having any say about this…
Tristan nods in agreement while Chris looks to Janie, who says in the voice she usually only reserves for me, “Yeah, why don’t you stay?”
Chris smiles an apology at Cael, who just nods his head.
“If that’s alright with you,” he says, looking at me with pleading eyes. All of a sudden, I remember that he’s probably never really had any friends around his age, or if he did they weren’t very close ones. This must be really important to him. Plus, I also realize, I really want him to come with us. He makes me feel… something.
Blushing, I reply, “Of course I want you to come with us. I’d be crazy not to.”
Cara claps her hands as Tristan drapes his arm around her. “It’s great to meet you, by the way.” He says to Cael, which makes me laugh and exclaim with laughter, “You’ve just met most of us too, you know.”
I think this earns me points or something, because he holds his hand up for a high five. I smile and give him the high five, as he says, “No wonder you’re her best friend. You keep everybody in check, don’t you, Khiara? I like you.” And somehow, I know in my heart that he means it. This guy is just so right for Cara.
Cara jumps at the opportunity to bring the conversation to the topic of her, “But not too much, right? That much like is reserved for me,” and kisses him on the cheek.
“Of course!” He beams at her.
After a long walk around the mall (a couple of times over, since it’s just one short strip), we find ourselves at the movie theatre just next door. It’s hell trying to decide what to see even though there are only three movies playing, but we all finally decide on a romantic comedy. I don’t even remember the title, but it’s probably something cliché anyway.
As we walk in, I remember that I hardly have any money and sigh because I’m thirsty. I want something sweet like a coke, but the drinks here are so expensive because everything goes towards running this place. Sensing my thirst, Cara walks up to the concession counter – which is essentially an old desk with a popcorn machine, a fridge and a little candy stand behind it – and buys me a bottle of coke.
“Best friend telepathy,” she says, handing me the drink, smiling like an idiot. She’s so proud of herself that it’s kind of cute.
“Thanks,” I say, sipping thirstily and almost choking because I drank too fast.
After everybody has bought what they wanted, we head to theatre number two and get seats in the front row, which is the best view of the small projector screen that would rival any of the ones our teacher’s in school use. The seating arrangement is Tristan, Cara, Janie, Chris, me, and then Cael on the end.
As the previews start flashing, I turn my head to see Chris and Janie already going at it, happily making out like they’re the only ones in the theatre. If it weren’t for the rest of our group, they would be.
I look further down and see that Cara and Tristan are also blissfully kissing away, but not in Cara’s usual disgusting way, it’s more just pecks on the cheek, and whispered words in ears. Kind of cute. But still, what the hell? Did they expect me to turn to Cael and start doing the same, though? I practically just met the guy!
I turn to him and see that he’s watching me with a smirk on his face. He rolls his eyes and says, “Wanna get out of here? It’s getting a little…erm…”
“Hot in here?” I supply. He nods, gets up and offers me his hand, helping me up.
“Thanks,” I say. We walk quietly to the back row of the theatre and both in breathe a big sigh of relief.
“It was getting awkward there,” whispers Cael. I giggle and nod my head, “Yeah, it was.”
We sit in silence as the previews flash by, simply content to watch. Cael is cool like that, not making me feel compelled to converse. But after the first couple of previews, the movie begins. It starts off with a big fight between the female protagonist
Paige Cuccaro
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Highland Spirits
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Jamie Lake
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Charlaine Harris