Hii!! I'mm back! I needed to take a break from writing, uploading, and just worrying about my books, period, because I was feeling burnt out, had writer's block for the longest time, and just wasn't feeling confident in my writing. So, all that, on top of my personal life, I just needed to take a little break. I did feel crazy bad for not uploading though, because I missed it and I know some of you guys did too. Thank you for sticking around, and as a gift, I present to you, the longest chapter I have ever written (Wc: 12k). Enjoy <3 Expect typo's here and there, this was not proofread.
April 9th, Saturday
"God, I hate being stuck in traffic!" Jade exclaimed, "We're gonna be late and we're gonna miss Y/n and Beck." She grumbled and hit the horn again.
"Honk!" Cat shouted, before laughing. She looked at Jade, "I honked just like your car. Oh! Let's think about all the different kinds of honks there are." Cat sat up, "I like the one that's like meep-meep, you know, like how the bird does it in the cartoon?" She asked.
"The roadrunner?" Jade asked, resting her head on the window.
"No, I don't like him. He's so mean to that dog." Cat said, looking out her window.
Jade rolled her eyes, "That dog is a coyote."
Cat gasped, looking at her. "Oh, my God, was that racist?" She asked worriedly, before Jade laid on the horn, sitting back with a grunt.
THREE YEARS AGO
The ambiance was elegant, the soft hum of conversations and clinking cutlery surrounded them as they sat across from each other in the dark blue booth and looked over the giant black menus.
"So, what are you thinking about ordering?" Y/n asked, looking up from her menu. She hadn't recalled Beck telling her what he wanted on the way over like she had.
Beck looked up; his eyebrows furrowed. "I don't know yet. Man, everything looks so good. The shrimp scampi or.." He glanced down at his menu, "The Lobster Bisque." He said, trying to pronounce the word correctly. Y/n smiled, amused at Beck's emaciation to the unfamiliar menu. "Definitely not refrigerated mussels, though." He mumbled, looking over the menu.
Y/n reached forward over the table, grabbing a roll of bread and the dinner knife. She raised an eyebrow, "Refrigerated mussels? Is that even a thing?" She asked, delicately buttering up the roll. A waiter had come by not too long ago, dropping off a basket of fresh rolls, butter and a butter spreader, as he eyed them suspiciously.
"I have no clue, but it just sounds... wrong, right?" He leaned forward, scrunching up his face before he shuddered, making Y/n laugh. He smiled at her laughing, picking up a roll too. As the two continued to talk, using their dinner knives instead of the butter spreader, to put butter onto their rolls a slightly hunched over older waitress, Gladys, approached their booth.
She squinted at the dimly lit booth, as she leant forward, her eyesight not being what it used to be. "Well, aren't you two a sight for sore eyes!" She exclaimed, her voice frail and soft, "Good afternoon, my name is Gladys and welcome to Monarollos. I will be your server for the night. Have we taken a look at the menu yet?" She asked, her glasses perched at the edge of her nose as she put her pen to paper.
Y/n looked up, placing her knife down on the table. It clinked against the other utensils on the table, making a loud clatter, sound across the restaurant. She winced, seeing some of the patrons around them look at her and Beck with annoyances before looking at Gladys. "Uh, y-yes." She stuttered, opening her menu.
Beck glanced at her and the menu, deciding to order first to give her a chance to calm her nerves. "Uh, yeah, I'll have Shrimp Scampi, please." He pointed at the food option on the menu, looking at Gladys.
"A-and I'll have the Clam Linguine please." Y/n said, watching as Gladys jotted their orders down on the notepad.
"Alright, and what will your drinks be?" Gladys asked, planting her hand on her hip as she looked at them over her glasses.
Y/n smirked at Beck, "We'll have your best mocktail please." She said, suddenly feeling bold. She was thankful they had a non-alcoholic beverage area, because she did not want to have to settle for plain old water at such a fancy restaurant like Monarollos.
Gladys chuckled, assuming they were keeping it safe with their drink choice. "Mocktails it is my dears. Now, let me fetch those for you." She smiled. As Gladys left to place their order, Beck and Y/n exchanged amused glances, realizing she must've thought they're older than they actually are.
On the other side of the restaurant, just outside the entrance, the host greeted the security guard with a congenial nod as he left the host station, passing by. "Everything seems to be running smoothly tonight I assume," He commented, retrieving the neckerchief from his suit jacket's pocket to dab at his forehead.
The security guard, Frank, grinned in response. "Yep, all good. No issues at all." He nodded; his hands clasped in front of him as the host walked by him.
Inside, the other security guard, Gary, caught sight of Frank talking with the host. He waited until they approached, "Hey, everything okay?" He asked, as they joined him.
"Yeah, just had to escort a couple of kids trying to sneak in dressed up as adults. They think they can dress up and fool us, huh?" Frank chuckled, sending Gary a glance before looking around the restaurant. Unaware to Gary, he had already come into contact with the 'kids'.
"Talking about those kids dressed up as adults?" Mike, the second security guard who had been called to escort Beck and Y/n asked, walking up to them.
"Yeah man." Gary nodded, letting out a small laugh.
The host readjusted his tie, rolling his eyes, "Well, at least they're gone. The girl could barely walk in those red heels of hers, and the boy's trench coat was almost swallowing him whole." He ridiculed.
Frank chuckled again, brushing up his shoulder against the host. "Can't forget that sorry excuse of a mustache." He cackled, until he saw the look the host was giving him, removing his arm. He stopped laughing and cleared his throat.
Gary frowned as he put the pieces of the puzzle together in his head. The couple he had met in the hallway earlier. The 'woman' wore red heels, and the 'man' had a trench coat and a... mustache? He really hadn't given it any thought as it really was none of his business. Maybe the dude had... a hard time growing a mustache.
As Gary was in his head, the host had then walked away, deciding he was not going to spend his 20-minute break with idiots like Frank and Gary.
"U-um.." Gary stammered, tugging on his collar. "W-what were they wearing?" He asked, his voice cracking.
Mike scratched his head. "Uh, let me think. The girl had on some stocking tights under a fancy dress, and the boy was in a suit with a tie that matched the girl's dress cola. Looked like they were trying too hard to be adults." He shrugged, munching on the cashew nuts he had cupped in his hand.
A realization dawned on Gary, and he exchanged a knowing look with Frank. "Uh, y-you might want to double-check on that. I think I might have seen them earlier. They might not be as gone as we think." He scratched the back of his head.
Mike threw his head back with a loud groan. "Gary!" He exclaimed.
"Hey! I didn't know!" He defended. "They looked like adults!"
He held his hand up, closing his eyes. "Spread out." He grunted, taking his walkie-talkie from his back pocket as he stomped away.
"I'm sorry!" Gary yelled, as Frank and Mike walked away.
"This place is fancier than I thought." Beck whispered, looking down from the crystal circular chandelier overlooking them.
Y/n smiled, "Yeah, but it's kinda fun, right?" She whispered back.
He nodded, "Uh definitely." He exclaimed. "I mean, look! Three different knives!" He said, showing the knives wrapped up in the cloth napkin. "Who needs that many knives!" He laughed.
Y/n laughed, "Obviously fancy patrons like us." She teased. "Hey Beck," She whispered, "Why are we whispering?" She asked, as a smile formed on her face.
As the security guards unknowingly passed by Y/n and Beck's booth, Mike muttered into his walkie-talkie, unaware that he was still on the channel with the host. "Keep an eye out for two teenagers dressed as adults. They somehow snuck in. We need to figure out how to handle this discreet."
The host's voice crackled through the device, "Teenagers?!" His voice cut through the walkie talkie, startling Mike. "What happened to them being gone Mr. Wells, Mr. Reynolds and Mr. Bennett?" He asked, his eye twitching. "Find them. Now."
