Young Collective - Cole Sprouse

Chapter eleven

"What was it like?" Isa leans in her elbows hovering over the table, wide eyed and gawking.

"What was what like?" I answer. Stirring my spoon in my coffee. She has already finished hers.

"Cole." She rolls her eyes. I relax into my body. The air is warm. The cafe smells sweet.

"It was fine. He's a really nice guy. I don't want to talk about it." I frown and sip my coffee.

"Okay. Fine." She throws her hands up in surrender.

It's quite for a few seconds. Before she pipes up again.

"Did you see that Lili girls interview about him?"

"Isa!"

"What? You can't just sit here and pretend nothing happened." She frowns at me and quickly skulls the rest of her coffee.

It's been a few days since i last saw Cole. He tried to ring me multiple times but I messaged him asking him to kindly leave me alone. The rest of the Riverdale cast members all backed Lili and appeared to be vouching for the pair. I have never felt so alone.

"What are you doing tonight?" I change the subject and isa doesn't fight it.

"I wanna go out. Let's go out!" She smiles.

"I don't-" I think for a second. I need to escape reality for a bit. "Let's do it." I smile.

She slides away from the table and shakes her bum a little to show her excitement. I haven't been out in months. But with Cole over in Vancouver filming his show, I need all the distractions I can get.

— — —

"Hellooo..." I gurgle.

"Hello, who's speaking?"

"I put it on private number because I didn't-" Isa runs over and interrupts me by trying to snatch my phone, "fuck off" I scream laughing.

"Girl, no I promised I wouldn't let you drunk call!" Isa succeeds and hangs up immediately. He knew it was me. My head feels all fuzzy and the footpath starts spinning. I giggle.

"Let's go home Jesus Christ you're a mess." She picks me up.

"Can we get an apartment in the city?" I look up at her. I don't tell her that I don't want to be alone tonight.

"Uh. Sure. Alek might be able to get us a room at four seasons?" She smiles and hails a taxi while we wait on the sidewalk.

Isa's brother Alek is part of the hotels staff. He checks on rooms, makes sure people don't overstay. Basically the bouncer of the hotel. Eventually she tracks down a taxi and she drags me into it. My head is too fuzzy and everything goes really fast. After we drive a little way I close my eyes.

— — —

I hear two voices. Boy and girl. Isa and Alek. I close my eyes and listen.

"Twice in a month Isa, I'll look suspicious!"

"No you won't Alek. I'll pay. If that's what you're mad at I'll fucking pay!" Isa yells.

"No don't worry about it. Just don't assume you can stay here everytime Elora gets drunk and can't go home."

"Jake went back to rehab Alek. He's committed, for nearly two years. No wonder she doesn't wanna go back to their apartment."

"Shit." He pauses. "that doesn't exclude the fact that I'll get in trouble for thi-"

"Okay! I won't request a room for a while. Happy?" Isa sighs.

"Thank you." I hear Alek close the door and lock it.