Chapter 7

Routine

The next morning Kitty woke me up and around eight we headed out. As we walked down the street Majenta joined us from were she had just walked down the street. Just as we passed Layla's house she came out and joined us.

It didn't take me long to realize that it was a choreographed thing that they had developed after walking to work together all summer.

As we reached the paper lantern instead of dropping me and Majenta off like I assumed Layla and Kitty came in with us. Mama Wu smiled from were she was placing plates of food on the table for the big booth in the back that could seat up to ten people.

I returned the smile and we all went over to her. She smiled at us all.

"Good Morning children."

The others returned the greeting once more in unison. It was kind of creepy truthfully. I simply nodded in greeting as Warren and Kaida both came out carrying more food which they set down. Kitty noticed my curiosity as to why.

"Layla and I come in every morning to eat breakfast with Maj, Kaida, and Warren while Mama Wu gets every thing set up in the kitchen."

I nodded in understanding and we all sat down and ate breakfast together. After that Layla and Kitty left for work and I went back into the kitchen with Mama Wu who started teaching me different Chinese recipes.

Around one just after the lunch crowd had ended Layla and Kitty came in and surprisingly Will, came in with Ethan and Zach. They all took a seat at the big booth in the back and Majenta came into the back to get us. Her and Warren took the food that Mama Wu just supervised as I made and went to sit down with their friends while I hesitated. Mama Wu had followed with the last of the food.

Kaida noticed my unease and grinned at me looping her arm through mine.

"Come on Mama Wu won't let them start eating with out us."

I let her drag me to the booth with her. Everyone called a hello to use even the boys seemed to know who I was. Kitty probably told them that I was going to eat with them today. I simply nodded in greeting as Kaida took a seat beside Kitty leaving the only open seat beside Warren.

I glared at her but she just smiled innocently at me. Everyone was looking at me by now so I simply sat down by Warren and remained silent through the whole meal.

I may be quiet but I am not stupid. I know a set up when a I see one and this one was blatantly obvious. At first I was mad at Kaida for even trying but then I realized that she must really like me if she wants me together with her brother.

I forgave her then though I knew she wouldn't give up. I was just confident that it wouldn't work no matter what she did. With that I put the issue to rest.

The rest of the week went with the same schedule. I'd get up walk to work with the girls, share breakfast with them Kaida and Warren, work, eat lunch with the whole gang, work some more, eat dinner with Warren, Kaida, and the girls before the dinner crowd came, work even more, cook the treat of the day with Mama Wu, eat the treat of the day with everyone, then finally walk the girls home, go home and go to bed. And usually I could manage to not talk to anyone but Mama Wu, Kitty and Kaida. And I don't think I've said a single word directly to any of the boys.

The whole thing was kind of boring but comfortable in the routine. I found out my hours from Mama Wu and so I knew that all of us kids have the whole weekend off. That is why I was surprised when Kitty woke me up Saturday morning.

"Wha ya wa?"

Kitty laughed at more early morning poor grammar. What can I say I'm not a morning person.

"Your coming with me today. The hole gang walks to the Paper Lantern together to pick up Warren and eat breakfast. That's also were we decide what to do for the rest of the day. And plus we need to talk to Mama Wu about our hours during the school year. Especially considering school starts the day after tomorrow."

I snorted as I got up and headed towards the bathroom to get ready.

Half an hour later we were headed out the door. However this time as we walked we picked up more people then usual. Zack joined us within a minute as we passed his house. Maj and Ethan joined us as we passed their street.

Zack immediately wrapped his arm around Maj's shoulders and surprisingly she didn't shrug it off per usual. Apparently she was nicer on the weekend. At least to her boyfriend.

Layla and Will joined us as we passed by his house and we all headed to the Paper Lantern. The boys were all playing around and joking.

They had given up a few days ago on trying to get me to join in on anything so they just left me alone after saying hi. I liked it that way.

When we reached the restaurant we saw that Warren and Kaida were already waiting at the back booth which was set out with food.

I waited tell everyone else had sat down before taking a seat beside Kitty who was oddly quiet as she sat beside Ethan. I used my telepathy to enter her mind knowing that she could sense my presence.

Why are you being so quiet?

I'm nervous.

