He Called Her Angel

Can You Stay

Chapter 25

Can you Stay

Warning: mild sexual content.

We arrived at a diner just outside of town. My dad used to take me here on Sunday afternoons because we slept very late and this place served breakfast 24/7.

We entered through the worn doors and instantly the smell of sweet syrup and the sound of laughter wafted around us. Judy the diner owner came out to come seat us. She was a bit pudgy, but in a comfy way and always wore different colored flowery aprons.

"Oh look who we have here!" She said squealing. "It's little, well not so little Cassie!" She said happily while giving me a big hug. Judy was a good friend of my father's and I missed seeing her every Sunday. "It's nice to see you Judy!!" I said whole hugging her back.

"Oh and who is this Cassidy!?" She said while looking over Carter with a raised eyebrow. "The names Carter." He said with a smile and extended his hand. Judy ignored his hand and gave him a big hug. Judy was a hugger. She then escorted us to a clean booth. Before I sat down she whispered in my ear, "He's quite the looker," She then winked and scurried away to give us privacy.

"Well you have been here before." Carter said.

"Ya my dad used to bring me here. It was a tradition." I said smiling remembering the good old days.

"So where is your dad at?" He said casually as he picked up a menu.

"In China. Working. Both my parents are always working." I sighed. I never liked this topic. It made me sound like a selfish child for wanting to have my parents around. Carter nodded as if he understood.

"Have you decided what you want today?" Judy questioned. She surprised me as I didn't even notice she walked over.

"I would like some chocolate chips pancakes please." I said happily. It's what I always got. "Make that two." Carter said and handed her our menus.

"So what's your favorite color?" He said awkwardly. It was a feeble attempt to make conversation and instead of answering I laughed.

"What?" He questioned with this cute little pouty lip.

"Your attempting small talk and failing." I said still laughing.

"Hey at least I'm trying!" He said.

"True, but it's hard when I already know everything about you." I responded.

"Oh come on! You don't know everything about me!" He said.

"Try me." I said challengingly. He silently thought of something I wouldn't know.

"Okay. How did I break my arm in 3rd grade?" He questioned.

"Oh I remember this. You told everyone it was from trying to do a flip off the swings, but I was watching you when it happened. Kinsey Everheart and I were playing in the sand near the swings. You weren't even on the swing! You were running and not paying attention and you tripped and broke your arm." I said smugly.

He opened his mouth and closed it again.

"Well then" he muttered. I laughed and he even cracked a smile.

"What ever happened to you and Kinsey anyway." He questioned. "I completely forgot you guys were friends at one point." He said.

"Uh well we were good friends until 6th grade. She's perfect in every and at that time she probably realized I wasn't and thought I was holding her back, which I guess I was because in a week she was on the top of the food chain and I just became her prey." I said. At this point in time I was over her, but thinking about what happened still puts me on edge and a little upset. I mean we were best friends since kindergarten. It's not the kind of friendship you can forget in one night.