The Bad Boy Computer Programmer At Wattpad

WASAGA WASABI

"Choose whatever you want," Ian encouraged, pointing to the menu. "I wouldn't know what to order anyway. I pretty much just eat rice--and Oreos."

Georgette laughed. She appeared to interpret his statement as a joke.

"It's true," he clarified. "I mostly just eat rice and Oreos."

"Are you being serious?"

Ian nodded.

"You need to balance your diet, young man," she lectured, her tone more lighthearted than instructive. "How is your body supposed to get the nutrients it needs if you just eat rice?"

"And Oreos," Ian added. "I also eat Oreos."

Georgette picked up her menu and scanned the lunch specials. "I'm searching for something with vegetables and fish. I might have to order for you. We'll consider it chivalry karma."

Ian chuckled.

Dropping her menu back down on the table with her mouth gaped open, Georgette repeated, "You're serious? You only eat rice?"

Ian held up his hand, a space of about an inch between his thumb and forefinger. "I might have a little bit more than rice and Oreos, but not much more."

"What are we going to do with you, Ian?" Georgette teased. She picked up her glass of ice water and took a sip. "So how has work been?"

"Good," he replied, placing his menu back on the table. "We're currently in a brainstorming phase."

"What are you brainstorming?"

"We've been tossing around ideas about how--and if--fictional stories can make an impact on the world, and what Wattpad's role is for facilitating this impact."

"And what did you and your cohorts conclude?"

Ian sighed and glanced out the window at the view. "We concluded it's complex. Still collecting opinions and data to determine how to move forward with the site. I'd be interested to know what your thoughts are."

"How can fictional stories change the world?"

"Yes."

Ian and Georgette both smiled at a waitress as she approached their table.

"Can I bring you something besides water?" the waitress asked. "Tea? Wine?"

Ian glanced at Georgette and smirked. "The lady is ordering for both of us this afternoon."

Georgette gripped the sides of her menu and looked up at the server. "We're still deciding. Water is perfect for right now, though. Thank you."

The waitress nodded and wandered back to the kitchen.

"Fictional stories," Georgette said, bringing the conversation back to Ian's question. "There was this great quote by Mason Cooley where he said, 'Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.' I think fictional stories can be valuable in that respect--for escapism--or for inspiring our dreams to consider different possibilities for our lives. But as a professional in the health field, I also get concerned when too much escapism is depended upon to get through the day."

Ian's eyes squinted slightly. "What do you mean?"

"Why throw all my effort into escaping my reality when I can redirect that energy into taking small steps to improve it?" Georgette tucked one of her loose curls behind her ear and scanned the menu.

Adjusting himself in his chair to sit up straighter, Ian asked, "Do you consider reading fiction a waste of time then?"

Georgette looked up from the menu. "No--there's value in reading fiction--if done in moderation and with careful consideration."