The sound of something sizzling and crackling in a frying pan greeted us as we got off the elevator. The smells of satay sauce and cooking beef reached my nose, and I couldn't help but salivate at the aroma that wafted into the hall. We all walked up to Albert's half-open dorm room door, where he was busy working away at the stove.

"Hey Albert, we brought company!" Stella announced as we stepped through the door. Ichigo let out a happy gasp and Sue stared at the spread of ingredients in surprise.

Sarah and Siobhan both had small smiles on their faces.

"Oh criminy. How many new faces?" Al said from the kitchen, turning to the door.

He was wearing a green apron over a red t-shirt. I saw his eyes widen slightly at the sight of all of us before a warm smile graced his face.

"Well. Company's always welcome, but I wasn't quite expecting this many," Albert admitted, stepping over and giving Stella me a quick hug.

"Sorry," Ichigo said. She walked over and waved awkwardly. "This is Soo-Jin."

Soo-Jin waved. "Hey there!"

"I'm Sarah!" the blonde beamed, smiling sweetly with a head tilt.

Siobhan just waved. Albert waved back at the three and gave me another friendly squeeze. I smiled, patting his back gently before letting go.

"Hello Soo-Jin," Albert said. "Sarah. And hello to you too, uh..."

"Siobhan."

Albert blinked, his expression turning contemplative, and he smiled warmly.

"That's a cool name," he told her. "Hello Siobhan."

"Thanks. Er, I appreciate you inviting us here," the girl said.

"No worries, I'm always happy to have friends over," Albert answered. "Especially when they're hungry. Anyway, name's Albert if you haven't heard. Some people call me Al."

Siobhan smiled softly at that, and her eyes seemed to brighten a little. "Friends huh? That's a pretty high standard for people you just met, Albert."

"What can I say, I'm an optimistic guy."

She grinned, a faint, soft look in her eyes as she nodded. "That you are."

He looked around the room. "Well, welcome to my home. Dorm rather. It isn't much, but it's mine."

"You sure you have enough ingredients to feed six other people, Al?"

"Oh yeah for sure. Mom didn't just bring a whole roast duck, but she also brought all sorts of stuff," Al said.

"Seriously? A whole duck?" Soo-Jin said, licking her lips. "You lucky son of a..."

"I know. I'm a lucky duck."

Ichigo snorted at the lame joke and Albert grinned. Soo-Jin just let out a bark of laughter, shaking her head.

Sarah walked into the kitchen, checking over the food on the table. Al had a couple of cold dishes already out - a plate of steamed green vegetables with ginger and garlic, some sliced cold cuts, a bowl of boiled peanuts, and some chilled tofu with spicy dressing amongst other things.

The smell of the duck and the heated sauce for his beef satay was wafting through the air, and I could already imagine how good the food would be when he was done. He even had a pot simmering with what smelled like five-flavored pork.

Sarah had an odd expression on her face as she passed over a plate of thin, cold beef tendon slices. Her eyebrows were raised, her eyes wide, and her lips pursed.

"You've got quite an impressive array here," Sarah commented.

"Thanks. You can take whatever's on the table if you're hungry."

"What is this, anyway?"

"Conch. My mom made a whole bunch of cold dishes to send to me but I'm on a diet so there's more than enough food to go around. Mind the offal and seafood though."

Sarah looked at it hesitantly and tilted her head to the side. I noticed that Siobhan had joined Sarah, peering curiously over the girl's shoulder. The two were whispering to each other quietly.

"You okay Sarah?" Stella asked.

"Hm? Yeah. It's just that... the food looks great and all, but... it's just kinda different, isn't it?"

Siobhan and Stella shared a confused glance before looking over at her.

"It's Chinese," I offered. "I'm pretty sure."

"Really?" Sarah said, turning her head to look at me. "It doesn't look like the Chinese food I know."

"Albert laughed. It's more authentic. My mom's a second generation kid but she runs a fusion restaurant and knows to cook in like a dozen cuisines. She cooks stuff for me the same way her mother did."

"Sounds great," Stella said, looking excited.

"I guess it does," Sarah said, her eyes widening in wonder. "Conch huh?"

I watched with amusement as she picked up a piece with a paper napkin and put it into her mouth.

Her face immediately brightened and she looked down at the conch, her expression incredulous.

"What do you think, Sarah?" Stella beamed.

Sarah's mouth was still full but her expression said everything.

Her cheeks were red and her eyes were wide, a look of pure delight on her face. She chewed slowly for a few seconds before swallowing. She picked up another piece and bit into it, her face flushing in bliss again.

"Here, paper plates and wooden forks," Al offered, setting a stack of plates on the counter. He also grabbed some disposable utensils and placed them on the counter. Sarah was the first to grab a plate and pile her plate with a small bit of food.

Ichigo came running up behind her and snatched up a plate. Soo-Jin grinned at Ichigo, only for Ichigo to glare at her.

"Don't even start."

