New Friends
A Place for Us to Dream
Chapter One: New Friends:
-September 1st, 2011-
Lucy invited Tsuzuki around to her place.
“I want to introduce you to my new friends,” she told them over the phone. The couple had their doubts at first.
“What kind of friends?” Tsuzuki asked.
“You’ll see,” Lucy said. “Meet us at noon.” The shinigami looked at his phone. I don’t think I like this…
“What time did she say?” Anna asked.
“Noon,” her husband said. The look on his face gave away his nerves.
“Babe,” Anna said. “Come on. It might not be so bad.” She didn’t show to certain about her own words. Both nervously chuckled.
To their surprise, Lucy’s friends seemed… normal. They met up at a maid café. Lucy sat up at a table with a man and what looked to be another man. The goth woman rose to her feet.
“Tsuzuki! Anna!” she said. “You made it! How are you?” The couple stared at their wild friend.
“Where’s Jared?” Tsuzuki asked.
“Working,” Lucy said. “Come meet my friends. This is Tai and this is Lenard.” The men at her table waved.
“Hi,” Anna said. Tsuzuki waved back.
“Come! Sit,” Lucy said. She showed the couple to the table.
“Okay, okay. Geez,” Anna said. She and Tsuzuki took a seat. The Japanese man between Lucy and the other man waved.
“My name is Taichi but call me Tai.” He had his short black hair gelled up in small spikes His left ear was pierced. The man had the “cool” look going on. Normal so far.
“Nice to meet you,” Tsuzuki said. A waitress walked by their table.
“Welcome!” she said. “Are you ready to order?” The table ordered their drinks. The waitress in her cat maid outfit wrote down their orders.
“Okay,” she said. “I will be right back.” The waitress turned and left.
“So where are you from?” Tsuzuki asked.
“Hell’s Kitchen,” Tai said. “It’s in New York.”
“New York, huh?”
“Yeah.”
“My wife and I went there once. It was Queens, I believe.”
“Yeah,” Anna said.
“How was it?” Tai asked.
“Good,” Tsuzuki said. “We didn’t stay long. It was a business trip.”
“Ah,” Tai said. “I see.” Lenard sat quiet in his corner. Tsuzuki tilted his head.
“He’s pretty quiet back there,” he said. “He okay?” The man with short blonde hair looked down.
“Don’t mind him,” Tai said. “He doesn’t talk much. He’s fine.” He nudged the blonde.
“Come on, Lenny,” he said. “At least say hi.”
“Hi,” Lenard muttered.
“You’re right,” Tsuzuki said. “It’s fine.”
“I’m not a socialable either,” Anna said. “I would like to stay home at times.” Lenard kind of smiled. The waitress came back with their drinks.
“Are you ready to order?” she asked.
“I’m ready,” Lucy said. “How about you?” After a little thought, the others said yes.
“We all are,” the goth woman said.
“Okay,” the waitress said. She wrote down all of the orders.
“Right,” she said. “I’ll be right back.”
“How long have you been married?” Tai asked Tsuzuki and Anna. “If you don’t mind me asking.”
“It’s fine,” Tsuzuki said. “A year.”
“Wow!” Tai said.
“Yeah,” Tsuzuki said. “I enjoy every second with her.” He pulled Anna into his arms. The shinigami kissed her on the cheek. His wife closed one eye. Lucy rolled her eyes.
“So sappy!” she said.
“Oh shut up,” Anna said. “Aren’t you and Jared the same?” Lucy stuck out her tongue.
“Maybe!” she said.
“Well that’s just rude,” Tsuzuki said. Lenard bust out into laughter. All eyes fell upon him.
“You all must have great loves,” he said. “I wish I could have one someday.” Lucy smiled and patted his shoulder.
“Don’t worry,” she said. “I’m sure you will.” He looked up at her.
“Really?” he asked.
“Yes,” Tai said. Lenard leaned back, smiling. Tsuzuki and Anna could relax. Tai and Lenard seemed so normal. What do you know? Lucy could have normal friends after all.
