Olive Green [GxG]

CHAPTER 19

THERE IT WAS, spring in full swing. The weather was definitely pleasant, more friendly, but still could be better. However, I couldn't complain when most of the time I spent it somewhere inside, away from nature's power. Kind of.

  My friends, as bright as they were, always found a place to hide from the sudden rainy weather. We mostly spent our time at school, anyway. However, the café where Henry had his part-time job was our second most common place. And I couldn't complain since I liked their beverage offers.

  "—out workin' at that library over the summer," I heard Jade say.

  My attention was on the outside world almost the whole time, where a couple of people were walking their dogs while some kids were going back home from school. It was relaxing to watch these people and wonder about their lives. But then again, I felt a little bad for not paying attention to my friends. And so, I turned my head to Jade, who was now talking about her plans for summer, apparently.

  "What a great life of young adults," mumbled Henry, "workin' even before startin' to work."

  "Too sad you wouldn't be able to buy so many useless things otherwise," Leah countered from across me, to which Henry flipped her off.

  "Don't be so dramatic," Jade rolled her eyes. "I have nothing else to do over the summer anyway."

  Amani nodded in a sign of agreement while it seemed like she was still paying more attention to her phone than the ongoing conversation. When we were at this part of the year, it would be nice to say one thing: we were both accepted to the same school and both of us still wanted to go there. I was going to stay being a classmate with one of my friends, it seemed. How lovely. The thought of someone I knew who was going to stay around a little longer made me feel more sure, safe, even. Though it wouldn't be the first time I was supposed to go alone to a new school, I did feel relieved that it was not the case this time.

  I sighed, taking a sip of my hot chocolate that was no longer hot. I was staring out of the window for quite a while, after all. Although, now I had no chance of burning my tongue, which was good.

  "Sidney? Are you gettin' a summer job too?" Jade asked, glancing at me from behind her latte macchiato. Blinking, I nodded, to which she got curious expression on her face. "Where?"

  "I—uh, I'm gonna spend the break at my father's and babysit Zoé."

  At least that was the plan for now. Who knows how time can change our decisions, right? But I was excited. My first time in France for a long holiday. I knew only a little of the language since it was not very easy for me to learn new languages. I was excited, nonetheless.

  "Cool," Leah blurted out, making me raise my eyebrows in quiet question. I had no idea what was so cool about that plan. A different country? Probably. My parents being divorced? Not so much. Babysit a baby? Not fun for many.

  "Wait, like in France?" Amani asked, just to make sure, I guessed.

  Nodding, I took another sip of my cooling-down chocolate and chuckled, "Yeah, in the country of frog-eaters."

  Leah raised her eyebrows at me, and I only shrugged. I said what I said. How else could I describe said country? The destination for romance novels, perhaps.

  The topic changed quite quickly after that, leaving me with my thoughts again. Not that it was bad, but I didn't really know what to think about. All I could do was watch people outside. Which got boring after a short while. And the conversation my friends were having wasn't really interesting to me either.

  Leah and Jade were discussing a visit to the cinema while Amani was switching her attention between them and her phone. Even Henry and Liam were paying more attention to them. Well, obviously, if they had something they themselves wanted to watch. Deciding in a group what to watch was sometimes harder than one would have thought.

  As I had nothing better to do, I took out my phone too. They could go to the cinema any day, for all I cared, and I would most likely decline. For sure, if it were supposed to happen on Saturday—on those days I already had plans. Most Saturdays, at least. And so, not really eager to participate in the ongoing conversation, I opened Sudoku. That one stayed with me longer than any other mobile games, which was probably good as this one was for the brain; a really needed stimulant sometimes.

  "What 'bout you, Sid? Taggin' along?" Leah asked, making me sigh internally. But then I just shrugged, glancing down at my phone.

  "Not sure yet."

  "You've been busy lately," Jade stated, to which Leah nodded in agreement. I only raised my eyebrows at them. I was not busy. Not really. Only once in a while—not even every week—I hung out with Ava.

  "Anyone interesting there?" Leah asked, propping her elbows on the table while she gave my phone a curious look. I just shook my head. They wouldn't be happy to know who was on the other side.

  There was only silence around us as the two girls were deciding if they should believe me or not. I was definitely hoping for the latter, so I spoke again, "Starting a relationship at the end of high school is stupid anyway, y'know?"

  My words seemed to bring the attention of the rest, too, even though Amani was soon back to her phone and coffee. I blinked at others who kept on being silent. There was some truth in my words, I was sure. Those relationships were bound to end since people got separated after the end of the school year. Be it college or actual work.

  "You got a point," Liam mumbled, to which he took a sip of his coffee that had no chance of being still... well, as warm as a coffee should be—and no, he didn't have an iced one.

  "Thanks, I always do."

  "So if not busy with that, what is it then?" Jade asked curiously, making Liam and me roll our eyes. I liked that guy. Relatable and not too curious or annoying.

  "Can't I have some privacy in life?"

  Maybe we were friends, but I talked about these things only with my childhood friends. That was if they asked and it wasn't too much, which they thankfully did not do, yet, and I was glad since Ava was still not out and wasn't going to be anytime soon. Most likely.

  "I just wanted to know why you're so secretive," Jade shrugged, to which Leah quickly nodded in agreement. Such a nice friendship they have.

  Shrugging, I sighed, "'Cause it's nothing, and if I wanted to, I would tell y'all."

  "Okay."

  Shaking my head, I drank the rest of my almost-cold drink. I should get another one... I didn't even know how long we were planning on staying here, not that I wanted to go home already. The café was a very nice and comfortable place to spend time.

  "I'm gettin' another choco," I announced as I stood up, making a few of my friends glance in my direction. "Any special wishes?"

  "I'll go with you," Jade smiled at me while Henry gave us his order for some chocolate cake. I could understand him. This place was worth spending our money. Well, not sure about the cakes yet, but I was sure I would find out someday soon.