13. Dinner With Patrick
"Finally! I thought you guys were never coming!" Patrick hugged Larc then Vanessa. She looked into his eyes and then smiled. He pulled out Larc then Vanessa's chairs. Vanessa sat close to Patrick.
The waiter came and asked them what they'd like to drink. Patrick began, "I'd like an Italian Soda. What about you Vanessa?" Vanessa stared at her menu. She had had an Italian Soda once in Vegas, but knew that Patrick would share with her because she knew she definitely couldn't drink one alone, "I'd like a peach iced tea please." Vanessa looked at Larc. "Oh, it's my turn. I'm fine with water." Larc hated carbonated drinks.
"So Vanessa, what appeals to you on the menu? I was thinking of splitting the lasagna. Gerard and Emmy came here last night and Gerard said he ordered the lasagna and it could easily feed three people." Patrick looked up from his menu and at Larc and Vanessa. "Sure, that sounds good. Larc, that ok?" Vanessa looked at her friend who was being unusually silent. "Huh? Oh, sure, that sounds good." Larc put her menu on top of Patrick and Vanessa's. The drinks came shortly after they'd decided what to eat. The waiter asked what they wanted to eat. Patrick ordered then the waiter left. "Patrick, can I have a tiny sip of your drink?" Vanessa stared at the huge Italian Soda between her and Patrick. Patrick took a sip then slid the straw so it faced Vanessa. She hesitated, knowing that this straw had just been in Patrick's mouth, but in the end she stuck it in and took a long sip. When Vanessa had finished her mouth curled up in disgust. "Patrick, what flavor did you order?" She stuck her tongue out then looked at Patrick's laughing face. "Cherry. I didn't know you didn't like cherry." She took a long sip out of her drink then sighed with joy. Patrick took her drink and took a sip. "Hey, that's pretty good." Vanessa sent him and evil look. "Mine!" She held her drink protectively. Patrick frowned then took a piece of bread. He held up the bread but was looking into Vanessa's eyes. "Mine." He looked at her and smiled coyly. Larc laughed at them both. "Patrick, be nice!" Larc looked at Vanessa, saying, "Ness, don't taunt the foolish boy." Vanessa smiled. Larc could talk after all!
The food came after a while. Patrick separated the food onto the plate the waiter had given him. "Vanessa, we'll have to share a plate. I hope you don't mind." Vanessa looked at both his and her drinks; they had drunk half of them both together. "Did you really think I would mind?" "No, I wanted to be polite." Patrick stared down at his food and began to eat. "Tomorrow is the performance." Vanessa looked at Patrick as she said this. She knew that they'd be sharing a kiss in the performance. (Vanessa got to be Christine for one scene. She and Patrick would be singing "All I ask of you", typically) "I know, I'm excited for our scene." Patrick looked at Vanessa and could tell that she didn't understand. "I'm excited that I get to see how you perform." Patrick said quickly. For some reason Vanessa could tell that there was more than seeing how well she could perform. "I'm excited for the scene I'm in," Larc said to prevent Vanessa from saying anything about what he meant. "Yeah, only 'cause you get to play Meg," Vanessa looked at Larc with jealousy. "So, you get to kiss a movie star!" Larc accidentally said. Patrick looked up from his food to stare at Larc. "Sorry," she mouthed. "What do you mean by that? You want to kiss my Raoul?" Vanessa asked. Larc knew she was talking like she were Christine and Patrick were Raoul. "Why not?" Larc said - once again on accident. "LARC!" Patrick and Vanessa yelled. "Shh!" a waiter said. "Check!" Patrick called. "We'll continue this conversation later." He sternly said. The check came and the trio headed on deck. On the way out, Larc said conversationally, "You know Patrick, I loved your performance in Angels in America. Haha Vanessa, I know you haven't seen that one!"