Patch Our Hearts

Chapter 18

Carina's P.O.V.

I picked up my fork that was placed next to my bowl of warm penne. It was amazing so far, the spices all jumping around with more energy than I could muster to even engage in the conversation. I took another bite as I smiled at a terrible joke Harry told, causing Ryder to give me a weird look. Where did Ruder think he could decided what I thought was funny. I shrugged my shoulders, internally deciding Ryder was jealous of the attention Harry was receiving.

"So how long are you staying in London?" Nolan asked, the question directed towards Abby and I. His eyes jumped between us and it took all my effort not to smile at the soft approach he had taken.

"Until next Wednesday," she answered, Nolan nodding in understanding.

I took a moment to think about what she said. We had like a week and one day left until Abby and I went back home. Until there was no more dinners like this. Looking around, I realized how much I was going to miss everyone, they had started to grow on me. It was better than Abby and I in the apartment. It hadn't even occurred to me I could lost Ryder again.

"Earth to Carina," She laughed, yet their was still a little bit of worry hidden in her eyes. Only she could see through me, through all the fake smiles and laughs.

"I'm awake," I said, putting on a fake smile to cover up my embarrassment, causing the table to erupt laughing too. Of course Abby saw right through this. She just shook her head slightly, trying not to bring more attention to us.

"We were wondering what to do tomorrow," Harry filled me in with his deep British accent. It was slightly intimating, almost dominating.

It took me a second to catch my thoughts and put them in order again. We could always visit Erin, but I doubt the guys would actually want to go. They don't know her like Abby and I do.

"How about a movie?" I lamely put out there, immediately wishing I hadn't as it slipped out of my lips.

"Sounds cool," Nolan said, instinctively reaching for his phone, but suddenly pulling back, remembering the game.

Louis laughed at Nolan's mistake.

"We'll look up what movie later," Nolan muttered, slouching back into his seat even further.

"How about that new one, The Secret Life of Willy Smitty or whatever," Ryder offered.

I checked for his phone on the table, and to my surprise it still sat, stacked on the other phones. He must've remembered from memory.

"Walter Mitty," Abby corrected, looking proud yet, in a way embarrassed about knowing that information.

"Walter Mitty," Ryder confirmed, searching our faces for our answers.

I took another bite of my penne, just as another phone rang. Abby looked at Harry, who was staring at the device as the Sponge Bob theme song blared from its speakers. Abby laughed, along with the rest of us, his ears and cheeks turning bright pink.

After a few minutes the caller finally left a voicemail, silencing Harry's ringtone.

"What? I like the show." Harry explained, shrugging his shoulders as if he didn't care, which we all knew that he did.

Another phone binged, and I took another bite of my penne. It seemed like I was the only one eating, but I didn't care. My dinner is great. I convinced myself, even though it was true. I looked around as I noticed the restaurant had gotten really busy, most of them older men. I watched a group of men in their thirty's to forty's headed over the bar. They already were wasted, so I had no idea how AppleBee's allowed them to even be in here, considering it's a family restaurant.