* / ZOOMIES !

          “  when  the  invite  said  the  club  is  at  the  basement  of  a  hotel  ,  it  was  giving  minor  red  flags  but  i  stand  corrected  .  definitely  a  speakeasy  that’s  for  sure  .  and  it’s  reminding  me  of  those  tiktoks  of  people  getting  an  airbnb  in  eastern  europe  and  showing  the  entrance  leading  to  their  apartment  looking  super  sketchy  and  haunted  .  have  you  seen  those  ?  ”

a quick GLANCE around , shiver running down her SPINE , " but it might ACTUALLY be haunted ... maybe that's why i'm losing so much , " she mutters quietly , before looking towards the other , confusion lingering on their features . " i don't think so , but isn't europe architecture like SUPER different than the states' ? i think it's really gothic and PRETTY , but i don't know if it's something i'd consider scary ... "

          “  i  understand  why  only  canapés  and  finger  foods  are  served  here  but  i  simply  cannot  subsist  on  these  for  the  entire  night  ,  ”  ana  moves  to  take  a  sip  of  her  drink  .  she’ll  lean  into  [  your  muse  ]  and  lower  her  voice  slightly  .  “  don’t  let  the  host  hear  this  but  i’m  thinking  of  leaving  early  to  get  some  actual  food  ,  are  you  in  ?  ”

" if you're just tryna' stop me from gambling more MONEY , you can just say that , you know ! " a pout rolls over lulu's lips as she listens to the other SPEAK , her own hands preoccupied with a cup of liquid , a clutch and her other hand having finger food appetizers squeezed next to a stack of CHIPS . " but ... but what else would we eat ? this food is awesome ... " she may have destroyed a tray full of pretzel dogs , but that's neither here nor there .

" oh , most definitely ! but you know what they say , " she says so easily , touch of liquor on her lips , feeding what seems to be yet ANOTHER one hundred dollar bill into the machine . " 99 percent of gamblers stop before they hit it big , you know ! and i'm not gonna be stopped by something as SILLY as a couple thousand dollars --- ! "

haneul didn't believe her for a second but who was he as a fellow snack fiend, and while he was sober at the moment, he would say this is exactly what the doctor ordered after his second redbull of the day. he couldn't help the huge grin on his face as he looked down at the assortment in their basket. "no, not at all BUT they would if we had watermelon sour patch kids. honestly, any gummy. like a teddy bear gummy, or even PEACH RINGS." he was so excited. "what? no, we're fine. i can make mac and cheese. my machines can make mac and cheese, well maybe not, but i could probably make it at least try."

          "  peach  rings  is  what  OLD  people  eat  ,  and  we're  ---  we're  not  that  old  !   "   lulu  will  proclaim  to  the  OTHER  ,  looking  up  at  him  like  he  had  just  suggested  she  light  her  hair  on  fire  .  "  sour  patch  kids  might  be  okay  ...  but  sometimes  they're  too  sour  and  it  makes  it  hard  to  eat  .  let's  get  gummy  bears  !    "   she  slips  a  pack  into  her  basket  ,  and  head  whips  to  him  .  "  machines  ?  like  ,  you  have  mini  mac  and  cheese  making  robots  ?  we  gotta  go  ---  either  way  ,  i'm  getting  mac  and  cheese  out  of  you  !  "   a  pause  .  "  i  don't  think  i  ...  can  drive  though  ...   is  your  place  close  ?  "

      a   soft   snort   escapes   from   nami   as   she   shakes   her   head,   pulling   a   bag   of   sour  gummy   worms   from   the   shelf   to   complete   her   junk   food   quest.   "   we   can   find   someone!   we   live   in   new   york   city,   there's   someone   willing   to   cook   for   us,   even   if   i   have   to   flirt   with   them   a   little   bit!   "   nami   loops   her   arm   with   their   own,   and   steers   them   toward   the   checkout.   "   we   can   find   someone   around   this   city.   come   on,   let's   buy   our   stuff   and   find   someone   to   make   that   mac   and   cheese.   "   

              a  look  of  awe  crosses  the  driver's  face  as  she  looks  up  to  nami  ,  appreciation  lingering  in  gaze  .  "  you'd  flirt  with  ...  guys ...  (  yuck ...  )   ...   just  for  us  to  eat  ?  "   warmth  and  happiness  coats  her  words  as  she  SMILES  up  at  her  ,    "  you're  so  awesome  .  i  don't  think  i  could  ever  flirt  with  someone  to  cook  me  food  ---  i  usually  get  too  nervous  ,  "  lulu  will  admit  ,  leaning  into  the  others  touch  as  she  ungracefully  piles  their  stuff  onto  the  counter  ,  pulling  out  black  credit  card  and  slides  it  to  the  cashier  .  "  flirting  ...  and  boys  are  overrated  .  but  you  know  what  never  leaves  you  ?  "  looks  over  to  nami  ,  "  weed  .  and  food  .  men  are  overrated  .  "

