Ugly Secrets, Pretty Lies

Nineteen

I unlocked the doors to my car with my car keys and climbed into my dark blue Honda. The car wasn't exactly my dream car, but hey, at least it runs.

I started the engine and pulled into the road. Let's hope I remember where Rose Céleste is. 

I nearly got in a car crash involving 2 cars. See? That's how bad I am at driving. If I'm not careful and drive slowly, I'm going to end up dead before I even graduate from high school. 

I push the loose strands of hair away from my eyes and continued driving, both hands firm on the steering wheel. Finally, I glimpsed the café ahead and looked for an empty space to park. I circle the café several times before a woman pull out of a space in her car. Quickly, I parked there before anyone else could steal the space. I got out of my car, locked the doors, and started walking to the café. 

I stood at the door of the café and straighten my clothes.

God, am I nervous. How does Andy really look like? I mean, sure, his body looks sexy and all, but his face?

I took several deep breaths.

"Okay, you can do this, Quinn. Just go in," I said to myself. I pushed the door open and stepped in. 

There were a few customers around, talking and eating or drinking coffee. I looked around the room, searching for a tall and muscular-looking teen with dark hair. Hm. Nope. No one matching his description here. I sighed and headed to the counter. 

Maybe he's just late. Don't worry. Right.

"Hello, darling. How may I help you?" Gentille moved toward me, a smile on her face. 

I smiled back at her. "Hello, Gentille. I realize I never told you my name. It's Quinn. You remember me?"

Gentille laughed, her light grey eyes crinkling slightly. "Of course I do. You're a beautiful young woman, Quinn, why would't I remember you? And you came in with Bl-"

She trailed off, her eyes traveling behind me. Her eyes light up and her smile widened. I turned around to see who had come in and froze.

Blake Anderson.

"Blake, dear!" Gentille said, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug when he came over. Blake hugged her back.

"Hey, Gentille."

Gentille let her go and beamed at me. I smiled, standing there awkwardly. My eyes must be deceiving me.

"And you know Quinn, Blake?" Gentille asked.

Blake looked at me. His face looked annoyed, confused, and something else that I couldn't plCe.

"Yes I know her," he said flatly.

Yippee. The bad boy look more than happy to see me. Note the sarcasm.

"Hello," I said brightly, hoping to annoy him more.

"Yes, Quinn. Blake, she's the girl you came in with last night," Gentille said, nudging him in the ribs. "Remember, dear?"

Blake's eyes widen in disbelief. My eyes widen as well. "Wait, wait, wha-?" I spluttered, pointing at Blake.

"Are you kidding me?" Blake demanded. He let go of Gentille gently and looked at me. "Her? She's Crimson? You're Crimson?" 

"And you're Andy?" I said. 

Lord help me. Blake is Andy? Andy? 

"Is this a joke or something?" Blake asked. "How can you be Crimson? You don't look one bit like her!"