All Bets Are Off

Chapter Six - Ella Fordman: Her Very First Date

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Dedicated to kaitzishere for being an amazing supporter, and also for being my fellow conspiracy theorist. I looked forward to many more conspiracies with you in the future.

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~Chapter Six - Ella Fordman: Her Very First Date~

“Hey, is Sam’s Diner okay?” Hayden asked as we turned out of my street and headed down the main boulevard that would eventually lead to the town’s square.                                                                                              

I turned to him from where I was looking out the window, and nodded with a large smile. “Yeah, Sam’s sounds perfect.”           

I was glad he was taking me to Sam’s and not some over-the-top, rich French restaurant where the cheapest food was forty dollars—and that was for the signature garden salad. Sam’s was classy, but not overrated, and it was the town hangout, since Betsy’s Diner had closed down three years ago. Since then, Sam’s had sprung up, and it was pretty much the twin of Betsy’s, with the same red booths, checked picnic cloths and an old-style jukebox. It had good food, good music, nice waitresses and it was quality-style.

It was still a strange feeling knowing that I was embarking on a date with none other than the famous Hayden Lewis, the most popular boy in school who also rarely dated any girls. It was better than some good-for-nothing player who would only ditch me once he got what he wanted. Hayden was a nice boy who meant no harm.

                                                                                                          

He pulled into the parking-lot of Sam’s, which, even for a Tuesday night, was filled with cars of different colors and brands, some from elderly couples—given away by the amount of hatch-backs—and some of teenagers—the classier, more stylish cars with personalized number plates. Hayden pulled up and hopped out of the car, rushing around to open it for me and letting me out. I gave him a small smile and stepped onto the cool black asphalt, shutting the door behind me. As we crossed the parking lot and started towards the diner, Hayden grabbed my hand and squeezed it gently, leading me to the door, and I felt my heart pick up its’ pace in my chest.

Hayden Lewis is holding my hand!

 

The door jangled as we stepped inside, and Hayden scanned the area for a small, secluded, deserted booth. Around us, teenagers milled around and talked, snacking on fries, nachos and sodas, as well as milkshakes in tall, large tulip glasses. Some nodded at Hayden, some girls raised their eyebrows at me, but none tried to stop us as Hayden led me to a booth up the back, next to a window that looked out onto the lit street. I sat down and smoothed out the skirt of my dress, while Hayden took a seat across from me and handed me a laminated menu.

I scanned the contents, and immediately my eyes landed on one of my favorite dishes in the whole world. My face fell as I noted the price, and I started searching for something new to have. It was too expensive, and I didn’t want to ask Hayden to pay that price for me.

 A waitress came over to take our drink orders, and I ordered an iced tea, while Hayden ordered lemonade. The waitress went off to get out drinks, and Hayden turned to me.