Bad Boys Get Jealous

What Would You Like To Drink?

Monday morning, after school, Natasha and I drive to Starbucks. While we're in the car she tells me her plans about throwing a Christmas party, a week before Christmas.

"So I'm thinking we put everyone's name into a basket and let each person draw a name. Which ever name you draw, that's the person you give the gift to."

I pull down my visor to block the afternoon sunlight. "So a gift exchange party?"

"Exactly," she turns on the AC. "Thoughts?"

I check over my shoulder before switching lanes. "That's a good idea. But what if the person doesn't like their gift?"

"Sucks for them."

I pull into the parking lot and we get out. The wind whips my beanie off and I chase it until I catch it.

"I picked the wrong day to wear a beanie," I laugh.

When we walk into Starbucks the smell of coffee beans and cake fill the air. My stomach growls and we make our way to the end of the line.

"Hottie alert," Natasha whispers. She nudges me and points to the guy behind the counter. He's tall and muscular with dirty blonde hair and sea blue eyes. He smiles at the old woman he's handing the coffee to. He has a dimple on his right cheek.

"He's cute," I nod. "But Logan is cuter."

Several people order before we get to the front of the line. When we do Natasha stares at the menu while I order.

"Hey," the guy says.

"Hi."

He leans his elbows onto the counter and smiles at me. "I saw you chasing your beanie."

I laugh and shake my head. "The wind is crazy today."

"Yeah. The weather here is so much different than it is in New York."

"Ah a New Yorker. What brings you to Cali?" I ask.

He shrugs and stares at me. "I want to go to UCLA next year. So a week and a half ago I packed a bag and flew here."

"Wait. You're living alone?"

He laughs. "Nah I'm staying with my Aunt for now. Until I get my own place."

"Oh wow. What school do you go to now?"

"I'm going to Oceanview after Christmas break. Do you know about Oceanview?"

"I go there."

Surprise crosses his face and then a smile replaces it. "Maybe you can show me around. What would you like to drink?"

I glance at the menu and then say, "an iced mocha. Extra whipped cream."

"You got it. What's your name?" He asks.

"Bella. Yours?"

"Nathan." He takes Natasha's order and then we step out of line. We take a seat in the corner and wait for our drinks.

"You two were getting a bit chatty," Natasha gushes.

"Well he's new to town," I shrug.

"You totally had his dimple popping out."

I laugh and cover my mouth. "You're so stupid."

Nathan calls us back for our drinks. "I'm serious about you showing me around Oceanview."

"Maybe."

He winks at me and we walk out.

"He likes you," Natasha sips her drink like Kermit the frog.

"He doesn't. And I have a boyfriend."

"Look at your drink."

I stare at my cup. "What about it?"

"He wrote your name and then put hearts around it."

I stare at her blankly. "He did that for yours too."

She shakes her head and holds up her cup. "He didn't even write my name."

I sip my coffee and wave her off. Logan makes me happy. I don't have time to worry about if another guy has a crush on me.

"Whatever," I mumble. "So about this gift exchange party."