Second Chance

Eight: A Lovely First Encounter

Eight: A Lovely First Encounter

“Oh, now you decide to come.” Ciara pierced her fork into the piece of meat, popping it into her mouth.

“Of course, I can’t say no to food.” Taylor reached over and snuck a few pieces of French fries from Ciara’s plate. “Oi! Careful with the fork!” he warned with his mouth still full.

“There are plenty of fries on your plate!”

“Really? Oh! I didn’t see!”

“You -!”

“Ciara, we’re in public,” Bessie said, chewing her food elegantly.

Ciara sighed and sat back down, stabbing her food with a new vigor. “I really don’t understand how you can live with that thing.”

“Funny, he doesn’t annoy me half as much as he annoys you.”

Bessie raised her steel gray eyes and met Ciara’s gaze. Ciara scowled at Bessie’s raised eyebrow. They’d had this conversation countless times. No matter what, Ciara was adamant on her reply. Bessie shrugged.

“You don’t know how perfect you guys will be.”

“Huh?” Taylor snapped his head between the two girls. “Am I missing something here?”

“No,” Ciara said rather too quickly, earning herself a smirk from Bessie. “Shut up and eat your food.”

“For God’s sake, Taylor, I officially offer you the World’s Most Annoying Person Award!”

“I’m flattered, Ciara. I never knew you’d think this highly of me.”

“It’s not a compliment!” Ciara halted and stomped her feet on the ground. Taylor stopped and turned around with his mouth dropped in shock.

“D-Did you just stomp your feet like a kid?”

“No!” Ciara flushed. “Go and check your eyes.”

“You did!”

“No! Bessie! We need to go! I’m this close.” She held up her hand and placed her index and thumb almost together. “To losing my mind.”

Ciara marched forward and gritted her teeth as she heard the familiar laugh behind her. Bessie’s own voice joined her brother’s. Ciara spun around, glaring at the girl behind her.

“Bess! I thought you were my friend!”

Bessie shook her head and hurried towards Ciara, amusement written clear in her eyes. Still chuckling lightly, she glanced over her shoulder. “Taylor, I’ll drop Ciara to her house. Just head home. Oh, here’s the grocery list Mom told me to get.”

“Did you just pass your errand to me?”

“Yes! Love ya!”

Ciara grabbed onto Bessie’s sleeve and tugged on her. She was eager to get away from Taylor.

“Ow!”

Ciara rubbed her sore forehead with her palm. She titled her head back, and her eyes widened before her lips split into a large grin. “Jared?”

The handsome guy grinned sheepishly. “Hello.”

Bessie elbowed Ciara in the ribs. “Introduce us!”

“R-Right! Jared, this is Bessie. Bess, this is Jared.”

Ciara heard a cough behind her, and her head snapped back so fast that it cricked. “Why’re you still here?”