Alone

Chapter 18

Just when I thought I had succeeded, the idiot showed up out of nowhere and blocked me by pushing his cart in between my goal and me, which was the check-out. Fortunately, I managed to stop my cart and avoid a disaster.

I could hear his boisterous laughs as I tried to catch my breath. "Can't you just piss off? Go take another box, I'm definitely not going to give you this one. And if you didn't understand what I just said maybe a kick to the balls will help."

His face was a mixture of surprise, alarm and amusement. "I like you."

I sighed, "I'm leaving. Get out of my way."

"What I meant was, I like how annoying and determined you are. I also love S'mores poptarts—"

"What is your point?" I asked losing the little patience I had.

"Oh, I want us to be friends, best friends."

"No, but thank you very much for the offer." I said and backtracked to the poptart aisle. Might as well pick out other flavors.

"I have reasons we could be best friends." He continued on unrelentingly. "One, we both like the same poptart flavor and well everyone loves me."

"You are so full of yourself." I said absentmindedly.

He remained silent, and I looked at him with raised eyebrows, "That's it?"

"Yeah."

"Pretty convincing. You deserve an award." I said wryly.

"Well, does that mean I can get your number?"

"No." I said instantly. "I'm not giving a stranger my number."

"I'm Jacob." He held his hand out waiting for me to take it.

Letting out a sigh of annoyance, I took his hand and shook it. "Elizabeth." I said.

"See, now we aren't strangers anymore, Elizabeth." I glared at him. 

Holding up both his hands in mock surrender, he said, "Fine, if you don't want to give me your number take mine at least."

He grabbed my phone which was kept in the cart and added his number in my phone. I tried to take it away from him, but he held it high up where I wasn't able to reach it. Once he was done, he held it out to me, "Peace offering?" 

Sending him the dirtiest glare I could muster, I took the phone from his hand and walked away from there without another glance back at the annoying boy.

"Call me whenever you want to hang out." He yelled from behind me.

I wasn't sure what prompted me to call him a few days later, maybe it was the self-isolation and consequently the loneliness that lead me to make that call. I tried to talk myself out of calling him, but I had just moved here and I needed to make friends instead of just wallowing in my sadness.

I did not have any friends before this and therefore I was even more nervous to make the call because I didn't know how friendships worked exactly. I was about to cut the call when I heard the ringing, but before I could he picked up.

"Hello. Who's this?" He asked cheerily which helped calm down and answer sheepishly.

He made it very easy to be his friend, even though in the beginning he teased me and only stopped when I threatened to cut the call. We made plans to hang out and the rest is history. After I had met Caleb, the three of us became inseparable. I trusted them with my life.

I was grateful that I had plucked up the courage to call him. That one call brought me two people that have become an important part of my life.

____________________

Arriving at the diner, I was beyond hungry and couldn't wait for the food. Entering in, I saw the twin's sitting at our usual place with someone else. That someone else being Greyson.

The three of them were engrossed in what looked like an intense conversation and they hadn't seen me yet. I could use that to my advantage and get the hell away from here; I could come up with an excuse later.

I had successfully evaded Greyson so far and I didn't want to see him. He had tried calling and even texted quite a lot, but I ignored him. I had also declined hanging out with the twin's when they were hanging out with Greyson. Truthfully, I was hurt when he snapped and that was a reminder of much he affected me.

I thought that staying away from him would help the feelings fade away, but looking at him now that clearly didn't work.

My plan to run away went down the drain when Jacob saw me. He waved at me to come over, with a bright smile on his face in comparison to the serious and slightly angry expression he had before.

"Lizzy, you finally made it." He shouted from across the diner. Several eyes watched the interaction, and I quickly walked over to the table to avoid any more embarrassment.

I took seat next to Jacob, ignoring the piercing gaze that was watching me. "Have you no manners?" I asked making myself comfortable. My leg accidentally brushed Greyson's who was sitting across me. He tensed up, but I disregarded it.

"Stop squirming so much." Jacob grumbled. 

Caleb, who was on his phone, looked up, "How did the interview go?" He questioned. Greyson sat silent, his attention on his phone now.

"I'm going to get some food first." I said, getting up to do so.

"Ah, sit down. I'll get it; you'll probably mess up the order." Caleb said with a grin.

"Poptarts for you later." I said as he walked over to get our food.

"What about me?" Jacob whined.

"No."

A heavy silence settled over us; I slumped down in my seat; careful not to touch Greyson's leg again. The awkwardness was getting too much to handle. Jacob, on the other hand, was thoroughly enjoying this. Glancing back and forth between Greyson and me, who was still on his phone.

His brown hair was messy, like he had ran his hand through his hair a lot. I wanted to run my hand through his soft, soft hair.

Stop. Stop. What was I thinking? Wasn't I supposed to get over him?

Clearing his throat, Jacob grinned smugly and I did not like that look on his face. He was planning something stupid, and I was going to be the one that suffered the consequences.

"I need to take a piss." He said, motioning me to get up so he could get out. I shot him a glare, silently telling him not to leave me alone with Greyson, but he just smirked at me. 

I begrudgingly got up, and he sent me a wink while making his way out. Once he was out, I slid in and took Jacob's seat next the window. Jacob looked at the both of us, and placed both of his hands on the table.

"Something clearly happened between the both of you. I'm sure it can be cleared up." He said, giving us a sweet smile. "I also want my ship to sail."

Saying that, he bolted.