Joaquin

chapter 3

I came into the bar around 7 and looked for Joaquin.  When I didn't see him I decided to find FP. When I did find him he was sitting on the table with some of his other buddies. I sat down next to him and joined the conversation. " Hey Ava hows it been?" tall boy asked " ahh you know can't complain." he nodded his head and continued on with one of his stories.  I have always loved being here I just feel like I'm actually a part of something. 

We were in the middle of laughing about tall boys height when I felt a hand on my shoulders; I turned around and saw Joaquin. I smiled as he joked with the rest of the group. I saw out of the corner of my eye FP staring at Joaquins hand on my shoulder.  Sure I thought it was a little weird but quickly disregarded it because I thought it was like him being overprotective.  We stayed like this for hours talking about everything all the fun times at the bar to when FP became a serpent. "So Ava what made you start coming to the south side?" Joahquin asked smiling the whole table when silent because everybody else at the table knew.  Well almost everybody.  Joaquin could tell that something was off and his smile went away.  I looked at my glass of water with a smile trying not to make it awkward "uhh when times got tough, FP was there for me and he always used to take me and jughead here." Nobody talked after me so my attempt to make it not awkward just went down the drain.

I knocked on the table while I got up "I'm going to go get a soda." I said with a smile.

Joaquins POV

Once Ava left everybody was giving me the evil eye. "what how was I supposed to know that is a bad subject?" I asked "look from now on everything about Avas past is a off limit subject. You understand?" FP asked "Yeah of course."

Avas POV

 I walked up to the bar asked for a Dr Pepper and not long after Joaquin was beside me. "Look, I'm sorry if I brought up a sore subject." I shook my head "no it's alright you couldn't have known." I said with a smile.  He looks at me almost like he's trying to get an answer out of my facial expressions. "Do you want to go to Pops and get a milkshake or something?" he asked "absolutely" I said with a smile.  I walked up behind FP and put my hand on his upper back letting him know im here " im going to head out. Ill see you later." FP nodded his head and told me to be safe and I said I always am.  

I waved goodbye to the rest of the people who were at the table and I walked out side with Joaquin right beside me.  I started getting my keys out and Joaquin stopped me "what are you doing?" I gave him a questioning look and he explained more "there is no way im going to make the girl drive on the first date." he told me with a smile. Thank god its dark outside because my face is red. " Oh so this is a date?" I ask with a smile.  "absolutely" he replied.  I smile as he walks me to his ca-motercycle? he stops in font of a motorcycle and starts taking the helmets off the back.  and I start shaking my head no " there is no way I am getting on that." he looks at me and smirks " what is Ava being a scaredy cat?" he asked in that baby voice.  " I am not I just don't like riding Bitch." he nods his head "understandable" but he still hands out his extra helmet.  "pwease for me." he asks in that same tone of voice.  I hesitantly take the helmet and that puts a smile on his face and he starts putting his own helmet on.  "Fine but your buying the milkshakes." he chuckles while he gets on his bike. "Deal" 

When we got to Pops I just ordered a chocolate milkshake with a side of fries. I tried to go ahead and buy for the fries since that wasn't part of the deal but Joaquin wouldn't have it.  I thanked him once he got done ordering his vanilla milkshake and French fries.  I sit at one of the middle booths and Joaquin sits across from me.  "Thanks again for the food" I say "no problem" he says with a smile. 

Pops put our milkshakes and fries down on the table and we both thanked him.  I took a large sip of my milkshake savoring the sweet chocolatey taste.  I looked up at Joaquin and he did the most dispicable thing.  He dipped his French fries in with his milkshake.  He could see the disgusted look on my face and proceed to do it just out of enjoyment.  I can't believe you are one of those people.  I say while smiling.  "What? its mix between sweet and salty." I shake my head in disagreement. "have you ever tried it?" he questioned.

 " Yes my mom always used to do it and tried to make me like it but it just never clicked with me." my mom is still kinda a sour subject but after years of practice I learned not to let it show. " Is your mom still here?" I shake my head no " she died a couple years ago." Joaquin face got serious "sorry to hear that" I nodded my head in thanks.  He dips his French fry in his vanilla milkshake and sticks it out like a toast. "to your mom who had a good taste." I chuckle and put one of my French fries in my chocolate milkshake and toasted I with his we both ate it at the same time and he watched my reaction. "not the best but not as bad as I remember it." he chuckles at this. "that is good to hear." he said with a smile. 

"Ava does your dad know you are here?!" Pops asks me from behind the counter I look up at him and I see him looking outside into the parking lot. "SHIT" I say as I run into the bathrooms not even giving Joaquin an explanation .