AN: Thanks to...
SapphireJKH - You're awesome! Thanks for reviewing every chapter...But I'd write even if you didn't review this (although I'm happy you do), because I love to write. I can't stop…I live to write. Especially if it's about my favorite guys.
Cariad1987 - Aww, thank you! I'm so happy you think it's cute. Is this soon enough? Lol.
Disclaimer: I don't own Connect 3 or anything Disney related. But I do own Burnin' Up (Not the song. The...well, you'll see). And weird food combinations. There's nothing wrong with experimenting, is there? Lol.
Chapter 11
"Good evening, Mr. Green and Ms. …" Nate trailed off, "Pardon me, but what's your last name?"
"Just call me Liz," Liz giggled. "Ms. just makes me sound old."
"Very good," Nate said, trying to sound like a professional waiter. "Would you like to order from our menu?"
"You have a menu?" Jason asked, shocked.
"Yes, we have some delicious appetizers you could start off with. How about some pate, or caviar, or…"
"Do you have any French fries?" Jason asked. "I love French fries. With mustard, of course."
Nate looked briefly disgusted at Jason's choice of topping, then said, "Would you like the same as well, Liz?"
"Yes, please, if it's not too much trouble," Liz smiled politely. "Thank you."
"Very good, I'll have those out shortly. And what would you like to drink? We have mineral water, various fruit flavored teas and lemonades, the finest coffees…" Nate waited for their answer.
"Can I have some Starbucks?" Jason asked. "I'd like a chai latte with extra chai, no water and with skim milk." (AN: That's Kevin's favorite Starbucks drink, so I thought Jason would love it too).
"Liz?" Nate asked patiently, although everyone could tell he was getting annoyed.
"I'll have some mineral water, " Liz said, biting off a smile.
"I'll bring those out to you shortly," Nate said, a smile pasted on his face. He walked away, grumbling, "Of all the things to order…French fries and Starbucks…I might as well give you a Happy Meal."
As soon as Nate was gone, Jason and Liz fell into an awkward silence.
"So…" Liz began, trying to think of something to say.
"Have you been writing any songs lately?" Jason asked quickly, trying to start a conversation about something he thought she'd want to talk about.
"Actually, yeah, I have," Liz said. "It's weird…sometimes the words just flow out from me so fast that I can't stop them, and at other times, I try to put something down on paper, and everything just comes out all wrong. It's like I know what I want to say, but I can't say it exactly right. You know?"
"Not really," Jason admitted. "I've never written a song."
"Really?" Liz said. "I always thought you wrote songs with Nate and Shane."
"No. Nate and Shane do all the work. The music, the lyrics, everything. I'm just backup," Jason said sadly.
"But without you, they'd be nothing," Liz said, putting her hand on his. "OK, not nothing, but…you're like the glue that holds them together. You're always playing guitar, and that makes you the one they can always count on."
"I never thought of it that way," Jason said, realizing it for the first time. "I guess I am pretty awesome, aren't I?"
"Totally," Liz agreed. "Maybe one of these days, when you're not rehearsing, you could teach me how to play guitar?"
"I'd love that," Jason smiled. "And maybe you could show me how to write a song. Or maybe we could write one together."
"Sounds good to me," Liz replied, feeling butterflies fluttering in her stomach as she smiled at Jason.
Nate came in, followed by Shane. Nate was holding the plate of French fries in one hand and a bottle of mustard in the other, while Shane was carrying Jason's chai and Liz's mineral water.
"Ooh, can you make a bird's nest out of the fries?" Jason said, as Shane and Nate set the food and drinks down on the table. "And maybe make little egg shapes with the mustard?"
"No!" Nate said, then tried to walk away as fast as he could.
"You're mean!" Jason said. "Can I get another waiter?"
"No!" Nate said, scowling. "Shane's helping me, so it's either me or him."
"Great…" Jason faked a smile, then said, "I guess I have no choice…I've seen Shane try to cook." He grimaced, then whispered loudly to Liz, "He's a disaster in the kitchen…Shane blows everything up…"
"HEY!" Shane protested. "How was I supposed to know that you don't cook a steak at 600 degrees for 30 minutes? I thought it'd cook faster."
"And as if that weren't funny enough, there were 20 fire engines that came to put out the fire. And then they stayed to get autographs for their daughters," Nate laughed. "We were there for an hour, and then we almost missed our photo shoot. And we had to go in with our singed clothes, and ended up being on the cover of Burnin' Up, that firemen's magazine that they publish."
