“I guess we all had the same idea!” said Sierra. “Oh, look! There’s my friend Dylan from rock-band camp!” She waved at him, and he waved back, gesturing that he’d come say hi after he got his order in. Sierra nodded enthusiastically and continued to look all around to see if there was anyone else she recognized. That was when I realized there was someone I recognized. Actually, more than someone. There were three people in line—not together, all separate—from my food-writing class at the Y! And one of them was right in front of us—the big guy, Sam, who’d sat right in front of me the day before. My human shield.

I raised my eyebrows at Sierra and indicated with a jerk of my head that I knew the kid.

She raised her eyebrows back and tipped her head at him in confirmation. I nodded and mouthed, “Food-writing class.” And before I could say anything else, Sierra was tapping him on the shoulder.

Noooooo!

Sam turned around and looked at Sierra quizzically.

“Hi! I’m Sierra. This is my friend Allie. Do you recognize her?”

Sam turned to me and looked blank. Then a small look of recognition dawned on his face. “Food writing?” he asked pleasantly.

I nodded as my face burned in embarrassment. I wanted to stare daggers at Sierra, but I couldn’t with him looking at me. “Hi,” I said awkwardly.

“What’s your name again?” he asked.

“Allie,” I croaked nervously. I hoped he’d turn back around and that would be that. I also hoped the line would suddenly pick up steam and he’d have to focus on moving up. But we were all stuck in this holding pattern.

“I’m Sam. Nice to see you here. Have you tried this truck before?” He was totally comfortable making conversation.

I shook my head and glanced at Sierra, who was gesturing at me to say more.

“Uh, no… I’ve been dying to try the Amazing UnBurger, though,” I answered.

“Me too!” said Sam with a big smile. “There’s just no way it’s as good as people say! I’m a total meat-and-potatoes guy, and my soft spot is barbecue, so I am really dying to try this thing. I’m gonna write about it for our assignment. Are you?”

“Yeah. I was thinking I would.”

“Cool. I bet those kids are too.” He gestured to the other two kids I’d recognized from class. “Let’s all sit together. If you hold my spot, I’ll go ask them, okay?”

“Oh. What? Yeah. Um…”

He hesitated, his eyebrows knit together. “Is that all right? I mean, are you two looking for company?”

“NO! I mean, yes, let’s sit together. Okay. Thanks. Good. Right. I’ll hold your spot.”

His face relaxed into an easy smile. “Great. I’ll go tell them. Maybe one of them can snag us a table after they order.”