Dedicated to @tessa-x because her works are 'wow' and I wish I could write like that! :D

[Edited]

~Hailey~

After lectures the next day, our group (which consisted of me and the girls, Scott and Tristan's group -- which unfortunately contained Jenna and a few of her friends; as well as a few others,) all walked down to the local café just off campus.

It was situated near the high street at a ten minute walk away and was actually stood on a street corner, facing a beautiful church which had a captivating graveyard. Mini white tables and seats were scattered around the café entrance door which was painted a dark blue, although no one was sitting in them as we passed. 

The café itself was heated and was very unique in terms of décor. The walls which were off-white contrasted with the floor which was a shiny black. All around us, the tables had black chairs and dark blue menus placed on top of white table cloths. I wasn't sure if it all matched together well but it was definitely a place to remember. 

Abstract paintings and random shells lined the walls, too.

Soft music played through the speakers as we headed towards six or so of the tables at the back corner, a good five metres away from the glass counter. 

"Why don't we sit here," I told the girls who were stood closest to me. They sat next to me (as well as Layla) while I was already busy picking up one of the menus. Grumbling at the missed opportunity, the rest of the girls sat at a table nearby.

Scott was sitting next to Tristan a couple of tables away, barely making eye contact with me, which was frustrating to say the least. I had no idea what I'd done to deserve it. 

I was about to start up a conversation with the girls on what to eat when Tristan tapped on a glass of water he'd recently been given by a waiter. 

"I've been thinking," His eyes skated past mine but rested on everyone else's as they swept across the group. Typical. "We've been doing the same thing every weekend - parties have been held in the games room." He grinned, his straight teeth dazzling as the smile practically lit up his face.

"It's been fun and all, but I'm up for a change." There was an appreciative murmur as I shook my head, fighting a smirk at the way he seemed to revel in the praise. He was a cocky bastard. 

Before they could increase in volume, Scott piped up. "Sounds good, Tris, but Hailey and I were thinking of doing something between ourselves for our seven month anniversary this weekend." A few of the girls 'awed' but Tristan looked to be pulling a face. I simply sat there, too stunned to take pleasure in his irritation for the first time in forever. Scott had barely looked at me all day and now he was planning something? What was he playing at?

I didn't even have to turn my head to feel the scathing look Jenna was giving me. As if it was my fault! I wanted to scream at her, I couldn't always control what Scott did.

Although I had to admit I liked this surprise in particular. 

Layla suddenly spoke up, her eyes clouded in thought as she tapped a fingernail against her chin. "Well, I think there's a festival or something going on in London for one week only and it finishes on Sunday. As it's a one week opportunity," she said to Tristan, "I'd love it if the rest of us could still go."

Everyone seemed to agree, judging by the excited murmurs that were sparking through the group. I noticed they almost overtook every other sound in the cafe, except for the whistle of a boiling kettle that was coming from the kitchen. 

Tristan beamed, looking pleased with the idea. The sudden confidence he had put me at unrest and when he turned to Scott and sent him a look, he was very close to appearing smug. "You heard her, it's a one week opportunity." Placing his arms across his best friend's shoulders he asked him, "What do you say you come with us just this one time? You two can celebrate down there." 

After a moment's hesitation Scott reluctantly agreed, although I can tell he didn't want to. 

Tristan's smile widened. "Excellent."

I wanted to curse, shout; scream. Anything. 

While Tristan was no doubt thrilled at the idea of Scott and me not spending any time together, I was fucking pissed. What was even more annoying was that Scott hadn't even objected to his suggestion or put up a fight. Sigh.

The only person I could vent to was Layla who was sat beside me, and so obviously I gave her my best 'are-you-fucking-kidding-me?' look while everyone else began to chat around us.

She looked at me wide-eyed upon seeing my expression, thinking I was going to slaughter her for making the suggestion (which I did kind of feel like doing). "Actually..." She tried to backtrack, but the noise level was too loud to be heard over. 

"What do you think you're playing at?" I stage-whispered, sounding every bit as pissed as I felt. I'd decided to just go with it and let my frustration out on her seeing as she was expecting it. 

She bit her lip as she stared off into the distance before resting her gaze on me. "I wasn't thinking, I didn't mean that you and Scott had to come!" She hissed. "I just realised how it sounded, I didn't intend for it to come out that way -"

I stopped her after that, raising a hand to quell her rambling. It was no fun taking it out on a person who wasn't at fault, particularly Layla. "It's fine," I told her. She was telling the truth. I knew so because she would always get flustered and start spouting crap whenever she was upset.

