It All Started With A Pen

Making Deals With the Devil

"Ash? Ashhhhh, Earth to Ash!"

"Huh?" I shake myself out of my thoughts, back to Zara's face looming in front of me and the blaring boy band music. We were sitting in Zara's black Jeep in front of our favorite lunch place, waiting for Casey and Ava.

Zara snickers at me, pointing to the corner of her mouth. "You have a bit of drool right there," she laughs. "Thinking about Adam again?"

My hand flies up to my mouth before realizing it's dry. "Oh, haha, very funny," I say, chucking a pen at her. She isn't wrong, I was thinking about Adam, but still. "I just can't believe he spoke to me. Twice! And winked at me! I practically swooned on the cracked vinyl seat.

"Yes, I'm so happy for you. But get ahold of yourself, you're in college! Stop acting like you're in High School Musical."

"Jeez, someone's got their panties in a twist. But don't worry because-" I'm interrupted by Zara facepalming. "We're all in this together," I sing while clapping my hands.

Just then, Ava and Casey pull up in Ava's beat up Honda Civic.

"My prayers have been answered!" Zara cried, flinging the car door open and jumping out.
And I'm the dramatic one. Still, I follow Zara, climbing out of the car and into the dusty lot.
"Hey guys," Ava smiles sweetly at us. She's definitely the nicest one out of the group. Ava is part Korean, part Jewish, and part Italian. It may sound like a strange combination, but she's gorgeous. Her clear skin is flawless and her eyelashes could literally be the logo of Better Than Sex or Maybelline.

"Hey swee-" Zara is cut off by my fangirling.

"OhmygoshAdamUnderwaytalkedtomeinclassandsatbehindmeandaskedforapenandthenfoundmeandgaveitbackafterclassandhewinked!" I stop to take a breath before beaming at Ava. "Isn't that great?!"

Ava nods slowly, looking really confused. "Yeah, that's awesome!" She looks at Zara for clarification.

"Adam asked her for a pen and then found her at Meant to Bean to give it back," she explains in a bored tone. "Now let's go inside, I'm hungry."

"And he winked at me! Don't forget the wink!" I say as we walk through the double doors. The bell above the door rings and I'm greeted by the aroma of fresh basil and a love song playing.

      "If all it is is eight letters, why is it so hard to say? Why do I pull you close and then ask you for space? If all it is is eight letters, why is it so hard to say-y-y."

The four of us walk up to the counter, where a familiar- looking dude in a "Fire and Ice Bistro" shirt and khaki shorts stood. He had brown hair that was slightly tousled in the "I-spent-an-hour-trying-to-make-my-hair-look-like-I-just-woke-up" way. A metal tag hung off his shirt, revealing the name 'Bryan.' I couldn't place my finger on where I've seen him before. I've probably seen him working here before.

"Hi and welcome to Fire and Ice Bistro, my name's Bryan, do you lovelies know what you want to order today?" It's obvious that Bryan is ogling Ava, but she doesn't notice, too busy scanning the menu.

I smile at him. "I'll take the grilled tomato mozzarella panini with extra caramelized onions."

"Can I have the fresh arugula salad with french dressing, please?" Casey asks.

We all order and Bryan nods at us. "You ladies can have a seat, your food will be ready shortly." He slides is a receipt with the number 17 on it as we go to sit down.

"Guys, does that guy look familiar to you?" I ask when we're out of hearing range.

"Who, Bryan?" Zara asks like she's already besties with him. "Don't think I've seen him before."