Just Friends

Chapter 4: Kids

"Clary, no! Just leave him be," I scold Clary, although she stubbornly kept walking.

     "This is the second time your man has rejected you! And as your best friend, I'm going to give him a piece of my mind," Clary says, gritting her teeth.

     Before I knew it, Clary and I are at the front porch of Dakota's house. I immediately went into panic mode, mostly because who knows what Clary can do. I mean, for all we know, she can kill Dakota.

     Clary bangs her fist on the door and shouts, "Dakota, open up!"

     Please let there be no one in the house, especially his parents.

     The door opens, revealing Dakota already dressed up for breakfast. He looks surprised to see us here. Dakota stutters, "O-Oh, hey. What brings you two here?"

     Before I can apologize, Clary yells, "you decide to turn down the offer of having breakfast with us just to hang out with those sl-girls? Guess what, Dakota, we asked first! Your best friend since childhood asked first!"

     I grab Clary's wrist before she can scream some more. She turns around, looking at me angrily. "Let me talk to this guy!"

     "Clary, you're not talking to him; you're yelling at him!" I tighten my grip on her wrist. "Dakota, I'm sorry about her," I quickly apologize to Dakota.

     "Why are you saying sorry? To be honest, Clary's right," Dakota mutters quietly, although I heard him. He continues, "I'll just call the girls and we can have breakfast together."

     My eyes widen. I feel guilty right now. Although, Clary has something else to say, "now you listen?! We-" I cover Clary's mouth.

     "N-No, it's totally fine. Sorry for the trouble," I say. Gosh, why am I being so formal around him? 

     "Colette, whether you like it or not, we're going to have breakfast together," Dakota states.

     Clary removes my hand from her mouth and says, "you're definitely paying. And trust me, you'll be broke once we get out of there." After her 'threat', she glares at the poor guy.

     "Come in, and I'll call Hunter," Dakota steps aside, gesturing us to step inside.

"I'll have bacon with sunny-side up eggs. I'd like some french toast and pancakes. Oh! Make those chocolate chip pancakes with whipped cream. I'll get ham along with sausages. Oh and can I also get scrambled eggs? Lastly, I'll take plain pancakes," Clary orders, setting the menu down.

     I scratch the back of my neck in embarrassment. I feel bad for Dakota paying all the food. I look at Dakota to see him staring wide-eyed at Clary. I hold in a laugh and say, "I'll pay half the food."

     Dakota looks at me and says, "no, it's fine."

     I sigh in defeat, knowing that arguing with him was pointless. Maybe I should just sneak in some money when the check comes.

     "I'm so hungry," Clary groans and continues, "from all that yelling, it doubles my hunger."

     "So what are you trying to say? That it's Dakota and I's fault?" Hunter asks, glaring at Clary.

     "Well du-" I interrupt her by kicking her under the table. She yelps in pain.

     "It's no one's fault, but Clary's. Right Clary?" I ask, giving her the look.

     "Totally, sure, awesome," Clary agrees sarcastically.

     Awkward silence at the table again. Clary sips her apple juice, Hunter puts his head down, Dakota looks anywhere but here, and I just watch out the window. Gosh this is so weird. Since when did we become so awkward? Am I just overreacting?

     I see Clary smirk at me. I raise an eyebrow, confused at what she was about to do. She looks at Dakota and asks, "between anyone at this table, who would you marry?"

     My eyes widen. Did Clary seriously ask that question?

     Dakota looks between Hunter, Clary, and I. I quickly avoid his gaze, but he answers. "I'd marry Colette."

     Clary chokes on her apple juice and starts coughing. Hunter pats her back gently and I cover my face from the heat. Clary regains herself and asks, "why?"

     "Well, because she's great with kids and I've known her all my life. We'd be the normal married couple with no arguments or problems whatsoever. Even though we made a promise, I'd still choose Colette," Dakota looks over at me and smiles brightly.

     "So you want to have kids with her?" Clary smirks at me, and mouths 'payback'.

     "If I were to marry her, yes, I'd like to have kids." 

     I sip my water, embarrassed but also glad he said that.

     "Great! I'll be the godmother of your fifty children!" Clary exclaims, clapping her hands.

     This time, I choked on my beverage.