The Gold and the Forest

XV

Chapter 15: Spring

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"And a caramel Frappuccino for Mr. Wolf behind me."

"Vivi." He muttered under his breath.

She paid for the two drinks, stifling a giggle, she turned back and shot him a wink. He huffed, going to locate a seat. He dropped his bag onto a table, sliding into the chair. She followed a few minutes later, the drinks in hand.

Her dress swished as she dragged a seat to sit next to him. "How's precalc."

"Fine."

"Now—how's US history."

He groaned.

"Aww—pauvre bébé."

He mimicked her under his breath and then pulled out one of the assignments he had to make up. She pulled out the image of her worksheet on her phone, sliding it over to him. She sipped her drink, smiling at him.

He took her phone gratefully. Humanities was an academic area he never grasped completely.

"What would you do without me." She teased.

He frowned at her comment.

"Spring is coming—isn't that your favorite season?"

"No—Declan brings an unnecessary basket of fruits every time he visits."

"That's adorable."

She rested her head against his shoulder, smiling. "I want to meet him."

"You want to meet everyone."

"Everyone pertaining to you."

---

The cicadas screamed in the trees outside, Vivi looked out of the window of the shop, tempting the taste of sorbet on her tongue, the feel of an airy sundress on her body. She sighed to herself.

I should really start dating—summer loves are great.

She smoothed out the wrinkles on her uniform and went back to the register to receive the next customer.

"Hello! Ready to order?"

"Yes beautiful, can I get an order of you?"

She bit back a laugh at the cheesy flirt. "Excuse me, sir?"

He reached over and put a hand on hers, and looked in her eyes. "You have really nice hands."

She retracted her hand quickly, feeling her mind freeze up.

"When's your break?"

"Um—"

A decoration was placed down next to her on the register.

"Sorry—she isn't on the menu." Carl's voice interjected the interaction from behind her. "I would suggest this week's special—lemonade, 'to quench your thirst.'"

He was quoting the tagline that Sean had written on the poster that advertised the lemonade.

The man's eyes shifted from her to Carl and then down at the decoration. He smiled at Vivi. "What do you suggest?"

"The lemonade." Carl deadpanned, looking at the man like he was deaf.

"Yes—what he said." Vivi followed.

"Right." The man grimaced, glaring slightly at Carl. "The lemonade, then."

---

"Should have told me to drop a sedative in that drink." Sean joked.

"That's illegal." Vivi sighed. "Though I do wish you did."

"Carl stepped in pretty nicely with the weekend special, huh. I should give him a raise."

Vivi stared at Carl, across the store, managing the boxes that just came in. She nodded absentmindedly.

"So, what is this elusive history you guys seem to have?"

Vivi stiffened, whipping her head around to stare at Sean with wide eyes. He offered a casual shrug.

"He doesn't really give a damn about any other girl in his nearest vicinity, but he seems intensely awkward when you show up." Sean sipped his lemonade. "It's like he wants to try to do something—but you make it really difficult for him."

"I—"

"He takes things for a much different value than you, Vivi. Not to be rude to him, but—he's simple-minded."

"Well, all boys are." Sean grinned. "Maybe this one especially."

Vivi sighed.

"He's misunderstood?" She offered. "Is that what you are trying to say?"

"You misunderstood him."

---

While they were clocking out, Vivi attempted to make small talk with him. Stuff about the weather, or work, or school. He seemed surprised when she first opened up her mouth, but after that, he relaxed and nodded along to her attempt of a conversation.

"Oh—and..." He looked at her, seeing her change of posture. She had straightened up. "Thank you for that—earlier. With the creep."

He nodded.

She tugged on her shirt awkwardly, shuffling her feet, wondering what she should do. Clearly, he doesn't want to continue the conversation.

"Are you going to take me to the movies as thanks again?"

His voice was terribly soft and rough. He realized and cleared his throat.

She stared at him in shock. A smile threatened to take over her lips. That moment, her heart swelled. Then, their eyes finally met.

The feeling sank and she felt a lump in her throat.

"No—" She took a few steps back, her shoulders slouching in. "I won't take up your time with that."

"Oh." He nodded again, waved, and then left.

She stood there, imagining herself running after him. I guess I am just left with imagining it. There's no point in running after him, since he doesn't want me to.

She went back to double-check her locker, not realizing she had left the door open.

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