What if?

Chapter 12: Teasing him back

Michael

Nick is kinda weird nowadays. I kept on seeing him spacing out. I don’t think it is healthy. After telling Nick that we needed to eat lunch, he went straight to where the car was parked. “Hmm, what is wrong with him?” I asked myself. I checked the time on my phone, and I saw that it was already 11:40 am. “Oh no!” I shouted and ran towards the parked car. “Janice, have you seen any restaurants near where we can eat lunch while we are on the way?” I asked Janice. “I didn’t. I am sorry Michael, I was not paying attention on the road while we were on the way. “Ughh! Oh no. I will be in trouble again.” I exclaimed in frustration. “It’s not our fault you had that weird habit you know?” Nick said while pointing his index finger to my stomach. “You are not helping at all.” I replied back to Nick and slapped his finger. 

“Michael, I think I saw one on the way. But it isn’t a restaurant, instead it’s like an eatery on the side.” The driver said. “Okay, let’s go there.” I said to the driver. “But, Michael, are you okay to eat them?” Janice asked me with a soft voice. I think she doesn’t want to offend Nick who once ate foods like it. “No, not at all.” I replied. “Okay then. Please hurry. We don’t have enough time.” Janice said to the driver. 

I was curious about what Nick was doing because he didn’t say anything after I slapped his finger. “What?!” I asked Nick who was glaring at me with fiery eyes. I think he is mad because I slapped his finger. “Sorry. I didn’t mean it.” I said to Nick as I pulled his index finger then started to massage it. “Whatever!” Nick replied then pulled out his finger from my hands who were massaging it a while ago. Nick really likes sulking, it’s cute. 

The driver started the engine and drove away from the park. “Can you still remember where the eatery was?” Janice asked the driver. “Yes, it is on the right side of the road.” The driver answered Janice. “Okay, don’t take your eyes away from the road because Michael will be in trouble if he doesn’t get to eat on time.” Janice said. The driver suddenly stopped the car on the right side. “Did we arrive already?” I asked the driver. “Yes, this is the place I was talking about.” The driver answered. “I see, thank you” I said to the driver. 

We hurriedly got out of the car and Janice even ran to the front desk to order food already. Nick and I sat in a space where there weren’t any people. As we sat on the chair Nick moved closer to me.“Pftt! People are having a hard time because of you.” Nick said to my ear. I looked at Janice and the driver who now had the food on their hands coming in our direction. I felt guilty because Nick is right. Why do I have this weird habit though Ughh!

Janice and the driver reached our table. “Michael, here is your food. It is already 11:56.” Janice said with a caring tone. “Thank you and I am really sorry.” I said and started to eat the food that Janice gave me. After eating 3 spoonfuls I stopped and looked at Janice, the driver and Nick who were staring at me. “Please eat, I am so sorry to trouble you all.” I said. “HAHAHA.” They all laughed together. “What?!” I asked. “Nothing, you don’t have to feel guilty, we understand you.” Nick said while trying to stop himself from laughing more. “It’s your fault in the first place.” I replied to Nick. “You know, you are behaving like you want a fight.” I added. “You taught me this.” Nick replied then started to eat the food in front of him.

“Hmmm this is so good.” I said out loud. “Is this your first time eating this kind of food?” Nick stopped eating and asked. “I tried this food, but it was cooked by the maids in the house. I never thought that there is also this good food in eateries like this.” I replied to Michael. “Yeah, but of course it still depends on the cook. I believe that the deliciousness of the food doesn’t depend on how expensive the ingredients are like when we are at home and eat food there but you know what, there are also good quality foods out in eateries.” Nick explained. That was a long script for him but I appreciate his opening like this to me. “Thanks for that long… ummm explanation.” I replied, trying to tease him. “Shut up Michael.” Nick replied.

I think Nick is irritated by me again. I really like seeing Nick like this. Honestly, being here now, spending time with Nick at the park where we first met and now trying food that I have never eaten is a good experience for me. The main reason why I decided to go here is for Nick to feel better but I think that because of this, it isn’t just him who had fun but me too. I want this to happen again. Something came to my mind. “Nick, do you want to hang out once a week, I mean.. like this one. Just go out and have fun in the park while the summer is still here.” I said to Nick. 

I don’t know if Nick will be okay with this, because he is not the kind of person who likes things like this, but I hope that he would say yes. Nick stopped eating and looked at me. I can see him trying to process his thoughts, I don’t understand why he is acting like that but right now, all I need is for him to say yes. “Mmm. I think that is a great idea.” Nick replied. Yes! Okay, now we don’t have to be bored in the house for the whole week. “Cool!” I replied. I didn’t say what was on my mind because I don’t want him to think that I am doing this only for myself. 

