FATE

8. Chocolate Ice Cream

JONAH

"My parents are having dinner with some of their colleagues and I have to get ready. I'm sorry"

"It's fine", I say walking out of the class. "I'm sorry about this morning"

There's a shuffling sound before she speaks. "You don't get to push me away when something is wrong. I'm your fucking best friend"

I smile to myself. "You're right. I was being stupid"

"And I would have skipped school if it meant helping you clean up and being there for you"

"I know you would"

I walk out of the hallway and turn towards the extension building that is the library.

"So, are you ready for the dinner?", I ask Hailee.

"Nope, I'm low key dreading it. What are you doing?"

"Going to return this book I borrowed for an history essay. Mr. Marshall fortunately forgave my late coming and I'll be submitting tomorrow"

"He's still a fucking perv though"

I laugh. Hailee believes the history teacher sleeps with students.

"Do you know if my dad is home?", I ask. I'm not going home if he is.

"He's not. I saw his car drive out a while ago. Some chick with orange hair was with him"

I groan. Stupid Ginger.

"Okay, thanks", I say, "go get ready for your dinner. I'll talk to you later"

"Bye Jonah!", She says enthusiastically and I chuckle.

"Bye Hailee"

The call ends and I pause in front of the library, placing my phone in my pocket before walking in. I didn't think I would be able to get any work done at home so I decided to stay back in school and finish the essay.

I turn to the front desk and see Brooke sitting down with her elbows propped on the desk. Her eyebrows are furrowed in confusion as she reads a book. Her concentration is on whatever it is she's reading because she hasn't noticed me yet.

I walk towards her and drop the history book. It hits the desk loudly, starling her. She gasps before looking up at me. A frown covers her face immediately.

"What do you want?", She asks coldly.

"I'm here to return that", I say, staring at the book. She looks at it then back at me before nodding once. She stands up and grabs a large notepad, opening it slowly, her eyes scanning through the pages before she drops it in front of me.

"Sign there", she says, pointing at a blank space next to my name.

She hands me a pen and I collect it, studying her features. The hair I like so much is packed into a neat bun and a couple of strands fall across her face. I fight the urge to tuck them behind her ears. She adjusts herself on her seat and places both hands on the table as she watches me.

Her eyes.

They look like they're a different color and shade each time I stare into them. Right now, they're a light shade of brown, almost golden.

I sign quickly and drop the pen. "There"

"Collins", a manly voice says. A chubby woman walks out from a small room behind Brooke who looks back and forces a smile at the woman.

"You're still here?", The woman asks.

"Uhm yeah", Brooke says, glancing at me and then at the woman.

"Well, I'm about to leave and I'm locking this place"

"That's fine. I'll be on my way now"

Brooke closes the large book and takes the history book. She looks up at me, the smile on her face is gone. "Uhm, you can go now"

I nod and walk away as she walks towards the shelves to return the book. I reach the door and open it to leave.

The evening breeze blows across my face as I walk towards the parking lot. There's a faint sound behind me and I look back to find Brooke walking out of the library. Her lips are pursed and she rubs her palms together before her eyes rest on me. She holds her bag tightly and begins to walk in a totally different direction quickly.

"Wait!", I call but she doesn't even pause.

I sigh and jog towards her. She's a bit faster than I am but I manage to grab her arm before she can go any further. She yanks herself out of my grip forcefully.

"Leave me alone!"

"What the fuck is wrong with you?", I ask.

She rests her piercing gaze on me. Her breathing has increased and her fists are clenched.

She looks cute.

"I'm not going to do this again", she says.

"Do what?"

"Indulge myself in a conversation with you only to have you remind me of how uninterested you are again"

She's still mad about this morning?

I roll my eyes. "I'm sorry"

"You don't mean it", she crosses her arms.

"I do", I say, "I wasn't in a good mood then"

She scoffs, "whatever". She motions to walk away.

"Are you still mad?"

"Yes", she says without looking back at me. I follow her anyway.

Well, at least she's honest.

"Look, just wait", I decide against holding her again. Luckily, she stops.

"What?", She turns around and stares at me.

"Let me make it up to you"

She arches an eyebrow. "I'm listening"

"I'll buy you ice cream and we can see where this whole love-hate thing we have going on takes us"

She purses her lips, obviously thinking about her reply.

As much as I try to appear indifferent to her existence, a small part of me wants Brooke to keep on trying to talk to me.

"We can try to be...", I hesitate, "...friends", I finish in a soft voice. Her eyes open wide slightly and then her expression is relaxed.

"I thought you said you don't have friends"

"I'm willing to try"

She stares at me thoughtfully and then she sighs. "Okay fine", she says and I can't help but smile.

I nod. She rubs her palms together and I frown slightly. "Are you cold?"

"Kind of"

I take off my hoodie and hand it to her. I'll have to be extra careful so she doesn't see the plasters on my wrist. In case she does, I start making up multiple lies in my head. I might be trying to be friends with her but some conversations should be avoided for as long as possible.

"Uhm thanks", she blushes slightly as she puts on the hoodie. I like the way it looks on her.

"So, what's your favorite ice cream flavor?", I ask, tucking my hands into my pockets. The cold seeps in through my skin but I don't really mind.

"Chocolate", she says beaming.

Mine is Vanilla but I'll have some chocolate ice cream and even more just so i can keep that smile on Brooke Collins' face.