𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨 𝙋𝙊𝙑:
The Sidemen's video idea was simple: A-Z eating challenge. Each team had to find something to eat that started with each letter of the alphabet. Alphabetical order. Around London. Chaos, obviously.

We stood in a rough circle near Tower Bridge, three teams gathered as Simon, clipboard in hand like some low-budget game show host, read off the teams.

"Alright, listen up," he called. "Team 1—we've got JJ, Harry, and Vik."

KSI threw his hands up like he'd just been picked to lead a country. "We are so winning this."

Harry laughed. "No chance. Vik's gonna slow us down."

Vik immediately objected. "Excuse me—I am efficient."

Simon ignored them. "Team 2—Chris, Avery, and Ethan."

I blinked. "What?"

Avery grinned up at me. "Look at us. A dream team."

Ethan just rubbed his hands together, already hyped. "Let's go. I'm starving."

Simon moved on. "And Team 3—me, Tobi, and Josh!"

Josh gave a small wave, clearly still wondering what he'd signed up for.

Tobi clapped him on the back. "You'll regret this by the letter D."

We all laughed.

Simon clapped his hands. "Right. Rules are simple. You have to eat something for each letter, A to Z. Doesn't have to be a full meal, just something edible. You can't skip letters. Phones allowed for directions. Let's say... you have two and a half hours to get as far as you can."

"Wait," Avery said. "Do we all have to eat the same thing?"

"Nope," Simon said. "But it helps if you agree. Otherwise it's chaos."

"Perfect," Ethan grinned. "I thrive in chaos."

"Alright, ready?" Simon raised his phone. "Three... two... one... GO!"

A – Apple

We didn't even need to move.

There was a vendor right behind us selling fresh fruit.

"Easy," I said, grabbing three apples. "Strong start."

Avery took a bite of hers and grimaced. "Mine's all sour."

Ethan snorted. "That's the face you make every time I speak."

Avery grinned. "You wish you were that relevant."

We started walking down the high street, already tossing out ideas for B.

B – Bagel

"There's that little bakery near Liverpool Street," I said. "Good bagels."

Ethan nodded. "Say less."

We made it there in fifteen minutes, dodging tourists and trying not to look like weirdos filming themselves eat carbs in the street.

"Sesame with cream cheese," Avery announced. "Elite."

"I don't trust people who get sweet bagels," I said, mouth full.

Avery side-eyed me. "Okay, toast police."

Ethan was already finishing his. "Right. C?"

C – Croissant

"There's a Pret on every corner," Ethan said confidently.

"Peak British culture," Avery said. "Relying on Pret."

We found one two blocks down.

"I'm getting a chocolate croissant. No regrets." I said

"You would pick the default," I teased.

"Because I've got taste," she shot back.

D – Doughnut

Avery perked up. "I know a Krispy Kreme in Soho."

We power walked all the way there, and she looked so pleased with herself when we finally arrived.

Ethan wiped sweat off his forehead. "You better marry this doughnut."

"Don't tempt me," Avery said, cradling her chocolate iced like it was sacred.

We sat on a bench for a few minutes, catching our breath.

"We're doing well," I said. "Team spirit's high."

Ethan gave a mock salute. "Captain Dixon."

E – Eclair

A quick Google search led us to a little French café. Not cheap, but worth it.

"These are so good," Avery said, halfway through hers. "I might cry."

"Same," I said with my mouth full. "But for different reasons. My wallet's crying."

Ethan licked his fingers. "That was the classiest thing I've eaten in a year."

We kept walking while eating, already brainstorming F.

F – Falafel

We spotted a food truck parked near Oxford Circus.

"Falafel wraps!" Ethan shouted, already jogging toward it.

I laughed. "He's literally sprinting."

Avery raised an eyebrow. "You two might have the same appetite."

"I take offense to that."

She smirked. "You should."

We got small wraps to split. Still pretty filling.

"I need to pace myself," I muttered. "We're only at F."

"Stop being soft," Ethan said, chewing.

G – Gyoza

"Okay but hear me out," I said. "There's a dumpling spot in Chinatown."

"Are you just making this up so we eat what you want?" Avery asked.

"...Possibly."

She snorted. "Fine. Gyoza it is."

We made our way down the busy street, squeezing into a side shop that smelled incredible.

We each grabbed a small tray of pan-fried gyoza and ate them standing in an alleyway.

Ethan groaned dramatically. "This is my Roman Empire."

"Pardon?" I said.

"These dumplings. I'll think about them daily."

Avery nodded. "He's got a point."

H – Hot Dog

There was a moment of silence.

"Do we... go full New York street vendor mode?" I asked.

"There's a stand near Leicester Square," Avery said. "Let's just commit."

We did.

Standing in the middle of one of the busiest spots in the city, surrounded by tourists, holding giant, ketchup-covered hot dogs.

"I've peaked," Ethan said.

Avery laughed. "I can't take us seriously."

"You were never supposed to," I told her.

And as we stood there, mouths full, chaotic energy high, I realized—
I hadn't laughed this much in ages.

And maybe, just maybe, dragging her into this challenge had been the best decision I'd made in a while.