Reordinate the Fate

Fifth Destination: Gas Station

"Ah, I'm getting hungry." Stevan rubs his stomach. “This cold air really drains all of my energy. Unbelieveable." Risa glanced at her best friend and chose not to respond.  Somehow her heart became restless and uncomfortable after what she said last night. She don't know… maybe a guilty?

It's nine in the morning. The green mountain is already visible far behind them, and the five of them is in the camping car speeding through the grove of trees planted by the side of the road. Right in front of them, is another mountain, and Max opened his mouth, “That's our fifth destination. Can you see the snowy top of the mountain? We will spend 4 days 3 nights there.”

"So that's why we have to rearrange the equipment we will carry?" Will responded while looking at the white mountain. Max replied with a 'yes', “Like I said earlier, we are going to borrow for the warm padding, scarf, and boots. Because of that,, we have to do the fitting.”

Max pushed the mechanical turning signal to the right, “But before that, I'll refuel the vehicle first. We have an hour to rest at this gas station. Do whatever you want," Max glanced at Stevan, “Including fill your stomach.”

The camping car moves into a gas station which is also a simple rest area with toilets and a convenience store, as well as a cafeteria-like seat for motorists who want to stretch their backs.

"Come down here, I'll refuel there myself." The other four obeyed and removed their seat belts. Open the car door and steps straight in each direction they want.

★★★

"Stevan isn't back yet?" Risa returns from the toilet and walks with Will to Cliff who was sitting alone in the cafeteria. "Not yet. Looks like that guy will buy a lot of things. I'll go to the restroom.” Cliff stepped away.

"Cliff!" The name owner turns his head when Risa called him, “Do you want to eat or drink something? I'll buy it at the convenience store.” Cliff turns all his body around excitedly, “Really? You want to buy me something?” Risa looks at the boy in surprise, “I’ll also buy it for Will." Risa pointed with his thumb at Will, "Why do you look so happy?"

Cliff shook his head and tries to be calm, “It's nothing. Forget it. Then I want sparkling water. May I?"

Risa nodded, “Of course. Only that?" Cliff nodding back to replied Risa and turns ahead ti the toilet while whistling cheerfully. Risa behind him observes with his mouth half open, “He's acting weird. Isn't he?" Risa asking for Will's approval. The man nodded, "I'll go with the canned coffee then. Thank you."

Risa walking towards the convenience store which is on the other side of the cafeteria and enters in. At the time, she finds Stevan stirring the instant noodles in a cup which will be his breakfast. She patted the guy's back, “Are you sure you will eat this instant food again? You already ate this thing less than a week ago.”

Stevan shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know what to eat."  He looks at Risa who is looking around the convenience store. Then realize something in his imagination. Did Risa pay attention to him just now? Or is it just himself who is hoping for more attention? Maybe the second option is more appropriate, because Risa really cares about everyone.

"Hey, Freak! Stop staring at me like that!” Risa cleared her throat and points in one side that display instant foods, "You can eat instant porridge. It's better if compared to instant noodles.” The girl continued, “You can also ask the cashier to provide certain foods for you. Usually this type of convenience store has some menus of food that are only sold at stops such a gas station like this.”

"Really? Why don't I know?” Stevan eats he's noodle and follows Risa around in the corner side of the convenience store. Ignoring the smell of his food that can fill up the convenience store. There are only the two of them and the two cashier in it.

"You don't know?" Risa moves to take the basket and open the refrigerator. Taking two canned coffees and a bottle of sparkling water, “Did you ever traveled far before this? I often stop at places like this to order food with my group when I have tours outside the town.” Risa shows a can then, "Chocolate milk, just like me. Right?"

Stevan nodding. Canned chocolate milk is their second favorite drink after the mineral water when they are shopping at convenience stores. "You still remember it."

"Why should I... Forget it?" Risa bits her lip doubtfully and walking in front of Stevan when she realizes the words has a meaningful tone she souldn't put. What's with this best friend, huh?! Why should he like her at the time like this. Calm down Risa, you just have to ignore it.

