Chapter 16 | Coffee With Ice In It

I jump back in my seat as Abigail's hand hits the lunchroom table. She coughs and clears her throat and Isabella does the same since she practically almost choked on her tater tots. Tiny pieces of broccoli that were shaken off my plate fall on my paper and I gently wipe it off.

Their bulging eyes meet then both stare back at me. "I was totally not expecting that!" Abby says slouching back into her chair.

I had just finished catching them up on recent events. After everyone had left from dinner yesterday, I was so exhausted that I went straight to bed. I didn't even get to finish my English homework resulting in me having to do it now.

Unfortunately for this paper, it is now going to smell of broccoli and cafeteria food.

Of course, after telling them anything remotely interesting, the series of questions just rolled in.

"How long did you guys kiss for?"

"Twenty minutes maybe?"

"Steamy? I bet it was steamy."

"Sure, I guess?"

"Is he a good kisser?"

"Yes. Very much so."

"What did he taste like?"

"I don't know... good?"

"Do you like him?"

Now that question had caught me by surprise. The answer should have easily rolled out of my mouth. 'Yes, I like him. Of course, I like him.' but they didn't. Instead, they stayed frozen solid in the back of my throat.

Right that second, as if on cue, the bell rang signaling the end of lunch.

I collected my things into my bag, my English homework only partly completed for next period. Then I threw out my tray as Bella and Abby continued conversation amongst themselves. They loved to pry but they knew when to bud out which is exactly why I loved them.

-:-

I take my seat and scribble in answers for the last few questions on the homework I had failed to complete. I knew what I had written was mostly nonsense since my mind was somewhere else completely but it was better than an incomplete on the assignment.

I started to chew on one of my nails as I thought more about the question proposed to me earlier. 'Do you like him?'

How could I not? He's sweet, funny, charming. He has perfect hair, perfect teeth, a perfect smile, and dark blue eyes like a gem. May I also mention how hot he is and what a great kisser he is.

But despite all this, I still had no answer. Or was that an answer within itself?

I had no doubt I enjoyed being with him, that I was attracted to him, and that I liked making out with him. But my grandmother always said a boyfriend should also be one of your best friends. And as much as I enjoyed talking to him, I never connected to him on that level.

So I pondered the question again, 'Do you like him?'

-:-

"Bambi."

Huh?

"Hey Bambi, snap out of it."

Who the hell is Bambi?

"Hello? Is anyone in there?"

I feel a tap to my head and I turn to see Elijah. He smirks, "You're alive. I thought you were taken over by one of those mindless zombies or some type of mind control."

"What?"

He chuckles then points to the other side of me, where one of the girls in my class is standing, waiting to collect my homework sheet.

I mumble "Oh sorry." To the girl then hand her my paper.

"You seem troubled? What's on your mind?"

I shrug off the question, "Nothing important really. Just excited to go home next period."

He narrows his eyes at my response then leans in close to face me. "If you ever want to talk to me about anything I'm here. No topics excluded. If you wanna talk about grades, family, boys," he says trailing off then wiggling his eyebrows in a suggestive manner, "sex."

I groan then punch him in the arm. He laughs it off since we both knew it wouldn't really hurt him unless I tried. He shrugged which even managed to get a small smile out of me.

"No thanks, I'm good."

He shrugs once more in a jokingly manner. "I could go for a huge cup of coffee right now though."

"What a coincidence!" He says, hands in the air. "I was just thinking about going to the cafe next period."

"Sure," I reply sarcastically. "Don't you have class next period?"

He raises a brow, "I think it's pretty clear I don't really mind skipping class."

I roll my eyes remembering the events of yesterday once more. "Okay yeah. Fine, I'll go."

"Great." He smiles.

-:-

"Iced coffee? Coffee with ice in it. Why would you ever drink that?"

"It happens to be my favorite. Vanilla iced coffee with milk no sugar."

"Doesn't it already include sugar because of the vanilla?"

I pause for a second, "Yeah but that's not the point. I meant no extra sugar."

"Still an atrocity to be called a coffee."

"Hey. You do you and I'll do me."

"How about I do you too?" He says a chuckle on his voice.

My eyes widen, "Haha very funny. Now let me enjoy my masterpiece." I take a sip of my iced coffee and let my mind wander off the hater sitting across from me.

Brendan and I aren't even dating yet. Maybe I just need more time, or maybe I've already had enough time.

I groan and throw my face into my hands.

I'm afraid I already have my answer and I'm just ignoring it.

A ping sounds off from my phone disrupting my thoughts. It's a text from my mom.

Mom: Family meeting this afternoon. We've got a surprise.

I turn my phone back off after replying to her text to let her know I've read it.

"Who was that?"

"My mom. She just called for a family meeting later today. She said she has a surprise, I wonder what it is."

Elijah shrugs, "Good or bad."

"Surprise is usually good. If it's bad news then it's more of a 'we need to talk'."

"Makes sense. My family meetings always meant the worst. I wouldn't see my father unless he had some bad news."

"I'm guessing you guys aren't that close?"

"Guessed correctly. I despise the man. He says he wants the best for me but the truth is he always thinks of me last. Doesn't matter what I want as long as I get the job done."

My eyebrows scrunch together. I couldn't imagine not being close to my father. "What about your mom."

"She's passed."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know." I put my hand over his and give it a small squeeze and a small smile. "My mom died too."

He raises an eyebrow, "Didn't your mom just text you?"

"I'm adopted. My parents aren't my biological ones but they've been my real parents since I was four. I was in the foster system for a few months before then though. I don't remember much about that time."

"I didn't know. Thanks for telling me."

I nod, "It's not a secret but it's not something I like to tell everyone."

"It's almost three. You wanna get going now?" He asks.

"We've been here for two hours?"

"Yup. That's why your cold coffee no longer has ice and my hot coffee is no longer hot."

I roll my eyes, "Wow thanks for that observation. Let's go."

-:-

wow. How did you guys like this chapter? It's a little short but way worth it. In an older version of this book, the fact that Alora was adopted was revealed a lot earlier but I like it way better like this.

What did you think of their little bonding moment? It's a bit different than usual but I liked writing it.

What do you think the surprise is? Comment what you think. And don't forget to vote!