Dark Beauty

Chapter 24

To show Jake and Avery I was going to change, instead of going to watch Lucas’ game, I went with them to have ice cream. It wasn’t an important game. I hope Lucas wouldn’t get mad. I know it’s weird to say this, but it felt good being away from Lucas. When I’m with him I always need to act my best, his friends are always looking and judging. I feel as if Lucas wants everyone to know we are a couple and that we are the perfect one. 
With Jake and Avery, it was different. I could relax without feeling that someone was watching me.
    We went to an ice cream parlor next to Avery’s house and since we were so close she invited us to watch a movie there.  I had never gone there for ice cream before, but Avery and Jake had. I don’t know why, but thinking about Jake splitting a sundae with Avery made me feel a little jealous. Well I only had myself to blame for that. They had already invited me but I had to help Lucas with something. 
    The parlor was decorated to look like one of those 80s café. All the seats were little cushioned sofas and they were all in different colors. There was a juke box and the floor was black and white ceramic tiles. The waiters and waitresses were also dressed as if they were from the 80s. 
‘WOW, this place is awesome.’ I sat down on the baby pink sofa. 
‘Just wait until you taste the ice cream.’ Avery said. ‘It’s heaven.’
‘Avery is right. It’s really good here.’ Jake said sitting in front of me.
The waitress came and got our orders. We ordered the supreme chocolate fudge vanilla ice cream and three spoons. 
‘So, how did Lucas react when you told him you weren’t going to watch his precious game?’ Avery asked.
‘I didn’t tell him.’ I said. ‘I knew he might get mad and I didn’t want to come here upset or angry.’ 
‘You’re probably right.’ Jake said. ‘Only problem is, he shouldn’t get mad about it. You have the right to go out with your friends.’ 
‘Besides, it’s not like he has to give you permission.’ Avery said. 
‘I didn’t come here to talk about Lucas, but you are both right.’ I said. 
‘Yeah, let’s just forget him.’ Jake said, just as the waitress was putting our ice cream bowl on the table. 
‘This is really good,’ I said stuffing another spoonful of ice cream and fudge in my mouth. 
‘I knew you would like it.’ Jake said.
‘Yeah he wouldn’t stop saying how much you would like it here and how he wished you were here.’ Avery said giggling.
‘I just said she would like it here Avery.’ Jake said. I don’t know if it was my imagination but I think he blushed. I felt something good inside knowing that Jake was thinking of me. 
‘Well, you were right.’ I said. 
 We finished the ice cream and then went to Avery’s house. She offered popcorn but I had eaten so much ice cream that if I ate the popcorn I think I would explode. We took our shoes off and sat on Avery’s sofa. Jake in the middle and Avery and I beside either side of him.   
In the middle of the film, Jake got up to get more coke for me and Avery. The minute he entered the kitchen, Avery smiled at me.
‘I haven’t seen him this happy for a long time.’ Avery whispered.
‘What do you mean?’ I asked. 
‘Nothing.’ Avery said. Before I could ask anything else, Jake was back with two cups of coke. She looked at me with a mysterious smile and then looked back at the TV as Jake pressed play again.
     We were finishing the film when my phone rang. It was Lucas. 
‘Hey. Where are you Babe?’ He asked. I could hear the cheering in the background. 
‘Hi, I’m at Avery’s house, did you guys win?’ In my head I was hoping he wouldn’t get mad.
‘You weren’t watching the game?’ Lucas asked.
‘You said it wasn’t so important and I had already told Avery I was going to her house.’ I explained.
‘Okay we’ll talk later.’ Lucas said. ‘And yes we won. Bye.’ Then he hung up. 
Jake and Avery were looking at me, waiting for me to say something. I don’t know what Lucas meant by that, but I wouldn’t start stressing about it here.
‘He said it was okay and that he won.’ I said smiling.
‘Oh, that’s strange.’ Avery said. Jake nodded but kept looking at me as if to see if I was hiding something.  
‘I told you he wasn’t a bad person.’ I smiled. 
‘Not being mad at you for this isn’t being a good person, Leila.’ Avery said. ‘It’s being a normal person.’