Frank and Mike exchanged uneasy glances, realizing they were on the wrong channel. The host hastily made his way toward the entrance, now aware of the situation.
Gary nodded, bringing his walkie talkie up to his mouth. "Yes, sir. Appears they've managed to slip past us. We're on it."
As Beck and Y/n chatted and exchanged nervous smiles, a commotion near the entrance caught their attention. The host, accompanied by 2 security guards, Frank and another security guard walked towards them. Unbeknownst to Beck and Y/n, the host glanced over at the security guard, gesturing discreetly toward another part of the restaurant. Frank nodded, and they walked past Beck and Y/n's booth, not noticing them.
"We've got a situation here. Two teenagers dressed as adults in the building. Keep an eye out." Frank spoke into his walkie-talkie, now on the right channel as he looked around the restaurant.
As they shuffled away, Y/n couldn't help but look around the restaurant in awe, her eyes finding Gladys as she shuffled towards them with their drinks.
"Call Y/n and find out where Beck's taking her." Jade ordered, as she drove down the freeway, just getting out of the traffic jam.
"Bossy." Cat muttered, grabbing her phone.
Jade looked at her, "What?"
"I'm calling Y/n!" Cat said, avoiding eye contact. She rested her arm on the window as her phone dialed. "Oy." She sighed.
I laughed with Beck as he looked away from the road and glanced at me. We had left the food truck about 10 minutes ago, when Beck's aunt called and asked if we could take her dog to the vet. We were already nearby so we decided why not. My phone ringed in my lap, and Cat's contact popped up once again. Why was she calling me so much tonight? This had been the 3rd time tonight!
"Hey, Cat." I smiled, holding my phone up to my ear.
"Hii." She greeted, sounding forced.
"..What's up?" I asked, laying my head on the window.
"Um, where are you and Beck going?" She asked.
"Oh, were in the car now. We left the food truck place and Beck's aunt called him so were— Hey, why do you keep calling and asking where we are?" I asked.
"Um..." She stammered, making me sit up.
"Cat! You didn't tell anyone that Beck and I are out together, did you?" I asked, glancing at Beck as he looked at me.
"What? No... That's so crazy!" She exclaimed. "Hi, Y/n!" She greeted again, making me furrow my eyebrows. "Um, my brother locked me in the closet, so I'm really bored, and I just want to know what you guys are doing. Ha, ha, ha!"
"Oh... um well," I looked at Beck as he shook his head. "Beck's aunt called him and asked him to take her dog to an animal hospital, and we're on our way to her house to pick him up." I answered. That was not Cat! That was Jade.
"Oh, fun, where's this animal hospital?" She asked, confirming my suspensions.
"Uh, Sherman Oaks I think?" I said.
"Wow, Sherman Oaks. That's so cool. Ah, here comes my brother! Bye!" She exclaimed, before quickly hanging up the phone.
I rolled my eyes, shaking my head as I laid my phone on my lap. "Jade?" Beck asked.
I nodded, "Jade." I sighed. I laid my head back on the window, looking at Beck. "I'm sorry I told Cat we were going out." I apologized.
He shook his head abstinently, "It's fine." He shrugged, sounding completely unbothered by it.
"But now Jade is gonna be all in our business and give you a even harder time... whenever she pops up." I rolled my eyes, before sighing.
"Let her." He softly smiled at me, "Not like she hasn't been for the last four years."
"She really needs to stop that, were not even dating anymore." I sighed, glancing at him.
Beck's face hardened at that, glancing out the window as he sucked in a breath. "Yup..." He nodded, forcing a smile. "Whole reason were on this opposite date." He strained.
I stared at him, feeling like I had said it too early. We had been friends.. for about a month now and broken up for over a month now. It was obvious we weren't getting back together... because he had seemed fine after 2 weeks. Why was he acting like that all of a sudden? "Mhm.." I mumbled, now looking through the windshield.
THREE YEARS AGO
"Mm, this drink is amazing, Beck." Y/n exclaimed, loudly as she and Beck sipped on their mocktails. "What did you say it was called again?" Y/n asked, as she held the straw against her lips, her mouth full of the fruity drink. She couldn't stop drinking it, she had never tasted anything like it.
Beck chuckled, taking a sip of his own drink. "Yeah, it's pretty good," He agreed, "It's called a Pina Colada." He answered. "My aunt makes them all the time when were in Canada."
"Mm," She nodded, setting her drink to the side. "Well, I'm glad we ordered them. I've never tasted anything like it." She shook her head.
"For a second there I didn't think we were going to be able to get in here." Y/n admitted, as she felt goosebumps arise on her arms and back.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah." Y/n nodded.
"Well, I always had faith we'd find a way in." Beck shrugged.
"No, you didn't!" Y/n pointed her finger accursedly at him, "You were ready to give up the second we couldn't get in through the kitchen."
"Hey, I wasn't ready to give up," Beck protested, a playful smirk dancing on his lips. "I was just... exploring our options." He shrugged.
"Yeah right Mr. Oliver." Y/n playfully rolled her eyes, bringing her Pina colada to her lips.
Beck grimaced, before he smiled, and shook his head.
As Y/n and Beck continued to wait for their food, and talked, Y/n couldn't help but shiver. She rubbed her arms for warmth, feeling the chill in the air. Her coat was thinner than Beck's and failed to provide much warmth against the restaurant's chill. The cool air made her regret choosing this coat from her mother's closet. She now wished she had picked comfort over cuteness instead of the other way around.
"You cold?" Beck asked, as he noticed her shivering, getting ready to take off his coat. "Here, you can wear mine." He said, handing it over the table.
"You sure?" Y/n asked, and Beck nodded before she took the coat, "Oh, thanks," She smiled flustered, "I didn't expect it to be this cold in here." She said, wrapping the coat around herself. She relished in the fact the coat smelled like Beck, pulling it closer to her.
Beck dismissed, taking a sip from his drink. "No problem."
"Well, here you go dears." Gladys said as she and another waiter returned with their food. She set their meals down in front of them, Y/n receiving the Shrimp Scampi and Beck the Clam Linguine. The second waiter helping Gladys left with his tray, as the host started to come around the restaurant wielding a flashlight, checking each table.
"Thank you," Y/n said, a warm grin on her face as she moved her drink slightly to the side to make more room for their dishes, not noticing her food yet. As their food was being set in front of them, Y/n shot a quick glance behind Gladys, her eyes widening when she saw the host with a flashlight, making rounds to multiple tables, closer and closer to theirs.
As the host began making his way closer to them, Y/n looked at Beck, nudging her foot against his leg, signaling him to hide. "Quick, duck!" She whispered, making her and Beck duck against the high back of the booth, hiding almost under the table, and making Gladys slightly confused. This way, it looked like no one was sitting at their table, and Gladys was just picking the table up.
The host scanned the area, and Y/n could feel her heart racing. After a tense moment, he moved on to the next tables, leaving Y/n and Beck undetected, for now. Gladys seemed oblivious to the commotion, humming to herself as she tidied up the table. "Enjoy your food." She smiled warmly, before bustling off to attend to another table, unaware of Y/n's accidental cocktail. Y/n and Beck slowly raised up from ducking, no longer seeing the host, or Gladys for that matter.
Beck sighed in relief, "That was close." He said as he straightened up in his seat, taking in his plate of food.
"Hey Beck?" Y/n said, looking down at her food.
"Yeah?" He said, looking up from looking at the forks with furrowed eyebrows.
"You ordered the Shrimp Scampi, right?" She asked, looking around the bread bowl to look at 'his' food.
