Vanilla Girl

S' M o r e s

I SMILE POLITELY at the cute guy behind the counter as he hands me my icecream cup. And I don't miss Wyona's sigh beside me as he smiles back, a bright perfect smile.

Yes, she has a new crush. Since about five minutes ago.

My platonic love is Dylan O'Brien.

And aparently hers is the cute guy at the ice cream parlor whose name tag identifies him as Liam.

I wouldn't be surprised if I find her scribbling their names together on a napking by the time we reach our table.

Now, you may wonder what are we all doing on an ice-cream parlor.

Well...in a few selected words, Wyona got a bit riled up after the scene she found in the kitchen and, noticing there was no breakfast left, she reminded Michael he owed her an ice-cream from a previous bet they had done---wich probably was ages ago---but I have to give it to her, she knew how to manipulate her brother to get what she wanted. So that's how I found myself standing at Toni's in the middle of November with a lovesick Wyona who can't help but sigh every time Liam scoops ice-cream into a cone.

Chris and Michael have already gotten their shakes and are waiting for us at a table near the window. Lucky for them, the girl handing the shakes was as fast as ligtning and they had them ready to go in less than a minute. Unfortunately for us, our server seems to be a newbie who takes his time---which also might be because we are the only people crazy enough to be here at this time of the year so he is in no hurry to attend another customer.--- Wyona doesn't mind though, the more time he takes the better for her ogling.

Liam's voice breaks through the fog of my thoughts and I blink at him.

"Sorry?"

The corner of his lips curls up into a smile,"Would you like some toppings?"

I stare at him. Why is he smiling at me like that? Did he think I was fantasizing about him? What was with the arrogant smile? You are not the center of the universe buddy, sorry to burst your ego.

I ponder on his question for a moment a bit irritated by his smile which makes me want to slap it from his face. Instead, I decide eating an ice cream is way better. After all, I shouldn't care what he thinks.

"Hmm...what do you have?" I ask, looking along the counter indifferently.

"Ahh...let me see..." He falters for a moment. "Salted caramel sause, chocolate granola, chocolate sauce, chocolate chips..." He names a few.

"Caramel sauce is fine." I cut him abruptly before he keeps going.

Listening to the word chocolate coming out of his mouth so many times is about to make me nauseous.

Chocolate toppings? No way.

He looks at me weirdly as he hands me the toppings.

I give him a big smile, "thanks!"

I wait to the side as Wyona gets hers and shake my head at her infatuated face when she turns around and gushes "He's so pretty! I think this will become my everyday stop after school from now on."

"I don't think he'd appreciate being called pretty." I point out. "Plus I think he can hear you."

Wyona rolls her eyes, "handsome, hot, attractive, good looking. Whatever." She waves her hand in the air.

I let out a laugh and then we walk together to join the guys who by now are past half their milkshakes.

"Nice of you to join us. We thought you'll never make it." Jokes Chris. Wyona barely glances at him, but I catch the confussed look he casts her way before turning to me. "Whatcha got?"

I'm about to reply when out of nowhere Michael digs a spoon on my ice-cream. "Hey!" I slap his hand, but he's already placing the spoon inside his mouth by the time I snatch my cup away.

"That's mine!"

"Technically, he paid for it." Points Chris and I shoot him a murderous look.

Michael chuckles.

"French vanilla ice-cream." He says, answering Chris previous question.

"I already knew that. Thanks." I retort, digging angrily into my cup.

"Vanilla?" Asks Chris incredulously.

I just glare at him. What's so wrong with my choice of flavors?

He chuckles at my expression, shaking his head. "You're so boring."

I'm a hairbreath away from snapping at him, so I place a full spoon inside my mouth instead.

"She hates chocolate."

I glance gratefully at my friend who spoke for the first time since we sat down just to defend me.

Chris eyes are about to bulge from his face. "Really?!"

I srugg.

"Yes. Really." Snaps Wyona, "do you need clarification for everything I say?"

We all stare at her dumbfounded.

Chris looks contrite. "Sorry. It's just that it was really shoking."

There's an akward silence and then Michael breaks it by digging a spoon on her sister's ice-cream.

"Michael!" She cries. "Now you owe me another ice-cream."

He shrugs, "I never seem to complete payment with you."

She narrows her eyes at him, but goes back to eating her ice-cream sently.

"So..." Chris trails off, "why vanilla?"

I lift my shoulders, "I like it simple. No those complicated flavours where you have to guess how you've got to pronounce it or what you are supposed to be tasting. I like vanilla because what you see is what you get. No complications, just vanilla."

"She got philosophical."

"That's deep."

"I like simple."

They all speak at the same time, but just one answer makes me blush like a ripped tomato.

All heads turn to Michael who's just realized what came out of his mouth and I can almost distinguish the flush of his cheeks beneath his dark skin.

I stare down into my cup.

I know he didn't mean it that way, but...

Jesus. This is so awkward.

Then out of nowhere Chris starts clapping.

"Congratulations. That's most probably the deepest speech I've ever heard about ice-cream flavors. Now...who is up for another round.?"

******

A/N: Hi guys! Sory for the slow update, I've been on church summer camp last week and didn't have time to write.

Hope you like this short chapter!

Don't forget to follow, vote and comment!

Hugs, Tina.