Serendipity ↬ COMPLETE

Chapter 18

Chapter 18: Don't Let Me Be Lonely

"When you're young, you can fly. But we trip on clouds 'cause we get too high. We grow up, and then it's gone. Oh God only knows what we'll become." -The Band Perry Don't Let Me Be Lonely.

I slowly made my way down the hall from Mrs. Walters' office. I saw Rowan first and she spotted me, too. She dropped what she was doing and ran over to me. Connor looked up from his seat during the commotion, and jumped up when he saw me. He ran over to us, too.

"Well?! What happened?! What did she say?! Speak, woman!" Rowan exclaimed, gripping my shoulders tighter with each question.

I put on a somber look, and both Rowan and Connor frowned, too.

"I-I..." I cracked a smile. "I got the job!" I exclaimed happyily, breaking my façade.

Realizing that I had only been messing with them before, the grins returned to their faces and they attacked me in a group bear hug. I laughed and hugged them both. "Congrats, Lani!" Connor cheered, planting a kiss on my cheek.

I blushed and thanked him.

"When do you start?" Rowan asked.

"Tomorrow. I have to find my khakis. She already wrote down my size for a shirt, and she needs to order my name tag. Plus, i have plans today." When I said the last part, I snuck a glance at Connor which I think she saw. "I'll be back in the morning," I explained.

"Okay. Are you leaving now?" she asked.

"Um..." I trailed off, unsure of what Connor wanted to do.

"Let's stay for a few more moments. Celebration Starbucks on me. Order whatever you want, Lani," he said with a smile.

"Oh, Connor-" I tried to protest, but he placed his index finger over my lips.

"Don't try to protest. Trust me. Order anything you want," he said with a smile.

I smiled back and we made out way to the counter.

"Can I get the Chocolate Chip Frappuccino Blended Crème, Rowan?" I asked her.

She nodded and punched my order into that computer thing.

Connor paid for my coffee and led me to the table for two that he had been sitting at. I sat in front of him and eyed him as he sipped at a Peppy Mocha.

My mouth watered a little bit and I frowned, looking away from his cup. He chuckled and asked, "Would you like a sip?" His eyes twinkled as I looked up at him.

"Please?" I asked, grasping my hands together in a pleading gesture while my eyes brightened in hope.

"Of course," he answered. He handed me his cup, which I grasped in both of my hands.

I took a sip. And another. And another. And another. Then he caught on to what I was doing and he reached for his cup, as I teasingly snatched it back. "Hey!" he exclaimed, his eyes showing laughter. I stuck my tongue out at him and he cracked a smile. "That's my drink, Lani!" he protested.

I giggled and took another sip. I handed it back to him and laughed at him. "Thank you!" I teased.

He laughed and took a sip of his drink as Rowan walked up with mine. "Here you go," Rowan said with a smile as she placed my drink in front of me.

"Thanks, Ro," I said, giving her a nickname.

She grinned and said, "You're welcome, Lani." She gave me a wink and left to attend the counter again.

I reached for my coffee and as my fingers brushed the perspiration covered cup, it slid from my grasp.

I gaped in mock horror as Connor put my straw to his light naturally colored lips. His eyes laughed as he sipped my coffee.