Eli purposely chose a restaurant that featured private booths. It was a small but deliberate choice to ensure Andrei wouldn't have to endure the heavy, curious gazes of strangers. After everything the poor child had been through, he had become hyper-sensitive to his surroundings. Whenever people stared, a suffocating anxiety would grip him, leaving him terrified of their judgment—and it broke Eli's heart that a boy so young already carried such a heavy emotional burden.
"Drei, do you want to try this one?" Neon asked, pointing his finger enthusiastically at a picture on the menu. "Belle bought this for me once before, and it was so delicious! I'm not entirely sure if this place can replicate the taste, though."
Andrei immediately picked up his writing board and marker. Flipping it over, he quickly scribbled: "We can order that and share."
"We'll have this one, then," Neon announced, offering an approving glance toward Eli and Belle.
