5 Bone-In Mea (1/2)
Aside from that morning's minor incident, the rest of the school day was uneventful. Ash had gotten over her embarrassment quickly and by lunch time, she had already allowed Celia to earn her forgiveness by buying her an extra plate of chicken wings.
As Celia and Ash used their hands to dig into their lunch, Celia looked at them, her face scrunched and looking judgemental.
”What, do you want to take a picture so it lasts longer?” Celia asked, sarcastically.
”I know it's normal for you guys to eat like barbarians, but I'm still not used to seeing it up close.” Isabelle said as she sliced delicately at her salad and chewed carefully.
”Come on, Izzy, we've seen you eat a burger. That's not exactly fine dining.” Ash replied.
”Yes, but that's outside of school, in a restaurant that sells hamburgers. That's only appropriate, especially when I'm always outvoted by the two of you at restaurant choices. It's not about fine dining, Ash. It's about using tools like a human. Besides, I don't like to get my hands dirty.”
”That's true. I mean, you still have trouble telling the difference between a mop and a broom. You probably use silk scarves as dish rags, am I right?”
”Celia Medina Aragon, I made that mistake ONE TIME and I have since learned the difference! You on the other hand, are still a barbarian who eats with her hands. What's your excuse?” Isabelle's pale face flushed pink with the exertion of raising her voice.
Isabelle had once tried to use a broom to clean up a spill in their dorm room because she did not know the difference between a mop and a broom. Celia and Ash had stared in shock as Isabelle tried to sweep the liquid away before they burst into raucous fits of laughter that ended up earning them a warning from the Dormitory Supervisor.
The girls loved to tease each other about their perceived differences. Having been friends for a little over two years they had been around each other long enough to have many embarrassing incidents from their social class collisions.
Isabelle smirked at her friends and speared another lettuce leaf with her fork.
As Ash reached for another chicken wing, she spoke to Isabelle, diverting her attention.
”I like eating meat, Izzy. Especially meat with bones. Something about it is really satisfying for me. I mean, I like a lot of meat, but bone-in meat is the best. Probably because we didn't get to eat much meat at the orphanage or maybe because I'm Asian.” Ash shrugged and then closed her teeth around the chicken wing in her hand, tearing off a strip of tender meat.
”You're only half-Asian, darling. Besides, the Chang sisters don't eat chicken wings and they're fully Chinese.”
”My Lady, I bet they eat pork trotters and chicken feet at home. It's an Asian stereotype that I am willing to back with research and evidence. Observe this, for one.” Ash gestured to herself as she chomped down on another chicken wing.
She really did love to eat meat, and she sometimes wondered if her teeth would be strong enough to crack bones. She never tried it though: she wasn't sure the orphanage would cover her dental expenses.
Celia cleaned her fingers with a wet wipe. ”Well, I'm trailer trash, so that's my excuse for liking fried food that's best served in a takeout bucket.” Her gray-green eyes flashed as she turned her gaze from Ash, who was sitting beside her, to another person a few tables away. Isabelle turned around, following Celia's gaze.
Hunter Guzman was sitting with his friends, and he was also eating chicken wings with his hands.