Chapter 7 FOOD MENU

The next day we had to study intensely because the exams was in a few days. we were sitted in circle surrounded by open text books and half empty bottles of water. We were now used to a routine which we have quickly settled into- reviewing of past questions, debating over answers and trying to remember everything we had studied.

Nath sat across from me, with his dark hair effortlessly covering his forehead. He is disciplined when it comes to studying and he still finds ways to teas me when i get too stressed. I stole glances at him admiring the way his eyes lit up when he engaged in conversations.

Beside me, was Lucy who was recounting her story about how she almost burnt down the house during her attempt to cook a healthy meal the previous week.

"I swear, I thought I was going to burn the house down!" she exclaimed, her laughter infectious. Her enthusiasm drew the group in, and I felt a smile tugging at my lips.

"Who knew boiling pasta could be so dangerous?" Liam chimed in, his tall frame leaning forward, clearly amused. "Next time, just stick to takeout, Lucy. It is safer for all of us."

"Agreed!" Lisa added, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose as she flipped through her notes. "Besides, who needs to

cook when we have these amazing cafés nearby? I still vote for study sessions there."

The conversation flowed effortlessly, with each of us talking about our own stories and opinions. It felt liberating to share a laugh, and I found myself getting lost in the conversation although i could not help but feel Nath's gaze upon me.

"Okay, okay, let us get back to the real question," Liam said, cutting through the laughter. He leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "What is the best food for all-night studying? We need to settle this once and for all."

The room erupted into a chorus of opinions, each person eager to weigh in.

"I vote for pizza," Liam declared confidently. "It has got a lot of carbs, cheese, and you can eat it cold the next morning. Perfect for late night cramming."

"Pizza? Seriously?" Lucy scoffed. "What about something a bit healthier? Like granola bars? They are packed with energy!"

"Granola bars? You are kidding!" Nath interjected, a playful smirk dancing on his lips. "They are basically just glorified candy bars. We need real food to fuel our brains, not a sugar rush that crashes halfway through!"

I could not help but chuckle at the exchange, watching Nath as he animatedly defended his stance. His passion was evident, and I

was drawn in by the humour and the light-heartedness of it all.

"Okay, but what about coffee?" Lisa chimed in, adjusting her glasses again. "Is that not the real MVP of studying?"

"Depends on who you ask," Nath replied, looking at Lisa with a teasing glint in his eyes. "Some people swear by it, while others

think it is a scam. Personally, I think it is essential, especially when you are up at 2 AM and need to stay awake."

"Right? It is like liquid motivation," Liam added, nodding vigorously. "But what if you drink too much and then you can not sleep? That is a slippery slope!"

As the conversation rolled on, I felt my initial hesitation to add my point of view in fade away.

I found myself laughing along with everyone, throwing in my own thoughts about the merits of various snacks. "Honestly, I think a

mix of everything works," I suggested, feeling bolder. "Pizza for the bulk, coffee for the energy, and maybe some chocolate to

keep the spirits high!"

"Ava is onto something!" Lucy exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "Now that is a balanced diet for a study session! Who is

in?"

"Count me in!" Liam said with a grin, clearly enjoying the idea.

"Me too!"Lisa echoed, his enthusiasm infectious.

Nath looked at me, and for a moment, our eyes locked. "I think you just created the ultimate study menu, Ava. We should

definitely put that into action next time," he said, and my heart skipped a beat at the way he smiled at me, genuine and warm.

"Alright, enough about food. Let us get back to the actual studying," Liam said, rolling his eyes playfully. "I'm pretty sure we

have an exam to prepare for."

With that, we settled back into the our routine of reviewing questions.

"Okay, so what is the best way to remember the cranial nerves?" I asked, flipping through my notes. "I have tried mnemonics, but I

keep mixing them up."

Nath leaned forward, his expression serious now. "I have found that creating a story helps. Like, if you can visualize each nerve as a

character in a story, it's easier to remember what they do."

I watched him, captivated as he explained his method, his passion was so evident. He drew diagrams in the air with his hands, illustrating his point with enthusiasm. I could feel my heart race, not just from his words but from the way he seemed so alive in

that moment.

"What kind of characters?" Lucy asked, intrigued.

"Hmm, let us see. Maybe the olfactory nerve is a chef who can smell everything, and the optic nerve is an artist who sees the

world in vibrant colours," Nath suggested, a playful smile on his face.

The group erupted into laughter again, and I felt the warmth spread through me like a cozy blanket. I could see how each of us contributed to this explanation.

As the evening wore on, we moved through various topics and questions, but the energy remained high. I found myself sitting a

bit closer to Nath, caught up in the excitement of learning and laughter. The experience of studying together-combined

with the light-hearted banter-created a bond that felt new and exhilarating.

By the time we wrapped up for the night, I realized I had lost track of time. The sun had long set, and the café was dimly lit, the soft

glow of the overhead lights casting a warm ambiance over us.

"Same time tomorrow?" Liam asked, stretching his arms above his head.

"I would not miss it," I replied, smiling at each of them. My heart felt light, and I could feel the anticipation of seeing them all again.

As we gathered our things, Nath looked at me again, his expression warm and inviting. "You really added something

special to the discussion tonight, Ava," he said, and my cheeks flushed at the compliment.

"Thanks, Nath. I had a lot of fun," I managed, my voice steady despite the flutter in my chest.

With that, we left the café, stepping out into the cool night air. I felt a sense of hope blooming within me, a spark of something that felt both thrilling and new. As we said our goodbyes and promised to meet again, I realized that I was no longer just an observer in this group; I was becoming a part of it, and perhaps, just maybe, a part of something more with Nath.