Unexpected

• Chapter Sixteen •

"Jealousy is a disease, love is a healthy condition." ~Robert A. Heinlein

• • •

We all decide to head out in Rani's car and go to Bittersweet, our favourite hang out spot.

We enter the café/diner laughing at a joke Rolo just made.

Making our way to our favourite booth at the back, I'm stopped by the sound of my name being called.

"Keziah?"

I turn around to find Abel, Raphael, Israel and two other girls seated with them.

I bristle at the sight of the girls hand on Abel's bicep, the feeling of happiness completely draining from my body.

"Abel. Looks like your having fun here so I'll leave you be." I say coldly before walking to my booth.

"Geez Keziah, I can smell your jealousy from here." Says Rolo.

I roll my eyes. "I'm not jealous you idiot."

"Uh huh, then why are you pouting?"

"Did you see that girls hand on his arm?! I knew it was too good to be true."

"You're being dramatic Kez, she's probably just a groupie. I mean your man is fine." States Rani.

"That probably didn't help Rani." Says Ana.

"He's coming this way just a heads up." Rolo points out.

All of a sudden, I get the familiar whiff of cinnamon and Sandalwood.

"You've got to stop walking away from me Brown Eyes." Abel says as he slides into the space next to me.

Behind him, Raphael and Israel follow suit.

Instead of answering him, I focus on the menu even though I know it like the back of my hand. Real mature, I know.

"I know you don't use the menu anymore Keziah so what's wrong?" He questions.

He honestly must get tired of asking me this all the time.

I place it down on the table harshly before turning to face him. "Who was that girl?"

"The one sitting with us? Honestly, I don't even know. She just walked up to our table and sat down as if she knew us. It was-. Wait a second, are you jealous?" He asks with a smirk.

I shove him hard almost pushing him out of the booth. "No!" I exclaim. "Why would I be?"

"I think you are but I don't mind. You know why?" He says before leaning towards me. "Because it's hot."

This time, I hit him playfully on his arm while he chuckles at me. He puts his arm around my shoulders and pulls me close.

I look back at my friends to find them deep in conversation before Israel asks me a question. "So, um where is Evelyn then?"

I internally smile. "Oh, she's probably at home or with Eliza today. Why?"

"No reason." He says before looking out the window.

I focus my attention on Raphael and Ana to see them whispering to one another as if it's only them. I can so see them together.

Looking at Rolo, I see him balancing a straw on top of his lips while Rani tried to knock it off. He really does act like a child sometimes.

Raphael clears his throat to gather everyone's attention.

"So I'm having a party tonight and you guys should come. Bring Evelyn and Eliza too." He states simply.