Never Miss Lunch (Paige)

Afternoon

It was a lovely afternoon alright. The Research And Development building was an interesting place. It was really worth skipping school once to see what this enigmatic building had in store. Maria usually headed to school dutifully as the eldest sister of her family. But, she just had to see what this place was like. And so far, it was a blast!


She continued to wander alone in the throng of people roaming around the place. Her starving stomach had audibly protested that it was not getting the daily sustenance it needed. After all, she had to wake up early in the morning before the rest of her family. Mom and Dad wouldn't have let her go alone, but she was getting on the years for independence!

"Be a good girl," they said. "Be an example for your younger siblings," they also repeated to her. But for today, she was going to ignore that. After all, one bad thing can't be too bad with all the good she tried her best to give. Maria had been a model sister--err, not really--but close enough!

The cafeteria would finally be in her grasp upon arrival. There were a lot to choose and so little time if she wanted to finish experiencing everything this place had to offer. But somewhere in her gut, she was probably going to regret the tongue-lashing from her parents when coming back home. But at least, she left behind a note~


The tonkotsu ramen would be nice for such a day like this. But on the other hand, curry bread.

    "No! No! NonononononoNOOO!"

    As tempted as he was to cram his hands over his ears, Derrick merely winced and sidled closer to Ms. Manry, distancing himself from the tantrum-throwing child. Ms. Manry, however, bore the brunt of the screams, her face falling each second the little girl refused to stop screaming. Growing desperate, she held out the bun to the girl again. [color:c1c6=33cccc]"Oh, please, sweetie, just try it? I promise it's-"

    Before she could finish her coaxing, the little girl threw out a hand and knocked the food to the ground. "NO! I DON'T WANT IT!" How was it possible for her voice to go higher? They were attracting quite a lot of attention now, most of it negative, some curious. Derrick was very tempted to hide at that point, but he had promised to stay with Ms. Manry on this outing, and he was a man of his word. "I WANTED A SANDWICH!"

    ...of course, adults broke promises all the time...

    The woman looked down at the wasted food before biting at her lower lip. Honestly, it looked like she was about to cry. But she held it together and instead reached into her pocket before fishing out a bill and handing it to Derrick. "Derrick, why don't you go buy something for yourself? Sarah and I will be..." she looked around a moment and pointed at an unoccupied table with four chairs around it, "right there. Can you work your way through the crowd?"

    Without much more than a short nod, Derrick all but ran away, almost disgustingly pleased to be away from both girls for at least a moment. He wasn't sure how much longer he would be able to put up with that crying before he did something he'd get in trouble for. Glancing down at the bill in his hand (a ten), he hurried over to the line of people at the food court counter before looking up at the available foods. ...Hm...he guessed the "curry bun" was the thing Ms. Manry had brought over earlier..."hot dog" was fairly self explanatory...but what were the other things...?

    Before he could deduce the other items, someone from behind him bumped him, sending him stumbling and the money falling form his hand. Hurriedly, he bent down, grabbing the bill from where it had fallen, which was almost on top of someone's shoe. Looking up, he saw the face of a woman. She looked almost Ms. Manry's age, maybe a bit younger. "Excuse me, Ma'am." he said to her before peering around her to look up at the menu again, brow furrowing. ...What in the world was "haggis"...?

Maria had been looking up at the menu for a while. It was quite the dilemma for her, not knowing which to choose to conclude today's lunch. Maybe that ramen or curry bun wasn't going to be that great for such a nice day like this. Perhaps the normal bento or a simple sandwich/salad would be more fitting. Decisions, decisions...


While she was in her little reverie, she felt something bumped into her as she had been roaming about aimlessly while her eyes were glued on the menu. She looked down to see a younger boy. Rather than someone bumping into him, it really looked like she bumped into him.

"Are you okay?" she asked with embarrassed concern as she was about to kneel down to help him. But she noticed how there was a monetary bill on her foot, causing her to straighten her knees to allow him to picking up without her knee in his face "S-sorry about that."

How embarrassing. Maria was feeling a little bit awkward, but the whole thing went on without a hitch at least. She had remembered there were a few unruly inebriated customers in the restaurant once and how Dad was able to throw them out.

