Perfect Places

New Beginnings

"So ... how are things going with Zane?" Jessica giggled, as she sipped her milkshake.

"Fine. I don't think we have ever been better, actually." I responded, nibbling at my fries.

Ah yes, Ace's Diner. The classic diner that had been in this town for decades. Ace's was a treasure chest full of hundreds of memories for everyone.

"How many times have you guys kissed?" She asked me, with a sly smile.

"Oh wow, straight to the point," I laughed, "No, for real though, I think ... three times."

   She looked at me in surprise, "Three times? That's it?!"

   I chuckled, "Yeah ..."

   "Rae! You're gonna lose him! You gotta be more aggressive!" She told me.

   "Heh, no. I think I'm gonna be fine, Jess." I smirked.

   I looked around the diner. Neon lights, checkered floors, huge windows, and little souvenir. Everything was in its perfect place, just as it should be.

   Little by little, people started filing out. I knew Jessica and I would be staying in our booth for at least another half hour. Our booth. The booth we always sat in.

   "Well, I have lost track of the amount Nick and I have kissed." She admitted.

   I laughed, "Jessica, that's an interesting problem I'm sure tons of girls would kill to have."

   "I guess ..." She trailed off into her own thoughts.

   "Wait ... so you and Tate are just done?" I wondered.

   "Yeah. He wasn't really my type anyway." She told me rolling her eyes.

   My mouth fell open in surprise, "Jessica! You can't just do him dirty like that."

   "Yeah, well I just did. And ... I don't really care." She scuffed.

   "Interesting. He must not care either, because he hasn't texted me anything about the breakup." I informed her, taking a bit of another fry.

   Her eyes got wide, "WHAT! That little-"

   "Jess, it's fine. I say, just leave him alone. Eventually, all your problems with him will fade away." I suggested, cutting her off.

   "Whatever," She mumbled as she took another drink of her milkshake.

   "Anyways, what are your plans for the summer?" I asked.

   "Well, I have some plans to go to a few beaches with Nick," She told me, while scrolling through something on her phone.

   "Nick? Who's Nick?" I questioned.

   "My new boyfriend, obviously!" She explained.

   Dang, that was fast. Why was I not surprised.

   "Mk," I said, "How many beaches?"

    "Like ... three I think. What are your plans?" She asked me, finally looking up from her phone.

   "I mean ..." I struggled to think, "Not much, really. I don't have any trips planned or anything."

   "That sucks," She chuckled.

   I laughed, "I know right. Pretty pathetic."

   Was I mocking her? Slightly.

   "Well, just know that you are free to come with us to a beach anytime." She told me.