"That's not funny," Shane scowled, crossing his arms as everyone else laughed.
"So, what do you want to eat?" Shane tried to change the subject. He grabbed the menu Nate was holding, and looked it over. "We've got honey pecan salmon, filet mignon, baby back ribs, lobster, sushi…"
"Do you have any spaghetti and mashed potatoes and gravy?" Jason asked. "I don't want the sauce, just spaghetti and mashed potatoes and gravy. I love mixing the noodles in the potatoes and gravy…it's so yummy!" (AN: I've tried that, actually, and even though it doesn't look good, it tastes awesome!)
"Is that even edible?" Nate looked disgusted. "Are you sure you don't want a pizza? Or maybe a couple of hamburgers?"
"I'm sure," Jason continued, not noticing Nate's expression. "Spaghetti and mashed potatoes is my favorite!"
"How Lady and the Tramp-ish," Shane said, then his eyes sparkled mischievously. "But it might be fun to start a food fight in…"
"Shh!" Nate elbowed Shane. "Don't give Jason any ideas...And anyway, we'd better place the…order."
"Yeah, and your drinks will be right out." Shane glanced at Mitchie, who nodded and went to get them.
"I love this place!" Jason said, as soon as they were alone again. "The people are so nice, and they get us everything they want."
"Of course they do, they're your friends," Liz said matter-of-factly. "And Mitchie's mom is making our food."
"She is?" Jason looked surprised. "I didn't know Mitchie's mom worked here."
"She's the head chef," Liz explained. "She was here last year too."
"She was?" Jason said, still amazed. "No wonder the food was better than before."
"Liz, here is your mineral water, and Jason, here's your chai latte with extra chai, skim milk, and no water," Mitchie handed them their drinks, and then went back to watching them
"Do you have any sugar? I like to put a lot of sugar in my latte," Jason asked. "Shane and Nate never let me have any. They think I'll get all hyper and crazy."
"Sure," Mitchie smiled, making a mental note to give Jason sugar substitute instead. She didn't want a hyper Jason on her hands.
"Thanks, Mitchie!" Jason said, as Mitchie came back with a container of sugar packets. "Hey, why are these blue? Aren't they supposed to be white?"
"Yes, they're usually white, but since it's a special night for the two of you, we packed it in special blue packets," Mitchie lied, hoping that Liz would go along with it.
"Aww, thanks Mitchie! You made it even more special. Isn't that right, Jason?" Liz caught Mitchie's gaze and smiled at Jason.
"Aww…GROUP HUG!" Jason stood up suddenly, as he went over and hugged Liz and Mitchie. "Much better…"
"Stop hugging Mitchie!" Shane stormed over, followed by Nate, who was carrying their meals. He didn't notice Jason's startled look.
"But I just called a group hug," Jason said, tears already forming in his eyes.
"Shane, it's OK, it's Jason," Mitchie said, then kissed Shane long and deep. "And you're the only one I'd ever do that to."
"OK," Shane said, his eyes glazing over. He sighed dreamily and melted into Mitchie's arms.
"Dinner is served," Nate announced, not breaking out of his British waiter role for one second.
"S'ghetti!" Jason cried happily. "And mashed potatoes…and gravy! YAY!"
"So Jason, how do you eat this again?" Liz wondered, as Jason spun the spaghetti around his fork, then put it in the mashed potatoes and gravy and twirled it around. Then he picked up the light brown glob.
"Open wide," Jason instructed. "The bird's flying back to the nest!"
Liz opened her mouth, and Jason stuck his fork into her mouth.
After a few seconds, Liz could finally speak. "Hey, it's really good!" Liz was shocked. "I wasn't sure about it before, but this is delicious!"
"I know!" Jason said, getting a giant sized forkful of spaghetti, mashed potatoes, and gravy. He got so much that only half of it went in. His mouth was covered in mashed potatoes and gravy, and a few noodles were sticking out.
"Jason, you have a little…" Liz said, taking her napkin and wiping it off.
"So do you," Jason said, looking into Liz's eyes. "Here, I've got a better idea…" He gazed at Liz, taking the napkin from her.
"May I…?" Jason trailed off, waiting until Liz understood what he meant.
"Yes," Liz said, glancing around to make sure they were alone. Then she nodded at Jason to continue.
Jason leaned forward, and before Liz knew it, Jason's lips were on hers. Soft and gentle, they moved slowly as Liz's senses swam.
AN: Aww, wasn't that cute? Do you want me to continue? Let me know by reviewing!