"So what are you getting?" the girl finally asked the young Derrick with faint mundane curiosity.

She was having trouble deciding what to get for lunch. Maybe she'll just get what he's having. But it looks like he was having some trouble too. Perhaps they were kindred spirits in this alone.

    "I'm fine, Ma'am." Derrick spoke as he straightened up. There were so many people here. It was only a matter of time until someone elbowed a person there or pushed someone there. Add in his considerably shorter height, and it took little thought to put two and two together. Besides, she most likely didn't mean any harm by it. Best to just go about his business.

    As it stood, the woman was actually intent on making some kind of conversation. Derrick very nearly made a quip about not associating with strangers, but after looking up at her, it was clear she wasn't really looking to talk; if anything, she was most likely studying the menu like he was.

    Not wanting to admit he had trouble reading some of the words on the board, he made a noncommittal sound and offered a short, "I haven't decided." Maybe he should go with something safe. Something familiar. Like...

    Not a sandwich. He could still hear Sarah's cries ringing in his ears from earlier. No doubt if he came back with a sandwich she'd holler again. Besides, they probably were out of them if Ms. Manry came back without the right food. Maybe...just a hot dog. That was safe.

Maria groaned in her head at the fact he didn't seem able to make a decision himself. So it was really back at the drawing board for her. She rummaged through her pockets to check her small brown leather wallet. Her classmates had something more girly and cute. But Maria sufficed with her dull one that her parents gave her. She wanted something like her friends, but a hand-me-down saved more money. The Woodsworth have always been a frugal family, but some may claim they were just a stingy sort.

She only had a couple dollars left. Enough for bus fare back home, but apparently not enough for something different like a tonkotsu ramen, curry bun, or anything of that nature. Hilariously enough, salads would be biting too much into her budget too. Maria seemed almost disgusted with her lack of a balance. But something small would have to make do.

"I suppose I'll have a pizza then," she murmured to herself in thought.

The price was just right. But she had no doubt it would be oily. Many napkins this day shall be sacrificed it seemed. Maybe she could order some veggies on them just to make up for the lack of nutritional content.

Maria finally nodded to herself as if finally making her decision. Just as she was going to head on over to the line, that boy probably was still thinking about what to order.



OOC: I think we're supposed to the Morning first before Afternoons and Evenings? My bad...

OOC:

    The line moved up some, leaving only five (six? it was hard to tell) people left. On some level, he was upset he knew what he wanted to order; it just made waiting so much more tiring and troublesome. But he took comfort in the fact that when he went up there, the cashier would be impressed by how grown-up and smart he was by being prepared.

    Needing something to amuse himself with, the boy began to gently run his fingers over the bill in his hands, tracing over the shape of the president's face with his thumb. He marveled at the texture, the layers of green and beige woven into it. ...Did they always add that color of sea-foam green to that part...?

    His thoughts were interrupted by the woman again, and he looked up at her blankly. Was she still trying to think of something to eat? Was it really taking her that long? She must be picky. Or indecisive. Maybe even a mix of the two. "Yes." With that he took a few steps forwards and entered the food line, returning to the money in his hands. After a moment, he held it up to the sun, studying the way the colors shifted in the light. The beige and green were so different now...so...what was the word Ms. Mandy had used? ...Striking?

"That's... good," she nodded at him with an uncertain smile on her face.

Tough crowd, it seems. But interestingly enough to her, he seemed rather calm and composed. A lot of children at his age, especially her own little brothers and sisters, were always full of energy. They always had a lot in mind and didn't exactly possess the capacity to behave themselves unless you give them rewards. Maria had to admit, she was actually impressed by this. But the older girl wasn't exactly used to this in all honesty. Whether or not she was, she entered the line with the boy anyway. It's not like trying to think hard about this was going to fill up her stomach any time soon.

"You should wash your hands before you eat," she kindly told the boy, "Money tends to be passed around a lot. And a lot of germs can be on it."

