Rule Three// c.h

Realization

Jackie was twirling a lock of her hair around her finger as she flirted with the guy behind the counter. He was blushing red as she handed over her cash and I smiled down into my tea as I took a sip. Waving goodbye to him, Jackie came and sat down in front of me with a sigh.

"Got his number."

"He's at least a year or two younger than you." I pointed out, glancing over at the guy. He had swoopy out of date hair and a boyish face. If he cut his hair he might look older but right now he reminded me of someone's younger brother.

"I got his number girl, I didn't say I would call him."

"You're awful. Don't be so mean to him." I said, punching her arm. Jackie laughed.

"I'm kidding. I'll call him. He's nice and pretty cute. Who cares if he's a year younger than me." Jackie shrugged. "The guy doesn't always have to be the oldest." I shrugged. "Are you drinking tea?" Jackie asked, smelling the air.

"Oh, um yeah, it sounded good."

"You hate tea." I smiled sheepishly.

"Yeah, I don't know. Maybe I've grown to like it in my old age."

"Oh shut up. You haven't even turned twenty-two yet. You're a baby." Jackie said, wrinkling her nose like the mere thought of a baby made her want to vomit. I laughed, setting down my drink.

"Whatever Jackie. I wanted tea so I got tea, nothing to it."

"If you say so but if you turn out to be an alien inhabiting my best friends body, I will be forced to turn you over to the government for experimentation." I hit Jackie's arm as she laughed. "Can you imagine though? Aliens who take over your body? Pretty cool really."

"Sure but I like my body. I don't want to share it with anyone."

"What about Calum?" I smirked.

"Shut up Jackie." She began to laugh as I stood up from the table. "Come on, I'm hungry. Let's find some place to eat at."

----

"I really don't think we should eat here." Jackie said skeptically, looking at the neon sign just inside the window. It had different colored illuminating light bulbs and half of the sign wasn't lighting properly. It looked kind of funny.

"But it smells amazing." I whined, pulling on her hand and feeling like a ten year old. Jackie wrinkled her nose, probably trying to smell what I was smelling.

"It smells like wet dog. I don't think Thai food is supposed to smell like this."

"Jackie! You're being overdramatic!" I complained.

"What's got you twisted all up in knots?" Jackie asked, eyeing me curiously. I frowned.

"I'm just hungry." I murmured. "And I want this." Jackie sighed.

"Okay fine but if we get food poisoning, it's your fault." I clapped my hands excitedly and pulled her inside the restaurant.

After being seated and ordering drinks, I finally decided to answer Jackie's questions. "And now, because you're so stubborn, I would like to know what was so urgent that I had to come out to see you today, making both of us skip class and why you seem so anxious and fidgety." I smiled excitedly, shifting in my chair.