I can't stay away [SOLBY AU]

[13] out of the Conversation

Warning(s): UNEDITED!

This is just a cute, little filler chapter—sort of! :) I did something a little differently. We have a first-point of view chapter, seriously, let me know what you think! I know it can be a little weird when it's in first-person, given its SOLBY Fanfic and not a y/n one.

SAM

I cant focus on the conversation happening in front of me. The keys sitting in my fist, they feel warmer trapped in my hoodie's pocket. My gaze strays from my friends and towards the menu. It's a paper menu with those fun little games often seen on a kid's menu. I hadn't noticed the waitress is back with our drinks, asking for our choices for this evening. When she finally gets to asking me what I want to order, she gestures toward the kids menu, uncolored.
        "I am so sorry sir! Would you like more time?" I nod and smile politely as i try not to stutter over my own words. She's kind enough to ignore the hiccup in my speech, and immediately reassures me, she'll be right back to take my order.

Fortunately, Jake is here to offer his own menu. Both he and the waitress agreed that'd he'd just give up his menu. Tara watches the exchange and I can't help watching how good Jennifer, and her get along without the groups interference or Colby's. Where was he off to in a rush? ..Jennifer did say she wants to explain in greater details the rules of his house, given that was the reason for his visit. So we've been told—Im not positive Jennifer is telling us the full truth.

When she called me thirty minutes after packing up, Jake was still present for the conversation. I voiced Jennifer would be on speaker for a moment and she happily obliged. She introduced herself as Colby's friend stating she was a tarot-reader living by the witches forest.

Nothing further was briefed until I heard interesting names and plans as Colby took a moment to step aside with Jennifer earlier this morning. Outside this somewhat busy diner, is a wet and humid forecast set to be like this during the following week. It's been an hour after Colby left my friends and I in Jennifer's capable hands.
"Yo, buddy, you good?" Jake nudges Corey as his eyes flicker from my face to his. I raise the menu to get a better look. I should've brought my glasses with me—Too bad I left them in the car. There's a hand grabbing he edges of the menu, a centimeter from my curled fingers. It's not Jake's grubby hands, and I allow the menu to droop in my hands. "Yes, brother?" Corey stares at me longer then necessary but I suppose after getting to know him through Aaron, the drawn out eye-contact is irrelevant to the soon-to-be conversation.

"What are you ordering for this fine evening?" Corey pulls his hand free to pick up his phone to catch a quick glimpse. There's a big smile on his face as he readjusts himself next to Jake. Who's persistent on keeping our friend away from his phone.
"You might as well be married to your phone, man."
Corey shrugs in response to Jake's statement and the girls chime in.
"What's so interesting going on over 'ere?" Tara wiggles in her seat as she happily sips her sugary drink, induced with caffeine and a sprinkle of alcohol. I peek at the purse leaning against my hip. It's Tara's purse, and evidently, there's the flask. I subconsciously reach into my pocket to investigate the key's unique ridges, and design. To answer Corey's question, "Im not sure.. probably something heavy, I don't know when we'll eat again." I remove my busied hand to flip my phone over. Its white backside is baron and I'll have to try to remind myself to get a phone-case.

"That's not good, Ok, Im getting a western-style platter! What are you feeling Sam?" I hum as he rubs a hand over his stomach, imitating the aftermath of a hearty meal. "Probably, French toast, eggs.. and the, wow.. Tara, they have Vegan sausage—yea, I'll get the sausage as well."
Tara gets excited in her seat—she slaps the table and brushes over the menu, "oh my god! How come I didn't notice?!"

She takes the menu to show Jennifer but she fairs well under Tara's pressure. She makes brief eye-contact with me and I smile. She returns it before explaining the specialties. Jake gears up to join their conversation, and Corey is on his phone again. I snort as were all throw into different self-absorbed universes. Im no better either!

Im strangely infatuated with a guy I barely know! I sigh gravely into my hands and face my head in the other direction. The windows are still foggy and it does nothing to smooth over the image replaying in my mind. His eyes are intense when they were staring at me this morning. Colby sat there in the dining room sinfully half-undressed. I can clearly tell the self-proclaimed medium stayed the night at Jennifers. Are they an item? The question continues to cross my mind as She sits two seats-down, and my own feelings somehow finding a way to clash with their long-standing, current relationship.

What right do I have to interfere? Im not like that.. I don't steal other people's spouses or lover's. What happened in middle-school should've never transpired that night. And it'll never occur again.

Im glad the waitress comes back to retrieve the menu in Jennifer's hands. She takes out a small-pocket-sized notepad, her other hand follows suit with a pen ready to scribble down our orders.
"I'll have the western-platter, and my friend here is good with the Salmon-BLT." She smiles, "got it! And for you ma'am?" The waitress leans her hip against the resin table-top, now facing Jennifer and Tara. "We'll be sharing a meal! The.. uh, what was it again Jen? Oopsie," I blink upon viewing the closeness, "Oh, huh, We'll be getting the seasonal Pancakes you have in-store, the pumpkin ones!" The waitress who notices the tone set for this evening when talking to the woman sitting at this booth, Her knowing smirk speaks volumes.

I feel bad for her. This town is small, and Jennifer has lived here pretty much here all her life. I am certain these two know each other.
"Coming right up, and lastly, What can I get for you sir?" I right myself in my seat as my hands cross over the shiny table, littered with straw-covers and unraveled cutlery. "I'll get three eggs, Vegan sausage, and.. a short-stack of French toast, if you will,"

"Coming right up!" She winks at Jennifer's beat-red face, and I quickly glance at Tara, whose scrolling through TikTok, sipping on her drink stationed between her resting arms.

"Before the food gets here, I suppose it's a good time to bring up the ground-rules," I pause my own musings to take a sip of my water. Jennifer continues speaking after her eyes fall on us individually. "Cole  doesn't want you guys running into the neighbor's territory if he's ever out or if you start to venture into the woods.. and his friend is staying over. He's held responsible.. alright? and,"

"What're the neighbors like?" Jennifer ponders the question Jake throws at her, and It makes me wonder if they're really a danger or not. People living in the mountains are weird. Colby doesn't count, right?
"They're stuck in their ways. It's hunting and gathering for them, so god forbid they think your a Sasquatch or some skin-walker." Everyone equally agrees that's a good enough reason to keep out. Jennifer points a finger, "specially if it's during the middle of the night." Jake hurriedly nods, and Corey's eyes are comically wide. No doubt, I muse to myself, that Corey will continue to doubt this trip and his safety. Furthermore, question my sanity for the growing level of realness going into these places.

"He normally refrains from keeping distant family or friends out.. So think of this as a privilege. A distant cousin, letting you into their home." Jennifer leaves the table on a solemn note. No one has a chance to reconcile because the waitress is heading for our table, plates decorating her arms, and a bus-boy on her tail with the rest. That was really fast!

"lets get to chowing," Jake voices his eagerness and sudden flutter my heart leaves me feeling restless.
Maybe i do stand a chance, no?

TO BE CONTINUED!

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—HanzDanae