"Yup." Beck nodded, looking at her.
Y/n slightly laughed, "Well then I.. I think Gladys gave us each other's food." She pointed out.
Beck looked at his food, "Oh yep. I did not order the Clam Linguine." He shook his head, amused.
She grinned, "Switch," Y/n mumbled as she switched her plate out with Beck's. "Do you think they're looking for us now?" Y/n sighed, nervously as she looked around the restaurant, after a beat of comfortable silence had settled around them.
"But how? For all they know, we could've went up to that seafood food.. truck or something when we got turned away." Beck said, as he twirled his fork in the noodles.
"Maybe that crazy host checked the cameras or something!" Y/n rolled her eyes, taking a bite from her food. "What if there was a camera in the bushes!?" She mumbled, mostly to herself but Beck still heard it, because he laughed. She smiled as he laughed, watching him.
Their moment of quiet was interrupted by the sudden appearance of security guards. The host and security guards were looking around, talking to other patrons. Y/n couldn't help but feel a twinge of anxiety of them prowling the restaurant in search of them.
Beck placed his hand on hers reassuringly, catching her attention. "Hey, don't worry. They're probably.. just checking up on everyone." He nodded, as his other hand was messing with his hair anxiously. "We'll just finish our meal and leave quietly." He shrugged, "What can go wrong?" Y/n sucked in a breath and nodded, her nerves eased slightly by Beck's reassurance, just enough to keep her panic at bay.
Just as he had spoken, Gary was stopped by a woman at another table that sat a few feet away from Y/n and Beck, "What's going on?" She asked, concerningly, as Beck and Y/n strained to overhear the conversation. "Why are all the security guards out looking around?" She asked, leaning towards the security guard's ear as leant down.
"Just a routine check, ma'am," he replied smoothly, his tone practiced. "We're ensuring everyone's safety and security."
The woman frowned, clearly not satisfied with his response. "But why? Is something wrong?" She pressed, concerningly.
Gary hesitated for a moment, exchanging a brief glance with Mike before offering a diplomatic smile. "Nothing to worry about, ma'am," He assured her, his voice calm but firm. "Just a precautionary measure, that's all."
The woman's brow furrowed further, but she seemed to relent, albeit reluctantly. "Well, alright then," she conceded, sitting back in her seat with a sigh. "But it's certainly making everyone on edge. It's rather unsettling, if you ask me," She remarked.
Gary offered her a reassuring smile, though it was tinged with a hint of impatience. "I understand your concern, ma'am, but I can assure you, there's nothing to be alarmed about. We're simply following protocol."
The woman huffed, clearly dissatisfied with Gary's response. "Well, I certainly hope so," she muttered, crossing her arms over her chest in a display of annoyance.
"wElL, I cErTAinLy HOpe sO." Gary mocked, his voice squeaky and feminine as he walked away.
"How's your food?" Y/n asked Beck, as she took another sip from her half drunken mocktail.
Beck glanced up from his plate, uncertainty in his eyes as his fork twirled in the noodles. "Um, it's good," He replied tentatively, his cheeks flushing slightly under Y/n's gaze. "I mean, I think it's good. I haven't actually tried it yet."
Y/n raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. "You mean to tell me you've been staring at your food this whole time and haven't even taken a bite?" She teased.
Beck chuckled sheepishly, "Well, I was just... admiring it," he admitted, his cheeks growing warmer. "But I guess I should probably give it a taste," He added, not moving an inch.
"Beck..." Y/n said, her voice gentle as she watched him not even move a muscle. "You okay there?' She asked.
Beck blinked, tearing his gaze away from the array of forks and knives to meet Y/n's eyes. "Yeah, um, I'm fine," He replied, his cheeks flushing slightly with embarrassment. "It's just... I'm not sure which fork to use."
Y/n laughed softly, shaking her head at his adorable predicament. "It's okay, Beck," She reassured him, reaching across the table to squeeze his hand affectionately. "Look, I just picked up this fork and started eating." She showed him the medium sized fork, "It is a little small though.." She mumbled, looking at it.
"Why are there so many forks and knives?" He muttered under his breath, his brow furrowing in frustration as he tried to figure out which utensil was meant for what purpose.
Y/n tried to help, but confusion settled in. She couldn't help but giggle at his bewildered expression, "I have no idea." She said, before sighing and looking around, "Maybe we should see what everyone else is using," she suggested in a hushed tone, gesturing discreetly towards the surrounding tables.
Beck nodded in agreement, his cheeks burning with embarrassment. "Yeah, good idea," He muttered.
"Look," Y/n whispered, pointing discretely to a nearby table where a couple seemed to be effortlessly enjoying their meal. "They're using the small fork first."
Beck picked up a fork tentatively, examining it as if it were an alien artifact. "This one?" he asked, holding it up for Y/n's inspection.
Y/n shook her head, stifling a giggle. "No, silly, that's for dessert," She corrected him, reaching for the correct fork and knife combination. "These are for your main course." She points to the fish fork, the dinner fork and the salad fork. "..That's all I know." She added sheepishly.
Beck's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as he awkwardly swapped the utensils, trying to mimic Y/n's movements. "Right, got it," He mumbled.
"Mhm." Y/n nodded, picking up the same fork and looking at the couple.
Beck nodded, his eyes widening in realization. "Okay, let's follow their lead," He replied.
They both reached for their small forks, their movements synchronized as they attempted to mirror the couple's dining etiquette. However, their efforts were quickly thwarted when they realized their mistake. The couple at the neighboring table abruptly stopped mid-bite, casting bewildered glances in their direction. To their horror, the couple had not been using the fork at all, but instead, the salad fork—a utensil that was entirely inappropriate for the pasta dishes before them. Y/n felt her cheeks flush as the couple stared at them, while Beck's eyes widened in embarrassment.
Y/n glanced down at her plate, "Um... maybe we should try the big fork instead?" She suggested, her voice barely audible over the deafening silence.
But their misfortune only seemed to escalate as they attempted to correct their mistake. With an audible clatter, Beck's fork slipped from his grasp, bouncing off his plate and landing with a resounding clang on the marble floor. "Oh chiz." Beck mumbled.
And as if on cue, the entire restaurant fell silent, the clatter of cutlery and murmurs of conversation fading into an awkward hush. All eyes were on Y/n and Beck as they sheepishly realized their blunder.
"Oh, uh here." Y/n said, as she bent down to grab his fork, hitting her head on the edge of the table in the process. "Ouch!" She exclaimed, rubbing her forehead and wincing in pain as a flush of embarrassment crept up her cheeks.
Beck winced sympathetically, feeling mortified by the commotion they had caused. "Are you okay?" he asked, concern lacing his voice as he leaned around the table to check on her.
Y/n nodded sheepishly, flashing him a rueful smile. "Yeah,"
"I can get it." Beck said, as she attempted to grab his fork again. As he stood up from his chair, his foot caught on the tablecloth, causing him to stumble and nearly knock over her drink in the process.
"Oh!" Y/n exclaimed, grabbing her drink before it spilled over as Beck quickly steadied himself shooting her an apologetic glance. They both sat back down on either side of their booth with a sigh, before Y/n looked at Beck, "Just use any fork we want?" She asked.
Beck nodded, "Yeah, I think that's best," He laughed, before they exchanged amused glances and picked up a fork, not caring if it was a dinner fork or a salad fork.
A passing waiter hurried by their table, his attention focused solely on a table across the restaurant as he carried a tray of drinks on his hand, missing the utensil lying in the aisle still. His foot got caught on the end of the fork, sending him stumbling forward with the tray of drinks in his hand. "Whoa!" He exclaimed, as Y/n looked up from her food and gasped, before looking at Beck, his eyes went wide. With a loud crash, the drinks toppled from the waiter's grasp, drenching him from head to toe as Y/n and Beck stared mortified at each other.
