𝑶𝒎𝒆𝒏 𝑶𝒇 𝑫𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉 ✓

Chapter Four

HE was done a few minutes later.

"Okay, let's go!"

Mal stopped and turned her sight to him, a doubtful look on her face. "Um, are you sure you're okay? Do we need to go to the hospital?"

He nodded with a smile. A smile that convinced neither of them.

"I'm fine, you guys. Don't worry about me."

She rolled her eyes again and hurried out of the room. Griffin ran after her, leaving Thomas standing alone in confusion for only a few seconds before he ran towards them as well.

"So, where are we going?" Thomas asked. Mal shrugged as an answer.

"I don't know. Where do you guys want to go?"

"How about the park? O-Or your restaurant your mum owns! Yeah, let's go to that." Griffin suggested, which made Mal stare at him awkwardly.

"You want to go to my mum's restaurant? You haven't stepped foot in there for over a year!"

He frowned, looking at his shoes for only a few seconds before staring back at her.

"Listen, I... I want us to be friends again."

She furrowed her eyebrows in pure confusion. Thomas did the same.

"What made you change your mind, Griffin?" he shook his head as if he didn't understand. "You were friends with Thomas for five years straight and when we drifted apart, you were ignoring me and hurting my feelings every time you two were together, as if our thirteen years of friendship meant nothing to you! So what made you change your mind?"

"I just missed you, I guess."

She scoffed.

"Fine! I realized that I made a dumb mistake. I shouldn't have ignored you like that, so I'm sorry."

She shook her head in dismay. "Sometimes it's just too late, Griffin. But I'll think about it. Whatever."

She walked away, making the two boys reluctantly follow her. The three soon entered the restaurant, which was about halfway full, as rush hour had passed. Mal pointed to an empty table on the far left, which was also her favourite table because it had a view of the street.

"So, what do you guys want to eat? It's on the house."

"Uh, I'll have French fries."

"Great, me too! What about you, Griffin?"

He stuttered a little. "Um, just a salad."

They both turned to glance at each other in confusion.

"But... You like French fries, don't you? Don't you want any?" Thomas questioned, making his friend give him a nervous smile.

"Yeah. Just trying to eat healthy, I guess."

She shrugged and stood up, slowly taking a step back. "Okay, I'm going to go tell my mother in the kitchen."

Thomas stood up as well. "Actually, do you mind if we talk for a second?"

She nodded. The pair then walked away, towards the entrance of the kitchen.

"See? I told you he wasn't himself!"

"No shit, Barbusca! So what do you suggest we do about it? He doesn't seem to talk about it much."

That moment, someone walked towards them.

A boy with jet black hair, bright green eyes and porcelain white skin who was about the same age as the couple. Mal smiled at him and gave him quick hug.

"Hey, Rajwan."

"Hey, do you guys want anything?"

"Actually, yes. Two French fries and a green salad."

"Probably a detective too." Thomas muttered. Mal rolled her eyes.

"I mean, yes, but..."

The boy tilted his head quizzically.

"Just two French fries and a green salad."

He nodded and hurried to complete the order.

Thomas then turned to Mal once again.

"What are we going to do, then?"

Mal shrugged, pressing her palm against her chin.

"I don't know. Can't we just ask him again? It can't be that hard."

"I don't think you know Griffin that much."

She rolled her eyes.

"I do, in fact, know Griffin. But who's sitting in front of us right now is not the Griffin we both know!"

The two continued to stare at each other for a few seconds. They knew the truth, but they were both denying it.

Something was visibly wrong with Griffin Gluck.

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