That's what Risa thought until she gets to the cashier.  "Good morning. Is there any quick menu that I can order here?”

The cashier replies kindly and handed over a menu list, "See? I told you.”

"Come here and choose what you want." Risa handed Stevan the menu, "You can’t be full enough and also not healthy enough with just instant food." Risa herself read the list, "One chicken salad for me, please." The cashier who was scanning Risa's groceries tells the other cashier to serve the two friends. "Alright then. One chicken katsu with rice for me. Thank you."

After informing the total price of the shopping, the cashier said "Please wait five minutes." while receiving Risa's personal card and processing the payment.

★★★

"For you." Risa gives Max a can of coffee after distributing other drinks to each of the orderers. "Thank you." Max takes Risa's hand and opens the can, seeing the girl in front of him smiling. "We'll leave as soon as you guys are done."

Stevan opens the rice box he ordered, followed by Risa who also opens the plastic lid for his salad bowl. Cliff stares at Risa who was sitting next to him and his stomach suddenly sounded. Risa who heard it very clearly turns his head to Cliff, “Hey, you're hungry. It's obvious your stomach is telling you to eat something.”

"No, no. It's just a reflex when I see other people eating in front of me.” Cliff waving his hand and makes an awkward smile.

From Risa's other side, Stevan eats his very gravely, then commented after chewing and swallowing, “You're liar. I can hear your stomach roaring too from here. " Cliff glaring at Stevan when he can hears that boy's voice.

"You can endure your hunger with this," Risa handed him a fork which is already filled with vegetables, "You don't have a problem with vegetables, right? Open your mouth, then.” Cliff, with his obedient spirit, immediately opens his mouth and accepts Risa's give. "Oh! You're fine with eating using the same fork as me, right?”

Cliff paused for a moment to examine what Risa had just done, then blinking few times, nodded his head and sounded softly, "Yeah, that's… Fine." He says hesitantly.

"Alright then." Risa forced Cliff to hold the fork that was in Risa's hand, “Eat. Eat. Or I'll give you a main dish full of rice.” Risa glances at Stevan, “I'm sure you won't be able to eat like that Freak. You live by eating sufficiently in the training period.”

"She's right," Will said, "Doesn't you feel full for lunch, Stevan? You seem -no, you are- eating a lot now.” Risa adding Will's words, "You already finished a packet of cup noodles in the convenience store." The girl handed a tissue, "There is sauce on your cheek."

Stevan also bought instant porridge and cooked it while waiting for the food to be prepared in the convenience store. As a result, this man came out here with a bowl of hot instant porridge too.

"I think I can afford to eat again. It's still a 3 hour drive to the rest area you were talking about, right?” The boy try to clean his cheeks. “I feel really cold and exhausted. Because of that, my portion is growing up like this. My strength and endurance is not as high as all of you.”

Risa grabbed the tissue back from Stevan's hand, "The other side, Freak." Risa touches Stevan's chin to bring the other side of Stevan's face so that she can reach it with her hand, then wipe quickly. Only that and Stevan's heart begin to pounding unsteadily again.

Max is sipping the canned coffee while looking at Stevan who is petrified and Cliff who was secretly staring at Risa's actions, before the girl turns her gaze to Cliff and the little boy pretended to eat heartily. Risa is visibly awkward but tried to keep her usual treat to Stevan.

Max obviously knew what happened last night.

Max's experience of traveling alone in nature does not allow his ears to fall asleep while his body is resting. He heard most of what they said, and the rest, try not to hear it.

The friendship becomes complicated, as well as creating potential problems on this trip.

Max ignored the other two men. He doesn't know what happened to Cliff and Risa, and also won't ask questions and make things more complicated. Will is the only one who seems doesn’t have any problem with Risa. But Stevan's hope surely become wilder. In the beginning, it’s just funny teased the boy about his feeling, but now, he thinks Stevan is serious about his feeling. That’s the thing Stevan has to be awared.

The man grabs the key to the camping car, crushed the empty coffee can, rise up to his feet and said, “You're done, aren't you? Let's continue our trip.”

★★★