It's Only Gossip

27

"So..." Aura rolls her tongue.

"So..." I mimic her.

She furrows her eyebrows at me in silence.

"Well, let's say there was a misunderstanding. It turns out that I never lost the scholarship! My parents sort of lied to me, no big deal. Everything's fine." I quickly mumble but loud enough for her to hear so I don't have to repeat it.

"What?" She exclaims in pure anger. "So I gave you that speech for nothing!"

I chuckle nervously. "Want some chocolate trifle?" I slowly take the chocolate trifle from the plastic bag I was carrying.

A smile appears on Aura's face as she nods enthusiastically. She extends her hands towards the chocolate trifle and I allow her to open it.

"We need spoons." I hint.

Rapidly she comes back with two massive spoons so we both dig in.

Beep.

My phone vibrates but I ignore it.

Beep.

Don't disturb me while I'm eating.

Beep.

Please shut up.

Beep.

For fudge sakes!

Beep.

I'm going to kill whoever this is.

Beep.

I drop my spoon to pick up my phone. Meanwhile, Aura smiles in delight, more for her. Lucky. Someone's calling me, Carrie. The girl who I recently just met. I was with her a few hour ago! Why is she calling now? It's 6pm for crying out loud. For a person who dislikes socializing: 6pm is really late, this it the time for food and movies!

"Hey." My voice sounds tired.

"Hey Levi! I need to show you something." She beams excitedly.

"Can you show me another time?"

"No, it can't wait." She states eagerly.

I sigh and glance at Aura. "Can Aura come?" I whisper.

A moment of silence.

"Carrie?"

She clears her throat. "Um, Levi. I'm sorry but no... I do want to meet her but not now." She apologises in guilt.

"Okay, where should we meet?"

"The cafe near school called halex, you know it?"

I nod but then I realize she can't see me. "Yup, I'll be there."

"See you soon."

I hang up the phone and sigh. I really can't be bothered moving but it's in a cafe so there'll be food. I grab my denim jacket and tie my hair while the chocolate trifle distracts Aura.

I look at her. "I'll be back... Whenever."

She gives me a thumbs up, still distracted by the chocolate trifle. I don't blame her. I would be too.

I've never really been inside the cafe. It looks small on the outside but when I enter, it actually is quite spacious. My tummy rumbles so I comfort it by rubbing my stomach.

I hear a familiar laugh; Carrie, I frown at her.

"Don't worry, free food on the way." She beams, proud of herself.