Hot or Cold

<Chapter 13>

(Alice’s POV)

"You and Josh have done it before?" I asked a bit louder than I should have.

"Please stop putting my sex life out in the open," Isobel said placing her head in her hands.

"Well I'm sorry that I didn't know you had a sex life," I said taking a bite of Izzy's salad. If I could I would force feed the chick, but the best I could do was help her clear the container because I knew her mom would flip out if she found out that Izzy wasn't eating her lunch. "Wait did you and Kole ever-" She nodded with her head still in her hands. "Gross!"

Just then Kole walked into the lunch room. His hair was a mess and he had bags under his eyes. Isobel looked over and her face fell into a frown. “We should get him to sit with us.”

He looked over at us and Izzy motioned for him to join us. Confusion crossed his features, but he obliged. “Hey,” he said running his hand through his messy blonde locks only making it messier as he sat down.

“Kole you look terrible,” I told him bluntly.

“Gee thanks, Ali,” he responded with a small smile.

Izzy turned to him and ran her hands through his hair managing to get everything back in place. “There, much better,” she said turning back to her salad that she still hadn’t touched.

Josh, Andrew, and Pierce sat in the remaining seats. “Isobel, you need to eat something,” Josh told her seriously.

“I’m just not hungry right now,” she said pushing the salad over to me.

Andrew noticed Kole and I’s discomfort. “I can go if it makes you guys uncomfortable,” he said standing up.

“No, you don’t have to go,” Izzy said quickly. Josh nodded in agreement.

“Are you guys sure? I mean I really don’t want to impose. We can always talk later Isobel,” he said still not sitting. What the hell was going on today? Izzy looked at me as if saying ‘tell him he can stay’.

“Stay,” I said motioning for him to sit. I really hope Izzy has a good reason for this.

My phone buzzed and a message from Isobel popped up. ‘He’s not a bad guy. He got his tattoo yesterday and he’s freaking out because it’s Clara.’

“So Andrew, who do you like?” I asked him crossing my legs.

He shifted uncomfortably. “You guys can’t tell anyone, but I’m kind of dating Lorrie Michaelson, but it seems like I no longer have a choice and will end up falling for Clara.” He looked really annoyed with the fact that he was destined to love Clara. Maybe there is a way out of it. I’ll have to make sure to ask my parents tonight.

“You mean lonely Lorrie? Kole asked with an amused smile.

“She’s only been ‘lonely’ because we’ve been dating in secret since freshman year.” His lips formed a smile. “It was her choice to keep it a secret. Didn’t want me to ruin her good girl image, but she’s remained loyal even when I’m not. I'm honestly crazy about her. I've been trying to get her to agree to go public since last year." He looked over at Lorrie and she smiled at him until she noticed the sadness in his eyes. Soon after his phone buzzed. "Would it be okay if she came over here and you guys help me convince her to go public?" Isobel nodded immediately as did Josh and Pierce. Kole and I nodded reluctantly.

"Hey guys, I hope I'm not intruding," Lorrie said pushing her hair behind her ear shyly.

"Of course not," I said offering a warm smile.

She smiled back and sat down beside Andrew. He wrapped his arm around her waist and she gave him a confused look, but didn’t say anything before smiling and kissing him. His face broke out in a huge grin. That boy better not mess things up.