Y/n looked at the fork still lying on the ground, then looked at Beck. "Pick up the fork!" She hissed.
"Go online and look up animal hospitals in Sherman Oaks right now." Jade demanded, as she glanced from Cat to the road.
"Well, there's one on Woodman, but it closes at six on the weekends, so they're probably going to Pet Mergency which is on Moonpark, just west of Clearwater." Cat said, twirling her hair around her finger.
Jade's eyebrows knitted together, "How do you know so much about animal's hospitals?" She asked.
Cat looked at her, "My brother has a turtle with special problems." She answered, holding up air quotes. Jade slowly looked back at the road, confused.
THREE YEARS AGO
With soft music playing in the background and the clinking of glasses filling the air. Y/n sat at the table, her pina colada nearly finished, and starting to take a toll, the remnants of the drink leaving a frothy residue on the rim of the glass. Despite her attempts to maintain composure, her loud laughter and animated gestures betrayed the effects of the alcohol from her mistaken mocktail.
Meanwhile, Beck watched her with concern and amusement, his own mocktail barely touched. He knew there was something off with Y/n and his guess was leaning more and more to her mocktail as their dinner went on, but he didn't want to spoil their evening by drawing attention to it.
"They have to be around here somewhere; two teenagers can't just disappear in thin air." The host grumbled, as he looked around the restaurant, doing his 3rd round in this area as Mike followed behind him.
As they were finishing their meal, Y/n giggled loudly at something Beck had said, that wasn't necessarily a joke. Her laughter drew more eyes, but Beck was too entranced with Y/n's laughing to notice.
The host zeroed in on them immediately, a smirk on his face as he glanced behind him, nodding his head towards the two teenagers laughing at each other.
As they bantered back and forth, a sudden commotion near the entrance drew their attention. Beck's heart skipped a beat as he caught sight of the host, accompanied by two stern-looking security guards, Frank and Gary, striding toward their booth.
Y/n's tipsy grin faltered, her eyes widening in alarm as her eyes registered the hostile expressions on the guards faces as they came closer and closer towards them. "Uh, Beck," She whispered urgently, nudging his hand. "I think we're in trouble."
Beck felt his stomach churn with dread as he saw the host and security guards loom closer, their footsteps echoing against the polished marble floor. He shot Y/n a helpless glance, thinking of a possible way out without getting grounded for the rest of his life. He picked up his menu, Gladys having not yet picked them up yet, telling Y/n to pick hers up too as they ducked behind the tall dark blue menu's.
"Well, well, well, look who we have here." The host sneered, scowling as he looked around Y/n's menu to see her face.
Beck swallowed hard; his throat suddenly dry as he struggled to find his voice. "H-hey there," he said, voice strained, his heart pounding in his chest as he lowered the menu down from his face slowly.
The host's smirk widened as he gestured towards them. "Trying to hide?" He smiled, clasping his hands together in front of him.
"No!" Y/n exclaimed offended, still hiding behind her menu.
The host's eyes narrowed, "I thought, I made myself clear when I told you two to leave." He chastised as he lowered Y/n's menu down.
Gary, one of the security guards, bent down to be eye level with them, "You two have deceived us," He accused, glaring at both of them.
"Oh, please," The host scoffed, "Deceived you, Gary. Stand up." He rolled his eyes, before sighing and fixing his tux.
Y/n shifted uncomfortably in her seat, feeling her cheeks flush with embarrassment as she avoided the host's gaze. "We-we were just, trying to enjoy our meal," She mumbled, suddenly feeling down as they had been caught. '
Beck's face flushed with crimson, "Look, we're sorry," He apologized, his voice trembling with fear and frustration. "We really didn't mean to cause any trouble. I-I just wanted to take my girl out to a great seafood restaurant for our first date. I told you; we even made a reserva—"
"Sorry isn't good enough," He spat, his tone laced with venom. "Reservation or no reservation, you two have no business being here, and I will not tolerate this kind of behavior in my establishment." He cut Beck off, gesturing for the security guards to escort them out.
Beck's jaw tightened as he exchanged a look with Y/n. "We didn't mean to," He began, but the host cut him off again, now with a dismissive wave of his hand.
The host's expression was cold and unforgiving, "You've already caused enough trouble,"
Y/n's eyes brimmed with tears as she struggled to hold back her emotions. "P-please," She begged, her voice trembling, desperately. "We'll leave, just don't call the police or anything, please."
"Consider yourselves lucky I'm not pressing charges. Now get out, and please, don't ever come back." He said with a sarcastic smile.
The manager, a tall man with a stern demeanor, approached their table, followed by a couple of waiters, including Gladys. "What is the meaning of this?" The manager demanded, eyebrows furrowed in disbelief as he assessed the situation, shooting a disapproving look at the host. There were 4 security guards, surrounding Beck and Y/n's table, and with the host berating them in the middle of the aisle, it was creating a scene. He looked from the host to Y/n and Beck, "You let minors in here, Glen?" He chastised, almost outraged, his voice carrying across the restaurant, making a murmur of disbelief go throughout the restaurant floor from close by patrons watching.
The host stammered in response, caught off guard by the manager's question, "But sir, I—" he said, dabbing his forehead with his neckerchief. "I.. thought they were with their parents." He lied as he put the neckerchief away.
"I'd rather not do with excuses, Glen. This is completely unacceptable." He sighed, before his stern gaze softened slightly as he turned his attention to nearby tables. "I apologize for the inconvenience, folks," He began, his tone more sympathetic than the host's as he raised his hands in the air. "It seems there has been a misunderstanding, and it is getting cleared up." He smiled fakely, showing his pearly white as Y/n noisily sipped her Pina colada, some of the smoothie mixture clinging to the straw, her eyes dilated and glassy.
The host eyed her, watching as she tried to play footsie with him, "...What did they have for drink?" He asked, looking between Beck and Y/n, his eyebrows furrowed.
"Oh, they ordered mocktail Pina Colada's, sir." The waiter beside Gladys answered, unaware of the situation.
The host frowned and shook his head, before deciding to try Y/n's alleged mocktail. He grabbed the cup as Y/n looked at him, watching him with a scowl. She rose her hand to protest and snatch it back before Beck gently brought her hand down. He took the straw out of the cup, before bringing the cup to his lips. His eyes widened as he realized it wasn't a mocktail. He eyed Gladys as he sucked in a breath, "This is not a mocktail." He sneered, narrowing his eyes. Overhearing, the manager's mouth dropped.
"You two are coming with us." Mike said, as he and Gary each grabbed ahold of one of Y/n and Beck's shoulders, pulling both of them up from the booth.
"Mmm! I'm not finished with my Pina colada yet!" Y/n exclaimed, as she got pulled out of the booth, her hands reaching for her drink.
"Pina colada?" The manager seethed, "You gave these kids Pina coladas?!" He asked, looking around at the host and waiters surrounding them as Y/n and Beck were escorted out of the restaurant, putting almost everyone's eyes on them.
"Wait—!" Y/n shrieked as she was picked up by the back of her dress, and Beck was picked up by the collar of his jacket before being thrown outside.
The cool night air hit them like a slap in the face, sobering Y/n up momentarily from her tipsy state. Beck groaned as he landed with a thud, his arms instinctively wrapping around Y/n to shield her from the fall. He shook his head, trying to clear the dizziness he was currently feeling, while Y/n giggled uncontrollably, her laughter echoing down the quiet street.
"Ow!" Y/n yelled, suddenly not laughing anymore as the pain from their fall hit her.
