The Boy Next Door

"I Forgive You."

Silence, that's all there was. I came to this dinner expecting it to be something more but we all just sat there awkwardly, waiting for the slightest bit of distraction to break the awkwardness. We all kept quiet as we stared at Ashley fiddling with the salt and pepper shakers. My eyes analyzed Ashley's appearance. She was dressed like she attending some extravagant dinner that the president was holding. I guess that's how girls like her dress. Getting distracted from my thoughts, Ashley's phone chimes. She smirks before setting her phone in her lap and looking up at me.

"So, I know this is so inappropriate, but is Justin single? I was thinking of asking him out, or maybe other things," Ashley smirks. I could feel my stomach boiling, but I ignored it, swallowing hardly and putting on a smile.

"Well, considering you and him spend so much time together at school, I assumed you knew his relationship status," I replied simply, taking a huge gulp of my water. Claire and Keith exchanged confused glances toward each other, but I kept my focus on Ashley.

Even though I didn't like Justin, was she trying to make me jealous?

"Nope, he's been spending most of his time with Liam," she says with a look of disgust.

"Oh, sorry to hear that."

"Makes perfect sense," Claire mutters. Ashley glares at her from across the table.

I inwardly smile and take a deep breath before taking another drink from my water.

"Why do you want to know if Justin is single. I'm sure you're not his type anyways. I happen to know his type, and you aren't on the list," Claire blurts out.

"Girls, quiet it down, people are seriously starting to stare at us," Keith mumbles under his breath, looking around at the old couples that had their eyes locked on our table.

"How's money for collage coming along, I remember last year your family were having finacial problems, so I just want to know if your able to get in to college," Ashley says smirking sharply at Claire. I wanted so badly to say something back to her for saying that, but I knew Claire could handle herself.

"Actually I have three scholarships, each worth over 30,000$ and I'm suitable for an early graduation. And what do you have?"

Ashley only scoffs and takes a sip of iced tea. I was still trying to figure out her reason for coming here in the first place. It's not like she likes me or Claire.

"Wish I had a brain like you," Keith mumbles, looking at Claire directly in the face.

"Don't they all," Claire replies, smirking at Ashley.

Ashley allowed another scoff to be presented, before taking a small bite from her salad. The rest of dinner was eternal to be honest. I would never do anything like that again. After we all left the restaurant, we went our separate ways and the night was slowing starting to whine down.

"Brooke, so you know how I told you I could tell Justin had a crush on you?" Claire asks, shuffling in the bed so that we were eye to eye.

I simply nodded my head, not knowing where the conversation would lead.

"Well, Justin does like you. Keith on the other hand, he likes you, but I have a feeling he's trying to do something. I might sound crazy but I am serious," she explained.

I nodded my head and lightly and latched my eyes shut. "I had the same feeling. I just wanted to see how long he was going to try and pretend that I don't know what he is doing," I replied, keeping my eyes pinched.

"Ahh, smarty I see. I love it," Claire murmured, shuffling in the bed and not saying another word, so assumed she had been taken over by a heavy slumber.