The Stay (ON HOLD FOR NOW)

Chapter 2

An annoying loud sound woke me up. “What the fuck is that noise!?!?” I screamed out. I began to look around frantically for the sound so I could turn it off. I realized it was my phone alarm waking me up and calmed down. I pressed the stop on my phone to turn off the alarm. Using my middle fingers I wiped the crust out the inner corner of my eyes. Without checking my phone I got out of bed and made my way to the bathroom. I probably don’t have time to shower because it takes me so long to shower so I’ll just brush my teeth. 

After I brushed my teeth I grabbed my toothbrush and went back to my room. ‘Now what to wear?’ I thought to myself. I should probably pick something comfortable because I don’t know how long the trip will be. I opted with a pair of black sweat pants and a plain white t-shirt. I grabbed a blue sweater in case I got cold. ‘Should I bring Waffles?’ I thought. I don’t want Sesbatian to judge me but at the same token who cares. I’ll bring Waffles. He deserves a trip. My phone began to ring indicating that I was receiving a call. 

I checked the caller ID to see it was Keegan. Why was he calling me, it wasn’t eight yet. I answered the phone and put it on speaker. “Hey we’re outside” Keegan said. I looked out my window and sure enough there was a black patriot jeep. “You guys are early,” I said in disbelief. “I know, but Sebastian wanted to make sure you ate breakfast,” Keegan said. Damn it Sebastian you’re making it very difficult to not like you. “Let me grab my bag and I’ll meet you outside. I hung up and quickly stuffed my toothbrush and waffles in the bag. “I’m sorry friend but I can’t let them see you” I said to him zipping the zipper. I grabbed the bag and my sweater and ran downstairs. 

I threw on my black high top converse. I opened the door and got startled when I saw Keegan standing right in front of the door. “AH what the fuck Keegan don’t stand right there!!!” I screamed at him. All he did was chuckle and shake his head making his black curls bounce. “I’m sorry I’m just really excited. Oh someone else is excited to see you too”. He moved over to the side allowing me to see what was in front of me. Sebastian leaning against the passenger side of the car. He was wearing a black t-shirt and a pair of black ripped jeans. His long black hair was in a half up bun. If Greek statues were able to come alive it would be this guy.

“Hi tiger,” his deep voice said. I struggled to find words. It was easy to talk on the phone, but I was struggling in real life. “Well come on,” Keegan said, closing the truck. Wait a second where’d my bag go. “While you were busy staring I took your bag and put it in the trunk. Now come on!”. Holy shit this is embarrassing. I have to get it together. I walked down to the car and got in on the passengers side. Keegan sat in front of me and of course Sebastian was driving. “Everyone buckle up,” Sebastian said, fastening his seat belt. Keegan and I did the same. “So what are we thinking of for breakfast?” Sebastian asked. Keegan pretended to think before turning to look at me.

“What do you want, Carson?” he asked me. Damn it, why'd they let me pick? I didn’t want to pick something everyone hated. “Uhhh how about the cafe down the street?” I said awkwardly “I hear they have really good waffles”. I saw Sebastian smile in the mirror. “Of course we can go there” Sebastian put on a pair of sunglasses and started the car. “Do you like waffles tiger?” Sebastian asked. I began to fidget with my fingers. I know he was asking questions to get to know me better, but I still felt a bit awkward. “Yes I enjoy them" I answered.

Sebastian started driving. The first few minutes were silent. Keegan please say something to make this less awkward. As if he heard me, Keegan spoke out loud. "I'm playing some music y'all are too quiet for my liking" Keegan plugged the aux into his phone and music started to play. Cool For The Summer by Demi Lovato played through the speakers. Keegan started to sing along. He wasn't the best at singing but I wasn't going to ruin his fun. "Come on Carson, you know the lyrics!!!" He yelled at me over the music.

Well no harm in having fun. I started to sing along. Well more like yell along. It doesn't matter, I was having fun. On the way to the cafe we jammed to music. Even Sebastian joined us. “We’re here cuties,” Sebastian said, pulling into the parking lot. We parked near the back of the Cafe. “Let’s go!” Keegan said, practically jumping out of the car. I laughed at him and followed him inside. The interior was very rustic looking. The walls were made of stone. There were pictures of wildlife on the wall like butterflies, deer, and squirrels. The hostess desk and the floor was made of mahogany wood. The wood reminded me of that one scene of The Emperor’s New Groove.

“Are you kidding this is hand carved mahogany?” I said to myself, quoting Kronk. Keegan turned his head to look at me. “Are you quoting The Emperor's New Groove?” He asked me. I nodded my head and shyly looked down. Without warning Keegan grabbed my hand. “It’s okay,” he said. Sebastian rang the bell that was sitting on the hostess desk. I didn’t even hear or see him come in. Soon an old lady with red dyed and way too much blue eyeshadow came up to the desk. “How many?” she asked in a voice sounding raspy. “Three” Sebastian answered. The hostess grabbed three menus and led us to a booth. Keegan and Sebastian sat on one side and I sat on the other side by myself.

‘Isn’t this fun’ I thought to myself. The hostess set our menus down and left. I looked at the menu to avoid the awkwardness of the situation. A waitress came over and asked us what we wanted to drink. Keegan ordered his usual drink of ice tea, I got apple juice, and Sebastian ordered a black coffee. “You drink coffee without sugar or cream!” I exclaimed. This made Sebastian laugh. “Yeah” he said “Why’d you order the apple juice?” I rubbed the back of my neck. “I just like apple juice,” I said, taking a sip of my drink. I looked down at my menu. I knew what I wanted and I was just trying to avoid their eyes. “Tiger, what's your favorite color?” Sebastian asked. I answered by saying purple.

"What's your favorite color?" I asked back. It’s better than trying to sit in awkward silence. Might as well try to get to know him. “Black” he said which made Keegan scoff. “Black isn’t a color, it's a shade and you’re so basic.” Keegan said, stirring his tea with his straw. “Aren’t you dating the basic man?” I said, sipping on my apple juice. Sebastian snickered at my comment. “Fair point ”Keegan said. The waitress came over and asked us what we wanted to eat. I of course ordered waffles, Keegan ordered pancakes, toast, and hash brown, and Sebastian got an egg omelet and some bacon. Before the waitress left Keegan whispered something in her ear. 

We played twenty-one questions until the food arrived. Keegan joined even though we knew about him. He tried to lie during some questions but Sebastian and I quickly called him out. Our food came and I looked at my plate. My waffles had whipped cream and strawberries. The menu said it would just be plain waffles. That’s what Keegan must have been whispering about. While eating it was mainly quiet except for my little humming and dancing. “Is it good?” Keegan asked. I nodded, he must have seen my dance. “Don’t feel embarrassed, it was cute,” Sebastian said. I continued to eat and dance. After we ate we stood up to pay the bill. “Let me run to the car and grab some money so I can pay for my food” I said. I had to dodge Keegan trying to grab me. 

I was going to pay for my own food. I was halfway to the door before I was hoisted in the air. “Oh no you don’t tiger. Quick Keegan pay for the food!”. I wiggled to get out of Sesbastians grip but he wasn’t letting go. “All done let's go” Keegan said walking out the door. Sebastian finally put me down. “After you” He said, holding the door open for me. I stuck my middle finger up at him and walked to the car. Once everyone was in the car we hit the road.