Beck's jaw tightened as he pushed himself up, eyes meeting the stern glares from the security guards standing over them, as they stared them down, a way to silently threaten them, before going back into the restaurant.
The host let out a sigh, watching as his manager walked away after privately and publicly reprimanding him. He adjusted his tie, before glancing at Beck and Y/n's empty booth, only finding their plates of food, Beck's half drunken Pina Colada and Y/n's nearly empty one — and not a bill in sight. He let out a small gasp, his eye twitching as he turned around abruptly and stormed to the entrance of the restaurant.
He looked down the street once he had reached the portico, searching for the pair of teenagers, "You two! You didn't pay for your meal!" He barked, his voice carrying over the empty street as he spotted them.
Y/n's giggles bubbled up once more, her inhibitions lowered by the alcohol coursing through her veins. "Oh, we didn't mean any harm, mister! Just.. hiccup a little mix-up, that's all," Y/n hiccupped, clutching onto Beck's arm for support as she blinked slowly.
"You little brats!" He spat, his voice dripping with disdain. "You think you can waltz in here, eat like kings, and then just stroll out without paying? Well, I don't think so! Oh, you just wait—"
"Calm down, grandpa," She slurred, not liking his tone as she pushed herself up from the ground. "We'll pay, we'll pay. Just let us go grab our wallets from... from..." She paused, her brow furrowing in concentration as she tried to recall where they had left their belongings. She looked at Beck, as he dusted off his pants. "Where's my purse?" She asked, her voice now small as she held the strap of her bag. "Beck! I think I left my bag!" She exclaimed, as he furrowed his eyebrows at her. He smiled, tugging at the strap of the bag that was laced around her hand.
She looked at her hand, finding the purse. "Oh."
"And remember, I'm paying."
"Come on!" He yelled irritated, waving them over. "I never said throw them out! We could get a lawsuit for this!" He grumbled, hitting one of the guards in the back of his head. As the host berated the security guards, Beck saw an opportunity to escape.
"We need to go," He urged, glancing back at the host and the security guards, seeing them get yelled at by the host. "Come on, let's get you up," He murmured, reaching out to help Y/n stand upright. But she only leaned against him, her laughter bubbling over as she clung to his arm.
Y/n stumbled slightly, her senses still reeling from the abrupt change in circumstances. "Why are we running?" She asked, her words slurred as she tried to keep up with Beck's hurried pace.
"Let's go," Beck said, his voice urgent as he took Y/n's hand and began to run, pulling her along with him down the street.
Y/n swayed unsteadily, "But I'm having so much fun, Becky!" She slurred, gasping as she tried to reach out to grab onto his shoulder.
Beck sighed, casting a quick glance over his shoulder to make sure the host was still busy. "I know, but we can't stay here. We didn't even pay for our meal," He reminded her, frustration in his voice.
"We didn't?" She asked, "Oh, oh! We didn't!" Y/n exclaimed, remembering.
The host sighed, shaking his head in disbelief. "Idiots," He muttered to himself, before turning his attention back to Beck and Y/n, who were now making a break for it down the street. "They're getting away! Stop them!" He yelled, waving his arms into the air.
But in their haste to chase after Beck and Y/n, Frank, Mike and Gary tripped over each other, landing not so gracefully on the grass as they toppled over each other. The host cursed under his breath, frustration etched into every line of his face as he watched Y/n and Beck run. He stomped his foot, looking at the security guards helplessly. He rolled his eyes and waved dismissively. "Forget about it! I'll handle it myself."
As Beck and Y/n sprinted down the street, the host quickly regained his composure and started running after them, determined to catch the pair who not only sneaked into his restaurant after he had turned them away but also sneaked in and accidently skipped out on paying for their very fancy dinner.
Y/n glanced over her shoulder, as she picked up her pace, her drunken giggles mingling with the sounds of their hurried footsteps. "Catch us if you can, old man!" She yelled out teasingly as Beck held onto her hand in front of her, pulling her through the street. "Ow! My heel!"
"So, don't worry. He should be good as new by next week." The veterinarian reassured, holding the door to the vet's lobby open, as Beck, his aunt's dog, Buster and I walked out from the back, just getting Buster checked out.
Beck smiled, "Thanks." He nodded. He held onto Buster's leash, as I petted his fur.
"Just have a seat." She said, pointing to the seating area. "As soon as his ointment's ready, I'll bring it out." She smiled, with a nod before going to the back.
"Okay." I smiled at her, as she disappeared behind the door and Beck, and I walked to go sit down.
"Well, I'd say this is the perfect way to end our opposite date." Beck said, as I fell behind him, letting him and Buster walk in front of me.
I laughed, "Yep, waiting for dog ointment." I said sarcastically.
Beck turned around, "Hey, actually we're gonna have an even more perfect ending." He winced, before sitting down.
"What do you mean?" I asked, sitting down in the chair beside him.
"Applying dog ointment to the affected area." He answered, his voice raspy, as he held his thumb up towards my face and moved it in circles.
I scrunched my face up, "I'm not doing that, you are." I shook my head, smiling at him.
He furrowed his eyebrows playfully, "No?" He said, "How could you possible not want to!?" He asked rhetorically, rubbing Buster's fur.
"No!" I laughed, pushing his hand away. As our laughter died down, I looked at him, the smile still on my face. "Well, I think this has been a great little experiment." I said softly.
"Experiment?" He asked, his head tilted as he looked at me.
"We proved that you and I can hang out, you know, just the two of us as friends and not have be awkward or datey thing." I shrugged.
"No doubt." He nodded, sucking in a breath again, before sighing. He looked at me, "In fact, when I take you home later, I'm gonna punch you in the arm. Like..." He gently punched me in my arm, making me silently gasp.
"Ow! Too hard!" I whined, rubbing my arm.
"Oh, you baby!" He exclaimed, pinching my arm before rubbing it.
"You're a baby!" I retorted, shoving him lightly.
"No, I'm not!" He grinned, leaning slightly away.
"A baby with lots of hair!" I giggled, fluffing up his hair. He swatted at my hands, laughing as we started to fake hit and punch at each other.
"Hey." A man sitting near us said, making us look up. He knitted his eyebrows together, concentrated on Buster as he held his pet hamster enclosure. "Is that a dog?" He asked. He was a plump middle-aged white man; his hair was balding at the top and was cut into a buzz cut. He had a circle beard and spoke as if his nose was stopped up, with a little of a country accent.
I furrowed my eyebrows as Beck glanced down at Buster, "Uh.." Beck looked at him at with a blank stare. "Yeah." He nodded, looking at the man puzzled.
"Are you two related?" An older black woman asked, clutching her purse that was on perched her lap. She had short blackish and greyish hair, and the most beautiful skin. Beck and I looked at her, wondering if she was talking to us.
"Us?" Beck asked, motioning between us. She nodded with a smile.
I shook my head, smiling back at her. "Oh, no. We're not related. Why do you ask?" I asked softly, really wanting to know why she could've thought Beck and I were related.
"Because I heard you say you weren't on a date and you're both so attractive and you got a similar bone structure." She gestured to our faces, as she leaned back and forth in her chair. "So, I figured if you're not on a date, you must be related somehow." She explained, nodding her head.
"No, we're just...—" Beck stammered, with an anxious grin as he gestured between us.
"...Friends." I finished for him, nodding. "Um, we use to go out and um," My voice broke, making me clear my throat, "We broke up," I glanced at Beck as he nodded. "So, yea.. And we have the same friend group, so it'd be weird if we weren't friends." I nodded, as the older woman scrunched up her nose at me, smiling softly as she listened.
"Why would that be weird?" The man sitting near us asked, and Beck looked at him.
