Severing Ties (Book 2. Ties)

13. Repeat The Question

Friday classes were a waste of time, but I had no choice but to go. While I listened to the teacher give his lecture, I remembered how last week had gone by and its effects on my Friday that evening...

Monday had finally come again. I was actually excited about a Monday. Only because I needed to see Stephanie. She had been correct about me leaving to Water Mill before she made it back home from Luke's. So that and the fact that I had been wanting to tell her what happened with Tamonash were reasons enough to be anxious about a Monday.

That present semester we had two classes together again, but that time we signed up for our courses together so it was not a surprise or coincidence. We had American History class first thing on Monday at eight in the morning, that was tough. I rode the elevator to her floor like I usually did every morning, and instants later I was in her room. I was about to begin talking, but Stephanie cut me off on the first syllable.

"Haven't had coffee yet, so no talking yet."

"But—"

"Nope. Until you give me caffeine, I'm not spilling any more words after now."

"You don't have a choice but to talk."

She smiled and shook her head. Dammit. I needed to get her some coffee pronto! I wanted to know how her weekend went. And some advice for me would be great too. So we went to class like usual and listened like usual. It was torture sitting through that damned class. But as soon as that teacher said "have a good day," I took Stephanie out for some delicious coffee.

I ordered her a muffin and a big cup of coffee. If I was going to get that stubborn girl talking, I needed to feed her well. She picked a table by the large window, so after getting our order, I went to go sit with her. I had not realized how starved I felt until the first bite of my egg filled croissant. For a couple of minutes we ate in silence, but that sure ended when Stephanie asked me questions.

"He certainly did not kiss me!"

"I was just asking," she said as she raised her hands like she was trying to placate me.

I glanced down at my foamy mug and said quietly, "but he wants to take me out on a date."

She squealed so loudly the people in the tables around us turned their heads in our direction. I shushed Stephanie and continued to look down. "Tell me you said yes! Please, please, please!" She bounced in her seat.

I rolled my eyes extra drastically for her. "He didn't ask me. He just said he wanted to take me out on a real date just us two. I really thought he only wanted to be friends."

It was her turn to roll her eyes at me. "Do you think you're ugly?"

"I wouldn't go as far as to say ugly," I answered meekly.

She tutted and shook her head. "Mackenzie, Mackenzie, you are a really beautiful girl. I will give you this, you don't try really hard with how you dress or how you groom yourself." I patted my hair down self-consciously. Her words were true though. My hair was naturally straight, so I never did anything with it besides the occasional bun. I had to admit that I had worn sweatpants to school, and Stephanie had not been the only one to bring it up.

Stephanie continued talking and I listened. "The only reason I would let you hang out with my boyfriend is because I trust you... And because you would not be emotionally interested, so that means you would not be physically interested in Luke."

"Why does everybody keep saying that?" I exclaimed in exasperation.

"What," she asked in confusion.