Ronny

Chapter 4

For once, I catch Aaron's face falter at my words. Just for a second, but I catch his face change to one of surprise, then it's right back to normal.

"I know a really good diner. It has hotdogs, corn dogs, milkshakes-

"Ok" Aaron cuts me off.

"Really?!" I say, not expecting him to have agreed. He nods, "Ok! Cool. Cool cool. I can drive us, I'm really good." I say.

Aaron excuses himself for a minute, then returns in more external clothing, still looking just as pretty. Aaron follows me out to my car, and I find myself nervous walking in front of him.

What if I face plant...

Once I'm in the car, my nerves transfer from the fear of tripping to the fear of sucking at driving after bragging about my driving skills. Sitting in the car, I clip my seatbelt in then wait for Aaron to get in. I stare until he buckles his seatbelt. Nobody is dying on my watch.

It takes me a second to adjust to having another person in my car. How sad is it that nobody has ever sat in my passenger seat? #zerofriends.

"Sorry, but I get to pick the music" I say, turning on some Morgan Wallen. He's so cute, if only he wasn't too old for me, and too famous for me. (update Morgan Wallen just got a buzz cut.....yikes)

The drive to the small diner I am a regular customer at is pretty short, and since it's pretty early for dinner it's not too busy either. As we walk in, we get a few stares from people at tables and the servers.

Ouch, I know I never have friends, but for everyone else to be shocked that I'm with someone is a new low.

Once we are sat down, I don't even look at the menu, I already know I'm getting chicken tenders with a chocolate milkshake. The best food choice ever.

"So, Aaron, where are you from?" I ask to make conversation. He gives me a look, then I realize I used his first name. I give him a sheepish smile, and he just gives me a blank look. "Ok, if you don't like being called Aaron, can I give you a nickname?"

At this, Aaron slightly raises an eyebrow at me. "Let me think... A-Aron- no that's too basic. What about...Ronny!"

Aaron frowns at this. "Ronny is perfect, and I can call you Ron for short" I elaborate.

"A nickname for a nickname?" He questions. I nod, "Yes sir"

"So, Ron, where are you from?" I repeat my previous question.

"New York" he says. My eyes widen, "that's so cool! I've always wanted to go."

My family has been to New York multiple times for things like fashion week or work, but I've never been invited.

"Is it as cool as it is in the movies?" I ask. Aaron shakes his head, and I frown. I'm gonna pretend he said yes.

"I need to travel more. I haven't even left California." I say, taking a sip of my chocolate milkshake.

"Have you been out of the country?" I ask, curious to see if my new friend is more worldly than me.

He nods, "Where?" I ask.

"Italy, Russia, Spain, Mexico, Greece"

My mouth hangs open at this, I would die to go to any of the countries. "Lucky duck! When I graduate I want to travel more, but I doubt my parents will let me" I say.

"Graduate?" He asks. "I'm a junior in college. I might try and graduate early, but who knows." I shrug. He looks at me like he wants me to elaborate.

"It's a pretty local college, you probably haven't heard of it. It's small. Did you go to college?" I change the subject. I hate telling people I go to Stanford. They either think I'm some snob who got in from my parents, or some study crazy nerd.

"No"

"Don't worry, you aren't missing much" I assure him. I am probably not the best person to comment on college life, since I am probably missing most of the funnest parts of college, but whatever.

We get our food and I down my chicken tenders at record speed. When I'm done, I sit as Aaron eats his cheeseburger. He got lettuce on it, which may be a dealbreaker for our friendship.

Once we are both done, I give the waitress my card to pay for us, which Aaron clearly didn't appreciate. "Take mine" he demands of the waitress, who gives me a confused look.

"Ignore him. I owe him money but he is too proud to let the lady pay for his food." I smile to the waitress. Aaron didn't appreciate that either.

When the waitress walks away, Aaron gives me a nasty look. I give him a fake pouty face in response. "It's ok, let me sugar momma you"

He rolls his eyes. Ignoring his sassy behavior, I change the topic. "So are we friends?" I ask.

No response.

"Can I have your number? Ya know, since we are friends now?" I say, probably getting too ahead of myself but I don't care.

Aaron doesn't say anything, he just hands me his phone.

My eyes light up at this, since it's the very first time I've had an actual friend. I excitedly type in my phone number, adding my contact. I send myself a text from it to add the number to my phone as well.

"You're not as scary as I thought you would be" I say. Aaron looks offended at this, not really since his face rarely changes, but I assume he is offended. "I mean, you don't talk much and I'm pretty sure you're judging me 24/7, but you're not scary scary." I elaborate.

He looks at me with an almost amused expression, making me slightly flustered under his gaze.

Suddenly my phone buzzes, and I flip it over to see a quite aggressive text from Papa asking where I am and to get home now or I'm grounded.

I let out a sigh, "Duty calls Ron, I gotta bounce my friend" I stand up.

When Aaron stands up, I'm reminded of how large he is, towering over me.

I flash him a smile, "Friends?" I ask again, hoping for a response this time.

My heart jumps when he subtly nods his head to signal yes.

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