The Theater Girl and the Player

Forever & Always - Part 8

I gape at Stephen talking to my classmate Lucia, also known as Jae and Carla's friend. He's currently telling her that it's his birthday, going along with the ruse. Some other clients, a middle-age woman along with her husband and two teenagers join the line, simultaneously hiding my view of the conversation.

Strangely enough, in our town, ice-cream is always popular, both in the winter and summertime. Ice-cream is not a seasonal craving at Saint Huguette Benton, unlike corn, which breaks my heart, because I love corn so much.

I huff, settling back into my seat, pulling down on my skirt. Now, I can't even watch him.

Now, I'm forced to remember what my date stated before he stood up to go to the ice-cream counter, so carefreely while my mouth dropped open in shock.

The cutest girl... That's a big statement to make.

Was he lying or being sincere? 

I don't believe a second he really meant it, so I shouldn't think much of it. Right?

He's a player, I remind myself. He's supposed to be charming.

   "Hi!"

I jump, snapping out of my head for a moment.

Virginia, a friend of Abigail waves at me, obviously engrossed with me being here with our school's biggest player and she's wearing a work uniform. Oh, she's an employee here too? Fun.

I should text Abigail before she hears from her friend that I'm still with Stephen even though it's late. Pulling out my cellphone from my backpack, I type quickly, surveying the player who is currently parading back to the table with my balloons and two pastel blue cups filled to the brim with silky vanilla ice-cream.

          Peytonn🍿: Would you believe me if I told you I'm still with the dark sheep right now 😜

She answers right away.

          Abi 🦊🌹: Noooooo why 😭 what about teddy bear?

Abi and I identify every single one of my crushes or potential boyfriends as different animals. Dylan was The Labrador, Stephen is The Dark Sheep and Jae is The Teddy Bear, because Abigail claims I only see him like someone that comforts me when I need it, which is such a bold claim for a girl who watched us interact only maybe two times.

 But then again, she's one of my best friends and best friends always know better...

          Abi 🦊🌹: Garrett is asking who the dark sheep is 🤭 i love him so much, Pey 😻

Rolling my eyes, I wonder how is it that Garrett always manages to read Abi and I's conversations, although, I'm so thankful that Abigail met her other half and is so in awe of him. If she ends up marrying him, their babies are gonna be so cute too: light skinned with curly red hair!

Stephen puts the enticing mouth-watering sweets down in front of us, sliding into his booth and proudly states:

   "Got her to give you free toppings too."

I want to lean in and kiss him.

Wow! I guess food is truly the way to a girl's heart.

☆☆☆

I unlock the front door and step in quietly, removing Abigail's cowboy boots and setting them down in the shoe tray next to Lucas' obnoxiously white platform sneakers and then I drop my pink backpack on our lobby's ottoman. I suppose my family is all asleep at 00h50...