Fvck The Haters

I was sitting at a table in Burger Bling with Lauren and I didn’t know what to say, it seemed like I’d blown it.

“So that was intense.” Lauren said, her smile breaking the tension.

I laughed nervously and popped a chicken nugget in my mouth. “He’s always had it in for Jake.”

“Really?” She pretended to be astonished. “I thought they were besties!” She laughed.

Her laughter put me at ease. I smiled and brushed my fringe away from my face.

“Ow.” Lauren said. “What happened to your face?” She asked.

“Uh.” I covered the lump on my forehead with my hair again.

She reached across the table and brushed my hair aside, running her thumb along the edges of my bruise and biting her lip. “Looks painful.”

“Ashley and I fought at school.” I admitted.

She smiled and sat back in her chair. “Well you got him back!” She raised her eyebrows in excitement. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him look scared before tonight.”

I smiled and laughed quietly but I felt guilty as hell. “I’m not really a fighter.” I sighed, my face flushing hot with embarrassment as I looked into her eyes.

Jake and Hannah sat at the table next to us and I remembered I was supposed to look mysterious. I still felt like I’d blown my chance with Lauren.

We didn’t really talk, Jake and Hannah lead the conversation with movies and gaming while Lauren and I shrugged and nodded along. Our eyes met shyly a few times and I accidentally rubbed my shoe along hers under the table once.

An hour later we ran out of things to say. When Jake and Hannah got up to leave I knew it was now or never. “Would you, uh, wanna go out some time?” I asked quietly.

Notes