Summer After High School

11

Paige

"Kyle? " I question in utmost shock.

"Paige. Wow, we just keep bumping into each other. "

He smiles.

"Kyle what are you doing here? "

He can't be working here too.

"Obviously my job. "

Job? This is his job too?

"But, but .."

"Your order, Paige, " he cuts me off.

"Paige, relax. Life is too difficult for some people. Not everyone is fortunate, that's why they engage in dual jobs. "

I can't believe Brian just said that out loud.

"Yeah. Not everyone is fortunate like your boyfriend. Some people really have to work for money. Now can I have your order?"

I move uncomfortably in my chair. How can he be involved in this job after a long stressful day at the beach. What time would he have to rest?

Brian nudges my elbow as he makes his order. I order the same things that he does. Shortly, Kyle arrives with our meal. He's smiling but I can see beyond the masked smile that he's exhausted.

"Excuse me. I'll use the restroom, " Brian says as he excuses himself.

My gaze falls on his phone. He didn't take his phone with him. I tell myself that I shouldn't check his phone, that I should try to trust him. But I don't listen to myself, I defy the voice in my head by grabbing the phone and checking out his text messages. His last message is from Daphne. I satisfy my curiosity by opening the message and immediately I do that, I wish I didn't because what I see is very disturbing.

I place back his phone on the table. I'm tired. Why does he keep doing this to me?

Shortly he arrives and starts acting like everything's normal, like he isn't planning to cheat on me with Daphne.

"Everything okay babe? "

"Why? Did you do anything that would make things wrong? " I snap at him.

"No of course not. "

He continues eating. I haven't touched my meal. I just sit gazing at him and trying to stop the tears.

His phone rings. A picture of a girl shows. He doesn't pick it up. I'm not just hurt, I'm angry.

"Pick up your phone, Brian. Who's she? "

"It's just Alice. One of the girls that hangs out with me and the guys. Her conversations are so long, I don't want it to intrude our date. You know every second I spend with you is worth more than a thousand seconds I spend in your absence. "

Nice story. He must think I'm dumb enough to believe it. Now I can't help but wonder, why he's doing all this now or if he's been doing it for a while and I just didn't know.

"I'm done. I've lost my appetite. "

"But you haven't touched your meal. "

"Didn't you hear me? I don't have an appetite. I'm not hungry anymore. "

"Why ? Babe, if this is about Amanda.. "

"Shut up, " I cut him off. My voice is light, yet heavy.

"Just shut up. Stop, just stop. I lost my appetite. I just want to go home. "

He starts to make a move towards me.

"Don't come any closer. Don't touch me," I whisper and clean my eyes. I don't want the tears welling up to pour.