Music. Laughter. That smell of fried everything and beer. I park the bike, kick the stand down, turn my head slightly over my shoulder. "We’re here."
He doesn’t move right away. Just stares. "…This is a fair."
"Yup."
"You brought me to a fair."
"I brought you somewhere you wouldn’t be alone!"
I get off the bike. Hold out a hand.
"Come on, Weston. Let’s ruin your reputation."
12) That Was Hot
Gio
I should’ve filmed it. I swear to God, the look on Rava’s face when we walked up to that food stand was Oscar-worthy.
He looks at everything and nothing at once. The guy behind the counter is losing his mind. There are kids screaming, someone dropping coins, music playing five different tempos at once.
Rava is staring at the menu.
"Just pick something!" I shout over the chaos.
"I don’t know what any of this is!"
"Then close your eyes and point!"
He turns to me with that classic "I don’t trust anything about this" expression, so I point for him.
One fried thing. One meat thing. Two beers.
The guy shoves everything at us. I grab it.
Rava grabs napkins, and we flee to the nearest open bench.
I grab something that looks like a fried brick, bite into it… and immediately choke.
"Jesus flaming Christ, this thing’s hotter than Satan’s asshole on a summer day—"
Rava’s frozen face cracks. Literally shatters.
His dignity is on the floor now. He actually bends forward, clutching his stomach. He laughs loudly.
First time I have ever seen him look like something other than a marble statue carved by an angry god.
And honestly? It’s just as terrifying. But holy shit, it’s also the cutest thing I have ever seen, and I kind of want to burn my tongue again, just to replay it.
"You okay?" he wheezes.
I fan my mouth. "You’re enjoying this way too much."
"You look like you’re dying."
"I am. And it’s your fault."
"You’re the one who ordered mystery lava food!"
