Kindergarten Boyfriend

5 | French Fry Shenanigans

I could feel Owens stare on me the second I was back in the car. And as he drove to my place I could feel his gaze continue to turn towards me.

"Are you okay?" he finally asked.

"Yeah it's just hard coming here every year—" I said, choking on my words.

Just then I heard my stomach growl, realizing I hadn't eaten anything before I left.

"Are you hungry?" Owen asked

"No I'm fine just take me home there are leftovers in the fridge" I told him, I just wanted this night to be over so I could crawl into my bed and dream it away.

"Celeste Wright I will not allow you to eat leftovers at a time like this" he told me, very seriously.

He then took a sharp turn that I knew would not be leading back to my house. I was too tired to fight him on it, so instead I turned my head to the window and looked out at the trees and homes as we passed by.

Soon Owen pulled into a diner parking lot and parked the car.

"This place is great. I know you love French fries, and I swear they have the best ones in the city" he told me, sounding excited. It was nice to know that he didn't completely forget everything about me during our time apart. I smiled at the thought of it.

"I'll be the judge of that" I told him, smiling.

Once we were inside the smell of greasy burgers and fresh fries hit me and soon I was very happy to not be eating leftovers tonight.

"Owen! What brings you here today hun?" a sweet looking older lady said as we entered.

"Hey Cheryl! I'm just here to get some food with my friend Celeste. How are the boys?" He responded.

As they continued to chat I zoned out a bit just thinking about everything I had just unloaded to my mom. It was times like these where I tried to remember something my mom had told me before she passed. If you ever need me just look to the stars. She'd told me this a couple weeks before she died. She was going on a business trip that weekend and I was dreading her leaving for a couple days. That whole weekend anytime I missed her I would look outside my window and remember that my mom was still there. I still do this sometimes, it won't bring her back but it's nice to think that maybe she's up there still watching after me.

"Um Celeste" Owen said, giving my shoulder a light tap

I broke out of my train of thought.

"Yeah sorry" I said looking up

I felt a bit embarrassed realizing they had finished chatting and were waiting for me to follow them to our table.

Cheryl led us to a booth at the back of the diner before leaving to give us sometime to look over the menu.

I already had a pretty good idea of what I wanted but grabbed it anyway just to busy myself with a distraction.

"Do you know all of the servers here" I finally asked Owen, placing down my menu.

He let out a small laugh,

"I come here pretty often, it's a nice place to lay low and just get away for a little bit. I guess knowing most of the staff just kinda happens when you go somewhere so often" he told me, grinning.

"What exactly are you trying to get away from?" I asked him, curious. What could Owen Williams possibly be hiding from?

"I don't know, how much time do you have?" he asked, letting out a small chuckle.