No!

No there is no one outside and they quickly get back to the food court where they sit back down at a table. A few moments later you get back from getting the food.

You return balancing a tray, the smell of fries and grilled meat rising warm into your face. The food court is buzzing, kids darting between tables, mall music thumping faintly from overhead speakers, the clatter of trays and chatter blending into one messy soundtrack. Jamal and Justin are already at a corner table, bags stacked like trophies beside them. Jamal leans back lazily in his chair, spotting you immediately with a grin that flashes sharp and wide.

“There he is,” Jamal calls, clapping his hand on the table. “Our European superstar, carrying burgers like it’s runway fashion.”

You laugh nervously as you set the tray down. “Yeah, well, sorry that it took sooo crazy long and I hope you’re okay with burgers. The line at the noodle place was insane.”

“Burgers are perfect,” Jamal says, grabbing his before you even sit. He takes a massive bite, chews, then points at you with a fry. “This right here? This is the taste of America. Grease, salt, and glory.”

Justin unwraps his food more carefully, glancing at it unsure for some reason. Jamal looks over at him "I hope you are still hungry for something this salty, I understand that a big load can be very filling" the black man says with a smirk. You don't understand what he means by that comment, but Justin starts blushing hard.

You look at tge two of them and decide, that you don't want to get into whatever is going on. Instead you say, “Feels… heavier than back home. But… still good.”

You bite into yours, the bun’s warm, the meat juicy, a flood of flavors that’s both overwhelming and addictive. “Yeah, back home I never eat this much fat at once. I’ll be rolling around the mall after this.”

Jamal smirks instantly, leaning forward. “Rolling? Nah, bro. You keep eating like this and that ass is just gonna get even fatter.” He winks. “Not that it’s a problem. More cake means more eyes on you.”

Heat creeps up your face and you look down at your tray, mumbling, “Come on, man…”

Justin tries to cover his shy laugh with a cough, but Jamal only doubles down, pointing his fry at you like he’s delivering a lecture. “I’m serious. America’s dangerous like that. Fast food and tight pants? Recipe for making you a walking distraction and people way to houngry to get a piece of it.”

Justin leans in softly, voice almost too quiet to hear. “He’s not wrong though. You… did look good back there.” His voice was a bit hoarse for some reason. It wasn't like this before you went to get the food and left them to talk.

Your chest tightens at the sudden compliment. You look up, and Justin immediately ducks his gaze, fiddling with his napkin. Jamal catches the whole exchange, grinning like he owns the moment.

“See?” Jamal says, dragging out the words. “Even quiet boy over here admits it. Don’t fight it, Emile. Own it. That’s the college trick, nobody cares if you’re shy, as long as you walk like you know your stuff looks good.”

You shake your head, half laughing, half flustered. “You make it sound like… confidence is all that matters.”

“That’s because it is,” Jamal says smoothly. He leans back in his chair, stretching a little, and again manspreading, showing of the sizable bulge in his crotch, making it hard to look away from it, but his eyes never leave you. “Trust me. If you start to go outside in those spandex shorts we bought today? Nobody’s gonna remember what accent you’ve got or what classes you’re taking. They’ll just be thinking about those curves and that thick bubble butt.”

Justin presses his lips together, a faint blush rising in his cheeks. He doesn’t argue though, and that silence almost makes Jamal’s words feel heavier.

You clear your throat, **** to change the subject, but Jamal won’t let you off so easily. “Matter of fact,” he says with a mischievous grin, “you better not eat too many of these burgers, or else I’ll have to take more pics of you just to prove how fast that ass grows in America.” he adds with a sly grin "but you would fit in perfectly since in America, as you already know, everything is bigger"

You finally laugh, shaking your head. “He’s relentless, huh?” you ask Justin.

Justin burys his face in his fries, muttering, “Yeah, tell me about it.”

But deep down, a flicker of warmth stirs in your chest, caught somewhere between embarrassment and the dizzy thrill of being noticed.