Kids, Eric thought as he interjected a flaring conversation between Ariana and Aiden. Introducing himself was simple enough and Eric found himself invited to breakfast a second time.
"So Aiden. I heard it's your treat." Eric smirked patting an arm around him and leading him on.
Saved you, Eric briefly glanced back at Ariana.
Reaching the cafeteria Aiden took a moment to absorb the surroundings,
"Actually, do we pay for these? Or are they complimentary?" He asked looking confused. In all earnest the meals were free, a courtesy of residence but Eric could tell Aiden hadn't clocked it until he'd scanned the room for a cash register.
"I'll find some way this is on me, just you wait. I- Hey, is that the breakfast table?" The boy lost sight of his charming plans,
"I'll just be a minute," and like a flash he was gone.
Taking a momentary respite Eric exited the main hall into the kitchen,
I honestly can't remember when I last ventured in here at this hour. Eric thought having often visited during the less social hours. He saw many kitchen staff, most of whom paid him no heed and just carried on with business. One grossly large woman however stopped and glared from over the other side of the room, making her way towards Eric as he indulged himself with a tangerine.
"Picky things these," he gestured to the fruit,
"It's been...?""For yeahs! Four yeahs an' yoo de nerve tu descend unto MY kitchen all
"seen yoo yesteday." uhuh no Caydon professor sir." The chef angrily bellowed pushing at Eric.
"Is this about those letters piled in my in-tray?" Eric questioned whilst failing to hold ground. His question seemed to rile the chef more and he found himself on the other side of the double doors sooner than he'd anticipated.
"So now is the wrong time to discuss that raise?" He retorted to the door and smirked,
I hate paperwork.He found a lot of commotion upon his reentry into the cafeteria, Aiden was singing and...
... Jessie? Eric wasn't expecting a display from her. The peel dropped to floor and Eric finally tasted a tangy slice, noticing Ariana had rejoined Aiden and Jessie.
"Feet down Posy," Eric dismissively said pushing her feet off the table with an arm as he passed,
"... At least socially," Eric muttered ambivalently and sticking another slice of orange in his mouth.
Observing the caf, Eric saw Anastacia and Damon talking, whilst Cheveyo contended himself with breakfast; Scarlett, Nicholas, Kenzie and Emilia sitting on lone tables; Gabriel and Nina both similarly alone at the cafeteria's back; Koen and Elsie talking; Aiden, Jessie and
Ariana now settling down; And a window revealed Alexander sitting outside finishing his tray. A lot other students we're scurrying to and from but Eric thought he'd sussed the gist of the morning,
Go forth kids, meet and greet.Walking to the back of the hall Eric shuffled his orange free hand into his back pocket removing a note. Gabriel looked up as he approached,
"You're right. I did owe you $20," Eric spoke relinquishing the note onto the table.
"I forgot which game we had stakes on; or maybe I'm a deluded loser..." He shrugged,
"You were holding back the first game weren't you? And I fell for it, like a sucker." Eric tsked at Gabe, noticing a concealed smile.
"And you're meant to be the angel?" Shaking his head. Before Gabriel had a moment to swallow his food and deny such jovial slander Eric turned away,
"You eat, you're beat." He chuckled,
"Enjoy your winnings, for now."Another slice entered Eric's mouth as he swept across the cafeteria to the front.
Another of these, Eric picked up another orange beginning to pick at it's skin as he walked towards Ariana.
Act cool. Smile. He told himself rubbing the back of his neck.
Note to self: Figure out last night.
