This Romantic Novel [√]

Chapter 17: Pt 2 Love Her

Immediately, my mood quickly changes as we all turn our heads to find Amanda (who wore something formal with her hair tied in a ponytail).

"Amanda" Luke called her name, "What are you doing here? And without Kane?" Luke questioned, confused.

I too was also baffled, thinking of the same thing that Luke asked as they were still here for a vacation.

"Oh," Amanda paused.

Observing Amanda (who rubbed the back of her neck) avoided all eye contact with us - knowing that something was up between her and Kane.

"We kind of argued last night" Amanda worded softly. However, it was loud enough for all of us to hear her answer.

"Oh, poor you," Lance pouted, "Why don't you take a seat with us and eat. We just ordered but I can ask the waiter to come back for your order," Lance suggested, patting the empty chair next to him.

Luke responded with a hum - agreeing with Lance's suggestion.

"Hmph," I mentally thought, not daring to display my annoying side of Luke's agreement.

But at the same time, I kind of felt back for Amanda. Questioning my head - What happened between them?

"Are you sure, I kind of feel like that I'm intruding-" "No you're not, just come sit with us," Luke cut Amanda off.

Overhearing Luke saying that statement, Amanda hesitated for a few seconds before nodding her head, venturing towards the empty seat.

"Thank you, I really appreciate it," Amanda told us - mainly Lance and Luke.

"No problem, right Jade,?" Lance said.

Facing Lance, I see that he was staring at me with teasing eyes - knowing what I was feeling whilst being aware of him mentally smirking at my own reaction.

"Yeah sure," I replied, smiling at Amanda to exhibit that I was being supportive with the rest.

She smiled back for a few seconds before looking at the menu that was passed down by Luke (his action only added fuel to the fire that he created when he talked to her). Not displaying my real emotions deep down, I glanced at the table, as I heard Luke and Amanda having a conversation - with Lance once in a while jumping in. Meanwhile, I felt left out, outcast, alone and unwanted... a fugitive - I don't know. I just feel like a fourth wheel to these people; I was feeling both bitter and offended, but even more outraged at the fact that Luke has been ignoring me, ever since Amanda appeared.

"Look at me!" I exclaimed in my head, however, didn't want to stare at him to make it look obvious.

I didn't even want to say anything because I felt stupid at the thought of what I was going to say; let alone hearing something that I didn't know.

"Yeah. Remember that time when we went to that concert and someone accidentally puked?" Luke recalled.

"Yeah, I remember. I felt so~ sorry but was laughing so hard" Luke chuckled.

"Concert. Someone. Puking?" I repeated in my head, not knowing what their conversation was all about.

"OMG! My friend was the one that puked and went viral," Lance jumped in.

"Even him!" I thought, feeling even more outcasted by his voice joining. "And they didn't even bother to include me," I thought, mentally sulking like a baby.

With the food finally arriving (and being placed on the table) my mouth began to water as I took a whiff of the food that Luke ordered for me.

"Smells good," I thought happily, holding utensils in each hand.

"Oh my gosh yum," I hear Amanda.

Gazing up from my plate, I see Amanda eyeballing my food.

"That's like my favourite dish too" Amanda smiled at me.

My heart tightened and my stomach turned. "Actually, Luke was the one that ordered it for me," I added. I see Amanda turning to Luke with a smile. "You still remember my favourite dish," Amanda giggled.

I faked that giggle in my head while turning to Luke who gave this sort of love heart eyes to Amanda; placing a small grin on his face.

"As if I couldn't forget it" He chuckled before eating.

.

.

.

.

.

K.O

Even Lance felt it too, feeling his eyes staring at me (who now stares at my own plate) untouched, and unappetising.

"He still loves her," I told myself, feeling my heart aching by the mere thought of it.

However, what he said and how he said it was proof that Amanda still had a place in his heart - and I didn't like - I didn't like at all. I tried ignoring this feeling by eating my food (but knowing that this was Amanda's favourite food) it was tasteless. No flavour. Nothing. It was bland. A small portion of how I felt appeared on my face that even Lance wasn't talking to me; knowing that I wasn't in the mood. The atmosphere that surrounded me became even duller; as nor, Luke or Amanda didn't notice due to them having a moment together.

~~~

Once we all finished lunch, we were in front of the restaurant saying our final goodbyes.

"Thanks for having me," Amanda said with gratitude.

"No need to mention it," Lance smiled, while I didn't respond with words but with a weak smile to show that everything's okay.

"Well, I gotta go back to Kane," Amanda said.

"I'll drive you," Luke suggested, "It would be quicker that way," Luke stated.

I look down on the floor, feeling nothing but like the younger me in high school with my unrequited love.

"Thank you once again," Amanda smiled fully.

Luke gestured towards his car (which was parked right in front of us) letting Amanda walk to the car first.

"We should get going too, Jade" Lance suggested towards me.

"Yeah," I answered back unenthusiastically.

"Bye Luke," Lance said. He then turned around.

"Bye, Lance. Bye honey," Luke said as he held my hand, rubbing it gently.

However, I swiftly retracted it towards me before mumbling a soft 'goodbye', to only turn and stroll to Lance's car without him.