The Community Service Project

Chapter 9: Coffee Shop Shenanigans

"Morning." I say to Sofia, once I get into her jeep.

"It's finally Friday!" I say cheerfully.

"You seem to be in a good mood." Sofia notices.

"I wonder why." Francis replies as she nudges my shoulder. She was still the only person who knew about Matthew.

"Morning bitches." Lucy exclaims as she gets in the car once we stop at her house.

"Guys I'm so tired today." Lucy says.

"Same." Sofia replies with a yawn.

"Can we stop for bagels or something?" Izzy asks once she gets in the car.

"I guess we have time." Sofia replies, looking down at her watch.

"Did you not eat this morning?" Francis asks Izzy.

"I didn't have time, I woke up late." Izzy responds.

"Izzy waking up late? Who are you turning into?" I tease. Izzy is usually always on time for things so it was a bit surprising when she said she had woken up late.

"Oh shut it." Izzy replies as she lays her head on the car window and closes her eyes.

"Okay we're here." Sofia says. Izzy doesn't move from her sleeping position.

"She must be asleep." Francis notices.

"Wow I had no idea." Lucy says sarcastically. Don't worry this is just our humor with each other. We all are pretty sarcastic with each other so don't think we're being mean.

"Hey Izzy." I say shaking her.

"What?" She asks.

"I'll just go in and get the food. What do you want?" I ask her.

"I'll have a cinnamon raisin bagel." She says groggily.

"Yeah get her some coffee too, it looks like she needs it." Sofia adds.

"You guys want anything?" I ask the rest of the girls.

"I'll just have a matcha latte." Lucy states.

"Okay I'll be right back."

Once I order the drinks, I sit down at a table.

"Valeria, your order is ready." The barista calls. That gets my attention right away. I look up and of course there's Valeria by the counter with her latte in hand. She notices me and begins to come my direction.

"Oh heyyy." Valeria says to me in an overly polite tone which makes me instantly know she's being fake.

"Hi."

"Listen I thought we should have a little chat..."

"Go on." I say waiting for her to continue.

"I know you're the reason Matthew isn't acting sane right now. You know he ended things with me? All because of you. You stole him from me but don't worry, I'll get him back. I just wanted to warn you to back the fuck off him. He loves me and we have a bond that can't be broken, so I suggest you look somewhere else." She spits at me.

"And if I don't?" I ask.

"If you don't then I'll just end up with Matthew eventually no matter what you do." She answers. Was I intimidated? Not going to lie, I was a little bit. But only because I know how long Valeria and Matthew have been in their weird on and off relationship for. But I trust Matthew.

Once I get the drinks, I head in the car. I am not saying anything to anyone.

"Ellieee." Matthew says to me, extending the e in my name. We're currently in French class and I guess I didn't realize that I wasn't really talking much. I still can't believe Valeria threatened me.

"Yeah? Sorry, I'm just a little tired." I reply.

"We could tell." Nathan says.

"My buddy Ryan is throwing a party tonight, you and your friends can come if you guys want to." Matthew says.

"That party is going to be sick." Nathan adds.

"Yeah sounds fun." I guess that would be fun to go to.

"You got us invited to a party! I'm so proud of you nqueen." Lucy says to me. We're all currently eating at the cafeteria lunch table.

"My question is how." Izzy says.

"Matthew invited me during French class." I say. They all look at me with shocked expressions.

"Oh.My.Gosh." Lucy exclaims.

"Anyways." I say switching the subject. "Whose house are we getting ready at?"

"We can get ready at mine." Francis says. "My parents are both away on business right now."

"Sounds good." Lucy says.

"So we're all in?" Sofia asks. All our gazes then shift to Izzy.

"Ugh fine." She says resistantly.