No Going Back

xi

While waiting for Reina and Cameron we sat in the food court eating some fries and talked about our memories.

"No no no." I shook my head laughing. "That doesn't even come close to topping the time when I was running on the track freshman year and you were playing soccer with your friends and you kicked the ball but out of everyone there it hit me."

Xavier laughed holding his sides, "Right! Right! I remember that day. Oh my god that was priceless but an accident as well."

I glared at him pretending to be mad but it didn't last long until I fell into a fit of laughter once more. We probably looked like idiots laughing our asses off in the food court.

Xavier was about to say something but my phone ringing cutting him off.

"Hello?" I answered still laughing, "Hey what's taking so long? It's freezing out here."

I frowned, "What are you talking about? We planned on meeting at the food court? Why are you out - we've been waiting here for half and hour Reina!"

I was beyond pissed right about now.

"Here give me." Zav took the phone away, and I huffed crossing my arms.

We didn't have all day, Xavier and I had to be at a family dinner which meant we needed to be home before eight.

"We're going to meet them at the car, come on." I nodded grabbing my bags before following Zav out of the mall and towards where we parked.

Xavier didn't want to drive and Reina called shotgun so that meant the guys were sitting in the back.

"I said I was sorry." Reina apologized for probably the millionth time.

I sighed, giving in. "I can never stay made at you." She squealed clapping her hands happily.

"Okay so should we get something before heading back completely?" Reina suggested and I shrugged agreeing.

"Starbucks?" Getting no disapproval, I drove to the nearest Starbucks.

Parking the car, I made sure to take the keys just in case Reina decides to try and drive away like she did last week.

Evil girl, I swear.

"Okay, I'll be back. What do you guys want?" Reina wanted a Strawberry Banana smoothie, Cameron wanted a Strawberry Acai Refresher whereas Xavier and I were going to get a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino.

I walked inside thankful that there wasn't a line at all, and that it was practically dead. At one of the booths there was a very attractive person but of course I'd never tell him that.

"Welcome to Starbucks, what can I get you?" The girl behind the counter asked to which I gave her a smile.

"Okay so I'm going to need four Vanilla Bean Frappuccino's, a Strawberry Banana smoothie, and a Strawberry Acai refresher with four chocolate cookies, and four chocolate chip cookie dough cake pops." Taking down my order, I paid her and sat at one of the nearby tables.

From the corner of my eye, I could see the attractive guy looking in my direction. Or maybe he was looking at the girl behind the counter?

Yeah because it can't be me that he's looking at.

After ten more minutes, my name was called. "Valerie!"

I rushed to grab everything, and at the same time the attractive guy was leaving. Damn.

"Thanks." I told the girl before heading to the exit.

I know, I should've just went through the drive through but they don't have one, jesus.

"Do you need some help?" A voice from behind me spoke up, nearly making me drop the drinks.

I turned to face them, and saw it was the attractive guy. I smiled thankfully at him, "Yes please."

He chuckled, and adjusted his backpack before taking the tray that held the frappuccino's and the sweets.

"So why so much?" He asked attempting to make small talk but I'm not complaining.

I let out a nervous laugh, "My friends." He nodded a smile gracing his face.

"I'm here." I told him, unlocking the car so I could hand Reina the drinks.

I turned towards him, taking the tray from him and placing it on my seat. "Again thank you -" I trailed off waiting for him to give me his name.

"Elijah." I took his hand in mine shaking it with a smile. "Valerie."

The smile on his face faltered a bit but I didn't question it seeing as I had to go. "So I'll be seeing you."

I waved at him getting in the car after Reina moved the drinks, before I closed the door I heard him say, "Sooner than you think."

Maybe I'm just hearing things honestly but something was telling me that there was truth to his words.

Ignoring that, Xavier was holding the drinks as I pulled out of the parking lot. "So are you guys coming over?"

I froze looking at Xavier through the rear view mirror. "We can't, my dad is having a family dinner so we have to be at my house in," I paused looking at the time. "Thirty minutes and Zav still needs to pick up his mom."

Reina frowned, "But what about Luke and Issac?" I was about to answer but Xavier spoke up before I could.

"It is what it is, Luke and Issac are family considering we're all they have left." I looked at Xavier astonished that he snapped at Reina like that.

"I didn't mean it like that, you know I didn't. I was just- ugh never mind." She huffed in annoyance before taking a sip of her smoothie as I pulled up to her house.

As she got out of the car angrily, I made no effort to go after her. I had a family dinner and Zav still had to drop me off.

"I'll see if I can calm her down." Cameron promised before getting out and following after Reina.

As quickly as possible, Xavier dropped me off, handing me the drinks as he kept one for himself.

I rushed inside, closing the door behind me, "Valley!" I laughed at the nickname Issac stole from Xavier.

He gave me a side hug before taking one of the Vanilla Beans. "Thank you!" I nodded, ruffling his hair before handing him the bag of cookies.

The smile on my face faltered slightly when Luke walked over to us. "Here." I handed him on of the Vanilla Beans before opening the bag and pulling out two cake pops.

Taking it from me, his hand brushed against mine and usually it would make me blush but this time, I was calm.

My heart didn't speed up, nor did it skip a beat at the sight of him.

Were my feelings for Luke really gone?

Not wanting to think about it, I walked upstairs to put my things away. I set my dress in my closet, before pulling my hair into a ponytail.

Seeing as I had time to spare, I picked up my moms letter and began to open it nervously.

"Val, they're here!" My dad yelled from downstairs making me quickly stuff the letter in my pocket, grab my drink and rush downstairs.

But you know that feeling you get in your gut when something's going to happen?

I was suddenly getting that feeling as I entered the dining area.

Why was I feeling this way now?