Let Them Eat Cake A bell rang clear as the slim blonde in front of me pushed open the entrance door just enough for her body to fit through, leaving me to hastily try to make my way inside before getting hit in the back. She threw her hair over her shoulder and puffed her chest out, strutting over to the black counter across the room without so much as a glance behind her. I followed her slowly, dragging my feet behind me and hunching my shoulders, training my eyes on the well-worn, dirty floor beneath my feet. After a moment I paused, breathing in the rich spices that wafted throughout the room, hearing the sizzle of oil from the frying pans in the kitchen behind the registers. Above the counter hung a vibrant sign, and scanning it I noticed a plethora of different pastas and soups available for purchase. I took particular interest in the spaghetti listed near the top. Hurry up Sam I don t have all day, exclaimed the other girl as she looked over her shoulder at me, sighing and rolling her eyes. I m coming Liv, I m coming, sorry, I replied, straightening up and plastering a resemblance of a smile on my face. I walked over to where she stood with one hip jutted out; her Prada purse and newest IPhone model in hand. Her expertly highlighted hair fell just above her waist, complimenting her tanned skin, and she wore a light pink, low-cut tank top, and white jean shorts that more closely resembled swimwear than real clothing. Liv turned her attention back towards the counter while I stayed covered off behind her. H-hi welcome to Nood-dl-dles and Company what ca-can I get you today? stuttered the gangly, pimple-covered teenager manning the first register.
I watched as Liv flashed him her brilliant white teeth and subtly pulled down her shirt to show off even more cleavage than she already was. She leaned in towards him slightly and glanced down at his name tag, then looked back up, locking her gaze onto his. Hi, Stan is it? Aren t you just adorable. Me and my friend here were unfortunate as to have forgotten our money today but we re just soooo hungry, is there any way you could give us some food for free? purred Liv, touching his hand slightly and looking up at him from under her heavily blackened eyelashes. Stan swallowed, his Adams apple dipping noticeably, and wiped his free hand on his shorts. He briefly dragged his gaze away from hers and towards the designer purse clearly in view in her hand, then looked back at her, this time his eyes wandering a little lower down towards her exposed chest. I-I guess, Liv flashed another dazzling smile, Perfect, we ll take two small zoodles. Would that b-be all? Yes it will- Um actually I would like a regular spaghetti, I interjected softly. What did you say Sam? questioned Liv, turning towards me and narrowing her eyes. I took a deep breath and cleared my throat, stepping out from behind her. I said I want a regular spaghetti, not a small zoodles. Oops, I just presumed that since you quit cheer you would try to be eating healthy to keep the pounds away, Liv smirked, her eyes trailing from my baggy sweats up to my haphazard ponytail then back down to lock her eyes on mine, clearly not. The cashier shifted his weight, pushing up his glasses though they hadn t fallen down. So-so that will be all then?
Liv looked back at him, tossing her hair over her shoulder again. It will be, she replied, then momentarily looked back at me before lowering her voice and addressing the worker, I m sorry about that, my friend just really likes you and was too shy to talk you. Stan s eyes widened in my direction, his cheeks beginning to flush a deep crimson. I don t, I-I, he sputtered. Liv laughed and grabbed a napkin and pen from behind the counter, hastily scribbling something down. Don t worry, there s her number she d love it if you called her. Liv called over her shoulder, grabbing my hand and pulling me into a cracked booth before bursting out laughing. Did you see his face? Ugh that was priceless he thinks he had a shot! she exclaimed, grabbing her chest as her body was seized by a fresh wave of high-pitched giggles. She took a deep breath, her face resuming its usual demeaning smirk, and looked me over once again, adding Who knows maybe in that outfit he does have one. Mhm very funny, I replied sarcastically though I kept my eyes trained on the plastic number they had given us for the order. C'mon you know it was great, he was a dork he deserved it, stop being such a whiny little bitch, she sneered, rolling her eyes and inspecting her cuticles, it wasn t even your real phone number. I clenched my fists tightly, hearing the roar of my pulse thrum in my eardrums. I paused, breathing in deeply and closing my eyes, focusing on the rhythmic rise and fall of my chest. I fluttered my eyes back open and uncurled my fingers, revealing the indents where my nails had dug into my palm. You know what Liv that was- H-here s your food, enjoy, interjected Stan, abruptly coming around the corner of the booth and placing the food and two glasses of water down in front of us. He stayed there for a moment, shifting his weight side to side, wringing his hands together.
