The next morning, Barry went early to Caitlin's house. He didn't know why but ever since he saw his best friend with Ronnie Raymond, there's thing heavy feeling on his chest, like he couldn't breathe. Maybe it's because of the fact that Caitlin didn't even bother to tell him about the whole internship-with-Ronnie-the-entire-summer part. Usually, he doesn't feel good whenever they're keeping something from each other especially that they swore to tell each other everything.
Parking in front of Caitlin's house, Barry waited a few more minutes before going out to greet her. However, it's almost ten minutes to 7:30 and Caitlin still hasn't showed up. He knew Caitlin, and the early bird that she is usually goes out at 7:10 in the morning.
Going out of the car, he went to the front door and knocked, worried that maybe something has happened and Caitlin's not going to school. He's surprised when it was Caitlin's dad who opened the door.
"Barry?"
"Uncle Thomas, hi. I was wondering if Caitlin's going to school today?" He asked.
"Oh, Caity went to school already. Didn't she tell you?" Thomas replied.
Barry's brows furrowed. He knew she said that he should take Iris to school from now on, but he also made it clear that he won't stop fetching her to school. That's their thing, right?
"She didn't tell me actually." He scratched the back of his head, looking sheepish.
"I thought you were the one who picked her up earlier, though."
"She went to school with someone?" He asked, his frown signifying his confusion.
"Yeah, I didn't know who. I actually thought it was you because Caity's in a rush to get out of the house earlier."
"Is that so?" He mumbled. "I'll be going now, Uncle Thomas. Have a good day." He forced a smile even though his insides feels so conflicted. Who did Caitlin went to school with? Why didn't she tell him?
"Bye, Barry. You take care." Thomas waved him bye, and Barry went to his car.
He immediately drove to school, almost forgetting to pick Iris up on the way. When he pulled over Iris's house, she greeted him with a kiss on the cheek as she took the front seat.
"No Caitlin today?" She asked, and by the looks of her boyfriend, she felt like something happened.
"No." He simply answered, his voice losing it's usually cheerful tone.
"Something happened?" Iris asked.
Barry let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. "I went to her house earlier but her dad said that she already went to school with someone else."
"Oh." Iris didn't even need to see the look in Barry's eyes to know the feelings he's already brewing inside. She bit the inside of her cheek, knowing she'll have to confront him about his recent behavior and possible residual feelings he might still be harboring for his ex.
Upon arriving at the school's parking lot, Barry's eyes are quick to search for the familiar brunette that owes him a lot of answers. And soon enough, he saw her with Ronnie Raymond just getting off his motorbike.
He immediately went out of his car, startling Iris as he closed the door harshly. His face hardening when she heard Caitlin giggling at something Ronnie said, all the while helping her take off the helmet. Is it necessary to lean his face that close to hers just to remove that damn helmet?
"Caitlin." He spat, making Caitlin turn around to face him.
"Bar, hey." She greeted, fixing her hair as Ronnie got the helmet from her.
