childhood bully | ambrollins

Chapter Six

Dean stops at a restaurant. It looks fancy.
The name of the place is in cursive, I squint my eyes to read it.

"I'll Cielo." He answers for me.
"Oh."
"What's wrong? Do you want to go somewhere else?"
"No it's just...it looks really fancy." I say shyly.
"So?" He furrows his eyebrow.
"I'm not dressed for it and...I can't pay." I rub the back of my neck.

This is embarrassing.

"I'm not dressed for it either." He points out, "And don't worry, it's on me."

I hesitate for a second before opening the door and getting out.

"Trust me, you're gonna love it. The food is great." He smiles.

The idea of him paying for everything made me feel uncomfortable but I tried to hide it and I followed him inside.
He's just trying to be nice.

When we walk in, I'm in awe.

It was huge. The restaurant was covered in gold and red and the food smelled amazing.

"Follow me." Dean walks to a table. "This is where I always sit."
"You come here a lot?" I'm still looking around the restaurant.
"Yeah, it's my favourite restaurant. A bit expensive, but it's worth it." He shrugs.

I wondered why Dean took me to his favourite restaurant.
At least I knew one thing about him for the project.
Il Cielo is his favourite restaurant.

"What do you want to eat?" Dean asks, picking up his menu.

I do the same and look through it.
I want to pick the cheapest food they have.

"Chicken fingers with fries." I answer.
"No." He says, making me look up at him.
"What?" My eyes widen.
"No, that's the cheapest food there. If you're going to Il Cielo, you want to get something really good." He insists,

Fine.

"Okay, how about the steak?" I shrug.
"Is that your favourite food?"
"Yeah, that and Sushi."
"Hey, I learned something about you!" He exclaims, making me giggle.
"What are you ordering?" I ask him.
"I'll have steak too and I'll order us a side of sushi." He answers.
"Thank you." I smile.
"It's nothing." He smiles back.
~~~~~~~~
Dean and I were surprisingly talking the whole time.
There was never any silence, but if there was, it wasn't uncomfortable.
I found out a few other things about him, he liked wrestling and wanted to be a wrestler, he was obsessed with comics and action figures.
That's when I realized how much of a cool guy he was.
He was nothing like Randy.
So why was he friends with him?

"Can I ask you something?" I ask, making him nod, "Why are you friends with people like Randy?"
"Well...Randy's always been there for me. I know he's a jerk to you and I'm sorry." Dean explains.
"Don't be sorry, it's not your fault. I was just wondering because you're so chill and fun to talk to. Complete opposite of Randy." I compliment.
"It's not your fault either, and same goes for you. I've never understood why Randy hates you so much, he doesn't know what he missing out on. You're so funny and I feel like I've known you for years." Dean compliments back, making me turn a light shade of pink.

Dean and I stare at each other smiling for a while, until my phone rings.
It's Roman.
I look to Dean for permission to answer it and Dean nods.

"Hello?"
"Hey Seth! Where are you?"
"I'm still out with Dean."
"Do you know what time it is?"
"Uh...7 pm?"
"That's right. Your mothers been calling me nonstop asking where you are. I told her I wasn't with you and she freaked out."
"Oh god, why didn't you lie and tell her I was with you?"
"I would but you know I'm not very good at lying, she would know I'm not telling the truth the second I open my mouth."
"Shit, okay...tell her I'm fine and I'll be home soon."
"Okay sure thing. Is Dean being good to you—"
"Yes, everything's fine. Bye Roman."

I hang up and let out a deep sigh.

"Was that Roman again?" Dean asks as he wipes his mouth.
"Yeah, he was telling me that my mom was freaking out about me not being home." I run my fingers through my hair in frustration.
"Oh... if you want we can pack up and leave now."
"No no no...it's fine. Let's finish eating first." I tell him and he nods.

I knew I was going to be in deep shit when I got home.