Never I Thought

Chapter 21 - Not A Date

"They're really going all out on the romance for their first date, aren't they?" Robin asked, leaning back to look over the booth we were hiding in.

Matt and Mabel were sitting at their two-person table in the middle of the low-lit restaurant, the yellow glow making all the other couples seem so soft and dreamy as they both leaned in as they spoke so casually. I had never seen Mabel so at peace, she had a loud energy that came along with her bubbly personality but with someone so laid back and quiet, she had seemed to adopted that aura.

I just knew Mabel was dying inside. This was something she had been daydreaming about since they met. I couldn't disagree with Robin, though, it felt way too romantic and tempted me to start running home to shower it all off me.

"This feels... wrong," I murmured and looked back over at Robin.

"You're right, how could someone as good-looking as me be on a date with you?" He said sadly.

I took a deep breath in, just don't respond.

"We should go," I looked back over at Mabel, "they actually seem... happy."

"No one is happy around you or any of your friends. Especially not Matt."

I clenched my jaw, "are you sure you're not just confusing us for yourself?"

He pretended to think about it, "nope. Pretty sure I mean you."

Two menus slammed down onto our table and I looked up in shock to see a waitress smiling widely down at us. She seemed almost too enthusiastic.

"Welcome, can I get you two started with a drink?" She asked.

Robin looked at me then up at the waitress, "you guys have apple juice? I am craving some apple juice right now."

The waitress nodded, though a tinge of confusion flashed past her face.

"Just water," I forced myself to say.

The reality of the situation was starting to hit me. I was in a stupidly romantic restaurant, trying to make sure my best friend was okay and now it looked like I was on a date with this obnoxious boy when I knew I could do so much better. I should run.

Instead, I opened the menu and started to look through it. With every other person in this place being couples, I'm sure they'd be thinking the same thing about Robin and I. The thought was enough to make me want to jump on the table and announce that I would never stoop that low.

If only it had been anyone else in front of me.

Like Kei.

He'd be sitting across from me, his fingers tapping on the table just in front of mine but wouldn't be touching as we talked back and forth. I'd tell him that it didn't matter if he got the ball or not because I was proud of him for even trying. He'd try and deflect by making a joke but we'd look into each other's eyes and I'd...

My cheeks grew warm and I tried to bat away my thoughts before Robin could notice and make a comment about how I must be thinking of how great he looked in this lighting.

"So... you really didn't know Matt was interested in Mabel?" I asked, picking at the edge of the table.

"And I'm an awful friend because of that, right Mcurth?" He raised his eyebrows.

I straightened my back and cleared my throat, "no. No. I'm just curious why he didn't tell you."

However, I figured it was because Robin could be judgemental towards his friends, just as he was judgemental towards me. They'd never be able to recognise or admit it but it'd always be lingering and warning them what to say aloud.