Maeve's one fleeting high

6. Text messages & a sudoku challenge pt. 1

''That was so fun!''

''I agree. That was a good choice in hindsight,'' Madd agrees with Gio. I decided to take them to the movies since it's a Friday. I figured it'll do us good to do something together. We went to my workplace because its nearby. And yes, also because we get discount. Why not, right? 

We were walking out of the hall and talked about random things. I had a real blast and I wish I did this sooner. 

''Next Friday we should go to a theme park and see who can eat the most corn dogs,'' Gio quips, dragging his hand against the wall. 

''You get sick after eating processed meat,'' Madd reminds him, giving him a slight push. ''I guess I lost already then,'' he groans. 

''How can you already lose? We can just change it to, I don't know, cotton candy?'' I reason, wrapping my arm around his shoulder and pulling him to my side. 

''Good one. But at the end of the day please. I don't want to barf on people in rides.''

''Yeah, what Maddie said. People get mad when that happens,'' Gio mumbles. 

''Good thinking.'' I steer them into the direction of the exit and glance at the counter. Yasmine's taken over from Alex in the meantime. ''Guys, is it okay if is say a quick hi to my colleague over there?''

They shrug and instead of waiting behind, they tag along. ''Hi, Yasmine. Why are you alone tonight?'' I ask leaning on the counter. She was flipping through the menu until she heard my name and looked up surprised. She's also tall for a girl and has light brown hair reaching her shoulders. It's usually half-up in a bun, like today. Her eyes are brown with specks of gold in the center. I know that because she told me a couple of times. 

''Hello. Fancy seeing you here. Let alone greet me,'' she teases. 

''I'm here with my siblings,'' I explain, pointing to them. ''We saw Elemental. It was nice.''

''Ah yeah, my niece also liked it. Hi kiddos, nice to meet you. I'm Yasmine,'' she finger guns at them. 

''Yeah, we know. Maeve mentioned your name ten seconds ago. But nice to meet you, I'm Madeline.'' She extends her hand like a polite lady. Yasmine raises an eyebrow at her but shakes her hand nonetheless and then stretches it to Gio. ''I'm Gio,'' he says upon his turn and meets her awaiting hand.

''I heard you're taking up more shifts starting next week,'' Yasmine mentions while tending the ice cream machine in the back. 

''Ah, so you heard. I felt like working more, nothing special. Have you heard anything from your sister yet?'' She returned to us with two ice creams and offered them to Madd and Gio. ''Here, it's on the house,'' she smiles. 

They both beam at the treat and express their gratitude. ''Thanks. Even though we're not allowed to do that,'' I joke with a hint of worry. ''The little one was ogling at the machine. I couldn't take the tension in the air anymore. I had to unite them,'' she justifies, clenching her fist. ''But no, not yet. I'm hoping next week but I'll let you know.''

''Sure. Do you have something else you'd like to share before we leave?'' I ask, pointing at the entrance behind me.

''Ah, nope,'' she says, popping the p but then starts chuckling. ''You're still horrible at making small talk. But still, I appreciate the thought.''

I frown, ''No, I'm not. Wasn't it a nice and considering question?'' I turn around and ask the two behind me as back up. ''Wasn't it?'' I threaten.

Madeline was licking her ice cream and scrolling on her phone. ''Oh, yeah. If you're talking to a toddler.''