Maria noticed the boy was observing the mundane bill very closely. Was he the kind that found interest in currency? Like those coin collectors? She never really understood the interest there. Money was money, it was made to be spent. Again rummaging in her pocket, she pulled out a small hand-sanitizer that was nestling inside and handed it to him. She was being a little bit of a meddler, that's for sure. She really can't help trying, but to treat him as a little brother too.


Was there something on the dollar bill that only he could see?

    Turning towards the woman with the bill still raised high, he gave her a quiet, searching sort of look as he listened to her advice. Good advice, he supposed. Most advice coming from adults was good. He mulled the words over a few times to help them stay in his head with all the other useful things before he shook his head slightly at the small bottle she offered. "That's very nice, but I'll be getting change back soon. I'd like to wait until that happens before I wash my hands." Besides, Ms. Manry carried a bottle of sanitizer with her too. No doubt she still had it on her. Besides, she always made him use it before he ate anyways; there was no point in doing it twice and wasting this woman's things.

    He turned back to the bill and attempted to pick up his observations again, only to be interrupted shortly by the woman again. ...She wasn't looking for food opinion anymore. She wanted to talk. On one hand, it was polite to return the conversation. On the other, she was a stranger. If there was anything Ms. Manry and the others insisted upon, it was being careful around people he or anyone else under their care didn't know. In the end, he settled with his fallback: succinct replies.

    "Colors."

    Someone walked away with a steaming bowl and the line moved up. Derrick saw this as a chance to turn away from her, quietly pocketing the money. He'd lost interest in the colors there for the moment. Besides, he didn't want to lose the bill; Ms. Manry would no doubt be angry with him over it.

That was it? The color of a bill was what he was interested in? That seemed rather ordinary, but odd. Then again, he is a kid. Albeit, just a couple of years younger than her. She nodded back at him while putting back the bottle where it belonged.


Yeah he was being very composed. He really took things in stride. It was really getting more awkward for Maria the more they interacted with each other. Was he a shy boy? Maybe, but he just didn't really seem like the type. He was for sure a little enigma to her. But then again, she did remember about how she shouldn't talk with strangers when she was younger. It still applied now from time to time. Was she one? Perhaps she should just give it a rest for now.

Though he seemed to be all on his own now. Maria felt like slapping herself for just noticing it now. Where was his mom? Did he sneak away to get some grub on his own?

With concern on her face, she asked him, "Where's your Mom, sweetie?"

    "Yes."

    With that he dropped the subject, looking instead at the pavement, occasionally glancing at the feet of the people in front of him to see if the line was moving. This pavement was just like the other kind in his neighborhood: grey, flecks of white, some parts smoothed over by the constant flow of traffic, others less traversed and therefore rougher to the eye. The only difference here was that there was so much junk on the ground. Bits if crust and bread, splashes of ketchup, drink spills...these people couldn't keep their food in their mouths. The way they decorated the ground wasn't even interesting; it was disgusting. Derrick wrinkled his nose at the sight but kept looking, eager to find something interesting to keep him occupied.

    At first, he was just going to ignore the girl still talking behind him, maybe even give her that stranger comment he was thinking about earlier. But it was obvious that would be a bad idea. She was thinking he was lost, or run away, or something of the kind. No doubt if he mentioned the fact he had no mother she'd tug him along with her to who knows where. But then again, he was wary about what to say exactly. Didn't Ms. Manry always tell him that you should never give strangers information or let them know you're alone? "...She's waiting for me to get food." he replied after a moment. The line shuffled forwards, and he counted the number of people in front of him. Three? Oh good. For once, he was glad he'd miscounted.

"Oh, that's nice. You're like my little brother. He likes green too," she nodded back in a reply to Derrick's answer.

These short replies were starting to get to her a bit. It made her wonder if she should just leave him alone. But, him being alone at this age and in a place like this was definitely a cause for concern. Maybe she should seek out one of the R&D authorities to perhaps leave him with them so that his mother could pick him up? This was worrying. Maybe she should come with him, just in case. And to think her day away from her own obligations, to enjoy herself, would end up having her trying to help someone. But did he really need help, she wondered.

