24 Hamburgers

"Nao, she's Alexandria," Elin says to Naomi.

"Hi, nice to meet you!" Naomi greets me energetically.

"Hello..." I reply timidly.

"Don't worry, she's a little shy" Elin says.

"Really? I understand you, I was pretty shy too, hehe" Naomi says.

'Is she really their classmate? She looks pretty little...'

"We met her a few days ago, but you could say she's already from our family" Elin says.

"She must have something special then" Naomi says.

'Her hair is very beautiful. Short and cerise colored. Combines with her eyes...'

"Yes, you could say that..." Elin says.

"What's up, Nao?" Dai greets Naomi.

"How are you, Daiuseless" Naomi says, while maintaining her smile.

'It seems he works here...'

"The level 84 ninja has spoken" Dai says.

"You only are three levels ahead just because I have things to do, you useless. But I'll show you tonight" Naomi says, with a forced smile.

"Oh yeah? I'll wait anxiously" Dai says with an evil smile.

'She didn't bring the hamburger, I suppose they should be preparing it...'

"Hello Naomi" Kuno greets Naomi.

"Hi Kuno. How's work?"

"It's pretty exhausting, but I like it. How is yours?"

"It's fun! Although it's sad that in a few weeks I'll have to leave it because of school..."

'What ingredients will the hamburgers have? I hope mine doesn't have mustard...'

"By the way, Nao, Alex also loves physics" Elin says.

"Awesome! We'll get along very well! Are you goint to enter our school?" Naomi asks me.

'How much they cost? Elin had to give the lady money because of me-'

"Alex!" Elin yells at me.

"What!" I reply in surprise.

"I'm sorry, it's very normal she does that. Sometimes it makes you want to punch her" Elin says to Naomi.

"Hey! Oh, I- I'm sorry, Naomi. What was your- your question?"

I still don't make eye contact with her.

"It's okay. Are you going to enter our school?"

"Well... Elin just asked me if- if I was planning to go to university..."

"University? You are 18?" Naomi asks, surprised.

"Yes- yes. But I don't think I have the maturity to do it..."

"Don't worry. No matter which decision you make, they all will support you"

"Yes, I guess so…"

"Naomi! There's an order ready to be served!" someone yells from the hamburger stall.

"I'm coming! I'm sorry guys. As soon as your order is ready, I will bring it to you!" Naomi says as she leaves.

While Naomi runs, she crashes with a person.

"Believe it or not, Alex, Nao and you are very similar... Did you talk about something while I was not there?"

"Alex's birthday was when she was unconscious!" Dai yells again.

"Why do you have to scream!" Kuno hits Dai.

"We have to have a party!" Elin yells.

"You too!" Kuno hits Elin.

"We already decided that we will do it the same day as Kuno's birthday" Dai says.

"Good idea. Alex, what's your favorite food?" Elin says.

"The spaghetti dad made was delicious, but I prefer to try something new"

"Decided! Dai and I will cook something delicious" Elin says.

"That's right!" Dai says.

'At least they look excited...'

"Come on, Alex! It will be your first birthday with friends! Be excited!" Dai says.

"I know, but... the fewer people, the better-"

"Here is your order!"

Naomi arrives with 3 hamburgers.

'I guess I don't deserve to eat after what I did...'

"Did I hear it will be your first birthday with friends?" Naomi asks me.

"Yes..." I answer.

"It's a long story. Do you want to come to the party? It will be the same for Alex and Kuno. I will tell you the story there"

"Of course!" Naomi responds.

"Perfect! It will be in our house, so it will be something casual"

"Understood! I have to go, there are many orders to serve. See you!" Naomi runs away.

She crashes with a person, again.

'Maybe she is similar to me...'

"Why are there only 3 burgers?" Dai asks.

"Alex pushed a child and his ice cream fell. I gave him some of the money I had left to buy another ice cream. Including Kuno's money, it was barely enough for 3 hamburgers"

"I didn't think you were capable of that, Alex..." Dai says, disappointed.

"Obviously it was an accident!"

"I know, I was just kidding"

'I will never get used to his humor...'

"So this burger is for Kuno" Elin gives one of the hamburgers to Kuno.

"Thank you" Kuno thanks.

"This one is for Dai"

"Finally!"

Kuno hits Dai.

"I mean... Thank you..."

"And this is for my..."

'It's fair…'

"For my dear friend, Alex"

"What? Are you serious?"

"Sure"

"I can't accept it. Because of me you had to-"

"I know. But I have already eaten here many times and I want you to try it"

"Okay... Thanks"

I grab the hamburger and take the first bite.

"It's delicious! Even with mustard!" I say, amazed.

"You don't like mustard?" Elin asks.

"Nof, I forgoft tof tellf youf" I reply, with my mouth full of hamburger.

"Please don't talk with your mouth full" Kuno says.

"Yesf! It's veryf disgustingf-"

Kuno hits Dai.

"Chew before you speak!"

"Why you hit me and not her?" Dai puts his hand to his head.

I keep eating until I eat half.

"Amazing! It's the most delicious hamburger I've tasted! Although I haven't tried many..."

"I'm glad you like it" Elin says.

"But I think it's unfair that you don't eat after what I did. So this half is yours"

"What? You don't need to, really" Elin says, nervous.

"I feel very guilty... I can't eat it all..."

"It's just that offering me your food is something-"

I bring the hamburger to her mouth.

"Please!"

Elin is surprised.

Dai and Kuno look at me surprised.

Time seems to stop.

"Look dear, today the young couples are much more daring"

"In our times, that was something you do privately"

An elderly couple says as they walk.

"What do they mean?"

"What you are doing... Only couples usually do it..." Elin says.

"..."

I leave the hamburger on my plate.

"I- I'm sorry! It wasn't my intention... Dad and I used to do it..."

"Don't worry, I appreciate it. Doing it with the family is more common"

"But aren't we family now?" I ask.

"Yes, but it's not the same…"

"It seems I have a lot to learn..."

"Let's go back home. It's almost sunset" Kuno says.