It was so noisy in the ice rink. Some people were laughing, some were screaming their friends' names, and some kids were even crying while the smells of sweat and hot chocolate wafted through the crowd. But Wilson was in a bubble. Alone with Renata. The people around them, those voices, and everything else faded to nothingness. There was only him and her in his arms, and the sound of their own breath and the cool scent of the ice. Nothing else mattered to him aside from the lovely girl who felt so right in his embrace.
However, the bubble burst when an alarm went off, signalling that the ice rink was closing. Reluctantly, Wilson let Renata go. "Are you alright? Can you walk?" Renata nodded at him.
After Wilson returned their rental skates, they stepped out of the warm, crowded hall of the ice rink and into the cold, quiet night. They walked in silence to the car, their breath visible in the icy air. Even after they got inside and the car's heater started to warm them up, Wilson was still so tensed that he didn't know what to say to break the ice. Turned out, it wasn't needed.
Prrrt
"Did you just fart, Renata?" He got punched in his upper arm for that.
"Noooo~, that was my tummy. I'm starving." She laughed as she held her stomach. "Can we eat first before we return to the school? It's 7.30pm, I don't think the dining hall still open when we arrive later."
"Of course. What would you like to eat?"
"I want seafood. It's been a long time since I've eaten fish."
"There's an oyster bar near here and on our way to school. They should have some fish dishes." Wilson turned the ignition and started to drive.
"Um, is there any other place?"
"I don't remember but there are many restaurant around it. You better quickly decide since it only 5 minutes away."
True to his words, the restaurant was not far. Renata looked left-right and pointed to a Mediterranean Restaurant. Wilson arched his eyebrow before asking her, "Are you sure, Renata? Have you ever tried Mediterranean dishes before?"
"I've never tried so let's try it. At least if it's not good I have a friend to share my misery." Renata gave Wilson a cheeky grin as he gave her a "stink eye" in response.
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A young man with dark hair and olive skin greeted them politely and guided them to an inner table for two. Wilson honestly was confused, and Renata seemed not too far off. The server then elaborated further about the spices and the cuisines that were derivatives of Greece, Italy, France, Spain, and most countries near the Mediterranean Sea.
At the mention of Greece, Wilson suddenly remembered a series of magazines that his mother had worked on. They featured her photographs of houses with blue stone walls and intricate blue and white patterns on the tiles. Naoki loved one of the houses in particular - it was a blue and white house with arched windows and doors that was designed with a warm and grounded aesthetic, featuring exposed wood beams and wall parquet in earthy tones. Just like this restaurant.
Wilson reread the menu and noticed that the restaurant offered salmon as one of their dishes. Renata, who had been eagerly scanning the menu, immediately pointed it out and decided to order it. He thought that they had been skating at the ice rink for quite some time; catching a cold was the least he wanted. So aside from filet kebab for himself, he also ordered seafood tagine, hoping that the warm and hearty dish would help to warm their stomachs. The server, who had been attentively standing by, quickly took their orders and left to place them in the kitchen. As they waited for their food, Wilson and Renata took in the atmosphere of the restaurant - the soft lighting, the Mediterranean-inspired décor, and the faint hum of conversation from the other tables all contributed to the cosy and welcoming atmosphere.
"Aren't we ordering too much?" Renata asked while removing her leather gloves.
"No worries, we both are on the verge of death by hunger. I'm pretty sure we can finish them all. If we couldn't, there's always James. Why don't you wear your gloves?" He asked when she blew hot air onto her hands.
Renata grabbed his warm hands and sighed. "Gosh~, your hands are so comfortable like a heating pad."
"Excuse me?" He was about to retrieve his hand back, but she clutched them tightly. Wilson didn't hate it, though.
"I'm complimenting your hands, Wil." She had the nerve to laugh at his stern face.
"My hands are comparable to a heating pad, how is that a compliment? Your hands are damp."
"Yeah, that's the thing with my gloves - they make my hands sweaty. Cold and sweaty are not a good combination. I like how they look, but they don't feel nice."
"Next time, wear something that is comfortable, not just something that looks good."
"Next time, I won't wear gloves. I'd rather hold your hands - they are my personal heating pad." He hoped she didn't notice he was blushing.
"Get a good gloves, Renata. My hands can't be with you all the time. I need them from time to time."
"It's fine, you can share with me whenever they are unoccupied."
Was she flirting with him? It couldn't be. Just a week ago, she was devastated with Lyle. Had she recovered?
What was the meaning of these? Just jokes around? Or was she playing with him? Even worse, what if he was just a rebound?
Renata smacked his hands. "Earth to Wil? Are you alright? Too hungry to speak?"
"I'm fine, are you?"
Her brows wrinkled, looking confused at him before answering. "I think I'll survive to wait for 10-15 minutes." She shrugged.
"That's not what I meant. How are you feeling right now about Lyle, are you all right now?"
He hoped her arched brow didn't mean she was offended. "Lyle? I hate that guy and that bitch, Meghan, too. Please don't tell me you want me to kiss and make up with them. Elwh~" She shuddered as she imagined it.
"No, of course not. But have your heart healed?"
She was perplexed by his question. "What the.... I liked him, Wil, not love him. I might cry a tear or two, but I won't lay my life for him. There's a difference. I think I forgot about him like two days later. But I still hate them because they made James angry at me, and that's not going away any sooner.
"Well, honestly, I've been thinking about it for a few days. I was replaying what Lyle ever said to me. He did mention to me that he played with girls and that if I wanted to, I could also play with other boys. It didn't register to me until that day.
"I think having multiple lovers is his lifestyle, suffice to say, I don't share the same interest. And I don't like to share my lover with anyone. In other words, we are incompatible. So it's bound to wreck sooner or later."
Wilson held her hands earnestly. "I'm relieved if you have already gotten over him. You deserve better than a cheater."
"A cheater, huh? I guess he is. You know, his parents also have their own lovers. However, both parties consented and acknowledge it, I guess there is no need to keep it a secret between them. This is where Lyle differ from them because he did that behind my back. Well, of course, I would still hurt if he asked for my permission first. Like, what the hell... "
Wilson blinked twice as he tried to understand what she was telling him. "I'm sorry, what-" He held his tongue as the server returned with their orders.