"Because we all hang out together." He said, gesturing between us again.
"So?" The older woman asked, leaning forward.
"Um, if I could chime in," A Mexican man sitting against the wall of the door chimed, causing all 4 of us to look at him. He wasn't as plump as the guy sitting closer to us, and he looked a little younger. He also had a circle beard, more of a dad bod belly and chubby cheeks. "I think what she's saying is, maybe it would be weird for the group if she still liked this boy with the hair, her ex-boyfriend." He pointed at me, making my eyes widen before he gestured at Beck. The older woman nodded, pointing at the Mexican man as she agreed.
I looked at Beck, wanting him to respond instead of me. "Uh, we kind of chose to be friends together." He said, shrugging his shoulders.
"That doesn't mean she ain't still got feelings for you." The man closets to us remarked.
"I bet she does." The older woman nodded. She rocked in her seat, smirking giddily at me.
The other man sitting against the wall scooted to the empty seat between him and the Mexican man, sitting in it as he held his pet Lizard's tank. "I think we're ignoring the obvious question." His eyes bucked as he looked at Beck. "Do you still have feelings for her?" He pointed at him, before moving his finger over to me.
He wore all black, his long stringy hair greasy and his eyes wide. He had stubble, and looked around the ages of the Mexican man, and the middle-aged white guy sitting close to us.
Not wanting to hear Beck's answer, I looked behind me, avoiding all the eyes that was on us. "Is our dog ointment readyy?!" I shouted, anxiously. Please?
"So, why did you two break up?" The older woman asked, leaning all her upper weight on her purse.
"Yeah, why'd you let her go?" The Mexican man asked.
"I didn't let her go!" Beck exclaimed, making me look at my shoe.
"You kinda did..." I mumbled.
"What?" He looked at me, "No, I didn't... Did I?" He said, before he shook his head, remembering the group of people around us. He held his hand up, "You know what? I really don't want to talk about this here."
"He's afraid to face his feelings." The middle-aged man said, making the room agree with him and nod.
"Um-hum." "Yeahh." "Mhm!"
"No!" Beck said loudly, "Okay? Look... I'll always love her... a-as a friend and our relationship but... it got to a point where," He paused, glancing at me before exclaiming, "All we would do is argue over every little thing.. over and over again. Why her best friend Jade always knew everything about our arguments and, petty little things such as winning a game show for being voted the worst couple... or girls." He shrugged tiredly, looking at me as he listed the last reason, seeming regretful. We stared at each other before he looked away, checking to see if Buster's ointment was ready.
"Sometimes girls do that..." A little white girl spoke up as silence had settled in the pet hospital. She looked at Beck intently, sitting in her chair criss cross apple sauce as her mom sat next to her asleep. "Cause we get scared inside." She said, as I looked at her and listened. Oh, what do you know, a 9-year-old girl was turning exactly what I had been feeling into words.
"And we need a man to make us feel safe!" The older black woman added, as Beck looked between them with furrowed eyebrows. Beck looked at me, as I looked at the little girl and the older woman.
"Why'd you tell your best friend, uh—" The man with lizard said, pointing at me.
"Jade." I said, as everyone looked at him.
"Yeah, why'd you tell your best friend, Jade about all your fights man?" He asked.
"Because he probably wasn't listening." The little girl answered, looking at Beck.
The Mexican man nodded, agreeing with her. "She just wanted to be heard man." He shrugged.
"But what they were fighting about ain't Jade's business." The guy closet to us said, making us look at him.
"You two are in a relationship, baby, not you, Jade and him." The older woman emphasized, giving me a pointed look.
"But were not even together anymore." I shook my head, shrugging softly. She looked at me sweetly, like she knew something I didn't. I sighed, "Look, him and I are just friends now. What we had..." I glanced at Beck, "It's, it's in the past now." I nodded, shrugging as I bit my lip.
"So, then you told Jade you were hanging out with him tonight?" The Mexican man asked, nodding his hand.
"Well, no." I shook my head, ignoring the look the older black woman sitting one chair over was giving me.
"Uh-huh." The Mexican man murmured.
"Interesting." The little girl quipped, looking right at Beck.
"Okay," Beck laughed sarcastically, turning around in his seat. "You listen to me—"
"And there they are!" Jade exclaimed as she swung the doors to the pet hospital wide open, Cat following in behind her.
I rolled my eyes, standing up from my chair as Beck turned back around. "I knew it!" I said, looking at Beck as I pointed at Jade.
"Jade..." Beck sighed, shaking his head. "Why are you here?"
"Things are about to get real." The man nearest to us said, as he stared at Jade.
Cat looked at Jade as she stared at me, her face stoic. "Wow, Y/n and Beck are here! Who'd have thunk that they'd be...— I mean, what a coincidence?" She rambled, making Jade look at her, with knitted eyebrows. "Oh, who am I kidding?" Cat grumbled, going to sit down.
"Wait. So, that's Jade?" The older woman asked, looking at me as she scooted closer and sat in the empty seat that was in-between her and I.
"Look, Jade, I can explain why Beck and I...—" I said, shifting my weight to my other leg.
"Come on, how you gonna explain that you're out on a date with your ex-boyfriend?" The Mexican man asked, interrupting me. I sighed, looking at Jade.
Beck looked from to the man, putting his arm out, "It's not a date!" He stressed.
"They broke up, but Y/n still has every right to go out with Beck." The older woman said, leaning forward to look at the Mexican man.
"We're not really going out!" I raised my voice, lowering it right back down once I saw the look, she was giving me. I sighed, looking at Jade, "Jade... You know I love you, and how much you care about me, but you have no right to be mad at us because Beck and I are only hanging out. And even if something was happening... I don't need your approval."
"Or I don't have to tell you everything that happens. What goes on between Beck and I is..." I sighed again, finding it almost impossible to tell her any of this. "Between us. My relationship with him isn't you, me and Beck, it's Beck and I." I asserted, glancing at the older woman as she grinned at me for using what she had said. "You can't be mad at me for choosing not to tell you everything..." I murmured, shaking my head.
"I'm not." She said.
"... You're not?" I asked, biting my lip.
She shook her head, "I'm not mad."
"Careful! It's a trick!" Cat exclaimed, standing up.
Jade looked at her, before looking at me as I walked towards her. "I-It's not a trick. I thought I was mad but... I-i mean now that I'm here, what do I have to be mad about?" She smiled, looking between Beck and me. "You're right. I was too immersed in your guy's relationship, because I am protective over you." She laughed, shrugging. "But I.. see why you didn't tell me. I've hated Beck's guts since you told me you guys had been fighting, not knowing I was one of the reasons for it." She looked at Beck, before letting out a sigh and looking back at me. "I wanted to protect you, like you've been protecting me... since middle school..." She softly said, as I grabbed her hand. "But... obviously I got a little too carried away..." She murmured, moving some of her hair out from her face.
"It's okay..." I smiled at her, "I get it." I nodded.
"It's not okay," She rolled her eyes, "I even influenced the way you two broke up Y/n. That isn't right." She looked at me with a sad smile, rubbing her thumb over my hand. "You should be able to hang out with anyone you want... even if it's... Beck." She teased, smirking at Beck.
"Still thinking it's a trick." Cat muttered, looking at Jade warily.
Jade glanced at her, "It's not!" She emphasized.
"Are you really, okay?" I whispered, gripping her hand a little tighter.
She nodded, smiling at me. "Yeah."
"Hey, Beck..." The little girl said, looking at him. "Do you still love Y/n?" She asked, smirking at him. Jade, Cat and I looked at him, waiting for his response.
