The Bad Girl, The Bullet & The New Beginning (on-going)

17 ~ Water Under The Bridge

Lila was thankful when they finally pulled up at a familiar-looking diner that she remembered visiting with her cousins when they were about ten. The atmosphere in the car had been tense at best, with Harvey wordlessly fixating on the road ahead and Melissa's gaze darting to Lila every five seconds but looking away every time she tried to meet her eye. Well this was going to be fun, Lila thought to herself sarcastically.

Once they'd got inside and settled into the squeaky red vinyl seats of the tacky booth in the corner of the diner, Lila decided she'd had enough of the silent treatment.

"Okay, so we're gonna have to talk eventually," she sighed, trying to force a light tone into her voice but, judging by the uneasy look her cousins exchanged, obviously not succeeding. The corner of Melissa's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly as if she was on the verge of speaking, but then thought better of it and dropped her gaze to the shiny black table-top. Lila realised either she had to open the conversation or they'd be spending the next hour in painfully awkward silence. And Lila hated silences.

"Look, I know I've acted like kind of a jerk for the last month," she opened up, softening her tone, "and I haven't really given this place a real chance, including how I've treated the two of you. So I'm sorry. But I'm trying this whole fresh start thing and I feel like that's what I need with you guys. So, can we just like, start again?" she finished lamely, knowing she probably still sounded like a jerk even now.

Her cousins had at least looked up to hear her speak and were now shifting in their seats, glancing at each other as if trying to figure out if they were thinking the same thing. After a couple of seconds, Melissa finally spoke.

"I'd really like that, Lila," she said quietly, her face breaking into a hopeful smile. "I felt so bad after all those things I said to you. I guess it was just weird, you suddenly appearing here after so many years. And you're not exactly how we remembered you."

Lila nearly let out a snort of laughter. It was true; she was practically unrecognisable as the same girl from six years ago. Melissa and Harvey remembered her as an excitable twelve-year-old, whose bright amber eyes twinkled as she came up with new games to keep her and her cousins entertained during their long summers together. It must have been the shock of their life to see how she had turned out.

"I get it," Lila smiled softly. "And I said some horrible things to you too that I totally regret. Water under the bridge?" she said hopefully. Melissa bit her lip for a second, then smiled her signature warm smile that made her eyes crinkle up at the corners.

"Of course, fresh start," she returned. Harvey had also visibly relaxed and Lila felt like a weight had lifted off her chest. Maybe this whole outing hadn't been such a terrible idea after all.

"How's suspension been?" Harvey asked sympathetically as the waitress arrived with three extravagant milkshakes heaped with cream, chocolate sauce and a precarious cherry balanced on top of each.

"Horrible," Lila groaned. "I don't know how you two get straight As at this school. I feel like I'm physically drowning in homework."

Harvey blushed modestly. "It's only because you're catching up. You'll get the hang of it soon. I'll give you some of my notes when we get home if there's anything you're struggling with."

"You're a lifesaver," Lila breathed gratefully. She didn't know why she hadn't thought of this before – Harvey was a genius. If anyone could save her grades, it was him.

"Have you heard from any of your friends? I bet they're missing you at school," Melissa commented through a mouthful of whipped cream.

"Actually...I haven't heard a thing," Lila admitted, feeling a little embarrassed. Normally, she would hate to confess this kind of thing to other people, but she guessed she owed it to her cousins to open up a little more. "I really thought someone would have texted or called by now. I mean, it's been three whole days."