Flo spent a lot more time with us over the next week, to a point where our trio had developed into a quartet of mixed interests and originality. I liked to think of us as an invincible superhero squad. Quinton was the funny one, Tess was the playful one, Flo was the classic and I was the underdog, accidentally mistaken for a hero.
I wasn't sure how much longer I could keep up the whole clueless act about the local champion who saved a drowning girl at the public pool. During my most recent training session, Dean announced it was time for me to have a half-day duty at the annual Splash. The Splash was the one day in the year where if you arrived between nine and twelve in the morning, you could get a day pass for free. All facilities were available, including the water slides and swimming equipment, like floaties for kids. It was a huge event and I wasn't sure if I was ready for exposure or the weighted responsibility.
Especially since it was one of the busiest days of the year.
After confiding to Tess about my concerns, she called the gang –and George- and drove us to True North, the rural version of Starbucks in our sleepy, country town. It was the ultimate hang out for teens, mostly because of their free Wi-Fi, air conditioning and epic menu.
Tess' answer to any problem was food, so she ordered us a large pepperoni pizza with extra mozzarella cheese and five tall glasses of peach-flavoured iced tea.
"Why iced tea?" Quinton complained, grumbling as the waitress placed the drinks onto our table.
"Because they were half price and claimed to come with a hidden object per serving."
His eyebrows rose. "What kind of hidden object?"
She simply shrugged. "Drink and find out."
For a moment, we all just exchanged looks, unsure of whether to believe it or not. But eventually, we realised we didn't have anything to lose, so all at once, we started drinking, each of us attempting to be the person who finished first.
At one point, it got extremely competitive. Quinton and I exchanged looks from opposite sides of the table and together, threw our straws away to start gulping down huge chucks of ice and sweet, chilled tea.
I was the first to finish and also the first to struggle breathing from my intense drinking session. But once all the liquid was drained from my glass, sitting within the chipped pieces of ice, was a capsule. It was the same shape as the case that holds your plastic toy that hides within a Kinder Surprise, but smaller. I tipped my glass at an angle and gently shook, allowing the pill shaped object to fall into my hand. The whole group leaned forward and examined the piece of plastic that sat in my palm.
"What a great prize," Flo said slowly.
Tess picked it up from my hand and further investigated. "You open it."
We watched as she took both ends and gently pulled. An opening appeared in the middle and the shell split into two, showcasing a piece of rolled paper. I quickly swiped it before Tess had a chance to read it and straightened out the piece of textured parchment.
"It's a question," I said. "Like those getting-to-know-you-better exercises. Then it's got a challenge for the recipient."
"What are you waiting for then?" Quinton asked. "Ask someone."
I instantly looked directly at Flo and she gave me a grin, waiting for the question. I cleared my throat and read, "Describe yourself in one word. Then spell it."
She thought for barely a second before she answered, "Spontaneous; s-p-o-n-t-a-n-e-o-u-s."
"Now do something that proves you're spontaneous," I finished before letting the paper naturally curl back up.
When I looked up at her, she had her usual smile; the small and adventurous curve of her lips that held a million secrets I wanted to know. The table fell silent as we waited for Flo to do something spontaneous. I didn't know why, but my stomach twisted into a knot as the anticipation swallowed me whole. Patience was something in my nature, but when it came down to her, I never wanted to waste time.
The wait didn't last very long after that, because without any type of warning, Flo got up from her seat, leaned across the table and kissed me; right there, right then, right in front of everyone at True North. It was gentle, but sweet. It was addictive.
"Spontaneous," she whispered, looking at my holy-crap-you-just-kissed-me expression and descending back into her seat.
I gulped and licked my lips.
"Crap," Quinton breathed. "I hope I get one of those questions. Hope you brushed twice, Tess, because it's your lucky day."
Tess ignored Quinton though and started fanning herself with her hand. "Is it just me or are you all suddenly incredibly flustered? I thought it was the spicy pepperoni but I'm pretty sure that kiss cranked up the heat in this place. Jesus, I need some carrot sticks to calm down."