He looked at me, glancing between the little girl and me as he fidgeted his hand in his jacket's pocket. He let out a nervous laugh, looking around, seeing everyone's eyes had been put onto him, "Why don't you go check your mom's pulse?!" He exclaimed, pointing at the little girl's mom.
I sighed and looked at the floor, more disappointed in myself for getting my hopes up. Of course, he would dodge the question, instead of just saying no. As I looked at the ground, I felt someone's eyes on me, probably Jade's, or one of the many people who had been watching this whole thing hap—
"I never stopped." He blurted breathlessly.
"What?" I asked, my voice coming out as a whisper as I looked up from the floor.
He shook his head, "I... I never stopped." He admitted, before stepping closer and stopping right in front of me. "...How could I?" He said quietly, putting his hands into the pockets of his jacket. "I've loved you since the eighth grade."
"Beck... you can't just say something like that out of the blue..." I said slowly, shaking my head. Not after all we had been through.
"I'm not," He assured, shaking his head. He grabbed my hand before letting out a sigh. "I can't take—" He paused, getting his words right, "I can't take this anymore." He gestured to the space in-between us, "I can't take just being friends with you when I have to act like I'm not still in love with you." He nodded.
I stared at him for the longest, before murmuring, "So, do something about it."
"I was an idiot," He confessed, "I let my ego get the best of me, I let other girls— who don't even amount to you," He shook his head tiredly, dismissing the air, "distract me from the girl who really mattered."
"Why?" I asked, sniffling as I looked up from the floor, struggling to meet his eyes. "I just— I just want to understand... Why did you let them touch you? Why did you let them make me feel like I was nothing?" I asked, remembering every girl, every touch, every time Jade told me some girl was touching up on Beck and all he did was stand there uncomfortably as they relished in the fact he was doing nothing and I was waiting for him to do something other than reassure me that no girl could ever amount to me in his eyes, in private. "Every time I saw you with them, it felt like a knife in my chest. And I kept trying to make sense of it, to find some reason that would justify it, but I couldn't... I just couldn't." I cried, "...What made them so special that I didn't have?"
Beck shook his head immediately, moving even more close to me as he cupped my face with both of his hands. "Baby," He sighed, "Baby, hey don't do that. It's not about what they had that you didn't. It's about what I failed to see, what I failed to appreciate." He said, looking me in my eyes, as he pressed one of his hands against his heart. "Those girls, they mean nothing compared to you. Absolutely nothing. He continued, nodding as he smiled reassuringly as he flashed me a comforting smile and gently wiped away my tears. I nodded, "It's never been your fault. It's mine. I should have been stronger, more assertive. I should have made it crystal clear that no one else even comes close to you!" He exclaimed, backing up slightly.
"...I was so caught up in everything, in not wanting to face the reality of what I was doing to us, that I couldn't see the damage I was doing." He began, his voice wavering with uncertainty. I guess... I never saw it for what it really was. I didn't realize how much it hurt you... how much it was tearing us apart. I was blinded by..." He stammered, putting his hands into his pockets, "I don't even know, Y/n. Maybe by my own selfishness, by the attention, by..." He trailed off, "I don't know." His voice cracked slightly, as he shrugged.
"I have never been okay with all the attention and them touching me." Beck admitted, "I never got good at telling them to stop." He said, shaking his head, his eyes pleading for her understanding.
"Punk..." The middle-aged white man muttered, as stared into space. Beck and I slowly looked away from each other, looking at him. I sent him a glare, wanting Beck to finish. I needed to know, because it was a major issue for me, for us.
I looked back at Beck, nervously messing with my hands. "... I got caught up in my own world, thinking everything was fine because you were there to handle it all." He continued, "I'm sorry." He apologized, his voice breaking slightly as he spoke. "I'm sorry for everything... for not listening to you and taking you serious, for the way I let my insecurities drive us apart. I should've been better, I should've—"
"No, Beck," I interrupted, shaking my head. "It's not just on you. I made my own mistakes too... I let my own doubts and fears cloud MY own judgment, and I pushed you away when all I wanted was to pull you closer. We both had our faults at this Beck, don't think this was all on you because it wasn't." I said softly, wiping the tear that had fallen down his cheek.
He stared at me, as he messed with his hair before sighing. "I can't stand it," He muttered, clenching his fists in frustration. "I can't stand knowing that I've made you feel this way because I told you, you would never have to worry about that. It's why I let.. us end, because I was tired of seeing what I had done, because I couldn't bear to keep hurting you like this because I didn't have my shit together." He looked at me, pointing at himself as his face hardened before sighing and looking down. He shook his head, looking up from the floor. "I—" He sighed again, "I don't want any girl touching me if it isn't you, I don't want any girl talking to me, or looking at me, if it isn't you."
"I thought I understood how I was making you feel, but I didn't. When I saw you with Moose, and how he was looking at you," He shook his head, his smile strained, "We weren't even together and when I saw him kiss your hand, it pissed me off because that's my job. I should've been the one holding your hand, making you laugh, kissing you." He paused, his voice wavering with emotion as he looked at me. "I know I screwed up, Y/n. I know I hurt you, and I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you if you let me." He whispered, his words hanging in the air like a promise. "I know I screwed up, Y/n." He stared at my hand, his thumb tracing gentle circles over my fingers before his eyes met mine. "I was stupid, and I hurt you and I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you if you let me." He whispered, his words hanging in the air like a promise.
I stared at him, my heart pounding in my chest as a million thoughts raced through my mind. Could I trust him again? Could we really go back to how things were before, knowing what we know now?
The whole lobby— including the front desk clerk, eyes were on us, waiting with bated breath for my answer.
"WELL!?" They shouted in unison, their voices blending together, impatiently as I looked into Beck's eyes, and searched for any sign of doubt or hesitation, all I saw was raw sincerity staring back at me. There was only love, pure and unyielding, and I knew. I knew that despite everything that had happened, despite all the pain and heartache we had did to each other, I still loved him. And he loved me. And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.
Even the man with the lizard perched on his lap leaned forward, his eyes curious as he awaited my response.
"Don't keep the poor boy waiting!" The Mexican man exclaimed.
"You don't—" Beck shook his head, looking at the floor after I hadn't replied yet, continuing to stare at him. "You don't have to take me back, but—" he said, before I stopped his rambling by kissing him.
I nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips despite the tears threatening to spill over as I pulled away from him. "Yes," I said, my voice steady, "Yes, Beck. I want to try again. I want to be with you." I nodded, as he beamed. I rubbed his cheek, staring at him. "Do you forgive me?" I asked. I had forgiven him, and I needed to know that he forgave me too.
His hand found its place around my waist, coaxing me closer to him. "I forgave you the minute I realized the impact my actions had on you." He whispered; his hands gently cupping my face as my hands went to his waist. He hesitated for a moment, his eyes searching mine for any sign of rejection or acceptance.
My only response was my eyes boring into his, and he leaned in, hungrily kissing me. The kiss lasted for a few seconds, before he began planting little kisses all over my face as I giggled, and the balding middle-aged white man, the older black woman, the Mexican man, the guy with the lizard and the 9-year-old girl who had all somehow helped us get here, started applauding for us.
The older woman smiled knowingly, as she leaned back in her chair. "Love always finds a way," she murmured, her voice soft as she nodded.
"And here's your ointment for Buster." The veterinarian said, as she exited from the door behind the counter, holding the white bottle, making Beck break away. He looked over his shoulder, nodding his head up as he moved away slightly, "Oh, thanks." He said, grabbing the ointment bottle as his other hand stayed planted on my waist.
"Thanks." I smiled, shyly.
"Every four hours, just rub it right around...—"
"We get it." Beck cut her off, nodding.
