Friend of a friend

Somehow, we were supposed to have our usual group hangout and I had planned to cancel honestly, because I knew my best friend wouldn’t be there either, and I wasn’t really in the mood. But I had been caught up with stuff, had to do some emergency shopping and our hangout was on the way home, so I just thought about showing up and then leaving early. I hadn’t checked my messages in the meantime, so when I showed up, I was surprised no one was there. It seemed everyone had canceled or had other plans. I wasn't really sure, but apparently I was there just by myself. Now what? Our hangout was outside, like an awkward part of the park that wasn’t well lit and not many people came by at night. Except maybe the lone dog walker that decided this route wasn’t scary. Most avoided it, because it looked shabby. So usually it was empty except for us. So, I sat down on the bench as I hadn’t really stopped to move since the afternoon, trying to get s**t done and I deserved a little rest. I was texting my best friend that I was such a fool for sitting here by myself, and laughed a little as she replied with some stupid jokes. But then, out of nowhere, a jump scare. A dark tall figure, saying “Hey”. And it was darkly lit, plus I wasn’t expecting more people. So I literally jumped off the bench and was on the ground with my heart beating out of my chest. I didn’t know that he was that one guy from our group. Well, I didn’t recognize him immediately. He watched me die from embarrassment on the ground. “What are you doing, you’re Mia, right?” He had his hands in his pockets even though I was on the f*****g ground, but okay. I got up – by myself – and sighed, trying to shake my trembling hands, cause damn, I was still recovering. “Yeah, that's me,” I replied quickly. “Oh, you're Cole, right?” By now I had properly recognized him. He just stared at me. The hell was his deal. And since I can't deal with awkward silences, I just blurted out something. “So you didn't get the message either? That everyone canceled?” “No, I got that.” He moved towards me and, a little taken aback, he smoothly went to sit on the bench. His leg on top of the other and his arms spread out, like he owned the place. I hesitated a bit, but sat down next to him. With enough distance between us. “So, why are you here?” I couldn't really help myself from sounding a bit annoyed at this point. But it was whatever. I didn't know why he was part of our friend group and I had no obligation to socialize with him. “I live nearby.” He said. Adding nothing else to that statement left me to try and cope with the awkward silence. Not my strong suit. “So. Um.. You're friends with Nick, right?” Why I asked him a question, I didn't know. I couldn't care less if he answered it or not, but at least there was no silence. He moved his head a bit as if thinking about my question. Which was absurd, because it was clearly a rhetorical question. “I guess you could say that.” His answer boiled my blood. Did he know how much this was pissing me off? “Right. Anyone else you are close to, or just Nick?” I was hoping I could just cut the conversation shut, but I somehow needed to do some socially acceptable small talk first, it seemed. “Hmm, not really. Though I used to be close to Carly.” Oh, well, that took me by surprise. The one girl I didn't like in our group. She joined just like a month ago, and she happened to be dating the one guy in our group I had a crush on. Ben and I were friends for quite a long time, but I stupidly had developed feelings for him. And then one night, just before *she* joined, we had a bit too much to drink and made out on the couch when the rest were already sleeping. God, it was so good. We were cuddling and teasing each other like usual and out of nowhere I somehow said something like I was wondering what kinda kisser everyone was. Making a joke that Josh was probably sloppy and slippery and Megan probably too tense and keeping her mouth shut. We laughed and had some other ideas about the rest, and then we thought about what kinda kisser we were. And the atmosphere just changed, you know. We were still close to each other. I was practically in his lap already and he just sorta teased like, come and find out. I didn't hesitate, even though I was so f*****g nervous. I moved in before he could say he was just joking and just put my lips on his, kissing him softly. Then, feeling his lips parting a bit, I slid my tongue in, and I felt his tangling together with mine. His hand moved on my thigh, gripping it and I arched my back. God, I wanted this so badly. After a bit, I almost ran out of breath. I leaned back to tease him, but also to see his reaction. Watching him, he was smiling, and I was thinking, this is it. “Didn't think you'd go for it,” he said. And a little voice in my head wondered if he'd known all along I had a crush on him. But so what, I thought. Maybe it was time to be bold and do what I wanted for so long. “I can do more,” I teased. Hoping he'd say yes. But there was a pause, and it was just a little too long for this game I thought we were playing. I bit my lip a bit, both in frustration and as a way to indicate I wanted more. He didn't take the bait. Instead, he looked at his phone and said he needed to make a call. He left. And I felt f*****g stupid. We didn't talk anymore that night, and I was just confused and didn't know what to make of it. Then a few days later, we got to meet Carly. Ben’s new girlfriend. I hadn't told anyone about what happened between me and Ben, because I was ashamed somehow. