My College Life | ✓

Chapter 10

"John, quit being dramatic. Let's eat already! I'm starving!" Jeyleen shouted, her voice drowning out John's reply.

He stood up with Danny's help. "Some friend you are."

She giggled, swinging her arms around him. "You know you love me!" she sang, batting her eyelashes at him.

He waved her off. "Yeah, yeah."

"So can we eat now?"

"Yes, yes. We can eat now."

"Well it's about time!" Jeyleen cheered, letting go of John and running over to me, hooking her arm through mine. "Let's go eat, Amanda!"

***

"Hello, welcome to McDonald's, what can I get you?"

I stared wide-eyed at the cashier. "Neal?"

At hearing my voice, his eyes were removed from the notepad in his hand. "Amanda?" He sounded just as surprised as I was.

"What are you doing here?" we said simultaneously.

I giggled, my smile on full blast. "I'm having lunch, you?"

He blushed, his cheeks tinting pink. "Um... I'm working."

"You're working at McDonald's? Since when?"

"Since two months ago. I figured since I'm going to W.I.T. I should find someplace near campus to work."

I nodded. "So you're paying for tuition yourself?"

He shook his head quickly. "No. My parents have got that covered. I'm paying for Britt."

"Britt?"

"Yeah, you know the little girl—"

"I know who she is," I said, stopping his explanation, "I meant, why?"

"Well she's an orphan, so she doesn't get a lot of the things she wants, so I figured if I had a job, I could save up and buy her things."

Aww, now that's sweet. I leaned in closer, placing my hands on the counter. "That's so sweet of you, Neal."

His cheeks blushed like crazy for the third time today. The first was in class earlier.

"Amanda! Hurry up with that order!" John's voice boomed loudly.

I whipped my head around, shooting him a 'not-now' look. "Hold your horses!"

I faced Neal, giving him a weak smile. "Sorry about that. He can be rude at times."

"It's okay. Anyways, do you want to order now? It looks like he's getting impatient," he said while glancing behind me.

"Eh, why not?"

***

"Here." I dumped John's tray in front of him while I went back, grabbing Danny and Jeyleen's tray.

"Thanks," Danny and Jeyleen spoke, digging into their meals.

I was about to head back for my food when Neal appeared, placing my tray down in front of me.

"You didn't need to do that, you know."

His lips curved upwards. "I know," he said, going back to work.

"Who's that?" John grumbled out, picking at his food.

I took a seat, grabbing my burger. "Just a friend."

John mumbled something under his breath before he took a bite of his McChicken angrily. I stared at him in confusion. What's his problem?

"Oh my God! Amanda!" Jeyleen exclaimed, grabbing my hand. Her eyes oozed immense enthusiasm.