Park Benches (EDITING)

twenty

twenty

 

Louis POV

            Ring. Ring. Ring.

            My head was thrashed against the hard walls of the confined space, the basic ring showering us with guilt. I could feel the heat on my cheeks and could see the red tint on hers. “Excuse me,” I pushed the curtain open and pulled the phone from my tight pocket.

            “Hello?” I answered frantically, not bothering to check who was calling.

            “Louis?” Eleanor’s petite voice rang through my head, my stomach sinking with guilt.

            “Oh hey Eleanor,” my voice cracked with remorse as I sulked back against the booth.

            “I knew you had an interview today and I was hoping it was done. I just got out of classes and I’m a bit hungry, thought we could grab an early dinner or a really late lunch.” My eyes squeezed tight and I bit my lip.

            “Sorry El, but I’m out with Lotts right now.” There was a long moment of silence before she spoke.

            “Oh,” painful disappointment was clearly audible in her voice, “okay, I’ll just get a bite with one of my other friends.” There was slight sting with her choice of words.

            “Eleanor,” I pled, “I’m really sorry.”

            “No, Louis it’s fine. I understand.” She was lying; she’d always been a terrible liar. Another pang of shame seized my body, it definitely was not fine.

            “Are you sure?”

            “Yeah, tell Charlotte I say hello” she grumbled and hung up before I could say another word, but before I reentered the booth there was a rough hum. I swiveled around to catch the photos being printed.

            I picked them up and examined the photos, a little smile catching me by surprise. The first one was stupid as was the second, but the third and fourth was a little shocking. The third one was us looking at each other longingly and the fourth…I don’t even remember the flash. Our lips were touching, but just barely.

            “Louis?” Lotts surprised me by poking her head out of the booth, “Everything alright?”

            “Mhm,” I shoved the photos deep in my pocket as she stepped out, “is there anything else you’d like to do?”

            Lotts remained silent, but she watched her shuffling feet, “Well I’ve been meaning to visit the park across from my flat for a while,” her face rose with pink cheeks and smile, “and now that we’ve got nice warm sweaters.”

            “Oh alright, but how about we have another little StarBucks picnic?” I winked and began leading her out of the fishy maze.

-           

            “Two grande hot chocolates,” I ordered to the flustered barista, “and whatever this little lady wants.”

            She rolled her eyes before examining the case, “Hmm, two of the marshmallow things, two chocolate chip cookies, two cinnamon rolls, and two of these Panini things.” The barista quickly disappeared and quietly placed everything in a bag. “Has anyone ever told you that you just about live and breathe Starbucks? You’re practically a thirteen-year-old white girl.” She whispered in my ear, trying not to laugh.