The Statue - Part IV

The Statue

Part IV

Written by Cassia Sherrill

Henry, Zoe, and Chelsea were standing in line at the Shake Shack in Grand Central Station’s food court area. Zoe had convinced him that this needed to be his first meal, but Chelsea knew that she had only convinced him of that because it was actually one of her favorite places to eat. Chelsea much preferred healthier foods, and she generally didn’t dine in food chain restaurants much. She would rather support local restaurants, but with this being Henry’s supposed “first meal,” she went along with them.

Henry practically ordered one of everything on the menu, and naturally, he didn’t have any money. Zoe was kind and generous and paid for his meal or more like meals. Chelsea still had a bad feeling that he was either a stalker of some sort, or he was someone really trying to bum off of them since he didn’t have anything.

They sat down at the high-stooled table because it was the only one still available. Henry looked around at everything with awe and seemed like he was taking everything in for the first time. Zoe had given him the buzzer for when the food was ready, and when it went off, he practically threw it across the table.

“Ah...that thing just zapped me!” he exclaimed.

Zoe laughed, “No, it vibrated to signal our food is ready. Now, we have to take it up there so that we get our food from them.”

“I have to touch that thing again? It seems like it's still zapping…” he eyeballed the vibrating and flashing buzzer, very cautiously.

“No, I can take it up, but would you mind coming and helping grab the trays? I doubt I will be able to carry it all by myself!”

“As long as I don’t have to touch that zapping thing again, I will certainly come help you!”

Wow...such a gentleman, Chelsea thought to herself sarcastically. This “knight in shining armor” can’t even handle a buzzer without our help. He is really playing this up hard!

They were getting up from the table to grab the food when Henry turned towards Chelsea. “Did you order anything, my love? I will grab your food as well, if you would like?”

“First off, I am not your love. Not sure how many times I will need to reiterate that, but I am not. So please do not call me that. And no, I didn’t order anything. I am not hungry.”

Zoe stood behind Henry and mouthed for Chelsea to say “No, thank you.”

Chelsea rolled her eyes as she said “No but...thank you.”

Zoe nodded in approval as Henry shot her a soft smile before walking away. While they were picking up the food from the front counter, Chelsea grabbed her phone and started googling stuff about the statue. She didn’t believe in the fact that he just came to life after she touched his hand. That was idiotic. However, she wondered if there were articles on guys who have hung out there to find soulmates or something weird and twisted like that. After all, it was New York City so weirder things have happened. It wouldn’t surprise her if guys would do that and disguise themselves as this statue to get girls. Google didn’t have anything on the topic other than information on the piece and its creator, and the fact that the statue showed up on like fifty different tourist to-do articles. She clicked her phone off as she sighed. I am going to have to do a little more digging than Google, I guess.

“Chelsea,” Henry practically yelled across the way, “This food smells so good! I cannot wait to eat! Ah, this is going to be the best first meal ever!”

Zoe was beaming with delight that she was about to help someone become equally as obsessed with Shake Shack as she was. Everyone else in the seating area around them was looking at Henry and giving him weird looks, and Chelsea couldn’t help but feel completely embarrassed.

“Henry, you can’t just shout like that in a crowded area like this. You will disturb people!” Chelsea mentioned as they got back to the table. “Please, don’t do that again, okay?”

“Of course, my l-” Henry about letting it slip, but he bit his tongue before he said it. “I am sorry, Chelsea, but I was just so excited about my food!” He looked down longingly at his food, which took up two whole trays. The guy had quite literally ordered everything. He had three different burgers, a chicken sandwich, two things of fries, a milkshake, and a soda.

Well, maybe if we are lucky, he will have a heart attack and die from this food. Then he will leave us alone… Chelsea immediately felt bad for her thought. She didn’t like the guy, but she was certainly not one to wish harm on another person.

Henry wasted no time in digging into his mountain of food. He ate his food like someone was chasing him, and he had no time to spare. It was gross to watch really. He had already shot down the idea of him being a “knight in shining armor” in Chelsea’s head, but after watching him eat, he also completely annulled the idea of him being a “classy, well-groomed prince” type as well. Oof...good thing I am not attracted to you. You would’ve lost me as a “soulmate” the moment I saw you eating. Chelsea tried to hide the disgusted look on her face while watching him eat, but it was very hard. Her face always showed more of her emotions than she cared to show, and this moment was no different.

Zoe was casually eating her burger and fries, and she didn’t seem to notice or mind how much of a messy and unattractive eater he was. “What do you think, Henry? Isn’t it the best?”

Speaking with his mouth full of food, he said, “Oh, you were right! You were so right! This is the best food I have ever had!” He laughed as he took another sip of his milkshake. “Well, after all, this is the only food I have ever had!” He continued to laugh as he scarfed his food down.

Zoe smiled and said, “Oh, it seems you need some napkins.” She giggled almost like she found his messiness charming somehow. Chelsea could not understand how that was possible. It was utterly disgusting. “I forgot to grab some. Let me go get those!”

“No, let me go grab those!” Chelsea exclaimed. She needed to get a sight, even for just a moment, that wasn’t of Henry eating. “I will grab some...maybe a whole box of them,” she shot that comment right at Henry. “And when I get back, Henry, I have some questions for you, okay?”

He smiled up at her and said, “Okay!”