The New Kid

Chapter 33

Still by my locker, I put my face in my hands and just go, "Argghh!" Why hadn't I said something to Monty! He knew I was with Christian. I didn't have feelings whatsoever for Monty. Didn't he have some senior girl to crush on?? I was pretty mad at Monty for his second spontaneous kiss that I didn't want, even after my last caution to talk to me about it first, really not expecting this to occur again, but I also wanted to remain friends. How would I go about this? Most importantly, how would I tell Christian about this?

................

I was certain that Christian and Monty would stop being good friends if I told Christian, but after our last little argument, I didn't want to stir up trouble again with my boyfriend. 

Christian didn't have football practice today and was visiting me at the Full Mug during my shift. I spilled the beans. Pun intended. 

I glanced around to make sure there would be no customers for awhile and talked to Christian right at the counter. Luckily, my co-workers were busying themselves with mopping and dish-washing and had their air-pods in. Soon, I'd be called over to pitch in with the chore checklist.

"What's up?" Christian asks, sipping his caramel macchiato that I made for him a second ago. "Wow, this is really good," he complimented. "Thanks," I say sullenly. "Is there something wrong?" Christian asks me. "I know your facial expressions by now, you're my girl." 

"You know, as a matter of fact, there is." He puts his coffee drink down and looks at me intensely. "Well what is it," he asks, "I'm truly afraid to ask but what is it this time?"

"Monty. Needs. To. Stop." Again he asks, "Stop what?" I freak out a little and say it louder than I intend, "He needs to stop kissing me against my will!" That turns some of the customer's heads. I calm down a little. "He kissed me again, today before we left school. I didn't know what to do!"

Christian's eyebrows furrow, "He did what?" I hissed, "You heard me. He kissed me at my locker today. Again!" Now I feel I'm acting slightly melodramatic. I know the first time was a misunderstanding," Christian starts, "but now he's just . . . being stupid." He look of disappointment overcame him, "I thought Monty was my friend." 

Christian hangs around at the counter awhile longer, but then he goes and sits down at a table to work on his homework. I'm getting pretty nervous about what might go down between him and Monty. Monty's gotta know he's being dumb and that Christian's going to stick up for me as well as our very new relationship. I just don't wanna be there when they duke it out. There was enough going on today. The fight was on for 9PM as far as I knew. But I would tie Christian to my garage rafters if I had to to keep him from joining in. 

I hear the door to the shop open and rear my head towards it. To my utter shock, Monty walks through the door. "Monty, what are you doing here right now?" I ask him. "Christian and I were planning to meet here . . . like now." I'm confused, so I just say, "Oh." I shoot Christian a snarky look as if to say, And you didn't tell me he was coming here why . . ?  

Monty orders a plain black medium roast, and I hand it to him. "Steamy, just like I like it," he says. "Quit being an idiot," I say to him.

He goes over to the table where Christian is studying at and they seem to be okay, for now. 

I beg Meghan to let me go on break right now, even though I haven't been here more than a half hour. I tell her she can have half my tips if she lets me, and she obliges.

I take off my barista apron and rush over to where the boys are sitting. I sit by Christian and act all awkward, "Hey boys, how goes it?" I ask. "What a curious cat we have here," Monty jokes. Christian addresses the white elephant in the room, "Monty, I appreciate you telling me about the whole Brock thing, which Avalon," he looks at me, "didn't bother to mention." I sigh. 

"But," Christian continues, "what I really want to know more about is why you're planting one on my girlfriend."

Monty looks taken aback and hurt, but then he becomes offended. "You know what Christian? We've been friends after all these years, and you still always get what you want. You get first dibs on girls, on everything. Avalon's no different. You know how I felt about her from the beginning, and you still got what you wanted, didn't you?" Monty doesn't bother staying for more of this conversation and he heads out the door, leaving most of his coffee behind. Some customers watch him pass by in a huff and turn to stare at us. I try to act inconspicuous. 

I look at Christian for an explanation. "What did he mean? Did you really know he was into me?" 

Christian sighs, "Yes, but he never made a move. I was honest about how I felt with him too. But he wanted me to give him time to ask you out. I'm a horrible friend. I broke the bro code." He puts his forehead to the table. "I just like you so much, it hurts," he mumbles, forehead still to the table.

"Well, if I have any choice in the matter," I start sarcastically, "It's you I wanted, and it's you I still want. I chose you."