1.10.16

"1, 2, 3, 4," she counts the seconds, her hushed words floating away in icy air. 

"1,3,7,10,13, 21, 101," a louder voice overpowers.

She tries to stay on track, but fails. With a menacing glare, she turns her head to the boy smiling devilishly beside her. Stabbing him in the arm with her finger, and earning a wince in response, she snarls. "Shut up."

 "That hurt," he whines, rubbing the injured area.

"You sound like you're six."

"At least I don't count using my fingers like I'm six."

Alix can only grumble whilst Kim laughs at her defeated reaction. Looking over the many strangers heads queued in front of them, he glances downward. "Are you sure the wait is really worth it, babe?"

"Ice-cream is always worth it," Alix stated defiantly. "And don't call me that in public, out of all places. Just because I agreed to going on a date with you, doesn't mean we're completely official."

"Oh, but we're almost official." Kim winked.

Alix just rolled her eyes and pouted, trying to peer through the crowd in front of them for the gazillionth time but to no avail. "In your dreams. By the way, you're paying for this."

He smirks. "What, the ice-creams? Or being official?"

"The ice-creams, dumbass."

He mock bows. "A true gentlemen."

With a laugh, she dismisses that idea with a flick of her hand. "Pshh, whatever. I'm getting chocolate anyway."

"Strawberry for me."

"You're a sucker for strawberry."

"Only because I hate the taste of fake chocolate."

"Strawberry doesn't even taste like strawberry though!"

"Shut up."

"Hmm,  let me think about that." She places her hand on her chin.  "Nope."

They become so immersed in their squabble, that they became completely oblivious to the line steadily moving forward. 

"Hey, are you gonna order or not?" a gruff voice asked from behind them, words laced with impatience. 

With a jolt, Alix turned round from Kim to meet the side of the ice-cream cart, only to find her forehead just level with the counter top. With a grunt, she grabbed the edge and hauled herself up so she was being supported by her arms, legs dangling high above the ground. "I want a chocola-ahhh!" 

As most her strength resided in her legs due to her persistent and constant rollerblading, Alix's arms gave way and she fell to the ground, earning a couple of sniggers. These seemed to be centred from the man behind her, and the guy behind the counter. She suppressed a growl as she gingerly lifted herself up, embarrassment flaming in her cheeks. 

"I'm sorry, what was that? You might have to grow a little taller for me to hear you," the server taunted. 

"Short much," grumbled the man next in line. 

These only infuriated the shorter girl and her midnight blue eyes narrowed, ready to storm off in anger and shame. But before she knew it,  stronger arms were wrapping around her waist and her feet left the ground for the second time as she was placed atop her date's right shoulder, gaining a Kim's eye view of everything around them. His hair brushed her arm as he turned, shooting a glare to both men and a sympathetic smile and squeeze of the hand to Alix. 

"We'll have a chocolate ice-cream for her, and a strawberry ice-cream for me. Double scoop. And you better give us a nice round of sprinkles and chocolate sauce to go on top of that." he demanded, voice ice-cold as he slid shining coins over the counter. 

The man making the ice-creams didn't utter a word, and almost looked intimidated by Kim's height and glare as he handed the cones over. Alix hardly got time to grab her cold treat before Kim turned and started storming off, his strides wide and fast. 

"I'm sorry." he muttered. "I just couldn't let them ridicule you like that."

A fond smile grew on Alix''s face, as she planted a chocolate-tinted kiss on his forehead. "And I love you too." 

seriously considering dedicating this whole book to heartrate because i love them so much