(JARED'S POV)
(this chapter is a bit boring, it's just Jared explaining to Tyson what happened. skip to the end/middle of this chapter for the juicy(ish) part ??)
Tyson and I watched as Austin got pulled into his house by his father. Tyson didn't know whether or not to start his car and start driving away, or going up to the door and interfering with what had just happened
"Just drive." I said.
"Just drive?" Tyson looked back at me. "Did you see that? His dad just-"
"Just go. If you interfere, it'll make it worse.' I reply, getting slightly angrier each passing second.
Tyson hesitates, before sighing and starting the car. He drives out of the neighborhood, not saying anything. He lets out a huff, glancing at me in the rearview mirror.
"..You ah.. want some McDonalds?"
I raise a brow, shrugging. "Err.. sure."
Moments later he pulls into a Mcdonald's parking lot.
"We're eating inside?" I ask, suspiciously.
"I mean why not? Lets have some brother bonding time."
It was rare he ever said something like that-- so knowing him, I'm about to get bombarded with questions.
Tyson and I both exit the vehicle, walking into the restaurant.
I couldn't get my mind off of Austin and what had happened with him. The kiss, Cheryl and O.P... So many things were running through my mind, I couldn't keep up with them.
We walk up to the counter, Tyson ordering chicken nuggets, as I order a big mac-- only the best thing on the menu.
Approaching an empty booth, we sit across from each other. Tyson clears his throat, looking intently at me.
"So. How was it with Austin? Did you have fun?"
"Yeah, it was fine."
"Only fine?" Tyson asks, as he shifts in his seat. "What happened between you guys? You guys were both quiet, I know something happened."
Tyson always acted as if he were older than me, when we were literally in the same grade.
I shrug, sitting up ever so slightly. "Nothing happened."
"Something happened."
"We played games, that's it."
"Jared, tell me."
"We're good, nothing happened."
"Jared-"
"Nothing happened okay?!" I raise my voice slightly, interrupting Tyson mid-sentence.
I sit back in my seat, crossing my arms, as one of the McDonald's workers comes and sets a tray of food down on the table in front of us.
Tyson sighs. "Jared, I'm your brother, I'm here to listen to you."
I tap my foot anxiously, wondering if I should tell Tyson. Looking up at him, I swallow my spit.
"We..uhm.." I paused, looking away.
"Kissed."
Tyson sort of just sits there, looking at me. He eventually lets out a soft chuckle, erupting into a laugh.
"Wow-- I was definitely not expecting that."
Tyson begins eating, as if he didn't hear what I had said.
".. Do you.. not care?"
He laughs, stuffing a fry in his mouth.
"I mean-- I kinda saw it coming."
I widened my eyes slightly.
"What do you mean you saw it coming?"
"I mean I saw it coming." He stuffs another fry. "Y'Know-- when you were out of the room, Austin and I had quite the conversation."
I sit up in my chair. "What?!" I practically yell. "What'd he say?"
"Eat first, Ill tell you later."
"No-- tell me now!" I begged.
He sighed. "Fine, but eat your food."
Tyson had told me all about the conversation with him and Austin.I actually couldn't believe it.
"...So-- does he like me?"
"Seemed like it." He shrugged. "But hey— what do I know?"
I sighed softly— eating my now luke warm McDonald's Big Mac.
"Hey— don't let that kiss get in the way of you two or anything." Tyson added on. "Trust me— it's not worth it."
I nodded. "Yeah.. okay."
After a couple moments of silence, Tyson spoke up again.
"So what even made you guys kiss in the first place." He asked— glancing back up at me.
I stay silent for a moment— thinking back to what happened with Cheryl and O.P.
"I—uh.." I hesitated. "..When Austin and I were walking around the arcade I—... I saw Cheryl and O.P."
I looked at Tyson, to see if he got what I was saying.
"..And?" Tyson asks.
I sigh slightly. "..They kissed— and I ran to the bathroom, and Austin followed." I stated, talking a little too fast than needed. "That's how it happened."
Tyson looked distraught; his mouth agape ever so slightly.
"Oh. Damn— I mean.." He trailed off, probably not knowing what to say to that.
Tyson furrowed his brows slightly. "Well— speak of the devil.." He pointed behind me.
As I glanced to where he had pointed— I noticed Cheryl walking in, and not an O.P. In sight.
I quickly turn away. "Jesus— of course she comes here right after-"
"Jared? Is that you?" I get interrupted by a voice— recognized as Cheryl.
She walks up to my table, smiling brightly— as if she wasn't just making out with someone as the arcade.
"Oh— Cheryl, hi." I mumbled.
Tyson clears his throat, noticing my uncomfortableness. "Cheryl— can you uh.. maybe let us be?" He asked.
Cheryl tilts her head— as she looked at me. "What?— why? What's wrong?"
"It's nothing." I assure.
Tyson rolls his eyes. "Him and Austin—"
"Tyson!" I yell— knowing what he was gonna say.
"What?" He asked— before glancing back at Cheryl "Him and Austin just came back from the arcade is all. He's tired."
I let out a slight sigh— glancing at Cheryl; her smile bright as can be.
"Oh really? I was just at the arcade with O.P!" She exclaimed.
"Yeah, we know." I blurted out.
She stayed silent— looking at me. "Ah.. why— didn't you come up to us?"
I shrugged— glancing away as I didn't speak a word.
Silence filled the table once more, as Cheryl cleared her throat— she knows she had just been caught red handed. "I— ah.. well.. I'll see you later then." She then quickly walked away— out of the McDonalds.
"Yeah bye." I say— picking at my food.
"Hey, don't be so upset alright?" Tyson says. "Let's just go home, and call it a day."
I look up at Tyson. "Fine."
As we get up to leave— I can't stop thinking about the kiss.
And now that I think about it.
I liked it.