I turned to her for a second and saw her glance at Ethan. I smiled understanding why she was nervous. Ethan had hit a growth spurt over the summer and now stood a few inches taller then me making him about six inches taller then Kitty.

He had obviously been working out because he was in good shape. Not buff but lean and cut in a soft kind of way. He had also gotten contacts. In truth he was pretty good looking.

Aw Kitty. You like Ethan don't you.

I could feel her tense beside me for a moment before she relaxed and answered.

That obvious?

No not really. I just know you. He is good looking. And smart. He's a good person. I approve.

She glared at me out of the corner of her eye. We were both eating in silence ignoring the conversation going around the table about what to do for the rest of the day.

I wasn't asking for your approval. But I am glad that you approve. Do you think you could find out if he likes me too?

It was my turn to tense.

No.

But Jess.

No.

She turned and gave me a pleading look.

"I said no Kitty. I refuse to do it."

It was my same quiet voice but the steely edge to it got everyone's attention. Kitty hung her head in shame and spoke in a soft voice that just sounded wrong coming from her. Almost defeated sounding like a puppy that had just been kicked.

"I know, I'm sorry Jess I shouldn't have asked."

I glared at her knowing that while she may not see it she would feel the heated gaze on her.

"No you shouldn't have."

She actually flinched and I felt my resolve dissolve a little bit. Not enough to make me read his mind, but it was enough to make me read his emotions.

The first three emotions I felt off him were curiosity, nervousness, and infatuation. He was looking at Kitty.

Empathy isn't as accurate as telepathy because you can never be absolutely sure on who the emotions are for, but the first three emotions you feel off a person are usually concerning the person they are looking at.

I stopped glaring and turned back to my food.

I said I wouldn't read his mind. Not that I wouldn't read his emotions. I'm pretty sure he likes you.

Really?

Empathy isn't as exact as telepathy. But he does like someone and that was one of the first emotions I felt when I read him. He was looking at you.

I could feel everyone's eyes on us but I felt her eyes on me so I looked at her. She was grinning.

"You know I love you right."

I chuckled and turned to everyone else seeing their curious gazes. I rose an eyebrow at them and they turned away. Kitty still had a goofy grin and I knew she was probably blushing under the image inducer. Content that she would leave me alone a started to pay attention to the conversation that filled the table.

"So Jesse, any suggestions on what to do today?"

I snapped my gaze over to Layla who had been trying the hardest out of anyone to include me in everything. Everyone was watching me expectantly probably waiting for me to shrug like I always do. I was in a good mood, probably because I made Kitty so happy, so I answered.

"What do you guys usually do?"

They did seemed surprised that I had actually spoke but they recovered quickly and Ethan answered.

"We usually all go do something as a group then stay the night at one of our houses. Kaida goes and spends the weekend with her best friend Evelyn."

I frowned in thought before shrugging.

"Have any of you been to our house."

I got negative answers from everyone and Kitty was staring at me with a shocked look on her face.

"Wow Jess. You're actually okay with them going to our house?"

I shrugged before nodding.

"Their our friends."

Everyone at the table seemed a little surprised at that especially the boys. Warren was the one to brake the silence.

"You haven't said a single word directly to me but you consider me your friend?"

Once again I just shrugged this time not answering. Kitty saw that I wasn't going to answer so she steered the conversation away.

"So how bout you all come over and hang out at our house tonight."

Everyone agreed and soon a ten year old girl came into the restaurant heading straight for our table. She was tall for her age and had long brown hair. She was wearing a black and white stripped shirt that was way to big for her.

Kaida grinned when she saw her. Suddenly she slipped down crawling out from under the table as the girl stopped by the table.

"Hey Evee. So your house or mine?"

I looked at her and realized that she must be Evelyn, Kaida's best friend. The two friends offered a quick good bye and left.

I smiled at how much the two reminded me of Kitty and I when we were younger. Kitty seemed to understand what I was thinking because she smiled and slide an arm around my shoulders.

We shared a smile before she turned to the others.

"Is everyone done?"

Everyone was and Zach had just asked what we were going to do today when Mama Wu came over to the table.

"Jesse, Warren, Maj. You come after school work tell closing. No work weekends. Good?"

I nodded my consent while the other voiced it. After that Maj was the one to make a suggestion on what to do.

"Why don't we go swimming."

I tensed at the thought.