She quickly eased her way out of the booth and headed towards the counter, making continuous glances over towards us. I suddenly had no idea how to act. Was I supposed to comment on her kissing skills? Because they were seriously awesome. Or was I supposed to keep it cool in the whole babes-kiss-me-all-the-time-no-big-deal kind of way?
I forgot how complicated kissing was.
"You're blushing."
George, who hardly ever spoke, picked up a slice of pizza and looked at me. It was a seriously bad time for him to join the conversation. There was no way in hell that I was going to let Flo know how much the kiss meant to me, even if it was a stupid café challenge.
Quinton sensed my distress, as usual, and cracked open his capsule. "I got a dollar off any cold beverage on the menu. Sweet."
"Want to shout me a glass of lemonade?" Tess asked, returning with a plastic container. "I'm thirsty. Carrot stick anyone?"
She thrust the box in Flo's direction and jiggled it around, but she shook her head. "No thank you. I don't eat carrots."
"Don't like them?" Tess asked, sitting down.
"I love them, actually."
"Oh. You're allergic aren't you?"
"Nope."
"What then?"
"Carrots have feelings."
We all fell silent. Even George stopped eating.
"Really," Flo insisted. "We all believe in different things. My beliefs just happen to be a little different from a majority of the world--"
"Hey, it's that mute kid."
Flo's speech was suddenly cut by two guys who had approached our table. They were about our age, with menacing glares, particularly directed at George who looked up at them in silence. Just their presence was pissing me off.
"He just selects his vocabulary wisely." Tess addressed them casually, picking up her glass and shaking it, so the ice cubes rattled against the sides.
"He's a mute," the other guy repeated. "Worthless piece of shit."
They exchanged chuckles and high fives. My blood boiled.
"Hey, back off," Quinton warned, his voice low, eyes narrowed.
Quinton was always such a chill bloke, but when something managed to piss him off, he was a bloody riot. He was incredibly protective of Tess, and he knew how much her younger brother meant to her. Dissing George was not something you wanted to do while he was within ear shot.
Hell, it wasn't something you wanted to do within ear shot of me either.
"You know, if the only way you can insult someone is through swearing at them, it just shows your lack of intelligence and originality. So I'd suggest buying a dictionary and maybe some class, then maybe we can take your attempt at offence seriously," Tess said, her voice as cold as ice as she glared at the boys.
The guys stared at her, dumbfounded.
"Listen, bitch, we weren't talking to you."
"I said back off," Quinton growled, slamming his hand against the table. "How dare you speak to her like that."
Tess placed a calming hand against his arm. It managed to simmer down his temper, but the fire was still in his words as he said, "When you talk to someone, address them with respect. "
"Do you always get this angsty over stupid shit?" the tallest guy asked, smirking.
"Enough!" Tess yelled. "I'm really not a fan of violence but if that's what it'll take for you to just leave--"
This only humoured them. "Fight me then, sweetheart. I'm not afraid to hit a girl."
I snapped. "You have literally ten seconds to walk away before I do something I won't regret."
"And what's that?" the taller one asked, stepping forward. "Are you going to slap me with a slice of pizza? Threaten me with a carrot stick? Or maybe you're feeling classy. How about you shower me with your iced tea?"
Quinton and I exchanged a quick glance before we leapt up from our seats and threw some of our best punches. The exhilarating rage empowered me as the fight continued. I could feel my knuckles burn as they came in contact with a shoulder blade, a flame of pain that ran through my entire arm, but didn't stop me.
A blow to the jaw caused me to stagger backwards. I could taste blood on my lips, the coppery sensation only fuelling my anger as I socked the guy right in the nose. A quick glance at Quinton displayed a struggle as he wrestled for dominance on the café floor.
Before I could further advance on the guy, a strong pair of arms wrapped around mine from behind and held me locked in my place. I didn't fight against the iron grip. I knew when I had exceeded the limit so I didn't do anything as I was escorted out. Quinton was thrown out a moment later, gently hustling Tess, Flo and George out with him.
"Assholes," Quinton barked as the front door shut in our faces. He pulled out a cigarette from his pocket and stuck it between his lips, muttering incoherently. "Guess we're banned."
Definitely banned.