Angel wings

Chapter thirteen - I want hot chocolate

Melanie's POV:

I had dinner at Jordan's house. I didn't know he could cook that well. The food was delicious. Since he lives alone, I'm sure he has learned some things. I can cook only simple things. He can give me some lessons. Apart from the joke, he is good. Probably, this is not the only talent he has. I'm sure he has what to impress me. It's not like I want this. I thought we would've been at a restaurant. That is the last thing I expected. I won't lie that I enjoyed his house. I can see what he likes through the way he decorated everything. If you walk to my room, you can see the same. One day, he will have the chance. The thing is that I don't know when this will happen. If I present him to my friends and family, they will ask how we met. Then, I have to think of an excuse. I'm still not ready for this. Look at how much time it took me to tell Jordan the truth. I'm happy that nothing has changed. That's why we still see each other often. This is more than enough for me. Since then, I feel like he has been looking at me differently. It's only a tattoo. We don't look alike that much. At least, that is what I think. It's not a lie that there were too many coincidences. We got it at the same time and place. It's still weird, but I'm getting used to it. As I see, he did it, too. I caught him staring at my hand. It's winter. I won't pull my sleeves. Well, I was doing the same with him. Maybe we have some similarities. It's better if I don't think about this. We are only friends. I hope that we can keep it only to this level.

I wonder when the winter will come to an end. Every day, it's getting colder. I barely go out. That's why I have been texting Jordan. His workplace is not close to my house. If I'm not freezing, I go there. The walk from the school is not easy. I don't know how Natalie loves it. Well, everyone has their favorite season. I haven't talked with the girls. I mean, not for a long time. All of us were busy with something. Maybe this week we can have some time for each other.

Currently, I am in class. At least it's warm here. All I can think about is hot chocolate. Why does the school doesn't offer it? I would love to have one for lunch. Jordan makes it perfectly. This boy is gifted. That's all I can say. When the class finished, I went to my locker. Soon, the girls came too. They look as if they haven't slept all night. I'm not sure if I want to know the story. I better not ask. I don't need to know what they do all the time.

- I want hot chocolate. - I said

- What? Why? - Katy asked

- Because I'm cold.

- The school is warm enough.

- But outside isn't. I wish we had it for lunch.

- That would've been great. - Natalie said

- I'm sure you can survive without it. Also, you can make it at home. - Chelsea said

- I know, but I finished the cocoa powder. - I said

- Go and get one.

- Do you know how cold it is outside?

- So? You won't freeze.

- Why are you in such a mood? I haven't seen you like that in a while. - Natalie said

- I had a terrible night.

- Less sleep.

- And loud noises.

- I see.

- We have new neighbors. Their kid had a party last night. The parents are still in the old house. I believe he will have parties every day until they come.

- How old is he?

- Nineteen.

- That is not a kid.

- Whatever. I still hate him. I went to his house last night, but he didn't hear the bell. i***t.

- Maybe you can try during the day.

- I don't know when he will come home. I won't stalk him.

- If he is in high school, I'm sure that around 3 pm, he will be at home. That is, except if he doesn't go somewhere else after school.

- I don't know, and I don't care.

- Why do I think she will fall for him? - I asked

- I will say that you are not right.

- If you say so.

On the lunch break, the girls and I went for food. I took mashed potatoes with two meatballs. It's not cold here, but I still prefer being at home. While I was eating, I received a message from Jordan. Please don't tell me he wants us to go out. All I want is to stay under the covers all day. I pulled out my phone and read it.

Hey, how are you today?

I'm fine, thanks. You?

Good. If you come, I will make you hot chocolate ;)

Thanks, but I can't. It's too cold.

So? Will you let this to stop you?

Your shop is far away from home.

It's warm inside. Think about it.

Fine. I will see if I will come.

Good. Have a good class.

Thanks.

After school, I decided to go for hot chocolate. Let's say that I wanted to drink one. I took Natalie with me. No one else wanted to come. I'm sure that Jordan won't say anything in front of her. It's not like she is a terrible person. The one who should tell the truth is me, not him. That will happen when I am ready. As I see it, it won't be soon. Soon, we arrived. I saw Cassie at the cash register. She winked at me and went to the staff room. I already know what will happen. He came covered in powder. I didn't say anything and only chuckled. Jordan looked at me, confused.

- What?

- Nothing.

- Come on.

- You are covered in powder.

- I know. There was an accident.

- Are you ok?

- Yes, I'm fine. Nothing happened.

- Good.

- What can I make for you?

- I want hot chocolate. Make them two.

- I believe this one is not for me.

- Well, if you want, you can join us. I prefer to drink it here. Until I go home, my drink will be frozen.

- True.

- Natalie, if you want, you can get something else.

- No, thanks.

- Here you go, ladies.

- Thank you. This is your tip.

- I earn a lot of money from you.

- You deserve it. Won't you sit with us?

- I need five minutes.

- Hey, man. Please, make me a quick latte.

- What? What is a quick latte?

