One Touch | Charlie Gillespie

S I X

Then, he comes closer and kisses me.

J U N E

After 15 minutes alone with Charlie in the backseat of the cab, we finally arrive at the restaurant. I'm kind of relieved that the ride ie over. Not because it was quiet and uncomfortable, but because of Madi's comment. She actually made it clear that there is something between us— something I can't explain, and neither can he.

He gets out of the cab and holds out his hand so I can get out too. Charlie thanks the driver and hands him his money, then takes my hand and leads us to the entrance, where our nine friends are waiting.

Savannah is talking to a middle-aged girl who looks like a waitress. The girl is wearing a white shirt with a small logo printed on the chest: Brix and Mortar.

The waitress mentions for everyone to follow her as she turns and walks inside. We obey and follow her into the building, where I can already smell the scent of food. I hear my stomach rumble— I'm really hungry.

Savannah wasn't lying when she said it's a fancy restaurant, because it definitely is. The place is beautiful. The room is filled with round tables, all covered with white tablecloths and complemented by black chairs. Ivy hangs on the walls, making me feel like I'm living in a fairytale. A diamond chandelier hangs in the center of the room, handing off yellowish light which creates a cozy atmosphere.

The waitress leads us to a large, round table with exactly eleven seats. Charlie releases my hand and settles down in one of the chairs, and without thinking I sit down next to him. Leah sits down on the other side of me, smirking and winking when she sees Charlie and I sitting side by side.

"Oh shut it," I whisper loud enough for only her to hear, elbowing her. She grins back in response and I just roll my eyes.

Everyone chats a bit until the same waitress in the white shirt stands at our table. "Can I get you something to drink?" she asks, looking around the table as if she was searching for someone.

Savannah is the first one who grabs the wine, cocktail and beer menu. She scans it slowly, not bothering the waitress who was annoyingly waiting for her order. "Let me see...," she mumbles. "Oh, this one looks good. The Sugar cane flower, please."

The waitress nods and clicks her digital notebook a few times. She looks up and asks, "You know there's a lot of alcohol in it?"
Savannah nods.

The waitress looks up and raises one eyebrow to Madison, who's sitting next to Sav.

"Um, I'd like an—" Maddie begins, but before she could finish her sentence, Owen interrupts her. "Madison would like the Purple pisco eater. Believe me, she's taking way too long to make a decision, that's why it's better if I order for her. If she agrees with it, of course."

Owen looks at Madison who could not let a word roll out of her tongue. She nods quickly.

The waitress raises her eyebrows again. I think she's having a bad day, because she looks annoyed and tired. Or maybe it's because she has to waitress a group of eleven hungry people.

"How old are you?" she asks Madison, but Owen simply answers for her. "She just turned nineteen, ma'am."

Madison looks shocked but doesn't argue. She's lucky she doesn't look like a fifteen year old. The waitress nods, apparently believing him, and turns her gaze to Jadah, who's sitting next to Madison.