𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐍 (𝟏)

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟓𝟑

"Joey!"

"What—Why are you getting annoyed at me? I haven't even done anything!"

"I'm getting annoyed because I can hear you breathing into my ear—Ugh!" Tiana snaps, groaning and slamming her hands onto the table before pushing herself up and off her seat. "I can't stand you right now."

Joey's mouth drops open, gaping as he watches his girlfriend stomp off in the direction of the courtyards wooden gate. He looks to me then, his eyes wide and filled with confusion. I shrug in response, avoiding the plate of food in front of me.

"I wasn't even sitting that close to her," He exclaims, looking around in utter disbelief. "What the fuck?" He mutters, slipping out of his seat to trail after her hurriedly.

"Okay, if that's what relationships are like, then I want no part in it." Abigail says, shaking her head as she watches them with a look of pure concern.

"They aren't," I hurry to say. "That's just them." I shrug, tapping my fingers on the table.

Ricky gasps from across me, gathering our attention: He carefully places his Jello container back onto the table before adjusting himself to look at me, with a look so eager and frightening I think I should run away while I can.

"I can't believe I haven't asked this yet.." He mutters.

I press my hands onto the table, leaning towards him to whisper. "Ask me what?"

"How is Rowan at being a boyfriend?" Ricky asks, grinning now. I feel my body still, and heat begins to crawl up my neck. "What." I croak.

He snorts and sends a cheeky glance my way. "Come on, spill the tea, girl. How is he treating you? Is he a gentlemen? Is he as good in bed as he looks—"

I nearly choke on my spit and die right there. "Um, Excuse me—what?"

"Oh my God, Ricky.. you horny bastard, what kind of person asks those kind of questions," Abigail sighs, shaking her head disapprovingly at Ricky. "You need to use tact, Ricky.. watch and learn."

Abigail shifts in her seat to face me, her green eyes sparkling with mischief that makes my insides crawl and body feel uneasy. "Tell us Isadora, have you been able to crack that hard-ass exterior of his? Is he secretly a softy? What does he look like without a shirt? Is he good in bed—"

I flush completely. Hot, simmering heat trailing down my body, and embarrassment crawling up my neck. I think of ways to escape this horrifying scenario—death being the main thought.

"Abigail!" Ricky bursts, His eyes wide with disbelief, but lips curved up into an amused smirk. "How is that tact—you quite literally did the exact same thing I did, but with different questions!"

Abigail shakes her head, folding her arms over her chest stubbornly. Her ginger hair falling over her shoulder in small waves, the color reminding me of fall and dead leaves.