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At least most Chinese buffets had large parking lots on the expectation a lot of customers during their lunch and dinner rushes. There was a sidewalk that circled the some of the building on the front and sides, so he toted the cart to one side where there were fewer cares since it was further from the entry doors. Carefully parked against the wall, he unhitched the guide poles and ropes from the harness. After that, he waited for her to hop off, picked up two of the weights and stuck them, one each, behind the cart wheels.

There was a tiny basket on the underside of the cart that had a latching cage door, and in it was his messenger bag. There was really no reason to go into a restaurant with a shirt see-through with sweat, so he took his harness off, took the shirt off, and fished a Nike Pro-core out from his bag to peel on. There was also a stick of antiperspirant, and with that he was at least more close to human again and presentable for a table.

The old shirt went into a wadded, plastic grocery bag first, tied, then back into the messenger bag whatever other magical things he kept in there.

She wasn't a talkative one, despite her boldness to just start conversation. How to approach it then? "So...you go to Meadowview, but don't think much of it other than it moves you along...you don't like cars, you do like rollerblades, and you have a job. But what is it that is Ashley's passion? Are you on any of the sports teams? Or music? Will I see you at events between our schools?"

"Not even for scrimmage?" A lot of gym classes had ended up segregated on gender because the guys were all assholes, trying to prove power instead of skill and accuracy, trying to one-up each other. He remembered being bored most of the time in gym until he'd gotten an exemption based on the level of fitness work he was doing for his 'sport' and extracurricular competitions.

There probably would be no such luck at Hillworth. "Shopping...but for what? Just the act of it? Clothes? Electronics? Books? Do you go with friends? "

He decided to tease, to see if he could get her to roll her eyes or be fed up with a blatantly boy-ish comment. "Friends such as other stunning girls from Meadowview that I could meet?"

It wasn't really to judge her character, though it would let him know if she took him dead seriously, he just wanted to liven up conversation. Joking around did a lot for that.

He nodded sagely as they were led to a table and asked for their drink orders. He got the iced tea to limit the bad calories from sugar to just the preservatives of the buffet food. Naturally, he ordered the buffet.

As they were walking up to the plates, he gave her a surreptitious once over, "Well, I may take you up on it sometime. But I make it a point never to date anyone that cannot take me in a fair fight."

He winked after saying it. It was all pleasant joking. "You? Any prospects? Someone would have to have much energy to keep up with you, it looks."

"That is a good policy to be patient," he agreed. "Good to hear you can keep an acquaintance from relationship. I've never had someone, so I can't say if I am so mature yet."

He spent so much time training that it was hard enough to find a lot of time for friends, let alone anything more serious. People were jealous of time, and maybe it was rightly so that if someone was very important, they deserved more attention that a few hours stolen each week.

The buffet was exciting. Rows on rows of chicken bits slathered and stir fried in different sauces with various sauces. He especially liked the ones with chicken, beef, AND shrimp all in one dish. Not that he was sticking to one dish.

His first visit to the buffet involved two heaped plates as well as a bowl of wonton soup. And two bowls of rice-one fried, one steamed. He waited patiently for her to have a seat with food and be prepared to eat before diving into his own bounty.

At a breathing point after the soup he ventured, "Does eating out get boring if you work at a diner? Or just certain types of food? "

"Ah, a hobby of it? Or would you like to chef professionally? My mother is a chef. She's working on finding a suitable place to renovate, then she'll probably open a restaurant. Her cooking earned a Michelin Star. I think she hopes to own a restaurant of her own that gets two. Three is probably too hard, they are too rare, but we encourage each other to strive."

"Do you know the red book guide? They make a green book for travel, too. Maybe it is only in Europe? I never heard anyone use it at home before. I haven't seen anyone with one here. "

"But they are useful. The best places to eat the best food all described in easy summary. " He was glad that a general topic, that of food and preparation, had come up as a common ground. making friends took a little relating to the other person, and it was finally a small glimpse into the girl's life. Something to ask her about. "Have you been a waitress long? Maybe they require some experience before you can transfer to the kitchen."

"You'd be most welcome to drop by. She'll want to be hearing all the people I meet about the city while I settle in. School means I won't be living at home, but we'll be keeping in touch. I could get you a free meal or two once she finds a place and opens. "

" 'Meeting people is making connections', " he quoted from a men's business and life magazine. He set his fork down, rummaged briefly through his bag and took out his planner. There was a note pad and pen in the front of it, and he quickly scribbled down his own cell number, name, and both of his mother's. "And connections are important."

He lifted his hand, palm facing her in peace, as he offered over the paper, "Don't feel like you have to call ever, but here are both our numbers. She'd like someone who knows the local restaurants. You get around on your own wheels, seem very hip. You would know the high traffic places where a store might do well, and what the city already has too much of. She'd be glad for the information, and would love someone to try out recipes on. As for me? Just if you need a friend, or someone to move a car for you, yes?"

He laughed, a strong and clear sound, at the last of his comments. "We'll both be in school, but I'm always glad to help someone I know."

"You have great drive, to still hope to keep hours after school. I'm sure you can do it." He was more than sure, actually considering how she seemed to never stay still for long. He didn't think that even a full day of classes and homework would be enough to run the energy out of this girl.

He happily folded the napkin and placed it into the planner in the address book. He could copy it over later onto the more durable paper. "An easy sympathy to share. I will have to see if there are many faires this autumn, to make pocket money myself. "

Putting away the planner, he picked up the receipt left by the waitress on the sly. He'd happily pay for the whole dinner, and hoped that she wouldn't contest it. He got a refill of his drink, and another heaped plate of the fried lemon-sugar dough balls, offering her one for dessert if she wanted. "Take some if you like, I don't need the whole plate, and it saves you a trip."

He adored smörgåsbord.

It was getting late though, and after finishing and paying, he would probably have to say goodbye to the new ....friend? Acquaintance? Either way, he liked her. A lot of energy in a tight little package - nothing wasted, nothing wanting. "Are there times you are usually free for friends when it would be good to call? It is in the air, yes, since your school hours would be different. I would guess evening? Though maybe you have to be home early for school in the morning. Who knows. I'll try to call you some weekend. Maybe we can race, you on your wheels and I can run with my weights."

He knew she was far faster, no doubt, wheels were like that. But it would be fun either way.