I Can't Cope (COMPLETED)

Chapter 15 - Riley

James smiles at me from across the table.

"What do you want to order, Riles?" He looks down at the menu. "I don't actually understand the menu, so I'll have whatever you're having!" He adds.

We're sat in this Mexican restaurant James brought me to. There's a really nice atmosphere in here. Looking around, I take in the lively surroundings. The walls are brightly coloured, and everywhere you look there are authentic decorations. Lights hanging from the ceiling, pictures and ornaments attached to every wall. Even if he can't read the menu, James managed to pick a really nice place!

I look back down at the menu. I smile.

"James, you know what a fajita is, don't you?"

"Oh, yeah." He says, grinning as he realises. "I'll have that then!"

At this point, the waiter comes over and we order our food.

"So, Riley... did you enjoy the movie?" James asks, as the waiter leaves.

"Yeah, it was pretty good!" I say, smiling.

He took me to the cinema to watch a film, saying I could choose whichever one I wanted to watch. I knew he would want to watch a horror one, but to be honest, I can't say I'm a great fan of them. I just don't see what's enjoyable about being scared half to death. So, in the end, I settled for a comedy, because I thought, well, the worst thing about it could be that it wasn't funny. But it was actually quite good, so I was glad about that.

We continue to talk for a while, about quite a range of things, until our food arrives. James is another person who is so easy to talk to. I know I've said it before, but I'm really lucky to have him. He almost makes me comfortable enough to talk about anything... But not quite. No one's like that.

After we finish our fajitas, James insists on paying for the meal - 'I'm treating you, Riley' - and once he does, we get up and walk out. Walking over to the spot in the car park where James parked, James pulls me towards him and puts his arm around me.

"You must be a bit cold, Riles. It's a cold day and you only came out in a dress! Which, may I add, looks great." He says. I look up at him and roll my eyes.

"Always the charmer, James."

He laughs, then stops. He scrunches up his face, looking at someone in the distance. He mutters something.

"What?" I ask.

"Is that..?" He stops staring at the person and carries on walking. "No, never mind."

"Who was it?" I ask, rushing to catch up with him.

"Don't even worry about it. I don't think I know them."

"Um, okay."

He reaches his car first and unlocks it.

"Back to your place now?"

"Yeah." I say, getting in the car. "My parents are probably home from work now and they're bound to want to know whether I got the solo or not."

"Which you did." James adds. I smile.

"Yeah I know, James."

We are silent for a while, as we both go over our thoughts. Well, at least that's what I do.

"I wonder if Steph and Giselle are still there..." James says, breaking the silence. I look at him confusedly. How did he know I was thinking about that? Or, actually... why was he thinking about that?

"Why? Do you want them to still be there?" I ask, slightly defensively.

"Woah, woah, woah, Riley! I was just thinking about what you might be thinking about, and that came to mind. I don't really care one way or another whether they're there. To be honest, I'd probably rather they weren't!"