- Make the drink quickly. I don't have much time.

- Why are you so busy?

- I have classes.

- Something happened.

- I don't want to talk now. Are you ready?

- Give me a second. Here you go.

- Natalie? Hey, are you ok? What are you looking at?

That's when I saw it. Jordan has told me that one of his friends asked for her. Now I think she will ask for him. They will look cute together. The girl couldn't make it more obvious. She had luck that he was in a rush. I looked at Jordan, and he chuckled.

- He is gone. You can stop staring.

- What?

- This is Jordan's best friend. I'm sure he is single.

- So what?

- Love is in the air.

- I have no idea what you are talking about. - Natalie said, pretending to be offended

- His name is Noah, and he is single. I can give you his number if you want. - Jordan said

- Why would I need it?

- Because you couldn't stop staring at him. By the way, he has already asked me for you.

- Really? When?

- One day, we saw you two outside.

- And?

- Nothing. He only wanted to know your name and if you were single. Well, that was some time ago. I can't tell you if he is still interested. I can always ask him.

- There is no need to. I don't like him.

- For sure, you don't. You can admit it. I won't tell anyone. I promise.

- You can trust me.

- For how long do you know each other? You haven't told me about him.

- It's a long story. - I said

- Is it one of the things that you can't tell me?

- Yes.

- I won't tell the girls. You know that.

- I do. The thing is that I can't tell you anything. I'm sorry.

- Sure.

- Don't get mad.

- I'm not mad but offended. I thought you trusted me.

- I trust you.

- It doesn't look like that.

I don't know why she is acting like this. I have told many times that when the right moment comes, I will tell them everything. It looks like she doesn't believe me. The thing is that I don't want to lose her. She is the closest friend I have. Natalie drank her hot chocolate and left. I could've followed her, but I didn't. I will give her some time. Instead, I ordered another cup and took out my books. I can do my schoolwork here. I don't want to go outside yet.

- Do you need help? - Jordan asked

- Thanks, but I finished.

- Great. Another hot chocolate?

- Do you know how much money I have to pay you? I already drank three.

- I will take your money only for the first one.

- What? Why?

- The others are from me. - he said and winked at me

- Thanks, but I can't accept it. I should pay for them. Let me check how much I have.

- Nothing. I don't want your money.

- Are you sure? I feel bad.

- It's ok. I'll take care of it. You can go home now. Well, if you want.

- I should.

- But you don't want to?

- It's cold outside, and I don't want to move. I got warm here.

- You can stay until we close.

- I know.

- I can come with you if this will make you feel better.

- Really? Will you do it?

- Yes, why not? One walk will be good for me.

- Thank you.

- Well, you still have to wait like an hour.

- You know what?

- What?

- I will take another hot chocolate.

- It's coming on the way.

- I don't know how you make them, but they are delicious. Mine don't taste like that.

- I can teach you how to make them.

- Can I make this one?

- Sure. Come here.

- What do I have to do?

- Here are your ingredients.

- So I put milk and cocoa powder.

- Yes. Usually, I put one coffee spoon of cocoa powder.

- Ok, here it is. Now what?

- Now it's time for my secret ingredient.

- Which is?

- One pack of vanilla.

- That's why it tastes different. I never thought of that.

- Every day, we learn something new.

- That is true.

- Now we blend it.

- Done.

- Here is your cup. You can pour it and drink it.

- Can I add whipped cream?

- Are you sure this will taste good?

- I will put a little bit. Please.

- Here you go.

- Thanks.

The whipped cream was a mistake. Luckily, I didn't put that much. I love it on top of drinks but on this one. I waited for Jordan to finish his work for the day. Cassie locked the shop today. She will open it tomorrow. I could go for a walk with him. Well, if it hadn't been that cold. This will be another day. He left me in front of my house and left.

- I'm home.

- Good for you. Dinner is ready. - my mom said

- It looks delicious.

- Come and sit.

- I won't wait for a second call.

- Can I know where you have been? You don't like being outside when it's cold. - my dad said

- I was at a coffee shop. I wanted hot chocolate. There, they make it perfect. Then, I decided to stay and do my schoolwork. I didn't want to go outside yet.

- At least you were in a warm place.

- Yes, I was. The workers were good.

- Maybe we need to go there as well. - my mom said

- You can, but it's not close to the house or your offices.

- I didn't say it will be tomorrow. Also, we have a car.

- The privilege.

- Hey, your dad and I asked you about this.

- I know. I don't need one.

- One day, you will change your mind.

I talked with my parents for the whole dinner. Later, I walked into my room. I spent there the rest of the night. Jordan texted me after some time. He wanted to know if I was cold. I'm at home now. We keep it warm here. Well, I appreciate that he cares about me. I never met a boy who had done it before. It feels nice. We are only friends. I need to keep reminding myself. Nothing will happen. For some reason, I feel like it's not true. Maybe I am wrong. I know things will change even if I don't want them to. All of this is not a coincidence. I hope that I won't be disappointed.