Nick

I know Michael hasn't tried any cheap foods before, not like what he eats whenever he is in the restaurants but there is also a lot of good food you can try in eateries like this. Actually, I was also surprised at how good the food is here at a cheap price. Which is amazing. Michael is acting like a baby now, I wonder if I was like this too when we went to the mall and ate at a restaurant there? Ughh! I hope I wasn’t, it would be so embarrassing for me to remember. 

Michael asked me to go to the park once a week to have fun out of nowhere. I didn’t know what to say and reply to what he just asked because I had so many things in mind after he asked. I was processing my thoughts and finally I just said it was a great idea. I didn't even say yes but of course Michael knew the meaning of my answer. I think he also saw that I was not able to answer immediately because I was still finding the right words to answer him.

When Michael asked me about it. I really thought it was a great idea. I really want it to happen though. I mean, I want to spend time with him at the park and make that place our place. I mean like OUR, besides that was the place where we met each other for the first time and that place has a lot of meaning to me and I think the same way for him too. 

We already finished eating our lunch. “Michael, what’s the next route?” Janice asked Michael as if he is the boss here. Well, he is always the boss though. “Home, unless someone wants to go somewhere first before going back home then we can also do that.” Michael answered Janice. “Nick, do you want to go somewhere else?” Janice asked me. “No there isn’t, I just want to go home. It is already 1 pm already though I think it is better for all of us to go home. Besides, the sunlight hurts nowadays.” I replied to Janice. “Home it is then.” Michael said to all of us. 

The driver started to walk first and we also followed him in the car. Janice got in first then me then Michael was the last one because he wants to be in the window. The driver started the car. 

*coins dropping sound effects

“Who’s phone is that?” Michael asked. “Not mine.” I replied immediately. I know that the only person who knows my number is Michael and he is not calling me. Besides, I don’t have that kind of sound effect. I would have EXO’s song for my phone notifications. “I think it is mine. Let me get it, I’m sorry.’ Janice said and started to find her phone. 

“Hello.” Janice said without even looking at the name of the person calling. “Yes Ma'am we are together.” Janice said. I was shocked to see that Michael grabbed Janice’s phone, he looked at the name then ended the call. “Why did you do that?” I asked Michael in a curious tone. “It was Mom’s number.” Michael answered. “And so?” I asked Michael.”I don’t want to talk to her.” Michael answered. I immediately took the phone from Michael’s hand and gave it to Janice. “What do you think you're doing Nick?” Michael asked me. “Mom was not talking to you. She was talking to Janice.” I replied to Nick. “Still! You know what, if Janice will continue to talk to Mom, she will ask where we are and such. And I hate it!” Michael said in an angry tone. 

I can sense how furious Michael is now. “You could have just said to Janice that. You don’t have to grab the phone and be such a baby.” I replied and shouted. Michael is getting on my nerves, I don’t like what he just did to Janice. “You are the one who said not to talk to her if I am still mad. Why are you like this now?” Michael shouted back. 

The driver parked the car on the right side of the road because the discussion between me and Michael is getting hotter. “Nick, it is okay. I shouldn’t have answered the call or I should have at least checked the caller's name.” Janice explained. I heated even more. I don’t like the fact that Janice is being guilty right now when in fact she did nothing wrong. “No it is not okay! Michael, I told you not to talk to mom if you are still mad but Janice is not you.” I replied to Michael. “So you are on Mom's side?” Michael asked. “I am on nobody's side.” I answered Michael’s question calmly.

I didn’t mean that nobody should talk to Mom and I was never on nobody's side. I think I was not able to clarify that to him. “You are Nick, stop saying you aren’t.” Michael replied to me. He was about to open the car’s door but I stopped him. “Michael please, stop being like this, you are not a kid anymore. I thought you were smart. Use it!” I replied to Michael. “Nick, sometimes you should use your heart too.” Michael answered. “I am not perfect.” Michael said and opened the door. “Ughh!” I exclaimed. Why does he have to be this emotional over that? 

“I think you should go and talk to Michael, besides we need to go home now, I think your Mom called because they are already in the house.” Janice said to me. When Janice said that I was a bit hesitant if I will go to Michael or not. Because I only know one thing, I am mad at Michael and I don’t want to talk to him now. But, I think I need to neglect my feelings and think for the better.