Miles Apart

25|Radio Silent

She gave me a sad smile and nodded. "How about we get out of this house? We've been cooped up in here for two days now."

"Fine."

...

"I hope this isn't too geeky for you." she said while we watched into a building that I wasn't familiar with.

"What even is this place?"

"It's just a hang out spot where most of the nerds hang out."

"So why don't I know about this place?"

She looked at me in a 'really' way.

"What?"

"Oh please Isabella you're acting like it's rocket science. You're not really a nerd anymore, you're just smart." she said but I stayed quiet because she probably was right. "This place is like the nerdy version of The Spot."

"Oh."

"Come, I have some people I'd like to introduce you to."

"Hey guys!" she greeted a set of kids looking our age mixed with two boys and two girls.

"Everyone, this is Isabella."

They all smiled awkwardly and waved at me.

"Sorry they're a bit antisocial." Mia said.

I laughed. "It's okay. We're all like that sometimes."

"I'm Hazel and these are Jeffery, Otis and Unique." one of the girls said.

"Nice to meet you guys."

We all sat and chat for an hour. At first they were all really shy and quiet but gradually they started talking one by one. We talked about our favorite books and movies and even had a debate on which book was better. Mia knew exactly what I needed.

"I need ice-cream." I said out of the blue.

"We can go to The Spot if you want." Mia said.

I looked on the others who had quieted down.

"You guys coming?"

They all shook their heads in unison.

"Okay I guess it's just me and you then Mia."

...

We walked into The Spot and it was packed. There were only a few tables left so we hurried so that no one would take our spot.

"I'll be right with you guys." a waitress said as she rushed pass us to serve other tables.

"What's so special about today?" Mia asked.

I shrugged.

"Why do you have a menu out? I thought we were getting ice-cream?" I asked.

"No, you said you were getting ice-cream. I'm getting a milkshake and you can't have a milkshake without fries."

"Really? I've never had them together before."

"I use the milkshake to replace the ketchup." she said laughing.

"You're gross." I said and both laughed.

The bell rang alerting everyone that someone new has entered. Mia's eyes widened.

"What?" I asked and turned back.

It was none other than Miles. He stood at the door looking around for a minute then spotted his friends.

Seeing him kind of hurt. He had no shame in anything he had done. He was out celebrating with his friends.

"Isabella if you want we can leave."

"No no, it's fine." I said then faked a smile.

"I'm sorry I took so long we are a little understaffed today. What can I get you guys?" the waitress returned. She looked stressed and tired. There were bags under her eyes and her hair was a mess.

"One strawberry milkshake and a fries please." Mia ordered.

The waitress then turned to me. "And you?"

"I'll have the same."

Mia smiled. The waitress nodded then rushed back to the kitchen.

Mia started talking about something but I zoned her out. My focus was on Miles. He hadn't noticed me. He was in deep conversation with whatever the boys at the table we talking about. When the group laughed, he gave a forced smile. Either the joke wasn't funny or he was actually down.

"Eyes over here." Mia said as she snapped her fingers in front of my face.

"I'm sorry." I said but I wasn't sorry at all. My eyes quickly fell back to Miles but this time his attention wasn't on his friends, it was on me. When our eyes connected my body stiffened.

I broke eye contact first but I still felt his gaze on me.

The waitress brought our food and from there I never looked back in that direction again.

"We need to talk."