dinner party

"We could just get take out." Joon shrugged as soon as he saw the dried up roast beef in the oven.

Natalie gave him a miserable look. Her mashed potatoes were practically gravy. He assured her it would make great soup. He went ahead and put an order in for the pizza on his app. It was done, just before a knock came to the apartment door. Still, Natalie was scrambling to find an easy going attitude when their dinner guests arrived.

Dara brought wine.

"Oh, great." Joon smiled hoping no one noticed his sarcasm. Wine always made Natalie a little ditzy. She might have been over twenty-one, but she was definitely a middle schooler when it came to alcohol. He took it and went to open it.

Natalie practically bounced out of the kitchen, as if she loved cooking, but he knew it was just an act. Cooking took a lot out of her. Yet, he knew she needed to do more cooking to get better.

Next thing he knew, Natalie was gushing over Dara, as if she might be her new best friend. Although, Joon didn't see that happening. Natalie hardly made time for the people she did know. She really was a homebody. After all, she was a student with a part-time job.

But she went on and on about Dara and her beautiful outfit. She was so big. But so beautiful.

Joon gritted a smile hoping Dara didn't get peeved. Did Natalie even know she might be dissing the plus sized girl with her compliments?

Joon thought Natalie might settle down after the pizza arrived and the Moscato wine was poured. They made do, entertaining on the coffee table they'd found on the curb a few days ago.

Joon spray painted it black. It went very well with the couch they'd thrifted and thrown a quilted comforter on.

There was a small dining table near the kitchen, but they only used it for homework.

Natalie started in on traveling. Dara talked about her business trips to Arizona and California. She'd won a trip to Waikiki through her company.

"Oh, I want to work there." Natalie was already bubbly after a few sips of wine. Joon could only watch, as he bit his bottom lip. Natalie continued to drink.

She held up a finger after she finished her first glass of white wine. "But first," she giggled. "I want to have a baby." That's when she started talking about Dole and Winnie's baby. She loved that little six month old. And then she started to cry. "When are you going to give me a baby, like that, Joon?"

"Yeah, Joon." Kramer slapped Joon across the back with an open grin. "When?"