Chapter 7
"So, you wanna help out with dinner?" Brad asked, interrupting the silence between him and Sonata.
"Oh," Sonata jumped back to reality, "Right. Uh...sure, I guess."
"Great," Brad happily replied, "You can help me pick what we'll have. You know what you like better than I do."
"True, I guess," Sonata assumed.
Brad stood up first, Sonata following behind.
'He said I had mood swings,' Sonata thought, 'One moment he was apologizing to me, worrying about me and everything. He almost was looking up to me. But now he's taking charge? I wonder what goes on in that head of his.'
The duo took a left this time, passing through the dining room doing so. Sonata imagined it was such a room; given the circular glass table in the center and the four chairs surrounding it. A computer sat lifeless in the corner, and bookcases went across the back; dust settling across many. Boxes lay around the room in piles.
'Why is so much stuff packed up?' Sonata thought to herself, 'I thought they'd have sorted everything out. Then again...'
Her thoughts interrupted once more by Brad, but instead by bumping into him.
"Oops," Sonata started, "Sorry, lost in my own thoughts again."
Brad just looked at her and smiled; Sonata realizing that he didn't mind. She peered around him to see the kitchen. It was a narrow kitchen, but appeared very clean. Cupboards both high and low were across each side. Worktops went as far as the end of the kitchen; an oven on one side and a sink on the other to separate the worktops. Both a washing machine and a dryer were seen immediately on the right underneath the worktops; both of which looking quite used. A microwave oven sat at the end of the worktop on the left; a fridge-freezer sat at the end of the worktops on the right. The right was shorter than the left as there was an opening to go right, most likely outside onto the garden visible through the window above the sink.
"Certainly a lot in here," Sonata thought aloud.
"Thanks, though you probably won't be saying that for too long," Brad responded, "Take a look in the fridge and cupboards; see if anything takes your fancy. If not, there's a chippy not too far from here."
"Chippy?" Sonata asked curiously, "What's that?"
"A chip shop," Brad replied. Sonata continued to stare a bit blankly. "You know, fish and chips?"
"Really?" Sonata asked hopefully, "Wow, back in Canterlot High, people were sooo jealous of anyone who had that. It was some sort of delicacy or something. I never had, but everybody said it was brilliant."
"Huh," Brad said, "That's kinda funny actually. Sounds like America."
"America?" Sonata asked.
"Yeah," Brad began, "America is the most powerful country in the world. They're also the richest and have so much more than we do. But for some reason, a lot of Americans like the British. No clue why, though. We're second rate to them. Anyway, they're also like that about fish and chips, and are jealous of British people because they think it's all we eat. We don't, it's just what's stereotypical of us."
"That's kinda cool," Sonata admired, "Being respected like that must be really cool!"
"I guess," Brad said, "But I'm not too bothered. I like the Americans'; They're cool, and a lot seem great to hang out with. It's also were My Little Pony is made, so that makes me just a bit bias."
"Um...would it be OK if we had fish and chips, then?" Sonata asked hopefully.
"Huh, let me think," Brad said, "I guess we haven't eaten out for a while, actually. Might be a nice treat, after all, I think we have something to celebrate. Those two sure love it; that's for sure. Go on then."
"Oh thank you soooooo much!" Sonata replied excitingly.
"It's alright," Brad said, smiling that she was happy, "Like I say, we haven't had it ages." 'Because it's so bloody expensive.' "Let me just run up and grab my wallet."
Brad dashed passed Sonata, and made his way upstairs. On the way up, he noticed the pile of clothes at the top of the stairs was gone.
"Wow," Brad said to himself, "It's amazing what those two can do when they out their mind to it."
As he ran passed the boys' rooms, Robbie noticed him and gave a shout.
"Brad, any idea what's for dinner?" he asked.
"Good news," Brad said happily, "We're having a chippy."
"Are we really?" Josh shouted from his room.
"Yeah, just ran up for my wallet," Brad responded, "You guys want your usuals?"
"Yeah," They replied in in sync.
"Alright, back in 15," Brad shouted as he ran back down the stairs. As he got to the bottom, Sonata stood in the hallway, smiling.
"Sound like those Josh and Robbie are happy aswell," she said happily.
"Yeah, they always are," Brad explained, "Anyway, I'm gonna be gone for 15 minutes or so. You want me to put on the T.V. or something?"
"Uh, sure I guess," Sonata replied, still smiling, "I don't mind really."
"It'll hopefully at least pass the time while I'm gone," Brad said as he walked into the room and reached for the remote, "Gah, still gotta clean this mess up too. Oh well, I can do that when I get back."
