six/sixteen

12. the cole train

Cole placed our lunch on the table and sat down across from me.

I couldn't wait to tear up the nuggets in front of me.

I readjusted myself in my seat and kicked Cole's foot a bit, causing him to jump back in surprise.

"My shoe!" He exclaimed.

I looked around the table at his shoes, brand new zebra Yeezy 350 V2's. I knew they'd sold out weeks ago, so there was no way he'd paid any less than five hundred for them.

"Shit, I'm sorry. How much were those?" I asked.

Cole inspected his shoe for another moment before placing his foot back under the table.

"Seven fifty since I couldn't get them on release day. They jack up the prices so much," he said.

"How do you have so much money? You bought that tux the other day and now these shoes. Do you work?" I asked.

I'd never seen him go to work or heard him mention a job before. Most of the time, we were home at the same time.

"Uh, I invest. Stock trading," he said.

I nodded slowly. It all made sense now: the car, the nice clothes. He must've been getting lucky with the market.

"Ah, I see," I replied.

I opened my little nugget box and peeled back the cover on the Polynesian sauce.

"I hate to have this discussion again," Cole started, "but- what are we?"

The question caught me off guard, and I almost dropped a nugget in my lap.

"Really? In Chick-Fil-A?" I asked.

Cole shook his head.

"I know, I'm sorry. It's just been bothering me lately," he said.

I sighed and shrugged.

"I don't know, Cole," I admitted.

"I like you," he said.

I smiled and replied, "I like you, too."

"So, what is this?" He asked me.

I sighed again.

"I just think we should spend more time as friends, you know? I don't want to rush into anything, and I'd like to get to know you better," I said.

Cole nodded and smiled.

"Yeah, that sounds good," he said.

"Now," I continued, "can I eat my nuggets?"

-

"Friends?" Jenna asked, and I nodded.

"With benefits?" She continued.

I smacked her arm and rolled my eyes.

"No, not with benefits," I replied.

Jenna shrugged and sighed.

"That's unfortunate. I'd kill to take a ride on the Cole Train," she said.

I laughed out loud and tossed a pillow at her.