" want to know how convinced i am right now ? " he asked , trying his best not to give away his amusement by pretending to inspect the list of ingredients for ... sunflower seeds ? beau put the slender bag back to where it originated before turning to them . " not all that convinced i fear . but good news for you , even if you didn't know how to make mac and cheese ... there's always THIS . " he plucked the blue box out of their hands before trading lulu for the microwavable version of it . " blue gatorade ? good for keeping you hydrated ... same with pickles but this is one interesting spread . who knows , maybe you're onto something with the marshmallow and mac and cheese combo ? "

              lulu  offers  him  a  look  of  AMAZEMENT  ,  as  if  he  had  just  invented  just  sliced  bread  .  "  you're  so  smart  .   i  think  i  love  you  ,  "   she  nods  firmly  ,  voice  HONEST  and  a  bit  in  awe  ,  high  still  barely  having  reached  it's  peak  .  OF  COURSE  :  who  would  she  be  ,  if  not  to  tell  her  friends  her  appreciation  ,  even  when  barely  remembering  her  own  name  ?   "  trust  me  ,  it's  way  better  if  you  get  those  like  ,  freeze  dried  marshmallows  that  are  in  lucky  charms  ---  but  i  don't  wanna  pick  out  all  the  marshmallows  right  now  ...  m'too  hungry  .  "   she  pauses  ,  turning  to  the  other  .  "   i  might  smoke  another  bowl  when  i get  home  ,  wanna  come  wiiiith  ?   "   she  is  totally  baiting  him  into  coming  and  possibly  making  him  cook  for  her  .   "   pleaseeee  ,  it'll  be  a  lot  of  fun  ,  and  i'm  sure  matcha  ,  "  her  siamese  cat  ,  "  would  love  to  see  you  !!  "

              a  sound  of  surprise  to  escape  the  racer's  lips  at  his  suggestion  ;   immediately  looking  away  from  him  holding  hand  up  to  block  her  peripheral  as  she  looks  away  .   "   gross  !  i  don't  wanna  see  your  tummy  hair  ---  !  "   lulu  looks  pointedly  away  ,  focusing  instead  on  her  shoelaces  as  she  kicks  her  feet  back  and  forth  in  the  chair  .   "   look  .  i  said  i  think  you  should  drive  one  of  MY  cars  for  the  shoot  ,  but  apparently  that  wasn't  a  good  idea  ,  "   she'll  grumble  with  a  pout  ,  "  so  i  don't  think  i  have  the  best  idea  of  what's  missing  ...  'cause  if  you  ask  me  ,  i'm  gonna  say  a  GTR  skyline  ,  not  your  abs  .  i  ---  "   and  drops  her  hand  ,  looking  up  at  the  other  from  her  chair  ,  "  i  really  think  that  cars  are  a  lot  sexier  than  whatever  thirst  trap  thingie  you  got  going  on  !!  "

           ۟. 🐻               ៶               𝐦𝐢𝒚𝐞𝐨𝐧               〉               “   you're   not   going   to   combine   them   all   in   one   ,   are   you   ?   ”        she   gives   her   friend   a   worried   look   at   the   idea   of   marshmallows   in   the   mix   before   scanning   the   shelves   ,   grabbing   the   object   of   her   desires   upon   location   .      “   don't   look   at   me   ,   i   can't   cook   anything   ,   especially   not   mac   and   cheese   ...   but   that's   why   microwave   mac   and   cheese   exists   !      our   hero   for   the   night   !      —      actually   ,   i   think   i   saw   a   hot    cheetos   mac   and   cheese   ...   ”

A POUT to form on lulu's features , eyes downcast and shameful as she LOOKS at her basket . maybe she's right . maybe they shouldn't mix it all . " but --- but if i can't cook us anything , and you can't cook us anything --- what are we gonna do ? i don't wanna starve , mimi ... " wobbles as she bends down to look at bottom shelf , maybe some oreos instead ? " maybe ... maybe getting zooted on an empty stomach wasn't a GOOD idea . " stands up too fast , and wobbles a little more , before sliding an arm into MIMI'S , if only to steady herself . " we can just ... just buy this and then order doordash or something ... how does that sound ? you don't gotta stream tonight , right ? "

