Playing host (Part 2).

I began to place the cuts of meat on the grill, cuts which I’d prepared earlier in the morning trying to put into practice what Mr. Aliev had taught me. It wasn’t the cleanest job, but it was also my first time really giving it a try. Also, maybe Mr. Aliev had a point about getting better knives.

“I’m not good with groups this big,” Noelle slightly behind me. “I can’t ever seem to get a word in. Not that I have anything to say, really.”

“It’s the same for me,” Fern said. “Although… I do know a bit about boxing, but that’s just because of anime. I didn’t want to, um…”

“...sound like a nerd, right?” Noelle completed for her, giggling. “So you’ve watched Ippo?”

“Only like half of the first season, really. It didn’t grab me.”

“Yeah, I’m not really interested, either. I only like sports anime with cute boys,” Noelle said.

Fren chuckled. “I get that, but I do like when they have men with big muscles. Show how much the author knows about anatomy.”

“Oh, so you like them beefy?” Noelle playfully teased.

“I mean… not exactly…”

The two girls laughed, and I thought I sensed two sets of eyes on my back.

But really, I found myself smiling. I was glad they could talk so easily. Like me, they’re both pretty introverted, so I was worried.

“You draw, right?” Noelle asked. “How long have you been doing it?”

“Since I was a kid,” Fern said. “Only started taking it seriously like six years ago, though.”

“Is it hard?”

“It’s awful,” Fern said with a giggle. “You’re never happy with what you make, and if you continue trying to learn and get better, that uncomfortable feeling never leaves.”

I nodded wordlessly. Learning is a very uncomfortable process since you’re constantly putting yourself in a spot where you’re trying to do things you don’t yet understand. It’s a feeling you need to accept as a constant companion if you’re actively trying to learn a new skill, like a language, or a sport, or, of course, music and drawing.

“And… what about live streaming?” Fern asked. “That sounds even more difficult to me. What’s it like to have so many people watching you live?”

“Well… I cheat there because I use an avatar, so that takes off a lot of the pressure,” Noelle said with a nervous giggle. “And all I do is play games, so it’s not like I’m doing anything difficult. That said… it IS nerve wracking knowing that everything I say can be clipped and taken out of context. I’ve already been through a few minor dramas and one big one. I’ve been posting a lot less on social media because of it.”

“I’ve actually never seen your streams because Oliver hasn’t even given me your online name,” Fern said. “Can I see your avatar?”

“Sure.”

“Oh, it’s really tasteful. It looks very good. Who made it?”

The girls got into their own little world, and I was happy that they did. I looked back and saw them looking at Noelle’s phone, and I have to admit that they made for a strange picture. A short, clear-skinned redhead and a tall, dark-skin brunette was, aesthetically speaking, a shocking contrast. But again, I wonder how much of that thought is caused by my libido?

I turned my attention towards the table for a moment. The big group there was still having a good time. Thomas was telling stories and Maria and Diana were having their own, quieter conversation with Cake, surprisingly, on Maria’s lap while Red lay at Diana’s feet. And something that warmed my heart even more was seeing Lina hugging Alice from behind, with the younger girl leaning back against her with a big smile on her face.

“Happy?” Noelle asked me, grinning.

“A bit,” I said, turning back to the grill to flip the cuts. “After yesterday, I’m glad to see Alice smiling like that.”

“Ah.” Noelle understood. “Yeah, so am I.”

“Right?” I turned around and saw Alex approaching us. He seemed to have overheard what we said. “Alice already told me. Our dad caused a scene, huh? I’m sorry about that…”

I shook my head. “I turned out for the best, thankfully.”

“Yeah, Alice finally snapped at the old man. Seems like it’s the only way to get through to him, which sucks,” Alex said. “But just so you know where I stand here, she’s welcome to work full-time at my shop if she wants, but I’d rather she finished her studies first.”

“Like we told her, we’ll back her up with whatever she wants to do. She decided to continue studying, though.”

“I also think she should continue,” Noelle said. “At least, in the sense that having a degree couldn’t hurt.”

“She has the brains to do more than fix flat tires and change oil, unlike me,” Alex said, sighing. “So even against my better judgement, I find myself agreeing with the old man that she can be so much more.”

“You know better than anyone how much cars mean to her,” I told him. “Not just as a piece of machinery, but… the freedom and peace they gave her. The freedom and peace YOU gave her, Alex. You and her car opened up her world when she needed it most.”

“...” Alex groaned and rubbed the bridge of his nose. Or rather, he pretended to while actually rubbing his eyes. “Yeah, I get it.”

“Hey, Oliver! Can we use the pool?” Thomas asked me with a shout.

“Sure,” I told him. “Everyone who brought a swimsuit feel free to jump in.”

The night wasn’t as cold as others, and the pool should be lukewarm at a minimum, so why not?

Then it turned out that everyone brought a swimsuit. Wouldn’t be surprised if the girls had suggested it. But it’s better like this, isn’t it? What’s the point of having it if we’re not gonna use it?

Patreon.