The Crew - The Elite and The Less Fortunate

Chapter Three

The food court had grown busier by the minute with the hum of conversation rising, blending with the sounds of clinking silverware, and bustling waitstaff. The trio, sitting in their cushioned seats, barely noticed the increasing crowd. Their eyes, however, kept drifting back to the public school students-who had now moved to a corner table, their trays of food still sitting mostly untouched. They ate slowly, the discomfort of their unfamiliar surroundings still written clearly across their faces. Lotus, Zed, and Khalil exchanged glances, their earlier thoughts lingering in the air.

"I can't stand this anymore" Zed muttered under his breath, his voice sharp but not cruel. He glanced toward the group watching them with a mix of amusement and disdain. "Look at them. They can barely afford their lunch"

Khalil, who was leaning back in his chair, swirling his drink thoughtfully, didn't immediately respond. His golden orange eyes flickered between the group of students and his friends. "I don't know" he said slowly, his tone more serious than usual. "It feels... sad?"

Lotus, ever the quiet observer, stared at the table in front of him, his fingers tapping gently on the edge of his drink. His thoughts were chaotic, the nagging feeling that had taken root earlier growing stronger by the second. What was it that made them so different? They were only a few feet away, sitting in the same food court yet they felt worlds apart.

Zed, who had a tendency to act on impulse, stood up suddenly, the movement drawing the attention of both Lotus and Khalil. He walked toward the counter without saying a word, the others following him with raised eyebrows. Within moments, Zed returned with three trays of food: sushi rolls, bento boxes, and a few gourmet smoothies. The kind of food that was barely a thought for them but for the students across the room it would be more than just a meal.

"What are you doing?" Lotus asked, his voice laced with confusion.

Zed smirked, his tone casual as if he hadn't just made a decision on a whim. "You see those less fortunates over there?" He jerked his chin toward the students. "They're too busy being shy to even enjoy what little they have. So, I thought... we could help them out. Give them something to smile about"

Khalil raised an eyebrow, eyeing Zed curiously. "Are you actually feeling bad for them?"

Zed grinned, a glint of mischief dancing in his eyes. "Not feeling bad. Just bored. And what's the harm in giving them a little taste of the luxury we've got?"

Lotus was silent, watching Zed's movements carefully. For a moment, he wasn't sure how he felt about the whole thing but something inside him stirred perhaps it was the way Zed's impulsiveness could sometimes be contagious. He could feel himself being pulled in even though a part of him still hesitated.

With trays in hand, Zed led the trio over to the table where the public school students sat. The students looked up in surprise as the trio approached their eyes wide unsure of what to make of the situation.

"Hey" Zed said smoothly, flashing them a grin that bordered on arrogance. "We thought you guys might want something a little better than what you're having" He placed the trays down in front of them his expression as nonchalant as ever. "A little luxury, courtesy of us"

The students stared at the trays in disbelief their mouths slightly agape. The girl who had been at the counter earlier, the one with the boy haircut, stared at Zed then at the food before glancing back at her friends.

"Are you serious?" she asked, her voice shaky, as if she couldn't quite comprehend what was happening. "But... you guys don't even know us"

Khalil grinned. "It's not about that. Consider it a gift. Enjoy it"

Lotus sat down across from them, his gaze softening a little. He watched as the group hesitated unsure of what to do with this sudden display of generosity. The trio had the air of people who could afford to throw things away without a second thought. It wasn't their first time handing out a gift. But there was something different about this moment. Something unfamiliar, even for Lotus.

After a few moments, the students slowly began to dig into the food their hesitance melting away as they realized the quality of what they were being given. The sushi rolls, glossy and beautifully arranged, were quickly devoured, and the bento boxes filled with delicate bites of rice, fish, and vegetables disappeared just as quickly. Even the gourmet smoothies with their colorful layers were consumed eagerly. A quiet murmur of gratitude spread across the table as they exchanged glances.

"Thank you" the girl finally said, her voice more confident now. "This... this really means a lot"

Zed shrugged, clearly enjoying the attention. "It's nothing really. We just thought you could use a break from... whatever you're used to"

Lotus was quieter than the others, observing how the students seemed to open up after tasting the luxury food. It was as if the experience was transforming them shifting their perception even if just a little.

Khalil leaned forward, a playful gleam in his eyes. "By the way, I am Khalil. These are my friends Zed and Lotus"

The girl, now more relaxed and animated, exchanged glances with her friends before speaking again. "Thank you again! I am Lena and these are my friends Cris and Jay. Uh... actually we are having a little get-together. A small party you know? It's not much but it's something"

Zed raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Party? That sounds... interesting. Where?"

"At one of our classmate's place" the Lena replied, a little more excited now. "It's nothing fancy but we'd love for you guys to come. We weren't sure if you'd even be interested but... I don't know, this feels like a good moment to ask"

Khalil's grin widened. "Well, we've got nothing better to do. Plus, it'll be nice to see how the other half lives partied"

Lotus, who had been mostly quiet throughout the exchange finally spoke up his voice calm but thoughtful. "It could be... interesting"

Lena smiled, clearly relieved that they were receptive to the idea. "Great! It's not far from here. You can come by later if you want" she pick a small paper and write the address then hand it to Zed.

Zed gave a small, sly smile, leaning back in chair. "We'll see. We might just show up"

As the trio made their way back to their seats, the atmosphere had shifted. There was an unspoken understanding now, a sense of curiosity between them and the public school kids. They had crossed a line, one that separated the rich from the less fortunate but they'd done it in a way that felt almost... natural.

Lotus couldn't quite shake the feeling that this wasn't just a simple act of kindness. It was something more... something deeper and when he looked over at Zed and Khalil, he knew they were thinking the same thing.

How do poor people party?