The Fruity Four

Chapter 8

"Jonathan, wait!" Robin called out as the heartbroken boy slammed the front door behind him without a glance back, spooking a group gathered in the foyer. Some visibly jumped or gasped. One of the girls spun to check the commotion and Robin recognized her as one of Steve's high school friends.

Robin ran over, praying the girl would remember her face so this would be less awkward. "Carol, is it? You know Steve, right?"

Her attention pulled to Robin. For a moment only confusion was shown through her scrunched eyebrows, then recognition passed over her face. "Yes! We used to... you know." She winked and grinned at her own fond memories. "Are you two together finally?"

"God no." She reared in disgust. "Listen, I'm in a bit of a rush but could you do me a huge favor and tell Steve I left with a friend? And that I'll be at his house later to explain?"

"Of course, hun. You get home safe tonight."

"Likewise." Robin offered her a smile before dashing out of the party.

Robin scanned the darkness for movement. The moon was nowhere to be seen, covered in a layer of clouds. But street lights cast shadows over a figure marching away, his slouched posture giving away Jonathan's identity. Her lungs were already seizing but Robin forced herself to give chase. She dashed for her stashed bike and peddled in his direction. A few houses down the block Robin matched Jonathan's pace. He didn't acknowledge her presence, keeping his gaze on the pavement as the booming of the party faded behind them. Eventually he slowed to a walk and Robin stepped off her bike. The only sound was their even footsteps, the turning of her bike chain, and the literal chirp of crickets.

"I'm so sorry, Jonathan." Robin began. "I know we don't know each other but I'm here if you need anything." He didn't stir but made no attempt to stop Robin from following either. "It's a nice night for a stroll." She finished.

They must've been walking for quite some time because the cozy suburban neighborhood was shifting into the main town. The glow of a towering diner sign shone brighter than any star that night. Jonathan noticed it too, finally lifting his head up.

"Hungry?" Robin asked.

Jonathan looked into her eyes and his flat expression perked the slightest bit. "I could use a milkshake."

A chime above the glass door startled Robin when she shouldered it open. Jonathan gave her a nod as she held it for him, but his eyes were still solemn. They were the only customers, so the waitress told them to sit anywhere. Jonathan slid into a booth by the window and Robin plopped down across from him. She scanned the diner for a clock, shocked when it showed the time being well past one in the morning.

The click of high heels pulled Robin out of her thoughts. The woman who approached them was clearly working a double. Her shirt was slightly untucked and blotted with an orange-brown substance Robin didn't care to identify. Loose hairs wisped from the ponytail she hadn't redone all day. She dropped off menus without so much as a smile and ducked into the kitchen. Not that Robin could blame her. Serving the people of Hawkins at her own establishment was soul-sucking. Without a word Jonathan picked up the top menu and sifted to the drinks section. Robin grazed through the other menu, quickly finding she had no appetite. The waitress returned a minute later for their orders. Jonathan asked for a strawberry milkshake and Robin started with a coke.

"So," Robin began once she was out of earshot. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Jonathan took a long pause before responding, "I don't even know what to think, let alone say."

Robin nodded, understanding more than she cared to admit. She was trying to be the supportive friend but her heart was just as fractured as Jonathan's. It felt wrong to be heartbroken over a girl she'd known for only a few days when Jonathan had been dating her for months, perhaps even years.