Better Than That [#Wattys2015]

The Next Piece Of The Puzzle

""Felix Jordan!" I gasp at Winter . "THE Felix Jordan!". Winter shrugs "He was kinda annoying, followed me around everywhere!". I stifle a laugh and catch Lisa eye, she grins. Leon and Ollie and Sapphy walk over to us, Ollie has his arm around sapphire, I gag. "Hey guys" Leon grins. "Hey" I say, walking over to a bench. Since it's the holidays, the park has become our no 1 meeting place. "We need to get that note out of Andy's desk" Sapphire says, still hanging on Ollies arm. Winter usually grimaces at this sort of unnecessary over the top affection but she seems kind of dazed. "Winter!, Winter!, WINTER MILO!, WINTER JORDAN!" Winter snaps out of her daydream, lunging at my throat "what.was.that.Tara.Mit-" I cover her mouth with my hand, hoping no one picked up what she was about to say. "What was that Winter?" Lisa asks, grinning cheekily. "Well I was just saying how Tara likes L.." "LOLLIES!" I yell, standing up. Sapphire begins laughing. Winter grabs my arm and drags me to the bubblers. "You have to tell him!" She whispers. I look over at the rest of the gang, Ollie and sapphire dreamily looking into each other's eyes, Lisa reading a horror book in a far corner and Leon picking at some dirt on his shoe. "I can't Winter!" I sigh "I just can't!". "You can. Just do it!" Winter grins. "you have to tell Felix!" I laugh, grabbing her arm. Winter sighs and walks off, towards the library.
***
You have a message from Winter
Winter: Omfg!
Me: Wat
Winter: You won't believe it
Me: what
Winter: I don't want to do this
Me: look, r u gonna tell me or nah
Winter: Mate.
Me:Winter.
Winter:felixaskedmetocometothesaffycafethisafternoonandmeethim
Me:WHAT NO WAY
Winter: yes way, should I go...
Me: hell yes!
Winter: but...you know...
Me: I'm coming over
Winter: alright, u walking?
Me:Bike :)
Me: See you soon, Mrs Jordan
Winter:🔪
*****
"No. Why are we being so cliche!" Winter sighs, tossing aside a red shirt. "The blue shorts?" I say, picking up a pair of Aztec print shorts. "Fine." Winter sighs. She picks up a grey tank top with cool patterns with the shorts and goes into the bathroom to change. She comes back out, her hair frizzy from pulling off her hoodie. She brushes it out and slips on her converse. "I can't do this!" She sighs, turning back. "Yes you can, you can't pull out now!" I grin.

We walk to the cafe together, winter chewing at her lip nervously. She looks around and catches Felix's eye. He grins and waves, "See ya!" Winter giggles, ACTUALLY GIGGLES. G I G G L E S. And walks over to sit with Felix. I look around, maybe I'll get a milkshake before I leave.

"Hey, Tara!" I hear a familiar voice from behind be. I swerve around. Leon is sitting at a table with Cathy and Freddy on one side. Cathy is feeding Freddy chips, ew. Leon looks really uncomfortable. "Hey!" I smile, walking over to them. "Hey Tara!" Freddy waves "Come sit with us!" I walk over, I might as well if I'm not doing anything else.,"Cathy..." I say "You look like you're having fun..". Cathy blushes but continues the feeding of the chips. I sit down the remaining seat, wich happens to be next to Leon. "So.." I begin, trying to create conversation. "What's up guys". "Nothing much really, it was just supposed to be Freddy and me meeting here to talk about our soccer team but he bought his BAE along!" Leon whisperes in my ear, when Freddy is distracted. "Ah okay.. Everyone seems to be so obsessed with getting a boyfriend or girl friend these days" I sigh. Leon nods, "were you planning on getting something?" Leon asks, I shrug, "I guess". "Well come on then!" Leon says, dragging me to the waitress. "Hey guys!" She smiles, wiping the counter. "Are you guys here on a date, so many kids here on dates today!" She smiles sweetly. "No. Nononono. We're just here with some friends!" I protest. Leon nods. The lady puts her hands up as if to resemble defeat "alright, whatever you say, what was it that you wanted?". Leon orders a chocolate milkshake, "what are you having Tara?". I order the same, and fish around in my pockets for change. "Damn, I'm 2 dollars short!" I hiss under my breath. "It's fine", Leon says, handing the waitress two dollars for me. "Are you sure?" I ask. "Tara, it's just two dollars!" Leon grins, laughing slightly. We grab the milkshakes and head back to the table, Cathy and Freddy are flirting shamelessly, the atmosphere around that table is very awkward. "Do you wanna find another table, we could talk about what's happened to Andy and stuff, you know , put the pieces together"' Leon asks, walking away from Cathy and Freddy. ""Sure, I guess" I say following him, trying to hide the fact that I'm blushing. We take our seats at a table quite close to Winter and Felix, who seem to be having a grand old time. "You know that note in Andy's desk.." Leon says, pulling something out of his pocket. "I have it". "Oh my gosh Leon!,how did you get it, the school is closed!"."Well, my sisters friend is friends with on of the cleaners...I don't know how.. ,But she let me in and I got it!" He grins, placing the blue paper on the table. I grab it and unfold it, Leon reads it upside down

Having fun without me aren't you
Leon, remember what I said, your sport will prove worthy.
The one Winter will meet will hold the next clue.
-Andy Bates

Winter glanced over at me from her table, her eyes quickly darting yo the blue paper. She abandons her chair and walks over, Felix following her. Winter reads the note, her mouth hanging open. Felix is reading the note over her shoulder, eyes wide. "Andy Bates!" He gasps. "I know him!"