𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐠𝐨, 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫

𝟕: 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞

"Wait, what?"

Elizabeth was recounting everything that happened on Thanksgiving to Skylar, Jackie, and Grace. She felt it was time to share it all with her friends.

"You're friends with Erin now?" Skylar asked.

"Well, we don't hate each other anymore. She's pretty cool once you get to know her," Elizabeth said, taking a bite from her apple. It was lunchtime, and the three of them were sitting in their usual booth.

"So, wait are you into Haden now?" Grace asked. Elizabeth shrugged. "He's nice to me, so yeah, why not?"

"So, you're completely over Cole?" Skylar asked. Elizabeth sighed. "I'm getting there."

As long as there were no more cabin trips and no more fireplaces, getting along with Cole and moving on from him would be easy. It was time. Cole had Erin, and Elizabeth had Haden.

Elizabeth noticed Jackie staring and smiling at someone across the room. She turned to see Alex sitting with Nathan, Isaac, and Lee. "Just invite him over here," Elizabeth encouraged Jackie.

Jackie shook her head. "He's fine where he is. He's sitting with his brothers."

"But you're his girlfriend," Elizabeth pointed out.

Jackie had called Elizabeth the day after to share that Alex had made a romantic gesture, leading them to confess their feelings for each other. Elizabeth thought it was sweet that Jackie and Alex had each other—Alex was a sweetheart, and they made a great couple.

"I'll wave him over," Grace offered.

"No, Grace, you don't..." Jackie started, but Grace was already waving Alex over to their booth. "Have to." Alex got up and walked over with a smile. "Hey, guys."

"Alex, have a seat," Elizabeth said, getting up to join Grace and Skylar on the other side of the booth.

"You don't have to sit here if you don't want to," Jackie said. "It's okay. I want to," Alex replied, sitting down next to Jackie and wrapping his arm around her. Jackie smiled at him.

"I'm going to grab a Pop-Tart," Elizabeth said as she stood up and walked to the lunch line. She scanned the flavors and picked strawberry. As she was about to pay with her school lunch card, someone suddenly swiped it from her hand. "Hey!" She turned to see Cole standing there with a shit-eating smirk.

"Hey is for horses," he said.

"You'd know. You're around them all day," Elizabeth retorted with a chuckle. Cole reached into his pocket and pulled out his school lunch card. "Here, use mine," he said, handing it to the cashier.

"I could've used mine," Elizabeth said, slightly annoyed. "I know," Cole nodded, then took his card back. "Here," he said, handing Elizabeth her card.

"So, any plans for the bonfire tonight?" Cole asked.

"Well, Haden asked me to go with him," Elizabeth replied, her smile growing, causing Cole's to fade. "Haden?" Cole asked with a hint of concern.

Elizabeth nodded. "I don't think that's a good idea," Cole said. "Why not?" Elizabeth asked, confused.

"He's not exactly the best influence," Cole warned. Elizabeth narrowed her eyebrows at him. "Says you."

Cole sighed. "This isn't about me. I'm just saying you should be careful around him. Trust me, I know him," he warned before walking away.

A chill went down Elizabeth's spine. What did he mean by "be careful around him"? What was Cole implying?

Elizabeth shook off the unease. Maybe Cole was just jealous. But, He had Erin, so why would he care? Haden seemed like a decent guy—he played football, was smart, and really sweet.