Caramel Sundae

Seven

~SEVEN~

"Zara?" I could hear the surprise in Shay's voice.

"Um... hi, Shay," I coughed, feeling humiliated.

"What are you doing here?"

"Getting... um, an ice-cream?" I said, although it sounded more like I was asking him a question. I held up the Cornetto, wrapped in paper, still in my hand.

"Oh..." He didn't look like he believed me, and I didn't blame him. I mean, it's not like there was any reason for me to be walking down that street, anyway, as my house was the other way. And even if it was, it was a bit too coincidental that I could've just happened to be standing at the corner of the street they were heading up.

"Just thought I'd take a walk around town," I said quickly, dredging up an awkward smile. Chase gave a little snort, and I shot him a deadly glare.

"Oh yeah, Zara, this is Chase- he just moved here a couple of weeks ago."

"So Zara's your name, is it?" Chase questioned raising an eyebrow.

"Hello, Chase," I replied, holding his gaze defiantly.

"You two know each other?" Shay blinked from Chase to me in confusion.

"I wish I didn't." Chase rolled his eyes.

"Oh, and you think I'm glad we met? Believe me, I wish we didn't know each other as much as you do," I retorted.

"Huh."

"That's a good comeback."

"Uh- guys?" Shay and Henry had been standing there staring at the two of us as we argued. Both of our heads snapped around to him simultaneously, and my cheeks flooded with colour. Chase just smirked triumphantly.

"So, been up to much lately, Zara?" Shay asked, his blue eyes bright again.

"Since you saw me two days ago? Nope, not much, what about you?" Then I muttered, "Dammit" under my breath, because it had meant to come out confident; instead, it came out fragile and simpering. Curse those things called feelings.

Shay gave an easy smile. "Surfing, since you insured the waves were good."

"Was I right?" I asked, glad to gear my voice had lost its weak tone.

Shay nodded. "They were great, actually. You should've seen this one I caught..." And he began describing how he had caught an 'awesome' wave. I would've liked to stand there listening to him, but, looking at my watch, I realised Mom was going to be wondering where I was.

"See you around, Zara," Shay called after me.

"See ya, Shay!"

"Those smoothies better be Heaven," I told Mom once I got home, being totally serious, having just recovered from my bout of embarrassment. I mean, come on, getting caught eavesdropping (even if I wasn't intentionally doing it) by your crush and the person you just so happen to hate is pretty... well, humiliating.

Mum just laughed. Admittedly, they did taste divine, so I forgave her for making me go out to buy the strawberries.

***

"It's not funny, Katie!"

"You have to admit, it kind of is," Katie giggled.

It was early afternoon and I had called Katie, spilling everything that had happened. I was beginning to regret that decision.

"I wish I hadn't told you," I whined.

"Well, it's a bit late for that now, isn't it? Oh, come on, you're not actually that embarrassed about this, are you?"