She blinked upon hearing his answer that his mother just send him alone to get some food. What nerve to send someone this young alone like this? But then she stopped and seemed to recognize and remember a few things. Wasn't she the same years before? When her younger siblings always took her parent's attention because they were fidgeting and always wanted something? How many times did she help out them out at her own expense? Then again, she didn't know anything about this boy at all. But--

"I see. She must trust you a lot. You must be a good kid," she sympathetically told him with a sadder smile.

Maria looked up to see the line has grown much shorter now. It looks like their verbal exchange was going to end soon.

    The tone shift piqued his curiosity, and Derrick looked over his shoulder in response, studying the girl's face. What was so saddening about that? A mother telling her kid to get food wasn't that strange. ...Well, he wasn't really the best judge of that, he guessed.

    He thought about responding, but before he could decide not to, a voice laced with a smile spoke up. "He is." Turning around the other way, Derrick blinked up at Ms. Manry, who had a now pacified Sarah holding her hand. The woman grinned brightly, if not a little sheepishly. "I got a little worried when I saw how many people were actually up here. It wasn't this crowded a few minutes ago."

    "I was fine." As calmly as he tried to say it, a hint of a whine crept into the boy's voice, causing Ms. Manry to chuckle.

    "I see you were, especially with this lovely young lady here to keep you company." Smiling at Maria, Ms. Manry offered her hand. "Thank you for looking out for him. It's good to know there are kind kids like you out there."

Maria looked over to the source of the new voice that belonged to someone who responded to her. It was an older woman with a younger child in tow. From the looks of it, she was this child's guardian. Were they actually related? It didn't look like it for Maria, but who was she to judge? Though looking at the girl and the mother, perhaps she wasn't too far off in her own judgement, at least for now. Maria couldn't help, but also share in Manry's amusement at Derrick's response to her.

"Oh no. I was just concerned. I was wondering why he was all alone," she laughed with a slightly happier and embarrassed grin on her face as she shook her hand, "I'm Maria. Maria Woodsworth."

Now this was the time to find out what this little kid's name was. But there was still this matriarch who let him go off on his own. The R&D building was a pretty big place as far as Maria could tell. Most mothers would make sure they were sticking to their kids the whole time. Though it looked like Miss Manry was apologetic about it and didn't seem to be like a bad person if she came to find him at least.

Maria waved at her little daughter with a soft smile and then back at Derrick as well, "What are your names?

    Ms. Manry let out an awkward little laugh, barely hiding a wince at Maria's blunt response. Rather than further defend herself, she continued on talking with a smile. "Nice to meet you, Maria. I'm Liz."

    "I'm Sarah!" the little girl blurted happily, more than pleased to be included in the conversation. In her eagerness, she started walking forwards, only to be gently tugged back by Ms. Manry with a scolding little smile.

    "Sarah, remember, personal bubbles."

    In response, Sarah let out a little pout before clinging to Ms. Manry's leg. For the most part, the woman ignored it, instead focusing on Derrick and nodding in Maria's direction.

    "...Derrick." He didn't bother making eye contact with the girl. He was too busy shuffling forwards with the line. That is, until a light, warning cough came from behind him. Complying, the boy turned and looked up at Maria, giving her a light smile. "It's nice to meet you."

"The pleasure is mine, ma'am," Maria would happily reply back.

She was definitely feeling apologetic. The girl would let Manry go for now. But honestly, to let a little boy of his age alone like that was irresponsible. Maria would have thought more into this if it weren't for Sarah being very eager in her introduction. She knelt down to her level and beamed back at her.

"Nice to meet you too, Sarah. I hope we can get along well," she told her while watching the girl cling onto Manry. It was cute and endearing, really reminding her back home when her siblings stuck to her mother when they were strolling around the supermarket with the aluminum cart, "Nice meet you too, Derrick."

Her smile beamed back at him, but in the back of her mind, she was really thinking that maybe Derrick really didn't like her. This was especially telling as seeing how he initially introduced himself. Was it because she was being pushy and him being shy? Whatever the case was, she might as well open up the conversation for a little longer until it was her turn.

"So what brought you three here? Here to enjoy what this place has to show?" she would ask Miss Manry.