Chew ✔

•12•

Will and I are back in our nutrition classroom. It's an early Saturday, which means the entire school is pretty much empty.

There's a warm buzz of energy and silent conversation, as the Judges and cameras are set up. 

"Can we talk about yesterday?" Will says again, brushing back his chocolate brown hair.

I internally groan. I had hoped he was too drunk to remember kissing me- I hadn't even told Lyla or Anna- that's how unsure of the kissI had been. I didn't want to ruin our friendship or make things awkward.

"Will- I get it! Don't worry you were drunk." I say, though not thoroughly convinced. "It was a mistake, it's okay."

"No Cira-" Will fretted- but he was interrupted by the loud voice of Chew With Schools host, David Horton.

"Welcome back students and judges!" David says enthusiastically. He smiles into the camera with his plastic expression, as I hear Will whisper into my ear.

"It wasn't a mistake."

I look up nervously, searching his eyes for any sense of dishonesty. This just seemed so unreal, how could William Moore... the school quarterback star- like me. His blues eyes pull me in a daze until I've realized I've missed most of the Judge introductions. My eyes snap back into focus as David Horton explains the rules for today's challenge.

"Today we will see four teams gone, but we will also see who the remaining four teams will be battling it out next week in the semifinals." 

I gulp nervously.

"Today's task is..." He signals to a display that is unveiled to reveal a colorful layout of an assortment of chips and candies. "To create a meal inspired by both sweet and salty flavors," David says he looks at us all deeply. "You have thirty minutes on the clock."

Will turns to me. "What are we doing?" 

"Let's do a creamy polenta with mushrooms." I say, "Polenta's sweet, right? And the mushrooms are salty."

"Honestly I don't have another idea- so let's do it." Will laughs. 

He starts chopping up some mushrooms while I work on the polenta. I work quickly and efficiently, Will and I exchange few words. 

He starts to sautee the mushrooms, while I work on its dressing. I add a mixture of soy sauce and butter into a bowl- and some mushroom stock. I pour it over the polenta when It gets to its grainy texture. 

The cameras zoom into Will as he stirs the mushroom. They sizzle is satisfying pops, and I stifle a laugh. Will is so concentrated that he practically pounds on the mushrooms with his wooden spoons.

"Calm down." I whisper to him, "Gentle remember?"

He gives me one of his dorky grins and he pops a mushroom into his mouth. "Damn I'm a good cook."

I smile at him, then watch in confusion as his grin contorts into a panicked expression.

"Was the mushroom not good?" I ask worriedly moving over and trying one too. They're savory and chewy- perfect- so I don't understand why he didn't like them.