We Were Rivals

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟙𝟙

The unfamiliar figure power walks over to our group. I glance at Elizabeth, uncertain at who the person is. Elizabeth answers my unspoken question with a simple shrug of her shoulders. I give Jon a small nudge in the side, grabbing his attention.

"Hmm," he hums as he turns towards Elizabeth and I.

I dart my eyes to the direction of the unknown figure and Jon follows where I was looking. He looks back at me before doing a double-take at the person. He quickly shuffles back around and whispers,

"Oh my god, hide me."

He crouches down a bit and attempts to hide his lengthy frame in front of me. After a few seconds, he ducks his head out and sighs as he sees the person approaching. He stands up and brushes off his shirt, straightening himself out.

"Jon!" The person says with an unnaturally sweet smile.

"Hey," Jon says with a lackluster attitude.

"Where's your signature smile? You know how much I love it."

Jon's face upturns into a giant smile that doesn't reach his eyes.

"Awe look how sweet," they say, their smile growing wider.

Jon turns around and begins talking to the lady while Elizabeth and I make awkward eye contact as the figure, who Jon has yet to introduce us to, looks over us. The person looks back at Jon while he is talking, eyeing him closely.

After Jon finishes his conversation he turns to us and says,

"They will send out somebody to help us, we can go sit over there."

He points in the direction of the seats he was referring to as he begins walking. Elizabeth and I hop into action, trying to keep up with him. Jon plops into one of the small, leather-bound chairs and lets out a sigh. I slide into the chair next to him and ask,

"Who is what?"

"My ex." He grumbles. "Speak of the devil."

I hear footsteps and I turn my head up, seeing Jon's ex standing there.

"I'm sorry Jon, but we didn't finish our conversation."

"Well, what did you want to talk about?" Jon says as he leans into me.

I give him a questionable facial expression and he gives me a look that says "go with it". Looks like Johnny boy is trying to make someone jealous. I close the distance between us and Jon lazily flops his arm over my chair signaling for me to take his hand. I grab his long, slender hand and it comfortably engulfs my own. I hear Elizabeth clear her throat and I glance over at her with a look on my face stating that I'm just as confused as she is.

Jons ex's face flashes with anger before being replaced by that sickly sweet smile.

"Wow, Jon. You sure moved on fast." They say with an incredibly forced laugh.

Jon lets out a sweet sigh as he looks at me.

"I'm glad I finally found somebody who understands me." He says while looking back at his ex with a genuine smile, which pisses them off.

"I understand you, Jon. You just don't know how much." They say before turning on their heels and walking out of the store.

"What the hell does that even mean?" Elizabeth butts in.

"I have no clue, Liz." I say while looking over at her.

Jon runs his hand through his hair, still encasing my hand with his free hand. I rub my thumb in circles over his hand, trying to comfort him.