The Third Wheel

The Third Wheel - Part 8

Jordan fidgeted. He couldn't believe that he is fidgeting in his seat of his precious BMW convertible. But he did. And he knew why. He took a glance at the passenger beside him. Sophie was looking ahead with a serious expression. Jordan concentrated on his driving as he recall their conversation five minutes ago.

  Five minutes ago...

"So...where to?" Jordan asked her with a friendly smile. Sophie answered with a polite tone, though hesitant at first: "To Orchard Condominium, please". This made Jordan very surprised. As far as he knew, it takes twenty minutes to drive there from their school. Sure, it's not that near, but what surprised him is the fact that Orchard Condominium's residence usually comprised of rich, single working people who can't be bothered to own a proper house even though they have plenty of money. This also includes CEO and other high ranking people in the society.  

After recalling their conversation, he decided to make one again, just to ease the tension between them in the car. "So, you live alone?" he asked, hoping that she would answer normally. As he expected, Sophie answered coolly: "Yes". Alright, Jordan! Now, continue the conversation! he thought. "Have you eaten?" he asked, keeping his tone friendly. "No, I haven't actually. I was planning on doing so with Sammy and Robert, but they left, so I'll just whip something up when I get back" she replied, surprisingly friendly. This made Jordan smile. He suddenly made the opposite turn to Orchard Condominium. This alarmed Sophie and she turned towards Jordan. Before she could say anything, Jordan suddenly cut her by saying: "Have you been to Max's Shakes and Sundaes?". Sophie, confused, answered him with a "Yes, but why did you suddenly...?" when Jordan cut her off again "Well, let's go there!".  

Sophie, bewildered, kept quiet after that. She's still trying to figure out Jordan's behaviour. She's also confused of their current destination. Why won't he just simply bring her to Bob's Burgers? She knew that most of her schoolmates hang out over there due to its modern interior and menu that suits her schoolmates appetite. While for Max's Shakes and Sundaes' popular with families and its shakes and sundaes due to its warm atmosphere and customer-friendly waiters. Before she could think any further, Jordan had already pulled up at a parking lot in front of a large sign that says 'Max's Shakes and Sundaes' in bright pink neon lights.   

She stepped out of the car and looked around her. As she expected, there were lots of cars around them. It's almost dinnertime after all. Before she could ask Jordan for an explanation, they were both suddenly greeted by a young man with a lanky build. From Sophie's observation, he might be a college student who is part-timing at the diner. "Hey, you young couple! Come inside! Today's a special day for you!" he exclaimed while pointing at a small sign near the entrance. "Today, we have a 50% discount for couples! So, come inside! Come inside!" he said, giving them a huge smile. Sophie blushed at the 'couple' statement, and blushed even harder when Jordan boldly slipped his large, strong hand into her slender hand and as if it wasn't enough, he pulled her closer to his body.   

Jordan let out a smile, and said: "Thanks. We're planning to, anyway" and gave the man a dollar as a tip. Sophie's head was spinning by the time they entered the diner and she didn't realise the both of them sitting at a table for two at the back of the diner. When they were given the menu by the friendly female waiter with a name-tag that says 'Maggie' who said they were 'such a beautiful couple', Sophie sat there, her expression blank. Jordan noticed this and flashed a heart-warming smile to the female waiter and said: "I'll order a cheeseburger set with vanilla milkshake, and she will get the same, except she wants chocolate milkshake, not vanilla and she wants a smaller set". Maggie sighed dreamily and walked away, bringing their menu with her.   

Sophie, who already went back to reality after Maggie took their menu, stared at Jordan what Jordan hoped was not a glare. He was wrong, she was glaring at him. After a while, though, her expression softened, which made Jordan sigh with relief. "Did you honestly bring me here because of its discount day?" she asked, her tone light. Jordan let out a mishievous grin and shrugged. "I don't know what are you talking about. I just wanna introduce you to their chocolate milkshake" he answered, giving her a wink. She let out a soft laugh, and shook her head. "Do you always do this?" she gestured at the both of them, "forcing and bringing girls to places like this?". Jordan looked down at the table, his face reddening. "Honestly? No. You're the first. And I'm not proud to do so" he replied, looking up to her eyes. Dark green meeting sapphire blue. Sophie, entranced by his beautiful eyes, managed to say: "Why?". She noticed Jordan biting the corner of his lips when he said: "You deserve so much better. Sounds, corny, but I wouldn't bring a girl to a place like this. Especially when they have a discount night like this" he said shyly, staring at the tabletop. Sophie gave him a reassuring smile. "Actually, I don't mind. To be honest with you, I find it kind of sincere when you bring me to a warm place like this, rather than a formal and fancy place" she said, her tone gentle. Jordan looked up, and let out the brightest smile that Sophie has ever seen. She might have to wear shades just to protect her eyes from his bright smile. They were both then greeted by Maggie who was holding a tray of food. Both had identical food in each plate, only one has a smaller set. Jordan pushed the smaller portion of food towards Sophie. As Maggie walked away, Sophie spoke up, her tone in wonder. "How did you know that I don't have such an appetite?" she asked. Jordan, who was popping a fry dripped with blood-red ketchup, chewed his food thoughtfully. "Well, aside from your slender build, Samantha's always grumbling about how you have an appetite the size of an ant" he replied, giving her a shrug. She chuckled at this statement, and Jordan continued to eat.   

