That's Just the Beginning

Chapter 5

“Hello again, Fi-Fi.” He smirked, winking at me. I glared at him, biting the inside of my mouth to hold back from screaming at him. I don’t want to be that person.

“It’s Fiona, but I wouldn’t expect you to know that, Easton.” I sneered, biting a fry. The reasoning for my sudden hatred for this guy? One day- he stares at me like a creep and the next, he’s harassing me. He pushed me over slightly and slid into the spot beside me as I cringed into the corner, but he ignored this movement.

“So Fi-Fi, are you going to introduce me to your sister?” He asked, staring at my Aunt questioningly before he glared at me for a second. That took me by surprise.

“My name is Fiona.” I stated, crossing my arms. He gave me a flat look.

“Fine, Fiona. Can you introduce me to your friend?” He asked, gritting his teeth. I turned to look at Aunt Cherry who looked amused as she sat back with a smirk on her face.

"Fine. Aunt Cherry, this is Easton, Easton, this is Aunt Cherry.” I stated, pointing to each of them with an annoyed look on my face.

“Cherry, like the fruit.” Easton stated, taking my Aunt’s hand in his own, lifting it to his lips and kissing it. I wanted to vomit but instead, held back and decided to go with the sarcastic comment.

“'Cherry, like the fruit.' No, like the cardboard box.” I mocked him, taking a bite out of my pizza as he glared at me.

“She introduced me wrong. I’m actually Adrian, Adrian Easton. And, did she say Aunt?” He asked, raising an eyebrow as he stared at my Aunt Cherry.

“Yes, I’m her Aunt. I’m 28.” My Aunt said, blinking as Adrian furrowed his eyebrows. I howled in laughter.

“How embarrassed are you right now? You hit on a 30 year old!” I choked out through gasps of air. He glared at me while my Aunt stated that she was only 28.

He took my pizza and pushed it onto my lap, so the sauce and cheese made a mess on my jeans. I stared at it, frowning deeply. My pizza…

“Your poor jeans.” He mocked.

“I don’t care about the jeans. I care about my pizza.” I said, grabbing a napkin. He looked annoyed. He obviously wasn’t satisfied with my reaction. Unlike most girls who’d burst out crying and screaming about their pair of designer jeans being ruined, I was close to tears because of my pizza.

“You don’t care about your jeans?” He asked, a flat look on his face.

“No, I don’t.” I stated, peeling the pizza off of my jeans and putting it back onto the plate. I wiped hastily at the jeans with the napkin.

“You’re like a guy.” He stated. I just shrugged carelessly. I looked up at my Aunt.

"Can you please go buy me another slice of pizza?” I asked, handing her a five dollar bill. She nodded, quickly walking by Adrian.

“Why are you getting another slice of pizza? The party’s starting soon, you'll be more than fashionably late if you have to go home and change and then eat, too.” He said, looking at his phone quickly before stuffing it back into his pocket. He obviously wasn’t comfortable. He shouldn’t be! He just flipped my pizza onto my lap and then tries to make casual conversation?

“I’m not going to the party.” I hissed, my attitude evident. He looked surprised before the sides of his mouth quirked up slightly but stopped as I glared at him.

“Why not?” He asked with an eyebrow raised as he leaned casually against the wall of the booth. I gave him a flat look. He obviously didn’t need to keep talking to me. I gritted my teeth, blowing out a slow breath. He looked amused.

“I wasn’t invited.” I retorted, exhaling once more.

“Well… do you want to go?” He asked me.

I took a second to think about this. Honestly, yes I did. I wanted to undermine my parents for the longest time since I could remember, ever since they decided to make me sign up for several extracurricular activities, drop certain friends, and study for inhumane hours at a time. They want to control my life and I don’t want that. I don’t think any teenager does.

“No.” I stated simply but venomously. I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of letting him to know that I want something that I can’t have.

I didn’t want him to know that I craved acceptance, more friendships and a better social life. I wish I was athletic; I’d make friends on my sports teams. Or that I was beautiful, attractive people are popular, right? I’m guessing he saw the indecisiveness in my face as I glared at him.

“Are you sure?” He asked, smirking slightly. He was waiting for me to cave in, practically counting the seconds until I nod my head and stand up, leaving my Aunt Cherry to go home alone. But on the contrary, I glared at him.

“I said ‘No.’ Didn't your mother teach you how to take 'no' for an answer? I don’t want to go. And if I did, I sure wouldn’t go with you.” I spat. He looked surprised as he nodded once, smirk gone and he stood up straighter before nodding again and looking at me.

“Well, have fun doing whatever it is you nerds do.” He retorted, attitude as clear as mine. Instead of being offended at the term ‘nerd,’ I just rolled my eyes and focused on cleaning my jeans. Aunt Cherry came over towards me and smiled as Easton walked away.

Whatever just happened was weird, it wasn’t an argument. An argument happens between friends, not complete strangers. That was more like a battle to see where we stand now, and I’m absolutely sure that it isn’t on good terms. My Aunt was completely oblivious to the previous incident. And boy, don’t I wish I was?