Just A Boy (ON HOLD)

Chapter 14

***Chapter 14***                                                             

The bell rang and the last period was finally over. Taking advantage of the few minutes I had spare I ran to the bathroom as Annie, Emma and I had agreed earlier. Annie and I were relatively calm, while Emma was freaking out, per usual. Actually to tell the truth, she was freaking out more than she had before, but she claimed it was down to the excitement of my first date.

Yes, this was my first date. Pitiful I know…

I looked in the mirror at my reflection. I was wearing a large t-shirt and a skirt because today was boiling, which was ridiculous because it was December now. I pulled my denim jacket tighter around myself and turned to face the others.

“You look perfect.” Emma said showing a forced smile. Something was wrong but she wouldn’t tell me what was bugging her. I felt like she was hiding something and some of her comments were laced with jealously. I couldn’t figure out what was wrong and that was saying something because we had been best friends for as long as I could remember.

Annie agreed and I left the ladies’ room to be smothered by Chase.

“My little Katie is finally growing up.” He gushed and finally let me go from his bone-crushing hug. I laughed and pushed him away before hurrying down the steps.

I caught sight of Adrian by the school gates and my heart panged as his face lit up when he saw me. He flicked a black curl out of his eyes and pushed off the gate he was leaning on.

“Hey Katie.” Adrian said smiling at me. “Do you want to get going?” he asked. I nodded and we made our way over to a red pickup truck. He opened the passenger side door for me before going over to the driver’s side. I couldn’t help but smile at his manners.

Adrian started the car and we pulled out of the school grounds. I wondered where we were going, but didn’t ask. Soon we pulled into the large parking lot at the mall and Adrian took my hand as we walked in. His hand was cold and his grip was weak, neither were things I liked. He led me to through the food court to a small corner of the mall which was home to a small restaurant.

He motioned to the waiter who led us to a small table near a large fish tank that blocked us off from the rest of the restaurant. The waiter then took our orders and returned not a moment later with our drinks.

“So,” Adrian dragged out the word awkwardly. “How are you?” he asked lamely. I felt sorry for him for making such an effort, but I was far too tired to really offer my full attention.

“I’m ok.” I replied and the conversation fell flat. Neither of us really talked and the silence that had fallen was incredibly awkward. The cheery waiter returned a few minutes later with our food and we both eat quickly to avoid having to make more painful conversation.

For the rest of the meal neither of us made any big effort to strike up a conversation and when the food was gone Adrian motioned for the bill quickly.

“Are you sure you’re ok, Katie?” Adrian asked concernedly.

I nodded unsure of what to say. Things had never been like this between us, we had always got along well. Why was it so hard to talk to Adrian now?

Then it struck me. I have no idea why suddenly at that moment, while I was on my first date, with Adrian, everything began to add up. I had already realised that I didn’t really want to be there, but I put that down to the fact I liked Finn. In a harsh way this was more of a pity date, which made me feel completely guilty.

Then I realised another reason I wasn’t enjoying this. Emma’s jealously and harshness recently, the way she had tried to change the topic when I brought up Adrian. It all added up and I realised just how naïve I had been.