Fire Always Burns - By Krista Lakes Page 0,15

bar. She handed me a diet coke, leaning against the bar. I grinned at her.

“I'm a little nervous, and I'm not even the one doing anything,” I said, sipping on my soda.

“You and me both. Can I get an order of nachos?” Eli answered right behind me. I jumped, startled since I hadn't seen him come in.

“I already put your order in. They'll be out in five minutes. You two should go to your booth- they should be here soon,” Britney said, glancing towards the entrance of the restaurant.

I grabbed my drink and I scooted off to the booth with Eli. I sat with my back to the table where Andrew and Luke were going to be, but I could see everything in the mirror hanging on the wall. It was an advertisement for some sort of tequila, but it meant that I would be able to see their reflections and be close enough to hear the conversation. Britney carefully set a bowl of chips and salsa on the table, making sure we were all settled. We were going to be her easiest table that night.

Eli shifted in his seat as Andrew and his mom walked in. Audrey hung her coat on the back of her chair, shaking some snow out of her dark brown hair. She looked relatively calm and relaxed, making me wonder if Andrew had told her exactly who they were meeting for dinner. Andrew sat next to her, playing with the napkin rolled utensils. He caught my eye in the mirror and smiled, but he looked nervous. My foot started to tap nervously.

Luke walked in next, dusting the snow off his shoulders and stomping his feet on the entryway carpet. Ray was close behind, rubbing his hands up and down his arms. The restaurant was relatively quiet for a weekday evening, but Luke was still careful as he slipped between tables to sit across from Andrew. Audrey had her nose deep in the menu and didn't see them walk up to the table. Ray noticed her first, freezing at his chair, his jacket still on, staring at Audrey. I couldn't see his face, but it was obvious Luke hadn't told Ray that Audrey was going to be there.

Luke's chair scraped against the floor as he sat down and opened the menu, Audrey lowering hers to greet him. Her face paled, flushed, and paled again as she became painfully flustered. Ray sat down slowly, his jacket still on as he picked up a menu and carefully hid behind it. Audrey turned towards Andrew and shot him a look. 'If looks could kill', I thought. Her whole face distorted with displeasure. Andrew dove behind his menu, using it like a shield against his mother's glare.

“Ray, how nice to see you. Andrew didn't tell me you were joining us. He just said dinner with Luke.” Audrey's voice was polite, but cold.

“Luke forgot to mention you as well,” Ray answered with equal politeness, turning his head slightly to glare at Luke. Luke sat nonchalantly looking at his menu, running a finger down the list of burritos.

“I think I am going to get the # 17 combo tonight. What are you all getting?” Luke asked the table, lowering his menu and smiling like it was the most natural thing in the world.

“I think I am getting the #4, with chicken. Though that #17 does sound pretty delicious. Would anyone like to split some guacamole with me?” Andrew chirped back, flipping back and forth between two pages. There was a moment of silence as he waited for an answer, but both parents just stared intently at their menus pretending the other didn't exist. I could hear the sports reporter mumbling on the tv in the bar.

“The guac here is pretty good- I'll have some. Dad and I like mixing it with the salsa,” Luke said, trying to restart the conversation. The two parents hid silently behind their menus. Andrew and I exchanged worried glances through the mirror. This wasn't going as well as we had hoped.

“Welcome Millers and Wests! What can I get you all to drink?” Britney asked cheerfully as she put chips and salsa down on the table.

“Margarita for me, please,” Luke requested a little too quickly, his tone betraying his confident attitude. Britney nodded, writing it on her pad and waited for the others.

“Water,” Ray and Audrey both answered at the same time. Neither one looked up off their menus. Andrew sighed and ordered a lemonade and the guacamole.