The Recipe of Us.

11 | bathroom stalls

< "Breathing is hard. When you cry so much, you realise that breathing is hard." >

"Why so blue Ri?" Theo asked me as I looked up from my drink. "Leave her alone, Theo," Genevieve hissed as she joined my side and rested her head on my shoulder.

"Guys, this was fun and all but I have to-"

"We know you're planning to lock yourself in your bathroom..." Theo began and I raised my eyebrow as I looked at Genevieve. "Ava isn't exactly a quiet person," She assured me and I sighed.

"I just really don't want to be here, no offence." I defended.

Theo and Gen are friends I made in college and we basically grew up together. After I left for med school, we stayed in touch but it wasn't the way it used to be. I dropped out and started working at the mechanic where I met Avalon.

Theo has his own band that's becoming more and more popular and Genevieve's famous in the dance world. They're like the power couple of the country and they're sickeningly in love.

It's disgusting.

I looked up from my drink and they were mid-kissing when I stood up from my seat and walked to the bathroom. I quickly entered a stall and locked the door behind me. I lowered the toilet lid and sat down as I rested my head on my hands.

I looked around the stall and hummed aimlessly as I tried to figure out what I wanna do. I thought back to yesterday night. At first I thought it was a stupid decision to go and see him, but by the end of the night, I was glad I left the house.

After prolonged thoughts of Nolan, I gave in and got up to leave the bathroom. I strolled back to my seat and Gen and Theo were waiting for me expectantly as I sat down.

"I saw Nolan yesterday."

They both looked at each other before looking back at me. "You did?" Theo asked and I nodded. "Wasn't it weird?" Gen asked me and I shook my head.

"I thought it would be...but it wasn't." I finished as I stirred my drink. "Does he know about Gio?" Theo blurted and I paused and thought. "Look what you did," Gen hissed as she swatted him and I shook my head.

"No. He doesn't know that Gio broke up with me."

"Oh." Theo mumbled.

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"So what do you wanna do?" Nolan asked as he appeared behind me and guided me down the street.

"Can we please get food? I'm starving!" I whined as we entered the more busier parts of town. "You really shouldn't have drunken so much." Nolan assured me and I blew a raspberry as I pointed to the popular pizza shop at the end of the street.

"I've never been there. Let's go there." I perked up as I tugged his hand and he laughed as he followed me to the shop entrance. We walked inside and most of the booths were full of people; families, teenagers, even a few old couples.

We walked up to the front counter and there was a couple in front of us already ordering. I turned around and looked up at Nolan. He was scanning the place before he looked down and noticed me.

He smiled and lifted his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "Why are you staring at me?" He asked as he gently moved strands of my hair back and I don't know if it was the alcohol talking but I couldn't stop myself.

"You're pretty."

He smirked as he looked down at me. "You think I'm pretty?" He teased and I nodded as I rocked back and forth on my heels.

"Well I think you're breathtaking."

My face split into the widest grin as he held eye contact. It felt like forever until I heard the couple behind me move away from the counter.

My hair swished onto my shoulders as I spun around and froze as our eyes locked. There was obvious shock on his face but it was masked with a hard look as his eyes watched Nolan standing behind me.

"Hey, you okay?" Nolan asked as he approached me, his hand resting on the small of my back. I swallowed and remained calm.

I have nothing to hide. I'm just out for lunch with a friend and I'm also tipsy. He doesn't know all of my friends.

"Riley." Giovanni said as he cleared his throat.

"Hey, Gio."

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