Lessons In Butterflies

Chapter 8: Gag Worthy Tea Party.

Shella's POV (1st Person):

- After School-

Cheryl didn't even give me a chance to escape. One minute, I was in my room, enjoying the quiet, and the next thing I knew, I was being dragged to meet her best friend for tea. 

No warning, no options, just, "It'll be fun!" and out the door we went.

I slumped in the car as Cheryl prattled on about how much I'd like Melissa, her "bestie." As if I needed to spend the afternoon with someone who probably talked as much as Cheryl.

 I wasn't exactly in the mood for it. 

My mind was still swirling from everything that had happened today—class, running into Mr. Caldwell again, Dani's antics in economics. I'd rather be anywhere but here.

We arrived at this quaint little café, the kind with dainty teacups and floral tablecloths that screamed "adult bonding time." 

Fantastic.

"There she is!" Cheryl sang, spotting her friend sitting near the window.

Melissa was exactly what I expected—perfect hair, too much makeup, and an oversized smile that I could tell was trying way too hard. She waved at us, practically bouncing in her chair. 

"Oh my gosh, Shella! It's so nice to finally meet you!"

I saw the way her eyes flickered down my body before snapping on mine. 

"Yeah... nice to meet you too," I muttered, trying to sound polite while avoiding eye contact.

We sat down, and as soon as the waiter handed us menus, Melissa launched into conversation mode. 

And by conversation, I mean she talked about herself. 

Cheryl was equally excited, nodding and gasping at every other sentence.

"I just have to tell you," Melissa said, leaning in as if sharing a huge secret, "my sons are doing so well lately. Both of them, just absolutely thriving."

Oh no. Here we go. I felt my eyes glaze over as she started the bragging marathon.

"My oldest is so handsome," she continued. "He's tall, athletic, has this strong jawline. Honestly, he gets stopped in public sometimes. People think he's a model." She laughed, flipping her hair like it was the funniest thing in the world.

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. I really didn't care how good-looking her son was. 

But of course, she wasn't done.

"And then there's my youngest. He's a bit more... how do I say it? Quiet. Very mysterious. He's always been reserved, you know? But so thoughtful. He's incredibly intelligent. He's in teaching now, if you can believe it."

I zoned back in at that. Teaching? I almost asked, but then I realised I didn't care.

"He's very serious, though," Melissa said, taking a dainty sip of her tea. "Doesn't date much, always focused on his work. So hard to get him to relax. He's a bit too intense for his own good, really."

My brain started ticking. Quiet, serious, teaching... I couldn't help but picture someone. Someone who fit that description all too well.

Someone fantasically brooding.

No. It couldn't be.

"He's in his late twenties, but honestly, with the way he carries himself, you'd think he's been an adult his whole life." Melissa chuckled to herself.