What If We Had It All

Chapter 4 It's Always A Little Messier In California

After spending my entire lunch break embarrassed in the bathroom, even though I don't think anyone saw it, it was still a pretty awful experience for my first day in Cali. Let's hope the rest of the day is a little better. What felt like hours, was only a forty minute class of Geography that I couldn't wait to get out of and end this day of misery. For that entire forty minutes all I thought about was why Owen would do what he did, was he embarrassed that he was friends with the new girl, would it lower his status? Or did I take it the wrong way on text and he was just being friendly, honestly I couldn't take it anymore. So coming out of school I told myself I would not allow Owen or his action to affect a day or week that was supposed to be my new beginning. So to celebrate my newfound mindset I headed to Machiato's for their signature swirl and a cake. I was hungry okay. Entering Machiato's Olivia Rodrigo's 'Do you get Deja Vu when I'm with you,' flooded through my brain like... what the hell is Owen doing here? I thought he was a star athlete, doesn't he have practice to get to or something. The hard part was that he wasn't alone; he brought company as he needed the entire football team and the cheerleading squad and of course Veronica to help him drink coffee apparently. I walked right past him and his entourage and headed to order my coffee. I didn't even bother to look into his direction, it was no use, he had a girlfriend, he had the fame of being the high school quarterback, which apparently automatically qualifies you as king of the school, so why would you want a theater crazy newbie from Ohio. So in my new spirit I just let it be and tried to move like he doesn't exist since in his world I apparently don't. The cheerleaders laughing while the footballers made jokes and gossiped filled the entire shop, you couldn't hear a single thing other than those guys' mouths. "Catherine Stark, one Caramel brownie macchiato," I took my drink and proceeded to head out where there was a waiter on his way to serve drinks at another table, so luckily for me I ran straight into her and not only spilled my coffee but also knocked down the waiter's entire tray, throwing myself down in the process. Drenched in coffee and caramel the smirks and laughter came in, but from only one side of the room and I think we all knew what side that was. I stood up with what's left of my dignity and walked out. If you're wondering, I did apologize to the waiter and offered to pay for the drinks I threw down, for which they told me was okay. It would be on the house, in my opinion, I think they just felt sorry for me. I couldn't help it as I left the store on my way home. I just started sobbing and sobbing and sobbing. I couldn't believe Owen didn't even care or even looked concerned about what had happened. I also couldn't believe that happened in front of all the popular kids at my new school, if you ask me it sounds like a good enough reason to transfer school. I had about four blocks again until I made it home when this guy in a beautiful yellow jeep saw me walking down the streets and decided to offer me a ride. The guy introduced himself to be Henry Alrez, a member of my class and a swimming superstar for Albuquerque High. He was on his way home from swimming practice when he saw me and recognized me from school, even though I had only been at the school for exactly eight hours. He said that he had an extra hoodie I could put on until I arrived home, he even gave me towels to dry off and offered to take me to a new coffee shop if I ever vowed to never return to Machiato's again. Henry seemed sweet and kind and I was sure glad he was there tonight.