“  nothing  to—  ”  they  cut  themself  off  before  the  rising  disbelief  in  his  voice  got  out  of  hand .  “  you  just  said  you’ve  never  been  to  one ,  so  how  do  you  know  there’s  nothing  to  do ?  ”  brows  furrowed ,  he  frowned  in  confusion ,  trying  to  understand  their  reasoning .  “  so  …  let  me  get  this  straight  …  —  you’re  saying  theme  parks  are  boring  because  you  don’t  want  to  spend  money  and  you’re  bad  at  a  carnival  games ?  ”  his  expression  twisted ,  gast  truly and properly  flabbered .  “  you  do  know  there  are  typically  rides  and  shows  and  activities ,  right ?  bumper  cars ?  those  dark  rides  where  you  shoot  lasers  at  the  pop  up  things ?  sometimes  parades ?  ”

" maybe i fibbed , " they say softly , gentle roll of their eyes as they continue , " i've been to one but never ridden any of the RIDES --- and i never SAID i was --- hey ! i never said i was bad at CARNIVAL games . i'm great at them !! they are literally RIGGED !! i could prove it to you too !! " a pause , eyebrows knitting together , " i've never played bumper cars . and for REAL quality laser tag you should go to a place , not some carnival . " lulu pouts . " and i don't mind SPENDING money , i'd just rather spend it on stuff i like . like ... not twenty dollar churros . they're not exactly a DELICACY like you're acting . i just don't see the point of going to one now ! we're old . we gotta enjoy doing OLD people things . like ... taxes ! "

      "   you're   totally   not   sober.   "   nanami   can't   help   grinning,   her   basket   filled   with   snacks   thanks   to   late   night   cravings.   she   has   already   opened   a   pack   of   watermelon   flavored   sour   patch   kids,   eyes   still   scanning   the   aisle   of   sugary   goodness   that   she   absolutely   does   not   need.   "   i   don't   know—   you've   got   a   few   interesting   choices  in   your   arms.  well,   i   don't   cook,   so   i'm   not   sure   of   how   much   i   can   help.   i'm   more   of   a   buy   it   or   have   someone   else   to   do   it   kind   of   girl.   "   

" okay , maybe i smoked --- smoked a lil too much !! " but they don't seem awfully ashamed as they push the contents in their basket around precariously , debating left and RIGHT as to whether or not theyre making the right decision . " but if you can't cook , and i can't COOK , who's gonna cook for us ? i don't exactly have a private chef like the rest of y'all do , you know ! " a pout rolls over lulu's lips . " maybe i should get some microwave meals instead ... but i want mac and cheese ... and i don't know if i could call any of my other friends --- they don't know how to cook either ! "

         “  i  heard  someone  asking  for  a  scooped  bagel  .  not  to  be  mean  but  i  kinda  wished  i  wasn’t  leaving  the  shop  to  hear  the  aftermath  of  that  .  guess  they  didn’t  see  that  one  scooped  bagel  tiktok  .  ”

        "  ...  scooped  ?   what  the  heck  is  that  ?   "   curiosity  lingers  in  the  racers  tone  ,  and  then  ...   "   is  it  bad  i  want  to  try  one  ?  have  you  heard  of  ST.  LOUIS  style  bagels  ?   this  guy  in  front  of  me  ordered  it  a  few  days  ago  ---  and  apparently  it's  where  they  slice  it  VERTICALLY  !  that  just  seems  ...  seems  sacreligious  !  "

leaning back in his seat , wes shook his head in disbelief , a grin stretching across his face . “ to this day , i still can't believe that warner brothers fumbled the bag so badly , ” he began , amusement audible in his voice . “ i mean , imagine if they had actually done the smart thing and made spooky island into a real theme park .. disney would be absolutely shaking in their fucking boots . ”

