They pulled up before a large building that was larger than a house. Red flowers swayed in the breeze, pigeons chirping in the air, and more cars passed through the traffic behind them.
Atlas follows Sebastian out of the car and asks with curiosity. "Where are we?"
Sebastian watches him with lazy amusement, "We're at Silver Spoon, where they eat dogs for lunch."
Atlas's expression was expressionless, but, deep down, he was at a loss for words.
Sebastian lets out a muffled laugh, his hands covering his mouth as he tries to contain himself. "Fool. They do not eat dogs. I was just joking."
Atlas crossed his arms as he complained, "That. is. not. funny."
Sebastian tries to contain his laughter, watching Atlas's face contorted with rage. The rage on his face would look serious if only his eyes didn't look as if he was about to cry.
Sebastian lets out a soft sigh, "You're right. It wasn't funny."
Just a tad bit.
He thought with a smirk on his face, which Atlas caught. This only made Atlas boil with rage. He glares at him but says nothing and walks toward the doors.
Sebastian follows him, and his arms are wrapped around his shoulder, which makes Atlas protest even further. He shrugged him off and said with a snort. "Don't touch me."
Sebastian releases another chuckle, "Kiddo. Don't be a brat. I said I was sorry."
Atlas glares at him, a storm raging like thunderclouds within his eyes. "I'm not stupid. I know you're not sorry. Who do you think I am?"
Sebastian lets out a chuckle, ponders his question, and tilts his head with a smile, "I'm about to buy you some food. Let's argue later. Deal?"
Sebastian watches his nose shift in irritation, then jerks his head, then heads toward the door.
Sebastian released another silent sigh. What a long day. He followed Atlas into the restaurant. Sebastian looked around and saw different people strolling around, couples holding hands, people carrying their babies, and children following their parents.
Sebastian turned around at the sound of a warmhearted voice, "Hello. Is it just the two of you?"
Sebastian revealed a light smile that made the waitress's heart flutter at the sight of his handsome face. The waitress was carrying a notebook in her hand as she stopped before them with a cheerful smile. "Come with me. I know a good seat for you two."
Sebastian watches her walking ahead of them, leading them toward their seats. Sebastian notices that something was off. There were none of those light footsteps behind him.
Sebastian looked back to see what was holding Atlas's back. Atlas had a frown on his face, like he was in deep thought. He was walking slowly, a subconscious movement not to get lost.
Sebastian waits for him to get closer. He taps the shoulders that were facing his side, "Little fool. What are you thinking so deeply about?"
Atlas shrugs off his hold, then a confused look appears on his face. At the sight of him, he released a scowl, as the person before him had ruined his day. "It's nothing. I'm hungry now."
Sebastian arches a brow; he wasn't bothered by his glowering attitude. "You sure it's nothing? Did you know you would get wrinkles on your face if you scowled too much?"
Atlas was stunned once again. No words come to his mind. All he could feel was annoyance bubbling to the surface. He couldn't understand. He hates feeling like this, having no control over his emotions. Deep down, he's aware that women are drawn to Sebastian like moths drawn to one single flame, unaware that if they get too close, they will burn in the end.
As they followed the waitress that showed them to their seat. It was a booth near the closest wall, away from other people. Just exactly as Sebastian likes, he released a smile filled with gratitude toward the waitress.
Sebastian and Atlas sat in the booth across from each other. They saw a menu on the table before them. Atlas looks at the menu with a slight frown. He asked, "Which one should I get?"
Sebastian arches a brow. "Which one looks good to you?"
Atlas grabbed the menu with one hand and flipped through it till he stopped and pointed at it with the other free hand. "This one looks good."
Sebastian looks down to see what he was looking at. It was chicken and steak fajitas with white, thick cheese, known as queso.
"It's called fajitas." Sebastian declared in a neutral tone.
Atlas asked him, "Is it good?"
Sebastian shrugs his shoulders. "I don't know. I've never tried it before. From what I heard. It's very popular here."
Atlas set down the menu on the table. He looked around the area to make sure no one was within distance. He leans closer to whisper, "Do vampires eat human food?"
Sebastian leans closer as well; he lifts his hand to his face in a playful mocking gesture. "What do you think?"
They stared at each other; the silence was strange enough that not even the sounds of other people's laughter distracted them. Atlas watches him with a strange intensity that not a normal fifteen-year-old makes. He stretches his neck as he replies uncertainly. "I think you do. Vampires have to blend in with society. Not eating in public would be considered strange. What if you have to eat in front of your acquaintances, workers, or boss?"
Sebastian raised the corner of his lips into a small smile. "Smart kid. It's true that vampires don't need human food, and even the food tastes disgusting to them. Although food isn't necessary, sometimes we have to eat human food to mingle with the life we created based on the lie."
Atlas released a scowl. "Why do you keep calling me a kid? How old are you? You look like you're in your early twenties. You look like twenty or twenty-one."
Sebastian closed his eyes and whispered. "Do you really want to know?"
The stillness in the atmosphere was heightened to the point where the laughter of children across the room faded away.