Chapter 8 - Lukewarm Coffee
~Carrie's Point of View~
I stormed down the street without looking back. Why did Rydel have to look through my stuff? It's personal! And she clearly knew that. I walked down to a local diner and sat down in a booth, to calm myself down.
The waitress walked over, "May I help you?"
I sighed, "May I get a coffee? Thank you."
I had to buy something so I can sit here and think everything through. I wonder what Ross was thinking. I concentrated hard and finally heard his voice.
"Why would she draw that stuff? I wanted no one to know. But of course she had to show it to Rydel. So-," then it was cut off. I could no longer hear him.
"Here's your coffee, dear," the waitress said placing it down. I smiled at her.
"Thanks," I replied moving it closer. I picked it up and looked down at it.
Why couldn't I hear him?
I mind messaged him. "Ross?"
"What?" He replied making me jump slightly.
Maybe he was talking or something?
I brought the cup to my lips. "Are you seriously mad at me?!" I mind messaged him. His attitude was still terrible.
"Where are you? I'd rather talk to you face-to-face." He replied.
I took a sip of the warm coffee. If I don't start drinking it, it's gonna become lukewarm. "The diner," I mind messaged back.
"I'll see you there," he quickly replied then I stopped concentrating so hard.
I sat at the booth, taking in my surroundings. I played with the rim of my cup as I waited. If he left the house when he said he'll see me here, then he should be here any moment. I glanced up as someone walked by.
"Hey," I quietly said to the blonde boy who sat across from me. I didn't want to get myself worked up again so I kept myself calm.
"Why would you draw that?" Ross asked.
"What do you mean? I told you that I don't write diaries or anything! I draw my feelings out. I'm sorry that you're pissed at that, but it isn't my fault. Rydel kicked down my cabinet and went through my stuff!" I said feeling my face grow red as my anger grew. "You're seriously mad at me? I didn't do anything! No one was supposed to see that." I hissed, "Not even you."
He argued back with me. "Why would you draw that? You knew people could see it!"
I felt like jumping across the table and grabbing his shirt and screaming in his face. But obviously I wasn't going to do that. "I didn't expect anyone to go prowling through my stuff! If I went into your drawer and asked you something that I found, would you be mad?" He sat there quietly. "Ross, would you be mad?"
"Yes," he softly replied. He stared down at the checkered table cloth.
I sighed, "So why are you mad at me? I didn't want anyone to find them. That's why that cabinet was locked and it was stored in a folder."
"I'm sorry. I didn't realize," Ross said as he looked up. I reached over and squeezed his hand gently. "I thought you told Rydel about us. So she was mad at me for not telling her. But now my whole family knows."
I bit my lip, "Do you want them to know?"
"Well there isn't anything we can do about it," he sighed as he leaned his head back.
"Besides break up," I whispered staring down at my light brown coffee. But truthfully, I didn't want to break up with him.
He could read my mind which doctors said that only the person I'm in love with and who loves me back can do.
Ross squeezed my hand and got my attention again. "I don't wanna breakup with you..."
"So what do you want?" I inquired before the waitress walked over.
The waitress, whose name plaque read Martha, asked, "Would you like anything else? Anything for you?" She asked Ross.
Ross looked up, "No. I'm alright thanks."
She looked back at me, "For you?"
"I'm good thanks. Can I have the check?" I asked quietly. The old music was starting to drive me insane.
She handed me the check and I gave her the two dollars. Martha walked to the kitchen. I brought the coffee to my lips and drink some. Surprisingly, it wasn't that bad. So many people said lukewarm coffee was gross. But it wasn't terrible.
"I want you," Ross replied to my last question. "I'm sorry for yelling at you."
I nodded. I didn't want to fight with him anymore. I'll just have to talk to Rydel when I get home. "It's alright. Let's get out of here. This music is making me go insane!" I finished the rest of my coffee then stood up.
Ross wrapped his arm around my shoulder as we walked out. "Are you sure you aren't mad?"
I nodded, "Yeah. I'm sorry your family had to find out we were dating like this."
He shrugged as we started to walk down one of the streets. "I guess it isn't that bad. Now we don't have to sneak out to see each other. But I don't know how my parents are gonna react."
"Do you think they'll be mad?" I asked feeling my stomach tighten a little bit.
What if his parents hate us together?!
Ross shook his head, "I don't think so. I hope not," he frowned. We walked up to the house.
"I hope everything goes okay," I quietly said as he removed his arm from me. I felt cold and alone now. I frowned and crossed my arms.
He quickly grabbed my hand and led me to the side of the house. "I just wanted to do this." He leaned in and held my cheek softly as he pressed his warm lips to mine. I placed my hand on his neck as we held the kiss. We pulled back and he kissed my forehead. "Let's go inside."
I followed behind him into the house hoping everything will turn out fine.