Soo-Jin just smirked and snatched up her own plate. She started loading up her plate and Siobhan grabbed hers. She piled on food, no matter how exotic-looking and I noticed Stella's gaze flick to Siobhan before a small smile spread on her face.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

"Ooo? What's this? Siobhan asked, stepping in front of a plate full of shredded pale strands.

"Jellyfish salad!" I answered, swerving around her.

She stared at it, widening. "Oh, that's what it is. Huh!"

She poked at it curiously before shrugging and scooping some of the salad onto her plate.

"I see someone has good taste," Stella said.

The other girl just smiled shyly and looked at the food.

"I like to try everything, I suppose," Siobhan answered, smiling back at Stella. "I actually forage a lot for herbs and plants at home."

"Really?"

Stella looked surprised and I grinned.

"Yeah. My dad is a park ranger and teaches a mushroom foraging course every season," Siobhan explained. "He taught me a ton of things. It's something I can help with. We spend a week or two out in the forest every year, so I'm used to eating some pretty weird-looking stuff."

"That sounds amazing!" I exclaimed.

"Yeah," she nodded. "But uh, it's a lot of mushroom and herbal tea and salads. And venison."

"You hunt?"

"Since I was twelve. I have a bow and everything," Siobhan replied, shrugging her shoulders. Dad believes in being self-sufficient."

Stella beamed, walking over and grabbing her own paper plate.

I smiled and followed her. The smell of food was getting to me. Stella grabbed some of everything and then came over to the stove to stand by Albert. He smiled, handing her a plate of the beef he had just pulled off the frying pan. It was covered in a peanut-based satay sauce, and my stomach rumbled in hunger.

"Oh... erm..." Sarah stopped. Her cheeks were flushed in embarrassment. "Sorry. One second."

I stared, raising an eyebrow at her. Albert blinked, and I noticed the rest of the group stop to look at her.

"Would anyone care to join me for a short moment of grace?"

Siobhan smiled awkwardly, walking over to Sarah as the group exchanged looks of confusion.

"I'm game," Soo-Jin suddenly offered.

Stella looked a bit unsure of what to do all of a sudden and glanced at me.

"What?" she said as I beamed up to her.

I just smiled, taking her hand in mine. I wasn't particularly religious, but my mother was a Catholic who'd stopped going to church when I was very young. I knew what Sarah wanted, and it was hard to feel bad for the blonde-haired girl. I could imagine that it was probably lonely being a devout person of faith at a school of magical girls and superheroes.

Siobhan, Ichigo, and I walked over, forming a small circle around the petite blonde at the head of the table as we all sat down. Sarah looked pleased and I smiled at her as Albert set his wok down. He looked unsure, but smiled warmly, joining the circle. The group formed a small circle, and Sarah spoke up.

"Would anyone like to say a prayer for us?"

Soo-Jin grinned, stepping up as Ichigo did a double-take.

"If I may, please, let me do it."

"Of course, Sue."

The girl smiled, and she closed her eyes. The group went quiet and lowered our heads in respect. "Gracious God, we have sinned against Thee, and are unworthy of Thy mercy; pardon our sins, and bless these mercies for our use, and help us to eat and drink to Thy glory, for Christ’s sake. Amen."

"Amen," Sarah said, raising her head and smiling at Soo-Jin.

Ichigo nodded. "Man, I always forget you were raised Presbyterian."

"I went to a Sunday school, even," Sue smiled, looking over at Albert. "So yeah. Thanks, Albert. This looks amazing."

She stepped forward and grabbed a piece of satay beef with a serving spoon that had been placed on the countertop. I watched as Soo-Jin put it in her mouth with her own disposable chopticks and she closed her eyes, her lips pursed.

"Mmmm."

She swayed back and forth as she savored it. Then, she put her hands on her face in an adorably girlish pose. Ichigo snorted in laughter at the sight.

"You're such an attention whore," she giggled, poking Sue on the cheek.

Soo-Jin laughed. "Aegyoooo~"

Ichigo groaned as Soo-Jin continued to ham it up. I laughed, watching as the two continued their antics. Albert smiled, his eyes twinkling as he watched the pair of friends. "You two seem close."

"Yeah, we are."

"It's been us together since we were kids," Ichigo said, her eyes glimmering as she smiled. "We met in kindergarten."

"Kindergarten? That long?" he asked.

Soo-Jin laughed, and her cheeks were pink as she beamed at him. "Yep, ever since she kicked me in the shin."

"Fuck around, find out." Ichigo grumbled, blushing.

"That's one heck of a way to meet your best friend. I mean, I was getting mine kicked when I met mine," he said.

I smiled as he stepped over to me and slung his arm around me, pulling me into a one-armed hug. "Right, Sienna?"

"Oh, totally."

Ichigo snickered and Sue laughed, the two of them grinning as I looked up at them. "Sienna? Didn't take you for the shin kicking type!"

