had been hanging in my closet for a while now, and put on light makeup and curled my hair a bit. I put in a bit of an effort than usual since we were going to an expensive restaurant.
I went downstairs and watched television. I saw Nathan watching his favorite, Spongebob. Sitting beside him, I ruffled his hair. I don’t mind watching Spongebob. Every passing minute, I was constantly staring at the clock, getting anxious.
Twilight came and the planned dinner outside was nearing. I went upstairs to get ready, texting the others what restaurant we were going to since we already agreed that we’ll just meet at the restaurant.
“Are you ready, Snow?” I could hear my mom yelling from downstairs.
“Yes, mom!” I replied and quickly descended the stairs. We locked the house and I jumped in the front seat of mom’s car, as Nathan was seated at the back seat. Mom started the engine and the car roared to life.
“Did they tell you what time they are coming?” Mom asked me once we arrived at the restaurant, sitting at a table good for ten people in a corner, waiting for them to arrive. I constantly cast a few glances at the door to see any signs of them.
“Yes, mom. They will be here in a few minutes.” I reassured her. She nodded and smiled at me, happy that her daughter had made friends and was adjusting to the new place.
When I saw them still not arriving, I stopped glancing at the door like a weirdo and started to study the restaurant.
The restaurant has a modern and wood structure. On the ceiling, chandeliers offered a dim light to the whole restaurant. The rectangular glass window is protected with grills. The polished floor is styled in circular patterns. Few ornamental plants are placed in a corner.
A clock was placed high on the wall for everyone to see. The wooden framed chairs are all arranged neatly and well-organized. The tables clothed in white have white porcelain plates and drinking glass and other utensils. The waiter had given us an appetizer earlier, which is a vegetable salad.
I don’t have anything against vegetable salads, but I think it was just plain green leaves mixed with salt and pepper and all of that taste ingredients. Well, I’m not insulting vegetables, in fact, I love them, but vegetable salads, it’s a no.
Examining the whole restaurant had made me regret it. The restaurant was all about classiness and elegance, taunting me. It had made a tiny spark of self-conscious and uncomfortable feeling within me. And to add things up, I see the formality of the waiters as they walk graciously and calmly, serving customers.
This feeling always occurs every time we go to a fancy place. I glanced at mom, wondering if we had enough budget for this. How did she even manage to reserve a table for us? Gosh, I suddenly felt the urge to stand up and leave the place, but nevertheless, the feeling had disappeared when I smelled the stew soups in the air, tempting me.
I tried so hard not to follow the smell. The clattering of utensils, the chattering, and the laughing of people are blending to the soft song that we are currently playing. Bored, I glance at my right side to see a couple eating happily and talking about something. They look so happy that I immediately averted my eyes to my left side just to see the same.
On my left side was also a couple staring at each other with such emotion I think is love. In a corner I see an old man, eating alone. I can’t help but feel pity. What could be his feeling, eating in a restaurant that was full of happy couples? Not wanting to know the answer, I diverted my gaze and turned my attention to the door.
Finally, after waiting for almost a year, well, just kidding, it was only ten minutes since we arrived here and waited for them. I spotted a familiar blonde-haired girl together with a brunette girl. They were both scanning the restaurant.
The blonde was wearing the purple dress she had bought from the mall when we went shopping. Her blue eyes stood out and her blonde hair was curled in big waves. Her heels made her look taller than she already is.
Beside her stood the brunette girl, her brown eyes also stood out in her yellow dress, complimenting her soft and slightly tan complexion. Together, they looked really gorgeous. I grinned at them and waved. They spotted me and instantly rushed to our table.
“Hey girl!”
“Hi Snow!”
They both exclaimed.
“Hey girls!” I said. “You both look gorgeous!” I complimented them. Because they really are!
“Thank you,” Hannah said, twirling for us to see her clearly, and giggled, blowing a kiss at me.
“Oh shush Snow! You’re also beautiful tonight,” Emma said, complimenting me back and I couldn’t help but chuckle at us.
“Are these your friends Snow?” Mom cuts in.
“Yes, mom. This is Hannah, Aunt Maggie’s niece, and Emma. You know her already.”
“Nice to meet you Mrs. Waterstrings.” They both greeted her.
“Nice to meet you too.” Mom said and motioned for them to sit and they did as they were told. Since mom sat at the head of the table, with Nathan sitting by the children’s table beside her and me on her right, Emma sat on my right side and Hannah sat beside her. The other chairs were still empty since the boys still hadn’t arrived yet.
We had a nice little chat for a bit. “So Hannah, about your Aunt Maggie..” Mom started to talk to Hannah, and Hannah replied.
From beside me, Emma poked at my shoulder, catching my attention and I turned to her, “I know I already saw her from one of your phone’s pictures and from the wedding but really, your mom is really beautiful, Snow,” she whispered since she was seated beside me. I shrugged and smiled sheepishly.
It didn’t take long for the boys to finally arrive.
“Hey.” Luke greeted me, smiling in his boyish smile.
“Hey,” I said. Behind him stood Leroy, Dax, and Eion. Leroy gave me his goofy grin, Dax sent me a smile while nodding his head, and Eion with his usual expressionless face. I couldn’t help but wonder how they managed to get Eion here, well knows? At least we are all complete now.
I gave them a wide grin, happy to see them. They were all wearing their casual clothes and they sat at the chairs. We started to order first and once everyone was settled down, we finally talked with each other.
“It is nice seeing you again, Aunt Evy,” It was Luke who started to talk to my mom now, as he was seated just on her left, and just across from me. He grabbed my mom’s hand and kissed it. Mom blushed at that. He then turned to Nathan and high five him who was sitting on the children’s chair just beside mom.
“Oh, hello Luke, has it been since last week you got to our house? ” She replied. “Come again there, will you? Snow has been missing you a lot,” Mom said to him.
Luke raised his eyebrows at me, finding it amusing to tease me now. “Really, I didn’t know that, thank you for telling me, Aunt Evy. I’ll visit soon enough,” he replied, winking at me.
I just rolled my eyes at him, and Eion spoke up, “Thank you for inviting us tonight, Aunt Evy.”