Paradise City

“Wow, thanks Captain Obvious.”

He chuckled again and took another sip.

“Those are little tapioca balls,” he said while chewing. “It’s like tapioca pudding, but in tea smoothie form.”

I eyed the cup again and took a big breath before giving it another try, now that I knew what to expect. After a short burst of sweet green tea flavor I rolled some of the balls around in my mouth. They definitely had the tapioca pudding texture to them and I decided to believe Tyler.

“So you bring everybody you meet here so you can get a laugh?” I asked, feeling a little sheepish now.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have laughed. I guess I assumed you’d had it before since you didn’t ask what it was.”

“I would have if I knew you could get drinks with food in them in Las Vegas.”

He laughed again. “Are you new here?”

“My dad and I moved here in April. Halfway through the school year.”

He paused in his drinking. “How old are you?”

“19,” It was my turn to assure him this time.

“Whew,” he said, wiping his hand over his forehead exaggeratedly. “I thought you were my ticket to jail there for a second!”

“Well how old are you?” I asked back, unable to help the smile curving my lips upwards.