Would You Like Some Fries With That?

They were walking along the city streets. Jeremy was looking left and right for the buildings and shops and was trying to find a place where to eat.

He asked Elucia, "Is there anything you would like to eat?"

"Uhm, eh... I really don't know much about this place. Whenever we eat out, we already have reservations in a restaurant or in a hotel. Don't we need some kind of reservation to eat here?"

And just as he was beginning to forget that he was walking with a multi-billion asset, he was slapped by the expensive hand of reality that even when eating outside they are worlds apart.

There is no way he can take her to some fancy restaurant that day because he would not be able to afford the cost of the meal even if he tried to sell his kidney. And then an idea came to his mind.

"Hmm. Okay, I know, let's go eat here."

Jeremy pointed to a building with a big M on its doorway.

It was around 10:30 in the morning so the place isn't really crowded. There are lots of tables that are vacant so they went straight to the counter to place their order.

"So what would you like to eat?" Jeremy turned to Elucia and asked her.

Elucia seemed lost and was looking around the people who are eating at their own tables.

"Don't they have a menu or something?"

Jeremy smiled at her innocence and then he pointed to the overhead board behind the counter.

"That's the menu. You can order anything you want from there. You just tell the order-taker what you want and then you pay outright. Then they will give you your food on a tray."

"Hmm, you mean to say that I will be the one to bring my food to the table?"

"Yes exactly."

"Why? Is there no waiter here?"

"Hmm, yeah there are none, there is service staff but they are more on cleaning than serving the guests. Will that be okay with you?"

Elucia smiled and she looked a bit excited. "Of course, that sounds interesting."

"Since it's your first time here, I recommend those things with pictures. You can just choose from them. They're the basic and the best sellers."

Elucia was absorbed into the board and was lost in the vast menu. She then pointed to one picture and asked Jeremy what that was.

"It's a burger. That one's complete with everything and its beef is better than the others."

She was mesmerized by it and with a twinkle in her eyes, she pointed at it again.

"Then, I would like to have one of that please."

"Alright, would you like some fries with that?"

Just like a little child, her face lit up in anticipation and joy.

"Wait, really? I can have some fries? Yes, please!!!"

Jeremy went ahead and ordered two of the same meal. Quarter pounder burger with fries and soda on the side. It took only a few minutes of waiting and their food was on a tray on the counter.

Elucia was trying to give Jeremy her card.

"You said we should pay right away right?"

Jeremy pushed it gently towards her.

"It's alright, I got this. Since it's your first time here, it's my treat."

They then made their way to a table. He set the food on the table and they sat right across from each other.

Jeremy laid out a tissue in the middle and opened up the packets of ketchup and poured them on the tissue. Elucia was closely watching what Jeremy was doing.

"Why did you do that?"

She was curious and it was evident in her discerning eyes.

"Well, so I can easily do this."

Jeremy took a couple of fries and then dipped them from the ketchup on the tissue and then placed the ketchup-covered fries in his mouth. He chewed them while looking and smiling at Elucia.

"Come on, you try it too. It's okay."

Elucia took a fry and following Jeremy's actions she dipped it on the ketchup and gracefully placed the fry inside her mouth. She gently chewed on it and smiled genuinely at Jeremy.

"That was good."

Her eyes then fell on the burger that was still wrapped in front of her. She was obviously looking for something on the table. It's as if there was something missing.

"What's wrong?" Jeremy inquired.

"Hmmm. But what about this one? How can we eath this? There are no plates nor utensils." she responded.

"Oh, we don't need that here," he answered as he picked up his burger and partially unwrapped it. He then bit from the exposed part of the bun.

"That's how you do it."

Elucia's eyes were sparkling as she was watching how Jeremy was devouring the burger in his hands.

She then grabbed hers and slowly unwrapped it. She then looked at it intently before biting into the bun, the patty, and the vegetables inside. It was a small bite but she was able to try everything there is.

"Wow, what is this? This is so good!" she exclaimed.

"See? Commoners' food isn't so bad right?"

She nodded while happily biting into the burger further. They went on eating while talking about random things about school stuff and all that. And after they are done eating Jeremy suggested that Elucia try her phone so they know if it is working fine. They could take it back to the store if there's something wrong with it.

Jeremy then sat next to her to teach her how to navigate around the interface of the phone. He taught her where the most important things are. He then saved his number on her phone and they tried calling each other. Elucia was elated with all that. He also helped her set her LINE messenger. He sent her some cute stickers which she just simply loved.

She was quick to learn so it wasn't really an issue.

Jeremy then tried the camera app and they took a selfie together. Elucia was looking intently at the photo and she fell silent.

"Thank you very much for today, and for all of this Jeremy. You are really nice."

Jeremy was taken aback by the sudden change in the atmosphere, all of a sudden the innocent and the jolly Elucia became serious.

"Hey! What's with that?" Jeremy chuckled and snapped at her.

"Don't mention it, it's really okay. I also had fun today. You can ask me about your phone anytime."

Like a neon light in the middle of the night, Elucia's eyes lit up again.

"Really?! Then, I will hold you unto that."

They then walked towards the center of the city and just like it was on cue, Elucia's car came to pick them up. Jeremy did not ride this time.

"I'm fine here. I can go home alone, I still have somewhere to go to. You take care. See you at school."

Elucia waved frantically and they went on their separate ways.

Jeremy thought that he could pick up a game before he goes home. While walking a tap in his back made him turned around. There was no one when he turned back so he faced forward again to walk forward again but he froze due to what he saw in front of him.

It was Momo, she was looking blankly at Jeremy. "Hi, fancy meeting you here."

Hi There!!!

It's a pleasant day today and I wish that you and your mood are as wonderful as your smile.

Can you still remember the very first time that you enter and eat in a fast-food independently for the very first time? I was already in high school when I have done that sort of thing. It was a big deal for me back then being a kid from the province and whatnot. It was just spaghetti and burger back then but I was really happy and carefree.

I appreciate you being here and taking your sweet time reading this one, let me end this with a toast, here's to our friendship ...

Cheers!!!

Series    : The (Not So) Perfect World of Jeremy
Episode   : 013
Title     : Would You Like Some Fries With That?
Published : 20-Sep-2021
Author    :  © RB