Sophie looked around her. There was a family near their table, which consists of a father, mother and two kids; one girl and one boy. The siblings were fighting over something, while the mother was asking to keep quiet. It seems that the siblings were arguing about their food and the boy pushed his sister from her chair. This made her cry, gaining attention from other customers in the diner. The father stood up from his seat, and tried to calm his daughter, but to no avail. His daughter cried even louder this time and slapped her fathers hand away from her. Before her father tries to pull her up from the floor, Sophie stood up from her seat. This surprised Jordan, but he didn't do anything, wanting to see what was she going to do. She walked towards the girl, and spoke something in her ear. The little girl stopped crying and stared at Sophie with wonder. Sophie nodded her head and helped the girl stood up. The little girl then hugged her father and Jordan heard her saying 'sorry' to her father, then she hugged her brother too. As Sophie sat back down in front of Jordan, he saw the siblings sharing their food.  

Jordan, his jaw dropped slightly, looked at Sophie. Sophie was popping a fry in her mouth as he did so. "Wha...?" he managed to say. "I told her that what she is doing is making her parents sad, and her brother feels sorry for what he has done" she nonchalantly said, her expression unreadable. "Only that?" Jordan asked again, this time talking normally. Sophie nodded and continued looking at the family. Jordan noticed her eyes were somehow sad, and she had on a small smile. Jordan didn't do anything, instead he watched her awkwardly trying to take a bite off from the cheeseburger in front of her. Jordan chuckled at this, and raised his eyebrows at her. "Not used to eating cheeseburgers?" he asked, amused. "I don't like eating a cheeseburger since it always become messy after I try to take a bite. Especially when it has lots of condiments in it" she said, her brow furrowing. Jordan laughed at this statement, almost choking on his milkshake. "But that's the fun of it!" he replied, his eyes sparkling. Sophie cocked her head, and said with an innocent expression: "Really?". She took a bite again, this time not so awkward, but instead left a little sauce near her lips. Jordan choked on his milkshake again, for real this time, making Sophie raise her eyebrows in surprise. "Are you alright?" she asked in between his coughing. His face red, he managed to say: "Yeah. I'm alright. Actually, you have, uh, something near your lips" he held out a tissue to her as he said this. Sophie took it, and wiped at the opposite side of her lips where the sauce was. Jordan shook his head, and indicated the other end. Sophie wiped the other side, but missed the sauce instead. Jordan instinctively took the tissue from her and leaned in close and wiped the sauce off from her lips. Once he did so, Jordan froze. He realised they were so close, even more close than infirmary-close. It seems that Sophie froze too, and they were staring into each others' eyes again, both unsure who will break off the stare first.   

They were both interrupted by someone's cough. Sophie broke off the stare, much to Jordan's disappointment and looked up. He saw Sophie's eyes narrowing, making him look up too. He was annoyed though, for the person who interrupted them. What he saw was a tall, well-built figure with blonde hair and dark grey eyes. Jordan groaned inwardly. Why is Scott here? Even so, why is he even interrupting us? Can't he read the atmosphere? Jordan thought as he eyed his senior, who is the captain of the football team. Before he could do anything, Scott suddenly grabbed Sophie's arm and pulled her from her seat. "Hey!" Jordan exclaimed as the both of them leave the diner. He slammed a few dollar bills at his table and ran out of the diner, following Scott and the struggling Sophie.   

Jordan clutched Scott's hand that was grabbing Sophie's arm and had a staring contest right there. Sophie regained her composure, and glared at Scott. Sophie slipped her arm around Jordan's waist, much to Jordan and Scott's surprise and said: "Let's go, Jordan". They both walked away, Jordan glaring at the shocked Scott. They went inside the car, and Jordan turned to Sophie, but she just said: "Just drive. I'll explain later". Jordan obliged, and drove out of the parking lot.    

TO BE CONTINUED