Between Us

☆ part thirteen ☆

The cafeteria was a low hum of chatter, laughter, and clinking trays as I sat with the group at our usual table. I wasn't really paying attention to the conversation, though. My focus was elsewhere—or more specifically, on someone else. Lark was sitting across from me, her dark hair falling slightly into her face as she scrolled through something on her phone. She looked so at ease, so much like her old self, and I couldn't stop thinking about yesterday. Sitting on the rocks with her, feeling like nothing had changed between us... It was perfect. My heart ached with how much I'd missed her, and now that she was back, I felt like I could breathe again.

I realized too late that I was staring. Lark's gaze flicked up, and she caught me. My breath hitched, but she just smiled at me—softly, warmly, like it was the most natural thing in the world. I felt my cheeks flush as I smiled back, hoping I didn't look as flustered as I felt. Before I could overthink it, though, Kitty's shriek broke the moment. "Why wasn't I told about this lake house trip?" she demanded, her voice loud enough to draw a few stares from nearby tables. "Seriously, why am I the last to find out?"

Indiana rolled her eyes dramatically, her lips twitching like she was barely restraining a smirk. "Maybe because you were too busy catching an STD from that quarterback?"

The table burst into laughter, except for Kitty, whose jaw dropped in indignation. "I did not get an STD!" she snapped, her cheeks reddening. "We used protection, you idiot. And that doesn't answer my question! I've still been here for you to tell me."

Oakley groaned, rubbing a hand over his face. "Kitty, calm down. We just started talking about it, like, yesterday."

"Well, I want details," Kitty demanded, crossing her arms and glaring at Oakley like he owed her a personal itinerary.

Oakley sighed, clearly done with the conversation. "I was thinking about the weekend after next," he said, his tone resigned. "If everyone can do that." The group collectively nodded and murmured in agreement, including me. I hadn't even considered the logistics yet—my mind had been too preoccupied with the fact that Lark would be there.

"Who's driving?" Liam asked, his arm slung lazily over the back of my chair.

Oakley shrugged. "Obviously me, since I'm the only one who actually knows where the house is. But we'll need another car, so it's up to you guys."

"I'll drive," Lark said casually, raising her hand like she was volunteering for a group project. Then she added with a playful smirk, "I trust my driving more than Liam's."

Everyone laughed, except Liam, who pretended to be offended. "Hey! I'm a great driver."

Kitty jumped in, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "He is an excellent driver. Liam can really handle himself." Her voice had a flirtatious edge that made my stomach twist uncomfortably.

Indiana raised an eyebrow. "Kitty, you realize Sophie's sitting right there, right?"

"Oh, please," Kitty scoffed, waving a dismissive hand. "Sophie knows I'm just messing around. Right, babe?"

I blinked, caught off guard by the question. "Uh, yeah. Sure."

Lark rolled her eyes, leaning back in her chair with her arms crossed. "Can we get back to the actual plan now?" she said, clearly bored with Kitty's antics.

Oakley nodded. "So, the weekend after next. We'll leave Friday afternoon and come back Sunday night. Everyone good with that?" Another round of agreements went around the table, and the conversation shifted to other topics. But I couldn't stop thinking about how quickly Lark had volunteered to drive. It wasn't like she hated road trips, but she usually let someone else take the lead. The thought of spending hours in the car with her, just the two of us, made my chest tighten with a mix of excitement and nerves.