"Scott and I can always do something else when we're down there," I conceded. Thinking about it a bit more, I realised it wasn't the end of the world after all, although it wasn't ideal to spend our anniversary with everyone else. 

The girls leaned back, suddenly a lot less interested in our argument. They seemed frustrated that I'd let her get away with it so easily but in my defence, she was my best friend and we were a lot closer. Hence no special treatment for the girls.

"So what is everyone having to eat?" I spoke up in an attempt to change the subject and prevent them from giving Layla death glares. 

Not long after, the waiters came around to take our orders. I suddenly wasn't feeling too hungry and ordered a slice of light lemon sponge to eat instead of the chocolate cake I'd wanted, as they took my order. The girls ordered something even lighter, no surprise there (yes, it really was true that popular girls tended to diet like there was no tomorrow). 

When everyone was eating and I'd already finished, I stood up, ignoring the way my chair scraped against the floor. "Stay here," I told the girls, including Layla. She must've known that I was upset because she'd remained still even when I'd moved to get up and the rest of the girls had made to follow me.

I walked through the exit and inhaled a large amount of air. Once outside, I crossed the street and strode ahead until I walked through the gates that entranced the graveyard. From there, I kept on going until I found an old bench and sat on it, shoulders hunching. Tears were already slipping down my cheeks as I tried and failed to hold them in but to no avail. 

Around me the trees swayed, their giant rustling leaves giving me something else to think about. 

What happened to feeling numb?

I would've preferred it to the sharp daggers that were plunging into my heart at that moment. The only thing I could compare myself to was a hormonal pregnant woman, my moods were that fickle. Get a grip! I scolded myself, with no success of course. 

In all honesty, I had no idea why I was crying.

Maybe it was because of my parent's aloofness or even because of Scott. His behaviour in the café had confused me -- it was like he was hot one moment and cold the next; I could only hope he hadn't become suspicious of what I'd done.

Or maybe it was because of Jenna.

Her remarks had cut deep -- deeper than I'd ever imagined-- to the point where I was still recovering from them. Feeling exhausted, I chose not to overanalyse my crazy emotions and just let myself be.

The tears continued to fall.

"I knew the moment you left something was wrong," Scott told me from not too far away, alerting me of his presence. His voice carried in the wind from where he stood with his arms crossed. 

I jumped.

Onky then did he begin to walk towards me with purposeful strides, the wind whipping at the bottom of his shorts as he moved. 

"Just go back," I clarified, "I'll be alright in a few minutes." It wasn't the truth but I wanted the space. Needed it.

At that, he regarded me closely before his face suddenly cleared. This time he took a few more steps forward with even more determination than he'd had previously and told me,"I'm not leaving you when you're like this." The moment he reached me he pulled me into him. When his familiar scent engulfed me and clouded ny senses, the effect was almost immediate. Just like that I was almost happy again, but not quite. "Tell me what's wrong," he demanded as he stroked my back in circles. 

"No."

He chuckled. I sniffed.

"Alright. Let's go shopping," he suddenly announced as he placed his chin on my head. "We can go now. I'll go and fetch your bag and we can leave together."

I sniffed again. I thought he wasn't speaking to me? Scott was puzzling when he was like this, for definite."What would we be going shopping for?" I asked him. He knew I loved shopping and had long ago figured out that it was a sure way to cheer me up.

I could feel him smile against my hair as he buried his face into me. "Your choice," he said as he pulled away and looked down at me. "We could go shopping for clothes if you want. For the trip."

Ah, yes. The trip to London.

I'd almost forgot.

I pulled back, trying not to scowl like a five year old. "I can't believe we got roped into going with them! And you didn't say anything about it!" I smacked him lightly on the chest.

He sighed and took both my hands in one of his, simultaneously engulfing and trapping them. "We can go for a holiday together during the term break, but for now let's just go with them. It's not like we won't be able to do our own things when we get there," he wiggled his eyebrows in suggestion. 

I had to laugh at his implication. I had to. "Fine. I'll come shopping too, but only if you promise to pay for absolutely everything." At that I peeked up from under my lashes and gave him a sly grin. I was only half joking. Besides, I'd bought lots of stuff for him plenty of times.

He laughed. The sound was deep and throaty as he held his hands up in mock surrender. It made me feel warm on the inside, just as it always did.

"Yes, Your Highness," he mocked before completing a small bow. "Stay here," he said as he pointed to the bench. I did as he commanded with a faint smile on my lips, before watching him walk back the way he'd come to go and fetch my handbag.

I really did love Scott.

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A shorter chapter I know, but the next few upcoming chapters will be much more interesting to read. Her drama won't always be about such petty things... *hint hint*

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