I ll c-call you later, he mumbled in my direction, blushing profusely, before hurrying back to his station by the register. -uncalled for. I finished, muttering the words under my breath too softly for anyone but myself to hear. Once Stan was out of sight, Liv immediately picked up her fork and knife and, while somehow keeping her posture immaculate, began to mutilate the pasta into minuscule pieces. I could almost picture a jewel-encrusted crown perched on her head, or her pinkie fingers extended out like it was tea time. I shuddered involuntarily, but thankfully the aromatic smell of the tomato sauce distracted my thoughts. I looked down to see a steaming pile of noodles and sauce, but it was covered in what appeared to be rubbery, brown chunks. I leaned in closer, quickly realizing that the brown was the unasked for addition of mushroom. I gagged, quickly pulling up and away from the plate. Ew gross they put mushrooms on, I hate mushrooms. I exclaimed with a huff. Liv looked up from her dainty zoodle murdering. So what, it s the only vegetable on your plate it might be able to help you shed some of that extra weight, just suck it up, she replied coolly, eyeing my bowl and curling her lips up, and maybe try to cut it up small like this, it makes you full faster you know, so you eat less. I exhaled sharply in response and picked up my fork, beginning to aimlessly twirl the noodles around. My knife lay untouched adjacent to the cream-colored ceramic bowl. After a few moments I lifted the spaghetti-wrapped fork to my lips, paused, then took a bite. What hit me first was the heavenly oregano and garlic infused in the sauce, then the perfect al dente bite of the noodle, but as I continued to chew I noticed the rubbery texture of the mushrooms squelching between my teeth. I swallowed the bite without even finishing to chew it, trying to avoid having any of the remaining mush touch my taste buds. I grabbed the condensation-covered glass of water to my left and chugged. When half of the water was gone I
put the cup down, and wiped my lips with my hand, glancing warily back at the plate. My stomach gurgled loudly. I picked the fork up again, took a deep breath through my mouth, and put in another mouthful, this one slightly smaller. I bit down tentatively, this time immediately feeling the rubbery texture of the fungus. I gagged then frantically looked around, snatching up the first napkin I saw, and half spit out half retched the mushed up brown glob of noodle into the white cloth. Ew gross what the hell Sam! Liv exclaimed, pressing her body as far back in the booth as she could. I covered the mess with another napkin and took another large gulp of water, the icy cold washing out the acidic flavor left in my mouth. I m sorry I said I didn t like mushrooms, I mumbled, I ll just pick the rest out. You better! You embarrassed me that was disgusting and humiliating! Liv hissed under her breath, her eyes narrowing, I took you in when no one else would, I got you onto cheer, I helped you become popular, I made you someone, and this is how you repay me? By embarrassing me? I looked down, grabbed another clean napkin then unfolded it and laid it out next to my bowl. I picked up the fork and began to spear the remaining mushrooms, wiping each one off onto the napkin before extracting the next. Hello did you hear me? she screeched throwing her hands up, You re such a bitch this is how you repay me I deserve your respect! I continued my methodical routine: take out a mushroom, wipe it on the napkin, repeat. I reached the last mushroom in the bowl, and pressed so hard as I got it off the fork that I tore the napkin. I dropped the utensil, hearing it clatter against the table, and looked up at Liv, finally meeting her gaze. You know what Liv just shut up, I exclaimed, hitting my fists on the table and standing up, You treat me horribly and I m sick of it. I don t need you telling me that I m fat or that not making fun of someone makes me a bitch. The only bitch here is you, and you know what, you
can find your own way home because I m not driving you. I got out of the booth and started walking towards the door, a newfound bounce in my step. You can t do that come back here I m not done with this discussion! I paused and looked over my shoulder back to where Liv was sitting silently fuming but still dumbfounded. But the thing is I m done with you. I looked back over my shoulder and continued out of the restaurant, pushing the door open, hearing the clear ring of the bell, this time with a smile on my face.