Jordan and I decide to head out to the ice cream shop around four in the afternoon. It was a long drive, almost as long as the peak but it became a national shop over the summer and with fall approaching it was best to get the last bit of it while we still can. The drive gives up the time to catch up on more recent drama that had nothing to do with either of us.
Something about a new secret hiding place, who's cheating on who, and other stuff that has no relevance to us.
As she pulls her car into the gravel parking lot on the side of the busy highway I immediately take notice of the workers. Now that Kami doesn't work here I don't have to worry about snarky comments. Jordan and I approach the small set up ordering medium buckets of our desired ice cream.
"Must be nice," Jordan jokes, I follow her eyes looking over my shoulder at the couple sitting and flirting with each other at the bench.
I tilt my head to get a better look, "That kind of looks like..."
"Are you following me?"
I jump a bit at the voice booming to the left of me and surprised to see Johnson standing beside me. His shades block his eyes from the waning sun, he seems more casual out of school, he actually looks like he could be friends with Gilinsky.
I roll my eyes playfully to divert attention away from my sudden scare, "You wish."
Johnson chuckles a bit before greeting Jordan, "Am i interrupting a date?"
Jordan laughs as if Johnson couldn't have been any funnier than now. I chuckle a bit alongside her to not make her feel left out, or at least let her know she's overdoing it.
"Charlotte!" Romeo calls, well that answer my questions as to who was on that bench, "How was dinner? Did I do good? Gilinsky didn't even thank me."
I replicate his elated smile, "You did amazing, thank you Romeo."
Harley awkwardly stands behind him not saying anything, I definitely have picked up on his shyness so I don't push my limits.
"Hi Harley," I quickly greet, he waves over to me pressing his lips into a tight smile.
"Romeo?" Jordan questions, she glances over to me confused as to how I know these people. This is exactly what happens when I keep my friend groups apart.
"Oh sorry, Jordan these are Jack's friends," I introduce each of them to her as they wave awkwardly at Jordan.
"We're your friends too," Romeo shoves my shoulders playfully, "Which makes Jordan our friend as well."
They warm up to each other quickly although I can admit Romeo and Johnson were the most welcoming few of the group.
"Hurry and get your ice cream," Romeo continues, "Then join our table, the more the merrier."
He smiles brightly before walking back over to the wooden bench with Harley following him. I guess they're dating?
"Ma'am, your ice creams."
Jordan and I step up at the same time taking the buckets from the older women before stepping away from the window facing Johnson again.
"So do you always come here Johnson?" Jordan questions, we begin walking back over to the picnic tables.
He shakes his head, "I'm kinda just third wheeling these assholes, but they offered to pay and I don't mind not spending money."
She giggles again.
"What about you Charlie?" He ask, "You come here a lot?"
I shake my head as well, "Not as much as I used to."
We reach the table just as Romeo and Harley rise from their seats.
"We're going to order, do you want anything Johnson?" Romeo offers, Johnson shakes his head. Harley and Romeo go back up to the kiosk to order leaving Jordan and I with Johnson again.
"And then there were three yet again," He mutters, he takes Romeos spot beside me and our shoulders slightly brush against each other. I move to the side a bit to give him more space. Jordan begins enjoying her ice cream taking a seat across from Johnson.
"Have you finished the precal assignment?" Jordan questions in attempt to make conversation, he shakes his head, "So much for an honor student."
He chuckles a bit, "Yeah well i'm only in that program because Marilyn has a heavy weighted crush on me."
"Marilyn!?" I repeat back to him.
"Yeah, our dads golf together."
Jordan and I both laugh in unison at his comments.
"Well I have the assignment in my bag, which is in my car if you want the answer," She offers.
I glance over to her but she's so caught up in sitting across from Johnson and eating ice cream indirectly with Johnson that it sends her into her high school crush frenzy. I knew she would never be over it just like that.
"You'd be a lifesaver," Johnson smiles, making her weak. Jordan smiles back over to him before rising from her seat and heading back down to the parking lot. It was a long walk, and she's willing to get it for Johnson immediately.
God she really liked this guy.
Johnson glances down over to me as I begin picking gummy bears off my melting ice cream, "Have you let your curiosity get the best of you?"
I glance at him confuse before realizing the callback, "Oh, well I think I'd rather move past it. I don't have to know everything, it doesn't matter now."
"Very mature of you," He sarcastically claps his hands lightly, I comically roll my eyes, "If I were Jack, I would've told you from the jump."
"What was there to tell?" It slips from my mouth before I could stop it. Maybe my curiosity never ceased I've just been too distracted to acknowledge it. He opens his mouth but I quickly put a hand up, "Don't tell me! Do not tell me."
He chuckles softly, "I just asked because Marilyn, who probably doesn't mean any harm, but over spilling is a trait of hers."
I look over to him cautiously, "What did she tell you?"
He shrugs, "Nothing too shocking, just that you with jack is just a phase and he'll be gone by your birthday."
oh dear god. I keep my jaw tightened to force it not to drop but why the hell would Marilyn say that to Johnson? I didn't think I said too much for Marilyn to get that impression, and I didn't think she'd tell my life to anyone who wasn't interested. I truly am not surprised that Marilyn told Johnson, she had to tell someone. I'm glad it was just him and not some latch on she found when she was bored in class.
I could definitely go without Johnson knowing how I lied to keep my honors society status but it'll be easier to explain to him than anybody else.
"But who knows how much of that she made up herself, "He quickly diverts noticing my silence. I thank god he can read the room before I was truly speechless.
"oh my god..." I mumble under breath. I usually never made any of her gossip topics but this year has been hectic all around anyways.
"She's officially lost her mind," I groan, "I can assure you that it's nothing like that."
"I know Charlie," He reassures, "But if you and Jack are having problems then maybe you should take a few steps back."
"This isn't the case, trust me," I defend, "Marilyn is probably over exaggerating."
Before he can even open his mouth Jordan, Romeo, and Harley reach the table at the same time. I internally thank them so I don't have to focus on my new found problem. Every time I'm certain I've solved one problem another rose above anything else.
Now Marilyn and I need to have a conversation about her reckless mouth.
-
Does fall even exist anymore? i swear it's already below fifty.
Anyways, opinions?
