You're Mine

Chapter Nine

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THE PLOT AT THE END! MAINLY TO DO WITH CHRIS. TO AVOID CONFUSION, READ IT FIRST!

Riley (TUESDAY)

Fey's head tips back, letting out a loud ripple of laughter across the cafe. Her eyes shine mischievously at me. "You're kidding?"

"No."

She snorts again, her hands fumbling with the dispenser. I roll my eyes, untying my apron from the back. A glance at the clock tells me it's 8pm, our closing time, and when I glance back at Fey she's already locking the door.

"What you doing tonight?" She asks me, pulling down the blinds to cover our view of the outside world. I watch the pink skies disappear quickly under the black blinds, a frown forming on my face. Usually I'd just go home, curl up in bed and maybe order some pizza.

But Chris appearing in the restaurant had thrown me off- the last place I wanted to be was at home, to overthink every small detail of seeing him. To overthink how everybody had now seen how I, who had once been strong, hadn't even been able to look a boy in the eye.

There's a small part of me that's going crazy over Ashley's flashing eyes, her sincerity seeming so genuine it made me sick. Because perhaps she was right all those years ago, despite what she said.

I meet Fey's eyes, offering a small smile. "Oh nothing. Going to Mike's for some food I think."

"You'll have to take me sometime. It sounds amazing." She seems to brush off my little daydream, striding past me to collect cloths. "Also, we're going out on Friday."

"We are?"

"Oh yes. I'm taking you and Rhys and whoever else you want to my new favourite bar." She grins at me.

I smile in return, folding my apron into my locker. "I'll check if I can get it off."

She rolls her eyes. "You know you can- you work like a dog. Come on R."

"Alright, alright." I wave her off. "See you tomorrow afternoon."

The walk to Mike's is quick and brisk, the summer air humid around me. I can practically feel my hair frizzing up and attempt to smooth it down a little, my t-shirt sticking to me. I might just shove on my apron and work for a few hours, hopefully wearing myself out enough that I'll just sleep when I get home and not think about stupid Chris.

The door rings loudly as I step in, my red nails flashing against the neon sign. I close the door behind me, offering a smile to the only two people in the place. It's dead.

Raphael smiles at me, his elbow nudging James as I approach the counter. I frown, watching them both dance around skittishly.

"What's going on?" I question, my eyes focusing on James' hopping from one foot to another.

"Your boyfriend was here." He wriggles my eyebrows.

My voice catches in my throat slightly, my fist tightening against the counter. "Chris?" I manage and Raphael sighs, punching James' arm.

"Idiot." He mutters. "Luke. Luke was here to order food."

"Oh, okay." I shrug, trying to hide the slight blush creeping up the base of my neck. Does this mean it's going to become a regular thing? Him being here? I don't exactly think I'd be complaining.

"He's coming back." Raphael mentions innocently, writing something on his notepad. "He was picking something up for someone, a sick friend or something. Then he's coming back for his order."