Unrequited love

Twenty one | Katie

Hearing something ruffling in one of the houses bushes I move closer to Colton. I'm not exactly sure why we're walking at eight pm in the dark and it's reminding me of crime documentaries. The girl is murdered by the guy since she follows him into the dark.

Usually I'd be yelling at the girl for following him and I'd call her stupid and now I'm wondering if anyone is yelling at me to turn back. Well probably not since Colton is actually a good guy. Well I think so at least. But then again the girl always follows the murderer, thinking he's a good guy then figures out later that he's definitely not whilst she's being killed.

Exactly like how Ted Bundy killed his victims. Shifting away from Colton he notices immediately, 'what's wrong? Are you scared of me?'

'A little bit.' I respond jokingly but I'm not really joking, 'all murder documentaries start this way.'

Smiling he shakes his head before we turn down the road. Easing my paranoia when I look around and see stores; some are still open whilst others are just closing. They're other people around but it's not very busy since a lot of people would be studying or working or doing whatever they'd be doing on a Wednesday night.

Almost bumping into him when he suddenly stops, I look to see what caught his attention. Seeing an ice cream store, I'm surprised it's still open. Glancing back at him to see he's still staring but I save time by pushing the door open so we can enter.

The decoration in here is gorgeous with the classic light blue and hot pink colour combo everywhere. Usually it would look bad together but it just makes sense in an ice-cream store.

Looking at the different flavors I press my nose against the glass, barely able to see them anymore because of the fog forming due to my breaths. They all look so soft so I'm not sure which one I want before I notice the strawberry swirl.

Strawberry swirl looks so good...I might get that one,' I point at it, Colton just nods knowingly.

'I might get rum and raisin.' He points at the space on the glass I'm not pressed against.

He's now looking at me hesitantly, I just look back confused. I'm not really sure why he seems so skeptical about an ice-cream flavour.

Searching my face I break eye contact when I realise he wants me to say something but I have nothing to say, 'urm...that great,'

Frowning he begins talking to the ice cream server to get the ice creams whilst I watch him. What did he want me to say? I don't wonder for long since he quickly pays and hands me my ice cream. It's been a while since I relaxed on a school night since I'm usually just in constant grind or crying about Noah.

We exit the ice cream store almost immediately being hit by a gush of wind. I hadn't even realised how cold it was until now but I ignore it and head to an empty bench right outside.

—

Sitting on a park bench we decided to move since the park is more secluded from the passing people. It was awkward sitting right outside the ice cream store with people walking past so we finally decided to move. It's better in the park anyways. Calmer.

'I haven't had ice cream in almost two years now.' Colton looks over to me, breaking the silence. Surprisingly it wasn't awkward, it was nice just sitting in each others space.

'Waoh? Why?' I act as if his days are numbered which only makes him chuckle, 'no but are you exaggerating or is your coach putting you on an an all vegan dairy diet or something?'

'It's been like a year and six months,' he says whilst licking his ice cream cone. A part of me wasn't expecting him to chose a cone over the cup but I was glad he did since I would look childish eating from one on my own.

'So it's the coach then,' I use my finger.

'Nah not really...it was just by choice,' He shakes his head seeming truthful, 'I honestly forgot it existed.'

'People like you are sick,' I nudge him with my knee.

'I don't know Mrs Hart,' he checks himself. 'I'd say I'm pretty healthy.'

'Mrs Hart?' I almost scoff at the nickname.

'Is it not your name?' He responds sarcastically before leaning forward onto his knees.

'Why 'Mrs?' Who am I married too,' I point out the obvious. Me pointing it out seemed to have dissolved every inch of amusement he seemed to be expressing.

'Noah.' He finishes his ice cream so he begins eating the cone, 'you know...the guy you stupidly lost your V-Card too.'

Startled I almost choke. I'm not sure if I should lie to him or not since I'm unaware of how he knows that. If I refuse and it turns out Noah told him then he'll know I'm lying, but why would he tell him. It doesn't makes any sense.

'I'm going to take you silence as the confirmation I needed,' he shakes his head, making me feel stupid for not immediately saying no. 'Has Noah spoken to you since it happened?'

'It only happened last night...so no.' I kick my legs up onto the bench so they're folded against my chest. How did he even know? It didn't seem like he was onto my case at all today. Noah hadn't seeped into the conversation at all.

'That's even worse Katie.' He leans forward. 'I warned you, he's not the best. I bet he's with another girl as we speak. You should've really thought it through and waited until you where sure you could truly trust someone or else you'd just get hurt.'

'What is he to you.' I purse my lips. A little caught of guard by my question he doesn't respond. 'Colton he's your friend but you speak of him as is he's the devil. People are drawn to those they can relate too or share similarities with, I wouldn't exactly consider you the most loyal...'

It's harsh but it's true. All he's done is tell me how great he and Lilahs first time was, as if their relationship is the staple. It's unhealthy and it isn't solid yet he talks to me with such a condescending tone. It's really not fair.

'That's not fair.' He responds almost automatically as if its routine to defend himself like that, 'me and Lilah aren't dating.'

'Exactly my point.' I mumble. 'You're smart Colton. Intelligent even, I know you can tell when a girl likes you or not. She wants more but you obviously don't so why do you keep her around? Why do you let her believe it's going to happen? I know you're just trying to help but Jesus. You're talking about thinking to stop you from getting hurt yet you're doing exacting that. You're hurting her.'

To put it bluntly, he's leading her on and keeps her around for it. It's obvious he doesn't like her to the same extent she likes him but he doesn't just tell her that. I couldn't tell you why, since the reason is unknown but it's safe to say it's probably fun to have her on speed dial for when he's horny or bored.

Feeling my heart sink I start to wonder if that's how Noah sees me but I ignore the gutting feeing. I'm so tired of coursework and fucking everything. I just wanted to enjoy the ice cream but if anything it just looks unappealing now.

'Let's go now,' I change the topic when he takes too long to respond. If he doesn't want to then he doesn't have to, 'it's pretty late...we need to head back or we won't have any more study time at all,'

Laughing to ease the tension, that I started, he pokes the inside of his mouth with his tongue. He doesn't laugh along and just stares at me for what feels like hours.

'Sure let's go...I'll just drop you home instead.'