Crystal's Heart

XXVI. Now, he's speaking my language

Crystal's POV:

Early in the morning, Ricardo and I decided to coincidentally meet at the coffee shop.

We decided it was best to keep our relationship down low.

Yes, I don't want Josh to know, but it was also a hassle to be the center of everyone's gossip. Ricardo and I don't exactly blend in at school, and we don't need more rumors about us.

"Oh, Crystal!" Austin calls for me during my date day. It better be good.

Ricardo turned to a different direction and sat in the waiting area.

I walked to the front, "What?"

"You got a package." I signed the clipboard, and he gave me the package.

Piece by piece, the paper falls apart until a box appears. I opened the box, and Austin went, "Oooh."

It was a pink diamond necklace.

I took it out of the box and let it glisten in the air. Then I grabbed the hard paper—Mom.

It wasn't hard to figure out that Jackson got me the gift. There's no way my mom would send me anything like this.

"Be a sweetheart and throw these things away for me," I said to Austin before I put the necklace around my neck. "How do I look?"

"Like a million dollars," Austin said. "And I'm pretty sure that's how much that necklace cost."

I walked out of the dormitory with Ricardo, not too far behind me. We got in line at the coffee shop.

"Should I be concerned?" Ricardo asked.

I maintain my eyes on the menu, "About?"

"The necklace."

"Oh, jealous?"

"A little bit."

"Well, you better step up your game."

He chuckled from behind. "Okay."

We ordered our coffees and then waited at separate tables but next to each other.

Ricardo put his palm on the chair and cleared his throat. His eyes never once left the phone. I tucked my lips inside my mouth to prevent a smile before I rested my hand on top of his.

When the door opened, immediately, we moved away from each other.

"Crystal! Ricardo!" Hailey rushed over with Josh attached to her hand. "What are you two doing here?"

Great, our coffee date is ruined.

I look up from my phone to my right, "Oh, you're here."

Ricardo rolled his eyes cutely.

"How's the happy couple?" I asked.

Hailey's cheeks turned red, "Um, I-" she said something, but only intelligible words came out.

They called our coffee order. Ricardo got up in the middle of Hailey's fumbling words, grabbed his cup, and left.

"We're going to the light show tonight. Would you like to come?" Hailey asked.

Josh, from behind Hailey, shakes his head.

"Maybe next time," I said. "I'm a bit sleepy today because of the weather."

"Oh-"

"Such a shame," Josh responded a bit too happily.

"Yup." I got up, "Well, I'm going to grab my coffee and head out. I'll text you later, HayHay! Don't have too much fun, yah love birds." When I passed Josh, I whispered: "You owe me one."