Rise by Danielle Racey

take their orders (Victoria ordered a hamburger, and Roman ordered a roast beef sandwich), she crossed her arms and leaned back into the plush, red booth. “So…is this one of your favorite places?” Victoria ventured forward, awkwardly. She wasn’t sure why everything had suddenly become so uncomfortable. Granted, it was always a bit awkward at first, but things like that tended to fade away over time, didn’t they? “It’s only been a week”, the familiar little voice in her head piped up, “Give it time.” Give what time? A friendship, was a friendship, was a friendship, Victoria wondered.
    “— Yeah, Rita’s has the best sandwiches. They have pretty decent hamburgers, too.” Roman answered, and Victoria shook the conflicting thoughts from her head. Although the tension in the air was palpable, and she couldn’t for the life of her, figure out why, there was no harm in getting to know him a little better. It seemed like forever since they could actually sit down and have a conversation without daggers being drawn, but in reality it had only been a day.
    “ So, what’s your family like?” Victoria froze. She had planned to keep conversation light, and make a wide berth around any serious topics, but Roman had just shattered that plan in the first five seconds of their conversation. But, it wasn’t his fault. She too had assumed everyone had the same family situation as herself.
    “ Well, I’m not sure. I’ve never met them, you see. I was raised at the convent all my life.” Victoria watched Roman’s eyes widen momentarily, and look down, as if he was trying carefully not to offend her.
    “ All your life? I thought you might have been cooped up in there for a couple of years at least, but I had no idea it’s been that long.” Victoria grimaced. “When you put it like that, Roman, it does sound very tragic.”
    He laughed, and the skin around his eyes crinkled a bit. Victoria smiled in spite of herself. His smile was so friendly. More than pleasant, really. “I didn’t say it was tragic, just a bit stifling, I think.” “What about your family? Do you have one?” Victoria leaned forward in her seat, suddenly feeling very interested.
    Roman ran his fingers through his curls, and shook his head. “Yeah, I have one. Just my mom, though. My dad died when I was younger, so my mom sent me to the monastery because she thought I could use some fatherly ‘direction’." Victoria laughed as Roman used air quotes, and then rolled his eyes. “So, you don’t like it there?” “No, no, don’t get me wrong. I have a good time. As much of a good time as you can have in a monastery, really. It’s like having a lot of brothers, and Brother Ammon is kind of…” “A father figure for you.” Victoria finished for him. “Yeah, yeah he is.” Roman smiled, and opened his mouth to say something else, but was cut off by the approaching waitress.
    “ A roastbeef sandwich for you, sir. And… a classic Rita’s hamburger for you!” Victoria stared down, wide-eyed at the plate that had been placed in front of her. It was huge. She cupped the air with her hands, trying to figure out the best way to attack the thing. She decided on one, giant bite, and as she struggled to chew after she realized she’d bitten off a bit too much, she noticed Roman, out of the corner of her eye, desperately trying to cover up his laughter.
    When Victoria finally managed to swallow, the bite of hamburger slid down her throat like a brick down a narrow chimney. She chased it down with some water, and exhaled. “That…was a tough one, wasn’t it?” Roman said solemn-faced, but the subtle wavering in his voice was evident. “I’m not eating anymore. You’re laughing at me.” Victoria pushed her plate across the table, and crossed her arms for emphasis. At this, Roman burst into laughter. “Oh, come on Victoria. I’m just kidding. Eat up." When she didn’t budge, he steered the plate back over to her. “It’s like