New York New York

Mackenzie .. 9

     I've never been a fan of coffee, so I ordered an iced tea. We all pulled out chairs at a table for four, and immidiately started into a joking conversation.

     "Is your coffee actually darker than you?" Niko said to Jonah, commenting on how tan he was.

     "You're just jealous," he threw back, "my tan's actually natural."

     "Ooooohh!" Liz laughed. "Burn!" She and Jonan high-fived, waiting for a smart remark back from Niko.

     "At least I don't get lost in the snow," He said pointing to Liz's pale white arm. They all laughed until the topic smoothly changed. I wasn't really following what they were talking about, hearing a bunch of names I didn't recgnize. After about a half hour, Jonah stood up, telling us he should get going, back to work.

     "I'm gonna walk him up. Mackenzie, you can stay here with Niko and Jonah or come home with me? Either way, you just have to be home by nine, it's a school night," she winked at me as they headed back into the building.

     I sat quietly next to Niko for a few minutes, until we couldn't see Jonah and Liz anymore. As they disappeared, Niko started conversation.

     "So... you going to stay here with me? Or am I not good enough?"

     "As long as I'm welcome," I giggled.

     "Of course! How could I ever turn down a pretty girl?!" He winked, something he seemed to do a lot. 

     "Well... uh... thanks." I smiled, sitting up straighter in my chair. 

     "You ready?" He asked, standing up.

     "For...?" 

     "Oh, you'll have to wait and see," once I was out of my chair he took my arm and dragged me into the building with him. He went and talked to my dad, then pulled me again outside.

     "Aren't you supposed to be working?!" I asked as I followed him - sprinting - down the street. 

     "I'm done for the day!" He had to yell so I would actually be able to hear him. 

     "Where are we going?!" I had a feeling he wouldn't tell me, and my feeling was right. He just kept running, looking straight forward, and I kept following, curious.