in another world

 "Is he taking a shower with her?" Mona could hear the shower from here. It was just so like Tristan, she immediately thought. Of course, Nic was oblivious to what was going on with Jade and Tristan as he was putting his final touches on a pot roast from the air fryer. Yes, it was his big investment of summer.

"What?" He looked at her as if why weren't the mashed potatoes mashed. She was supposed to be helping. Finally, she got the mixer going. By the time she got it on the table she saw Tristan practically bouncing into Jade on the couch. Mona just stared at them hoping they'd get the sense that she hated both of them.

"So what have you been  up to, today?" Jade smiled as Tristan put his arm around her. They were so matchy-match in their tees and sweat pants. Maybe Tristan hadn't showered with her after all. Jade's hair was wet. His wasn't. 

"This and that," Mona managed to say as she went back to Nic, hoping to hide in the kitchen. She helped set out glasses. They were eating on real plates. He took the fresh salad from the fridge and even set out deviled eggs. I was all a bit much. All of this for a roommate who wouldn't eat with them.

"Should I see if Cat wants to eat with us?" Mona then asked.

"That would be great," Nic smiled who was optimistic as he always was.

Mona knocked on Cat's door and told her they would eat soon, but no response. "Are you sure she's even there?" Mona asked when she went back to the kitchen.

"I heard something earlier," Tristan called from the livingroom.

Mona of course, was not going to answer. Oh, it was like having to have dinner with the Lion King. No way did she want to cross him. She didn't even want to look at him.

"What's the matter?" Nic finally picked up on her vibe as he was about to say, "Time to eat!"

"Nothing." But she only wanted to sit next to Nic. She wished they would get their food and go to the livingroom to eat, but Tristan shut off the TV and he and Jade sat down. He sat across from Mona.

She decided to practice being a vegetarian with lots of salad. After all, Jade and Tristan dove for the mashed potatoes.

"I love mashed potatoes," she smiled to Mona. Tristan nodded, but put a mouthful of roast and potatoes in his mouth. 

There was small talk about the heat and humidity. Jade mentioned her classes at the University starting up soon. "I'm hoping I can get on at the coffee shop."

Mona gave her a look. Mona had an interview there too.

"Tristan isn't going to be at the garden center much longer," Jade told them. "He got on at the zoo."

"The zoo?" Mona couldn't help but give him a harsh look, but he never looked up nor acknowledge what she even said. He stuffed a roll in his mouth.

"He knows a lot about animals," Jade said while she was buttering a roll. 

"Awesome," Nic smiled. "When were you going to tell me?" He looked at Tristan.

"When I actually started," Tristan looked to Jade as if she'd jinxed it. "I'll get a class credit too." He mentioned he'd be taking care of giraffes and elephants mostly. Evidently, once upon a time, he worked for an animal clinic. Mona didn't remember it. It wasn't until now that she realized he did have a life before her.