Vienna

chapter seven

I heard the door of the restaurant open and hid my face behind a menu. I had already done this three times and we haven't even ordered yet. Nathan dragged me to the restaurant where everyone from our school goes, and I was desperate to ensure no one saw me with him.

The last thing I want is for someone to recognize us and think I'm his newest flavor of the week. I was simply using him for french fries.

"Why do you keep doing that? You look like you're having a spasm," he said and looked at me like I was crazy.

"There's so many people from school here," I looked around the room.

"And?" he prodded.

"And I don't want anyone to see me with you," I said, feeling instant regret at the harshness of my tone.

"You know what your problem is, Veronica?" Nathan started with a serious look on his face.

"My name is literally not even Veronica," I interrupt.

He ignored me and continued, "You judge too quickly."

I snorted, "It's not judging if it's true. You know your reputation, and I just so happen to not want anything to do with that."

"My reputation?" Nathan asked with a scoff.

"You're not exactly a firm believer in monogamy," I retort.

"Says who?" He states with a glare.

I rolled my eyes. "We've been in the same friend group since freshman year. You seriously think I haven't heard the things you and the other guys talk about?" I explained.

He looked at me with an almost hurt look in his eyes, "You don't know anything."

I scoffed, "You're not seriously trying to deny it, are you? With how much you've been torturing me lately, I'd think I was next if it weren't for you being such a dick to me."

He gave me a once over. "Eh, you're not really my type," he smirked.

I gasped and glared at him. Luckily the waiter came with my fries otherwise I would've started adding to my List of Ways to Murder Nathan Cole.

I stared at my fries with the biggest smile on my face. French fries and ice cream are my two biggest weaknesses. You put them in front of me and I'd do anything you asked.

"You gonna eat those or just have sex with them with your eyes?" Nathan asked and reached over to grab a fry off my plate.

Thanks to my ninja-like reflexes, I swiped his hand away before he could grab one. I sent him a murderous glare as to say You touch my fries, you die.

He laughed put his hands up in surrender, digging into his own food instead.

Suddenly I heard a pair of familiar voices walk into the restaurant and I looked up to see Noah and Lucas. Oh, fuck. What are they gonna think when they see me here with Nathan?

Before I could even try to hide, Nathan waved them over.

Noah and Lucas reach our table and greet Nathan. They didn't even notice I was sitting there until I peeped my head out to hello.

"Vienna? I didn't think you and Nate were friends," Noah laughs, sitting down next to Nathan in our booth.

Lucas slid into the vacant spot next to me and sent me a warm smile to which I reciprocated.

I started to say that I'm not friends with him but he interrupted me before I got the chance. "Oh we go way back," Nathan said with a grin.

Way back? I'm pretty sure the first time we had an actual conversation was three days ago.

I rolled my eyes and focused back on my food, drowning out the boys' conversation.

"Hey," Lucas nudged me. "You wanna skip leadership? I heard we have a sub."

I contemplated his offer. I mean if we have a sub, it's not like we'll do anything important. But on the other hand, my dad will get an attendance call.

I decided my dad would understand if I explained it to him. "Sure," I gave Lucas a smile.

"I'd love to, man," Nathan interrupted.

I looked up from my plate to see Nathan glaring at Lucas like he just killed his pet hamster or something. What does Nathan have against Lucas?

Lucas gave him a confused look. "Uh, ok," he stuttered.

"I'd come with but I have an Econ test," Noah casually stated.

I looked at my almost empty plate in despair. The worst part about food is when you know you're almost done and don't know when the next time you'll have something so delicious is.

My mourning was suddenly interrupted by an arm stretching over the back of my seat. I almost jumped in surprise, but calmed down when I realized it was just Lucas.

"You need to work on your tackles, bro," Nathan suddenly said.

Lucas looked at him with furrowed brows. "I'm the best tackler on the team," he said.

Nathan snorted. "As your captain, you need to get in more hours on the field. Maybe you could start now since you're gonna skip your last class," Nathan suggested. "I bet the field's empty," he added. Nathan's the captain?

Lucas gave him a hesitant nod, "Yeah, good idea. Thanks, man."

Lucas turned to me with an apologetic look on his face. "Sorry, another time?" he suggested.

I nodded in confirmation and hugged him and Noah goodbye.

"I guess that means you're stuck with me," Nathan said deviously.

"I think I'd rather just go home and nap," I retorted.

He stayed quiet for a moment. "Alright, let's go," he said, sliding out of the booth.

"Let's?" I questioned.

"I'll drive you," he said in a duh tone and started walking out of the restaurant.

"Is this gonna end with my body in the back of your trunk?" I asked, quickening my pace to catch up with him.

He gave me a wild smile, "If you're lucky."

I narrowed my eyes at him and followed anyway. It's worth it if it means I don't have to walk all the way home in this heat.

What he doesn't know is I have crazy self defense skills. He couldn't kill me if he tried. If anything, he should be the scared one.

I hid my thoughts with a cheeky grin and slid into the passenger seat of his car.

I turned on my Life360 location just to be safe.