Be this Way

7.

Millies coffee shop was packed then we got there. Saturday brunch must be a big thing in this town. My eyes scanned the crowd everyone enjoying there meals deep in conversations, small children getting squirmy waiting on their food, and off in the corner I spotted the back of Jace's head. I nudged Maverick and pointed them out. I counted 3 heads at the table and my stomach dropped. One of them belong to Sarah. I took and deep breath and followed Maverick.

"Hey guys!" Kendalls face lit up as we pulled out chairs. "We haven't ordered yet, super cute dress Livy."

"Thanks." I picked up a menu and an older lady came to the table asking for drinks. I smiled at her and ordered an iced coffee to help my brain.

"Last night was wild. Also I do want to apologize for my stupid behavior." Sarah looked at me through long false lashes. She was painfully girl next door pretty. She had on a shorter white dress with a denim jacket. Her red hair pulled to the side into Two tiny pig tails. "I talked to Kendall and she told me I was a bitch. But I want to blame those idiots who busted the party, I was already in a mood."

"No shit." Maverick laughed. "But people tend to get pretty possessive over me." Everyone laughed and I forced myself to smile.  I didn't like that comment. Thankfully my ice coffee arrived and I had something to occupy myself with.

"So tell us about you then Livy, since everyone seems to like you enough to bitch me out there's got to be something special about you." Sarah leaned across the table towards me. I felt myself recoil. I didn't want to tell her anything.

"I don't know." I whispered into my coffee.

"We like you because you're not conceded." Jace laughed as the waiter arrived to take our orders. "It's like your watching, trying to figure out how to vibe with people and that's respectable. I'd like a burger extra cheesy and fries." He ordered.

"Totally." Sarah nodded. "Got it." She sat back in her chair watching me. I couldn't make eye contact. She made me feel like a child. Even though we were the same age she seemed years more experienced than me.

I ordered just a side of fries my stomach was in knots and I wasn't sure anything but carbs would help it. The rest of the lunch went smoothly, some sarcastic jabs from Sarah, who I'm pretty sure would never like me but realized her friends did, and lots of filling me in on the people. I had a quick though when Kendall was talking about how there are two groups, the ones that go out and the ones that don't. Sloan.

"Sloan told me to avoid you guys." I just blurt it out and Sarah almost screamed in laughter.

"Sloan used to go out, but she accused some people of some stuff and that's it. She never came out again." Kendall, Jace and Sarah looked at each other like they knew something more. Thankfully Maverick pressed.

"What?" He raised his eyebrow interested.

"It was freshman year don't worry about it, old news. We don't talk about it much anymore." Kendall shrugged. "Something to do with drugs or something, I can't even remember. And not weed but like roofies, and Ian. He wouldn't do that though. He's annoyingly but he could get anyone he wanted."

Sarah nodded. I noticed something in her eyes though, she had a flash of sadness. Her eyes met mine and she scowled. I quick shoved my fries in my mouth. The way Maverick and her were making eyes at each other made me feel like a third wheel on an intimate date. His arm was around my chair but his attention was obviously somewhere else. I couldn't even be jealous, it was only the second time him and I have spent time together but still hurt. I felt myself retreat into my shell. The conversation at the table kept going without my input. I reached down into my bag and grabbed a ten, ready to leave as soon as the check was put down.