I Probably Hate You

Eleven

Two weeks later I navigated my way towards Gaten's table because, admittedly, I hadn't sat there the whole week.

The previous week Eleanor and I had decided to end the whole 'Yes days and No days' system because, wether I liked to admit it or not, I'd grown accustomed to sitting with Gaten and his friends at lunch. Even Jean.

There was a new addition to the group today. Davila, Gaten's friend, was sitting at the table, and from the looks of it, it wasn't her first time.

I sat and threw everyone a quick look, which was my way of greeting them.

"Hello to you too" Jean said, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

I glared at him.

"You know," Walker said loudly, unintentionally grabbing half the cafeteria's attention "you remind me of a princess. Like the main character in a fairytale kind of look. You've got the hair and the soft voice, too"

Davila laughed "thanks. I don't think I've ever gotten that before"

Gaten looked at her fondly, and my dumb brain finally realized that they're most likely together together.

I watched as Davila said something softly to Gaten when she thought no one was watching. As he chuckled I noticed Mallory was watching them too, with a proud little glint in her eyes.

Not most likely, then. They were definitely together.

Gaten showed up at my locker after fifth period, all smiles and hands in pockets.

"Congrats" I said mock brightly "now you can finally focus your creep stalker attention on someone other than me"

His smile faltered "oh come on. I'm not stalker creepy, am I?"

He wasn't. He may have been persistent and straightforward sometimes, but he was always respectful. I didn't tell him that, though.

"Mhmm. Super creepy I can't sleep at night"

Gaten laughed and shoved me lightly, and I snickered and wondered how in the world we'd gotten here.

"Do you have any plans this Thursday?"

"You know Mr. Jefree, I don't think I'll ever know when I'm free when it comes to working at the Diner"

It was bad enough when I'd 'called in sick' the morning after the party. I'd been dead-beat and a good old scolding from my scary boss was all I'd needed that morning to know to just work all my shifts. Regardless my mental/physical health.

Besides, I was secretly not so secretly grateful for the surprise shifts. They were my only excuse to not go out with anyone.

"If you'd just let me talk to him. Trust me, we're buddies"

"I don't care if you're buddies. I'd rather you never interfere with my job."

"Fine. Anyway, this Thursday. It's important. Don't forget"

I watched after him as he left and thought, what the hell has went wrong?

I mean, Gaten was still on my list, but now if I was being 100% honest with myself, I knew that deep, deep, deep down I didn't really hate him.

Not one bit.

And this little annoying voice in my head whispered 'maybe nothing went wrong. Maybe, for once, things were starting to go right'