I laughed. "It's not as badass as it sounds. Al actually saved me from bullies and got kicked around for it. We've been inseparable since."

He patted me on the shoulder. "Hey. I'm not as tough as a magical girl or superhero. I was a slow fat kid."

"Was not. You've always been a gentle soul, Albert. And brave."

The girls all 'awwed' as he blushed, looking away in embarrassment.

"Shush. Food."

"Yes, food!" Ichigo grinned. She walked up and grabbed some satay with a pair of chopsticks. "This smells amazing."

"Wait till you try my mom's roast duck. She pre-seasoned it and I have it in the oven."

Ichigo giggled. "Oh my god."

She stuffed the satay in her mouth and moaned. Soo-Jin grinned and I smiled at her.

"I swear I'm not this obsessed with food." Ichigo blushed. "Um. Albert's cooking is just that good."

Soo-Jin laughed. "You are, you just don't like admitting it because you're afraid people will judge you. I swear you have a food kink, Ichi."

"I do not!"

Ichigo was blushing and I couldn't help but laugh, smiling at the girl as she pouted.

"It really is that good though," Ichigo grinnedd back. "Like. Damn."

She put another piece of beef satay in her mouth. I stepped up and picked up a piece with my own chopsticks. The smell was heavenly.

Soo-Jin just gave her a knowing look.

"It's okay, Ichi," she teased, her eyes glimmering mischievously.

Ichigo's face went beet red. Suddenly, grabbed a piece of satay off of Sue's plate with her own chopsticks and shoved it in the smaller girl's mouth.

"MRRRGH!"

"Get it now, you little brat?!"

I watched in amusement as the two devolved into giggles and shouts, shoving each other around playfully like little kids.

"Girls," Sarah giggled.

The girls continued their back and forth and Albert laughed, his face flushing at their antics. He seemed happy to be entertaining people, even if it was a little embarrassing for him. Siobhan just watched them in awe.

"Oh! One sec," Albert said, stepping back, dashing towards his room. "Hang on guys."

"Albert?" I called after him. "What's up?"

"Just give me a moment. I forgot about something my mom wanted me to do if I had friends over!"

Albert came out, holding a camera.

"Say cheese everyone!" Albert grinned, stepping forward. He was holding up a polaroid.

Stella went still. Her body was frozen, her face white as a sheet and I saw a flash of horror on her face before she turned her head toward the front door. She was looking at the door and not the camera, a terrified expression on her face.

"Stella?" I said, concerned. "You okay?"

The other girls all turned to look at her. It looked like she was about to run, but I grabbed her hand. She tensed for a brief second, but her eyes widened when they met mine and she let out a small sigh, her body relaxing a fraction.

Al snapped the shot, the sound of the camera echoing through the room.

Stella had her eyes on me and I had mine on her. I had no idea what was going through her head, but whatever it was had terrified her. She had been fine the whole day and it seemed like the camera had triggered her somehow.

"Um... sorry. That was rude," Albert said.

The other girls had noticed her odd reaction as well and Siobhan and Soo-Jin both shared an awkward look. I just held her hand, keeping my grip firm on hers.

"No," Stella finally answered. Her voice sounded hollow and a bit dead. She turned back towards Albert, and I felt my blood run cold. "I... no, I'm sorry Albert. I was caught by surprise and it brought up a weird memory. I promise I'm okay now."

Albert frowned. I noticed him share a look with Soo-Jin and Ichigo, the pair both looking at the camera with a hint of confusion and then at each other, then to Stella.

"I'm sorry. Don't want to be a damper!" She said. Her tone was still a little off, and her expression still seemed troubled. But there was also a strange smile on her face as she looked around the room. "It's actually a relief. A bit of an anxiety thing."

"Stella, are you okay?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm good," she replied. Her eyes were locked on the polaroid picture and the camera itself.

"Heh," Shiobhan smiled. "We've all got our baggage and our issues, I guess. It happens."

"Hey Al," Stella. "Tell your mother she's a total queen."

She laughed, a faint, haunted chuckle as she looked up at us. "The food is delicious, Al."

"I will, Stella," Al nodded.

"Thank you."

I looked up at her. "Are you okay? Really?"

"Yeah. Just. It's a long story. I have a feeling you'll hear it soon. But I don't think it's the right time."

"Hey. No worries. It happens."

Stella gave me a small, grateful smile. "Thank you. Now... I do believe Albert was saying he had something stewing?"

Al nodded, stepping forward. "Yeah. Lemme get the red braised pork ribs on the table and we can dig into the duck after."

"Sounds good," I smiled. I let go of Stella's hand. "Come on. Let's dig in."

"Sure."

She stepped up and I took a seat. I watched as she took the spot next to me. I had to admit, I was curious what had set her off.

But red braised rib chunks? Duck?

That was far more interesting to me at the moment, and I had a feeling she wanted a bit of space to gather herself anyway.

So I sat back and started to enjoy the food. The pork was absolutely to die for.