13 The dinner

"Where are you going?" Tina asked.

"I forgot to tell you. I got selected, National Tech Fare, I'm in." Nora said with a beaming smile.

"Really?" Tina was on her feet. "You go girl!" She said hugging her.

"Too tight, now let go of me." Nora said trying to break free.

"So our group-"

"Group?" Tina cut her off.

"Yeah. Luke, Rachel, Joseph and me. We all are going for dinner at Big Joe's, to get to know each other." Nora told her.

"Thank goodness, I thought you'd be all alone today, good you found company."

"I had to, also I didn't expect you to return tonight." Nora said.

Tina giggled, "Go enjoy yourself, it's weekend."

"That goes for you too. Good luck with your date." Nora said. "Now I'll be off."

Big Joe's was a few block away from the college, just a short walk. "Hey Nora." She turned at her name, it was Joseph, "Let's go together?" He asked, Nora nodded.

"So what do you think about our team, especially that Rachel, too arrogant, right?"

"Yeah, can say that." She said with a shrug. The rest of the way, they just talked about National Tech Fare.

They were about to cross the road when someone called out, "Hey, both of you." It was Luke and Rachel. He kind of looked relieved at the sight of them. "Let's head together." He said stepping away from her. Like they had a choice, they nodded.

The table was already reserved, they were lead through a flight of stairs, to what seemed like a private room. "You guys can call me when you're ready to order." The waitress said and left, closing the door behind her. They started going through the menu, even the names sounded delicious to Nora.

"Ready to order?" Luke asked.

"Yes." Nora said and Joseph nodded.

Once the order was made, the waitress left with a smile on her face.

"So let's just get over with this, it's suffocating me." Rachel spoke for the first time.

"Rachel, we talked about this! Don't be like that." Luke snapped.

She rolled her eyes, "Fine, you want me talk to them, I'll do it." She looked at Nora and Joseph, annoyed.

"Just calm down there. Don't act like a damn victim." Nora said rather calmly.

"A what? What do you mean?" Rachel almost shouted.

Thankfully the room looked soundproof, so there was no chance of anybody hearing them. "I mean exactly what I said." Nora said.

"You are trying to provoke me?"

"Nope, I'm trying to have a conversation." Nora smiled at her, which was enough to make her head blow up. She stood up, and door swung open, the waitress stood there with their order.

"Excuse me, where's the restroom?" Rachel asked.

"Oh, just go straight, you'll find it at the end of the corridor." The waitress said and Rachel left bumping into her. She set down the order and left.

"I'm sorry guys, I don't know what's wrong with her. She's been acting strange." Luke said

"Never mind, until it doesn't get in the way of the competition, everything's cool." Nora said taking a bite of her cheese burger.

"Yeah. I'll make sure." He said.

Rachel was back a few minutes later, here goes the peace. She took her seat and stared intently at Nora. "You wanna say something." She said nibbling on her french fries.

Rachel smiled, "I'm sorry for being rude. Something's been on my mind lately." She said shaking her head.

"It's fine Rachel." Joseph said with a smile.

"Okay, I ordered something for all of us." The waitress was back, this time with a tray of four tall glasses. The drinks looked beautiful. They were slightly blue, with a fresh fragrance, very tropical-y.

She placed a glass in front of each person. Up close, they were even more beautiful, the blue liquid looked crystal clear and had a fresh air to it.

Rachel held her glass, "So, this marks the beginning of our team. Hope we win this thing." And took a sip from her glass, everyone followed. And it tasted heavenly, just the way it looked.

"I hope you guys will forgive me." Rachel said ever so sweetly.

"Oh yeah, Rachel. I forgive you." Nora said smiling. Then she took another sip, and another. Within a few minutes her drink was gone, and so was everyone else's.

Everyone was back at their meals. The quiet environment was broken by someone's giggling, "Excuse me." She said covering her mouth.

Nora got up, almost tripping the table, "Sorry." She said and made her way towards the door, swaying. She struggled with the door for a moment, "The door's not opening." She said frustrated, trying to push it hard. "It won't open." She said again.

Everyone looked up at her, confused. "What's up with her?" Joseph whispered. They looked at her, still trying to open the door.

"What kind of a joke is that Nora?" Rachel blurted.

"I'm not joking, you see... yourself." She said trailing off her words.

"Fine, I'll open it up for you." Luke said getting up. He reached up and opened it. Nora looked at him with utter amazement in her eyes. "Wow." She murmured.

"Are you okay? " Luke asked, Nora nodded enthusiastically. "Doesn't seem like it, just sit down." He said taking her by her arm. She looked up at him and gave a dorky smile.

"Nothing's fine. What the hell did you drink?" He moved to the table and grabbed her glass.

"What the heck did you make her have Rachel." He shouted.

"I didn't do anything. I was here all this time." She said with a shrug.

"Did you spike her drink?" He asked, shocked. She didn't respond, "Damn it! Rachel what did you do!" He was now standing right in front of her.

"Listen, I don't know what you're talking about." She managed to speak.

"Fuck Rachel. Why would you do something like this?" He said frustrated.

"Why do you care about her?!" Rachel got on her feet. "Yes I did it! So what, she deserves this." She shouted.

"Rachel, you- Get out of here now" She didn't budge. "Don't make me repeat myself, go back, leave!"

She grabbed her things and stormed out.

Fear struck, "Where's Nora?" Luke asked.

"Don't know, she was right here." Joseph said.

"Fuck" Luke muttered and dashed out.