"We know." I winced, awkwardly laughing as Cat stood up, settling beside Jade and me.
The vet grinned, "Oh, hi, Cat." She greeted.
"Hi, Maureen." Cat said.
"How's your brother's turtle?" Maureen asked.
"Oh, not so great."
"What's wrong with his turtle?" I asked, nestling into Beck's chest as he wrapped his arms around me.
"He keeps accidentally flipping over and can't get up." Cat answered.
"Oh, that's awful." Beck said.
"Aw, poor thing." I frowned, glancing at Beck.
"Yeah, poor little guy just lays on his back for hours." Cat shrugged.
Jade shook her head, "So sad."
THREE YEARS AGO
"You think we lost him?" Beck gasped out between breaths, his chest heaving as he glanced behind him.
"I... I think so," Y/n managed to pant out, her voice barely above a whisper. She glanced around frantically, half expecting to see the host looming over them, ready to drag them back to the seafood restaurant. The street was eerily quiet, the only sound the distant hum of traffic and the occasional flicker of a streetlight overhead as they walked on the sidewalk.
As they caught their breath, a disheveled man stumbled past them, muttering incomprehensibly to himself. Y/n and Beck exchanged a worried glance, "I told you; I told you, but nobody listens!" The man muttered, his words disjointed and erratic. "They're coming, they're coming for us all!"
Y/n rubbed her temples, feeling the beginnings of a headache creeping in from the aftereffects of her Pina colada. "Where even are we?" She murmured, looking around for a street or signpost.
"Uhh," Beck scanned their surroundings, looking around for one as well, "Oh, Moonpark. Were on Moonpark!" He said, nodding his head up to the sign before they looked at each other, realizing they had found Moonpark but they weren't in the right place for the stars, meaning they were completely unfamiliar with the neighborhood. Beck let out a sigh, kicking a small rock as he got his phone out from his back pocket. They walked in silence for a moment, the only sounds being the distant hum of traffic and the occasional meow from a nearby alley cat.
Y/n had kicked off her heels a few blocks back, her dress dirtied, and Beck's slacks torn from their running. Her feet ached from all the running they had to do to get away. They looked disheveled and out of breath, nothing like the poised 'grown ups' who had snuck into the restaurant just a short while ago. "We're lost," Y/n murmured, as she looked around, noticing a somewhat lit up strip mall, an Inside-out burger and an empty park. It wasn't as bad as the street they were just on, but it was still unfamiliar.
"I asked my aunt to come pick us up," Beck admitted, looking up from the ground to Y/n as he dug his hands into his pockets.
She looked at him, before nodding, understanding why. "Good call," She praised, noticing his down mood. With nowhere else to go—nowhere else they knew, they sat down on the curb, deciding to stay put until Beck's aunt arrived, feeling defeated and disoriented. Across from them, a sign for a pet hospital flickered dimly in the fading light as Beck collapsed down onto the curb and Y/n sank down beside him, resting her hands on her knees.
Y/n sighed, "Well, that didn't go as planned," She muttered, softly as she thought about their date. At least they got to eat in the restaurant.
Beck offered her a reassuring smile, though his disappointment evident. "No, it didn't," He agreed softly as Y/n's gaze wandered across the street, her eyes landing on the pet hospital across the street.
"Aww," She cooed, a soft smile tugging at her lips as she watched a woman and her dog leave the pet hospital, the small dog wearing an oversized cone around its head, its tail wagging.
Beck followed her gaze, a tired chuckle escaping him as he watched the scene unfold. "Poor guy," He murmured, "Looks like someone's having a worse day than us," He remarked, amused.
Y/n rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a giggle as she leaned against him, their shoulders brushing as they watched the dog and their owner, waiting patiently for Beck's aunt.
"Can you believe that host?" Y/n spoke up after a few minutes, looking at Beck. "I mean, who does he think he is, turning us away like that? ..And he was all like, 'You've already caused enough trouble,'" She deepened her voice, mocking him as she made movements with her arms. "Oh! And then there's me, getting tipsy off a Piña Colada that supposedly wasn't a mocktail?!" She yelled, pouting before looking at Beck as he looked at her, and listened to her ranting. "I thought it tasted a little too strong, but I just figured they made it really well!" Y/n exclaimed, laying her head over her bent knees. "And now I've got this pounding headache, and I can't even remember how we ended up in this part of town!" She rambled, "It's like a bad dream, except it's real life, and now we're stuck in the middle of nowhere, with no idea how to get home! And—"
Before she could continue, Beck leaned in and pressed his lips against hers in a soft, gentle kiss, shutting her up.
Their first kiss.
As they pulled away, Beck's face softened, seeing Y/n's shocked expression. His cheeks flushed with embarrassment, "I-I'm sorry—" He murmured, thinking she didn't like it. "I- I didn't mean to—I've j-just been wanting to do that for a long time," He rushed out, very out of character for him, "A-and I didn't want to wait any longer and I thought you wanted the k—" Beck stammered, before she silenced him with another kiss, her heart pounding in her chest as she kissed him back.
Y/n shook her head, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips as they slowly leaned away from each other, "Do you know how long I have been waiting for you to do that?" She asked. Just ask Jade.
He smiled at her, running a hand through his tousled hair as he stared at her, almost in love. "I'm sorry tonight, didn't go as I planned." He apologized, his voice just audible over the distant hum of traffic.
"What do you mean?" Y/n asked. If anything, they had done everything and more. She had got to dress up and spend the night with her crush/best friend, and sneak into a fancy seafood restaurant. They had even made it to Moonpark like Beck planned.
"I just..." He sighed heavily, "I wanted tonight to be special; you know? I had all these plans, and then..." He trailed off, his tone filled with regret. He shrugged, staring ahead of them as he shook his head. "I wanted everything to be perfect for you." He said softly, looking down at her.
Y/n's heart ached at the sight of him looking so disheartened. "Tonight was perfect, Beck," She insisted, her words coming out in a rush. "I mean, sure, it didn't go exactly as planned, but I had so much fun with you." She grinned, "And besides," She added with a sheepish grin, "Who can say they got kicked out of a fancy restaurant and still got free food after sneaking in... all on their first date." She smiled, making him nod and laugh. "All of this wouldn't have happened if you hadn't refused to give up." Y/n said softly, kissing Beck's cheek before lying her head against his shoulder, and looking up at the stars, as Beck looked down at her. His own smile on his face as he looked at his star.
Letting out a gasp, "Look Beck!" Y/n pointed up at one of the stars, making him look up at the night sky.
As they sat there together, looking at the stars in Moonpark, right across from the very pet hospital that would one day become just as special as tonight, Y/n knew that even though their first date hadn't gone according to plan, it was a night she would never forget.
"A shooting star!"
Bonus:
After we had dropped Buster off at Beck's aunt's place, Beck drove me home, the car parked in the driveway of my house as he turned off the ignition and exited the car, circling around to my side. He kindly opened the door for me, leaning down to capture my lips in a kiss as I rose up from the seat.
As we pulled away, our foreheads resting against each other's, I felt a sense of clarity wash over me that this was where were meant to be.
"We're going to have to work at this," Beck murmured, his voice barely above a whisper as he softly held my face, his touch sending shivers down my spine. "But I want to do that because I want you, I want all of you."
I felt a surge of warmth flood through me, filling all the empty spaces that had longed for his presence. This was going to take more than just his words to fix this, but I was ready. "I want you too," I whispered, my voice filled with determination. "I want us."
~
At first, I imagined the host as Mr. Fulton from High School Musical 2, but by the end of the chapter, I was imagining him as Alec Mapa lol. I hope you guys enjoyed. What was your favorite part?
Make sure to vote and comment if you liked it, it means a lot <3