The night was spent with me sending quick glances towards Eian. I know that he is a very introverted kind of person and would never directly come to me about anything that bothers him. I also would have never done that, we were just never that close.
Earlier after leaving the bathroom I have made it my new mission to properly befriend Eian. The friendship between Eian and I needs to be built, it's a must. I have to show my brain that Eian is not the Eden that it keeps pining for. I obviously cannot and will not move on from him if the only thoughts I have about him are related to Eden. The guest needs a new introduction of Eian.
I will soon send him packing.
Later that night when the dinner party was coming to a close and everyone had already eaten and were scattered all over the restaurant, I decided if I was going to get rid of this feeling in my chest then I have to be the first to reach out to Eian.
After a careful deliberation with myself I approach where Eian was sitting while chatting with one of the men from the photography team, he looks up at me a little shocked probably wondering why today I am being so proactive since most of the time in our work friendship the first person to get us to talk to each other, our middleman- is Ethan. I give him an awkward smile while pulling the chair next to him and plop down ignoring how he is staring at me as if I've grown a second head...Again.
"You don't have to do this you know. I'm fine already ." he immediately says in a whisper while checking around making sure no one else is staring at us.
Typical Eian.
"No-no, I was actually just checking on you since this might be the last time that we get to hang out like this and talk so I thought maybe we could just - eh.. you know...talk " I say while scratching the back of my neck.
What do I mean "talk?"...we don't talk??
"So How was the food?" I quickly ask a still somewhat dumbfounded Eian.
"…The food was delicious.I love lasagna and they make the best home cooked meals here so it was really good and…you ?"Eian answered back and throws in his own question while still looking at me a little unbelieving of the situation that we are currently in.
We were never this close.
I let out a chuckle and raise my eyes to meet his, its new knowledge to me that the man loves his food. That's not how Eden was. He did not like to eat so much and preferred snacks over a full meal, just as I thought- this would be a good thing to do. Learning about Eian will definitely help me-Zack move on.
"Well…I like chicken-but honestly I'm a big fan of potatoes. They can literally be made into anything so I got One-pan Portuguese Chicken and Potato Bake
..although I have to admit I like salmon over chicken but this was the only menu that had my favourite grilled potatoes so I went with it. It was nice. I'm glad you enjoyed your meal though.." I respond awkwardly and pick up the drinks menu and pretend to scan it...
I'm really not made to survive in the human world ...I wish we were all born mute!
"That is interesting, I do admit fries are always my go to snacks so I'm not shocked that someone actually likes potato dishes.Honestly speaking my father introduced this place to our family and later my mother continued to come with my sisters and I plus Ethan who was always tagging along for free meals, now it's just me."
Now I am here too.
"Uh..Jackson?"..
"...."
"Oh sorry... just had to think about the many foods I have never cooked. My siblings and I are Kind of spoiled " I finally answer Eian after dragging my mind from its wandering forcing it to sit back on the restaurant table and give its full attention to Eian.
"Well that is nice of your parents, although I personally think every human needs to know how to cook basic meals so they don't die from starvation and or even malnutrition...I think." Eian says before facing the drinks menu infront of him.
..is this conversation over !?!... already?!?
say something Jackson..!!!
"I don't know if this counts but if it's something like creating edible delicacies I can't but I am a master at making desserts." I contribute my two cents causing Eian to lift his head from the menu and look at me with just a hint of admiration.
"That sounds amazing, I appreaciate people with a baking talent because God gave me brains but my body is kind of clumsy when it comes to anything related to dough. I can of cause read recipes and create something from there but the kitchen always ends up looking like there was an explosion..." he says with a light chuckle.
One day I will make thst smile reach his eyes, Zack will settle for this for now.
" I could teach you one day if you ever have time . I'm sure it wouldn't be anything tough for a prodigy like yourself- I mean.. if.. like IF! "... I immediately suggest to Eian who I swear almost fell off his chair.
Someone save me!
"Well I have no major future plans. If- like IF! there is a time I wake up and feel like learning how to bake I will let you know.Are you going back to college to attend physically?"...
I look at Eian for a while as I think about his question-again and he patiently waits for my answer.
" Yes. Yes I will.I think it's best I get some more experience with social networking while I still can-
Before our conversation could continue Ethan calls for attention with his glass. He once again thanks everyone and finally dismisses us. I was hoping I could stay and talk to Eian for a bit longer but he was the first to push out his chair and seemed just about ready to leave. I also pushed my chair out, picked my shoulder bag from the other chair and followed him out.
I wish we had more time.
Outside in the parking lot, I say goodbye to the team and Ethan.Eian and I are coincidentally parked in the same direction... I walk with Eian over to his car which is packed just five feet away from mine.
'Well thank you again for this time, I hope you have a successful future ahead and continue to achieve all your goals." Eian stretches out a hand for me to shake just like always , this is what Jack and Eian's daily interactions look like but for some reason I don't want to shake this hand ...
Wouldn't this mean this mean I accept our final farewell.
Zack won't accept it, but Jack slowly reaches out his hand and connects it with the other awaiting one ..Jack is momentarily lost in how soft Eian's hands are....
Zack pulls Eian in for a hug.
Eian's body immediately tenses but this would be the last time Zack does this.
I think.