“Take a seat and I’ll bring over your usual.” She ushered us towards a booth by the window. It was the booth we always chose whenever it was free.
“Thanks,” Cole said, laughing as she fussed around, swiping up a crumpled napkin from our table. Everything had to be perfect for her customers: that was just how she was. We had barely sat down when one of the waitresses appeared with a chocolate milkshake and chocolate ice cream for Cole, and a strawberry milkshake and cookie dough ice cream for me.
I was just about to dig into my ice cream when I heard a voice that made me want to throw something: the girl that liked Cole. No-name Meg-lookalike.
“There you are! You didn’t say where you were going!” she exclaimed, throwing her arms up in the air. Ben walked over to our table with her and smiled apologetically. How did they even find us?
“What are you guys doing here?” Cole quizzed them, his carefree expression turning to a frown.
The girl sat down next to Cole. What was her name? I wanted a name to go with the jealous, ridiculous hate. She was pretty enough, but the fact that she liked the guy I liked made her ugly to me. It was totally irrational, but that was how jealously worked, wasn’t it?
“Just wanted to grab a shake,” she replied in her annoyingly whiny voice. “What would you suggest?” That you leave!
“I don’t know, Courtney,” he huffed. Courtney. I didn’t like it. Well, whatever her name had been, I wouldn’t have liked it.
“Can I get a vanilla shake please?” Ben shouted across the room. Julie frowned at him but nodded. She didn’t like when you yelled for her attention, even less if someone clicked their fingers.
I stopped listening to what else Ben was saying when Courtney grabbed Cole’s milkshake and took a long sip from the straw. What the…?
“So you’ve known Cole your whole life?” I turned my attention back to Ben, who had asked he question. He was smiling nervously. His lip pulled up in a sort-of a half-smile. I nodded to answer his question.
“You’ll have to tell me some embarrassing stories about–” he stopped abruptly and looked horrified. “Err, I mean. N-not tell but, err. Oh shit, sorry I didn’t think,” he stuttered, grimacing as he tried to explain himself.
I smiled. There was something about him made it impossible to be offended by him.
“Damn, I really know how to put my foot in it, hey?” He chuckled.
I shrugged and shook my head. It didn’t bother me, actually. Of course, not everyone would know how to act around me. I understood that he didn’t really know what to say, and at least he honest about it.
“Anyway.” He shook his head and frowned as if he was chastising himself in his head. “You should come to my party at the weekend. Cole’s gonna be there.” Was everyone having a party this weekend?
It wasn’t often that I was invited out, but did I want to go? It wouldn’t be much fun for Cole if I were there. I knew he wouldn’t leave my side all night. Maybe it would be fun though? If the other people going were half as cool as Ben, then perhaps I’d have a good time.
After deciding to go for it, I nodded. If Cole looked like he was bored, I could always go home early. All I had to do was get my parents’ approval, but I would be with Cole and they trusted him so it shouldn’t be that hard.
“Great, I’ll save a dance for ya,” he said, winking at me. Whoa. Guys didn’t wink at me all that often. I blushed and shifted in my seat uncomfortably, not liking that kind of attention.
“You ready to leave, Oakley?” Cole snapped. Go already? I hadn’t even finished my milkshake or ice cream. I was about to shake my head until I noticed Cole’s face was tense with irritation. What did I miss?
He got up, and I took that as my cue to leave, even though I hadn’t answered him. Cole weaved around the tables quickly and almost jogged away. What on earth is wrong? I ran to catch up with him.
As soon as he slowed and we fell into a comfortable pace, I raised my eyebrows at him. He understood what I was asking him.
“It’s nothing.”
Nothing? That was a lie. He shook his head, looking around to avoid me pressing the issue further, and I let it go. We walked on in an uncomfortable silence.
“So, you coming to mine?” he asked as we reached his car in the car park at school. I nodded eagerly; spending some time alone with him was definitely what I wanted, and I loved being in his home. Cole’s parents and sister, Mia treated me like one of the family. I felt so at ease there and preferred it to being at my own house, no question. Cole smiled at me, his eyes lingering on mine for a little longer than usual. My heart thudded.
“Hey, sweetie,” Cole’s mum, Jenna, welcomed Cole as we walked through his front door. “Oh hi, Oakley,” she gushed, giving me a warm hug. Cole mumbled something that sounded like hi and walked off to his room.