The rain stopped— the rays of sunlight can finally be seen. We walked away from the shed to go somewhere— to eat something. I am been suppressing my hunger for a while now— I’m glad my stomach didn’t make some grumbling noises. I’ll probably die right on the spot because of embarrassment if Jordan heard it. 
“We’re here.” He mumbled exhaustingly. He is for sure feeling the exhaustion of running. I don’t understand why he think that running is the best decision to reach this place— when we could’ve just walk. 
“Busy Bee Restaurant— where everything is homemade.” I did an eyebrow raise after reading the signboard notice that hangs above the top side covering of this diner. Jordan also started to read message. 
“Homemade? Then, that’s good. Let’s head inside, Nai.” He pulled my wrist as he pushed the glass door forward. 
We are welcomed by the accent lighting provided by the sconces that is attached to every corners of the milieu. There are also pendant lights that hanged from the ceiling and are positioned over the tables. The other tables that are situated around the perimeter of the restaurant’s window— by looking at it gives me a light bulb moment. 
“Let’s sit there. Natural lighting is good, Edon. We will also have better view of the street.”
I grabbed is hand—aimed it to point towards the spot. “And the acer japonicums, Edon. Look.” I lifted my hands to point towards the avenues of two parallel rows of trees standing at a regular distance between the opposite pavements. It’s warm, dazzling shades of golden-yellow and reddish-purple made me feel good. I stared in awe as we approach the table to take a sit.  
“Do you like that?” I nodded as I continue to stare at the trees. Fullmoon maple trees. I love it. It’s extraordinary colorful foliage, it looks elegant particularly during autumn season. 
I forgot— 2 more months to go before I can finally welcome this season. It’s my favorite among the four divisions. I smiled happily. Shaking the slipsoles of my feet. 
“What should we eat?” Jordan finally asked. 
I looked at the menu board on display, 20 paces from where we are currently sitting. And carefully read the choices of food that are available to be ordered. 
“I want a portebello mushroom burger topped with quinoa salad and to pair it with some freshly squeezed orange juice.” I snickered cheekily at Jordan. His eyes are sparking—highlighting the glowing orbs of his eyes right now. He suddenly smirked at me. 
“I want it, too. I’ll have the same order as you. I trust your taste.” He uttered in such tones that made my stomach churn— something inside flutters. 
I suddenly feel cold. I shivered slightly under the long sleeves that I am wearing. “What are you, a copy-cat?” My sarcasm came out like a whine. 
“I am— wait here. I’ll go to the counter to order.” He replied as he stood up from the traditional bent wood chair and straightly walk straight off towards the counter. I want to know the words he was supposed to say. I shook my head instead and look towards the window to stare at the trees.
The soft whirl of the wind made the leaves sway gently. I kept my eyes settled on it, not until I saw two familiar faces among the group of boys who are currently laughing together, making their way towards this place. 
The first time I saw him a while ago from the alley where he wouldn’t even smile and now that he is laughing with his friends, feels like I met two different strangers at the same day. And he is with Aivan.
They knew each other? Because just by seeing them, there is certainly a bond between them. They’re friends. How come he didn’t tell me he has a friend other than us. That us— are my friend Sunny and me. I thought he considers us his best friends since he said he didn’t have one when he was still there on his previous school? Was it a lie? Aivan lied at us. I’ll give him a round of applause for lying then. It was a perfect example of having a sensible masking of expression while lying about something. It was perfectly done because he literally made us believe that he meant the words he said. 
A twain of plates was placed by the table.
“The drinks are to be followed.” It was Jordan, he went back towards his chair.
“What’s wrong?” He leaned in to follow my gaze. 
“Aivan and that hawkeyed boy are friends.” I kept seeing the smiles and laughter from the two of them. “I’m surprised he knows how to laugh.” I added. 
It made Jordan chuckle softly. “Nai, he is with his friends. And when you’re with your friends, you can’t act all sardonic. We humans are the most comfortable when we are with are friends, Nai. When we are with the people that we have a close connection with— we can never fake the natural nice systemic traits we have in us. And you know that too.” 
How can he be fair in seeing things? He always sits in a well-balanced mentality. Can I have that instead? I sometimes feel tired of jumping to early in the muddy assumptions I created in my head. I never liked it because sometimes it hinders me from seeing the bright side of life— and its people. But it gradually molds into me, a protective response that I somehow founded. 
I met eyes with Aivan and he immediately drops his gaze off from me looking like he didn’t see me. “I was thinking of waving my hands at him.” I muttered under my breath. 
“He was looking at us for seconds now, Nai. You weren’t able to catch it because you’re looking at me. You know I felt proud when you listened to me— it’s like I am giving a student some lecture.”
I scoffed at Jordan and punched his chest lightly. “Are you trying to make my blood pressure high, Edon? I’m starting to feel some irritating feeling right now.” This is very bad. I still can’t get over the fact that Aivan lied and treated me as someone non- existent from the way he dropped his eyes and acted like he never saw me. 
The chimes coming from the bells made us looked towards the entrance door. My eyes instantly landed to the hawk-eyed boy. His eyes reached us, another smirk was released from his face. The exchangeable glances Aivan to look at his friend and us. 
“Let’s eat somewhere else.” His hands smoothly ran to the ends of his hair as he commandingly uttered his words to his friends. He headed off making the remaining four go into following their leader. I never bothered to look at Aivan again and rapidly averted my eyes to look at Jordan who’s surprisingly looking at me too. 
“He’s acting like a mother duck being followed by his waddling baby ducklings.” I told him it and that made him grinned. 
“Forget about them for a while. We have food to enjoy— it’s waiting to be consumed, Nai.” He placed the plate in front of me alongside with the utensils he initiated to put on its side.