Eyelashes | ✓

[27] Way Way More Than Okay

Declan's hands numbly skidded across the keys of the piano, his mind not on the music in front of him. Ever since he saw Jo and that guy together at the store, he hasn't been able to focus like he could when playing piano. Before, he didn't need to even have sheet music on his piano, but now he needs it to prevent from getting fired. After royally fucking up on a piece the day after he saw Jo and that guy, he kept his sheet music in the bench so that he could use it when he started his shift. 

He was exhausted. The hours and hours that he had spent playing video games on his Xbox in hopes of getting his mind off of Jo were catching up to him. And the few hours of sleep he got because he knew that if he laid down to sleep, his mind would immediately go to the brunette girl that had broken his heart.

Declan kept his eyes trained on the sheet music in front of him, his eyes meeting every note and measure. He was unaware of his surroundings, which meant he didn't notice Jo slide into a seat at a table not to far from him. She was alone and she was nervous out of her mind. 

Lila wasn't lying when she had said that Declan was doing bad. Jo could see hid distress clearly on him. The bags under his eyes were dark and heavy, hinting at a lack of sleep. Jo had covered hers with concealer in case he didn't look as much of a mess as her. His hair was disheveled more than it usually was, a sign that he was frequently running his fingers through it. His body was slouched on the piano seat, and his mind looked far away. 

And he had sheet music. He never has sheet music. 

Jo felt out of place in this fancy restaurant. She hadn't been bothered to dress very nice, so she stood out like a sore thumb in her jeans and sweater. She was sitting alone, hoping that once his shift was over Declan would come sit with her. 

Her eyes moved from the wood pattern on the table to Declan when a louder than usual note rang through the restaurant. Others looked too, and when Jo looked she met eyes with the boy who has been causing her many problems in the last week. Her breath was knocked out of her chest as it usually was when she saw him. Her mind immediately went back to the amazing kiss they shared in the kitchen on Lila and Cal's date. Her cheeks warmed. 

Declan began playing again, his cheeks red in embarrassment. Every now and then he would glance up to see if Jo was still there. 

Declan had wanted to avoid seeing Jo for a reason. He knew that the second he laid eyes on her he would take her back in the blink of an eye. He didn't want to get into another toxic relationship with a girl who would break his heart for what seemed like the millionth time. 

Jo didn't order anything other than a strawberry lemonade. She was too nervous to eat, and she had really only gotten the strawberry lemonade so she could busy herself with something. She kept telling the waitress that she was waiting for someone. 

Her waitress came back, sliding a brownie sundae in front of her. "It looks like you need it," she said with a small smile. "Its on me. And I'll tell Declan to come here after he finishes playing."

Jo furrowed her brows. "How did you know?"

The waitress shrugged, tucking her serving tray under her arm. "I can see the way you two are looking at each other." Jo and Declan met eyes again, both hastily looking away when they realized they both had been caught staring.

"Thank you. Can you please tell him to come?"

The waitress smiled. "I will. I hope you too fix everything. I miss hearing gentle piano pieces and not abrasive Clair De Lune."