          "    i  guess  ,   "  lulu  says  ,  pushing  the  egg  around  on  her  plate  ;  making  sure  to  not  BREAK  the  yolk  all  over  her  toast  ,  eyebrows  knitting  together .  "   but  i  guess  i  don't  really  see  the  APEEAAAL  .  i've  never  been  to  a  theme  park   ---  "    well  ,  more  accurately  ,  ridden  the  RIDES  .  something about a fear of HEIGHTS , and the promise that she'd ride one on CONEY ISLAND for her first time --- but they never got the chance to .  "  i  don't  see  what's  so  great about  them  . all the games are RIGGED and the food is overpriced !! there's nothing to do there !   "

when lulu snatches the drink from his grasp,     right after loudly being told to give it back when he thought he was doing a favor to the plush toys,     he pouts and raises his hands in defense mode,     “     sorry,    sorry!     mimosas are cute and romantic,     sooooo true,     bestie,     ”     and then he blinks,       eyne traveling down to the stuffies on their arms instead,     “     well.     i like the monkey…     i think we would be amazing silly friends...     ”     he muses,      motioning to it with a nod of his head,      “     and about the name…     is stinky too predictable?     what do you think about loqui?     not like    —-     loki,    the marvel character,     no no,      loki as in spanish’s loco but make it tiny.     loqui!     ”

          "   thank  you  ,   "  lulu  says  pointedly  ,  gentle  POUT  rolling  over  her  features  ,  as  if  VINDICATED  by  him  agreeing  with  them  .  and  then  ,  outrage  ,  only  conflated  by  the  booze  ,  "   you  cannot  call  him  STINKY  .  that  is  so  rude  .  he's  just  a  BABY  !  "   but  carefully  ,  she'll  extract  the  pink  MONKEY  with  a  heart  in  his  HANDS  ,  holding  him  OUT  to  benny  .   "  and  you  have  to  give  me  VISITATION  rights  .  'cause  his  siblings  will  MISS  him  if  you  don't  .  you  have  my  address  ,  right  ?  we  can  ---  we  can  make  a  whole  DAY  of  it  'n  everything  !  "

                    “   wait   ,   really   ?       by   whom   this   time   ?       and   …       i   dunno   ,   lu   .       it’s   like   …       well   ,   elias   doesn’t   have   a   filter   ,   you   know   ?   ”       says   ,   tone   sincere   —   honesty   shining   through   ,   as   it   always   does   .       joey   is   honest   ,   straightforward   ,   and   in   this   case   ,   even   a   bit   gentle   ,   aware   of   how   much   lulu   cares   for   her   best   friend   .       “   and   …       listening   to   him   go   off   is   …       more   than   a   little   grating   .       he’s   really   good   at   hitting   where   it   hurts   .       so   ,   i   guess   …       people’s   patience   just   wears   thin   .   ”       pauses   ,   letting   his   words   sink   in   ,   then   adds   ,       “   he   needs   a   therapist   .       or   maybe   he   just   needs   to   get   better   at   picking   his   battles   .       though   ,   to   be   fair   ,   he   doesn’t   really   win   any   .   ”       shoulder   gently   nudges   theirs   ,   an   attempt   to   lighten   the   mood   around   a   topic   that’s   clearly   tough   for   them   .       and   he   feels   a   little   sad   for   lulu   —   that   she   has   to   be   caught   up   in   all   of   this   .       “   i   just   hope   he   figures   it   out   before   he   runs   out   of   people   willing   to   put   up   with   his   shit   .   ”

          "   'lias  isn't  always  wrong  ,  'nd  he's  harmless  ,  enough  ,  "   lulu  will  utter  hotly  ;  defending  him  ,  even  when  INEBRIATED  ,   "  he  just  yaps  a  lot  ,  but  that's  'cause  ...  my  mom  said  people  only  do  that  when  people  don't  really  listen  to  them  when  it  matters  .  and  if  it  hits  people  where  it  hurts  ,   "    alune  shrugs  ,  picking  at  the  COTTON  candy  awkwardly  ,   "   doesn't  that  say  more  about  how  they  react  than  him  actually  stating  the  TRUTH  ?   "   and  she's  just  babbling  ,  because  she's  drank  a  little  too  MUCH  ,  gaze  downcast  ,  throwing  some  of  the  cotton  candy  onto  the  boardwalk  .  "   everyone  in  this  city  needs  therapy  ,  not  just  him  ,  "  petulant  response  to  come  ,  "   but  what  am  i  supposed  to  ---  supposed  to  DO  ?   supposed  to  tell  him  ?   he  hardly  ---  "  she  swallows  ,  and  unsure  if  the  warmth  in  her  cheeks  and  flowing  through  her  blood  is  due  to  the  ALCOHOL  or  something  else  ,   "   listens  to  ME  ,  let  alone  reason  .  i  wish  he  wouldn't  get  into  these  situations  but  ---  "   eyes  are  watering  ,  looking  to  him  ,  "   what  am  i  supposed  to  do  ?  "