"Do you want me to do it?" Sonata asked.
"No," Brad sternly, "I don't want you to do it, it's not fair on you. Anything in general you like?"
"Uh..." Sonata said blankly, "I didn't really watch T.V. back in the other world. I guess I like kiddy stuff better than stuff for adults though. I never really get the humor, and it's sometimes a bit too dark for me."
"Guess I'm the same with you on that one," Brad agreed, "It's why I still have the kids channels."
Brad turned on the T.V.;Tom and Jerry showing up on the screen.
"Huh, is this one?" Sonata asked.
"Yeah, and one of my favorites," Brad sighed happily, "And all that happens it a cat tries to catch a mouse."
"Really?" Sonata asked.
"Yep, but it's incredibly funny in my book," Brad replied honestly, "Anyway, I'd better be off. Those two won't want to wait forever for their fish and chips."
"OK, see you later," Sonata said.
Brad slipped out the door, and thought about the events of the last couple of hours to himself.
'Wow, who would've thought,' he began, 'Sonata's really living with me now. And those two don't mind it either. Who would've thought.'
Brad listened to the laughs coming from the former-Siren passing the house.
'Sounds like she's enjoying it,' Brad thought, 'It's so weird to have so much in common. But I digress. What am I going to do? Who knows how long she'll stay here. Will I have to get another bed? Probably. Who knows when she'll be able to go home. And how? The mirror's broke, so what now? Not like I can asked many people to help with this either unless they're quiet about it. I just want to make sure she's alright.'
Brad stopped thinking for a moment as he arrived at the chip shop.
"It's been too long," he whispered to himself.
As he walked in the open door, he looked around. A counter stood not too far in front of him. Many grills were on the go behind the counter, and had many different food on them like burgers and onion rings. He could smell the greasy food and it's wonders; especially fish.
"Ah, hello again, Brad!"
"Hey, Fraizo," Brad replied.
Fraizo stood behind the counter and smiled with his brown eyes.. He wore blue and white apron, a black shirt and a red woolly hat as far Brad could see. His black mustache was bushy against his colored skin.
"It's been a while, Brad!" Fraizo said happily, "Where've ya been?"
"Eh, just haven't had the time to pop 'round," Brad replied.
"Ah, well you should," Fraizo smiled, "It's always a smile on my face to see you."
'And my money,' Brad thought to himself. "Thanks."
"And, I even remember your usual," Fraizo said proudly, "So, is for one, or for three?"
"Go for the three then," Brad said chuckling, "But put an small fish and chips on that order as well."
"Ooooh," Fraizo said shocked, "Give me a moment." He leaned back and shouted. "Hey, you guys! I need 3 small fish, 2 battered sausages, a fish-cake, 4 small chips, a mushy peas, a curry sauce and a gravy! Let's go!"
Brad watched as three other chefs emerged from the back, looking ready to cook. They began almost immediately.
"It never ceases to amaze me how hard they work," Brad said to Fraizo.
"Well, they enjoy cooking," Fraizo told him, "It's what they do for a job. Anyway, whose this 'small fish and chips' for then, hmmmmmmmmm?"
"It's just a guest," Brad told him blatantly.
"Aw, come on, Brad," Fraizo said enthusiastically, "You know I love the gossip. Anything else you can tell me?"
"Nah," Brad said, "Other than it's a girl."
"Finally!" Fraizo shouted, "It's finally time you got a lasting relationship! Let me tell you, it is ab-so-lutely worth every moment of your time. You won't know know what to do with yourself because you'll be so influenced by love, you'll be great for each other, and-"
"Fraizo," Brad stopped him, "We're not dating."
"Aw come on!" Fraizo whined, "You're kidding me. An 18 year old like yourself and you still aren't going to take up this opportunity? What are you, a man, or a mouse?"
"Well, no," Brad began to explain, "It's more so the fact I'm not really a snake, and I respect a girls' privacy. Besides, I wouldn't want to lose a great friend just because of a relationship miss-hap."
"You're no fun," Fraizo said disappointed.
"I just do what I think is right, Frazio," Brad told him, "And this is what is right."
"I guess," Fraizo sighed, "But you still really need a relationship."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Brad shrugged of.
"Order up," one of the chefs shouted.
"Ah, thank you," Fraizo said happliy, "That'll be £21.40 please."
Brad reached into his wallet for the sufficient funds and handed them over to Fraizo. Brad grabbed the bag once Fraizo accepted the cash.
"Thank you again, Brad!" Fraizo shouted as Brad began to leave, "Do come back again soon!"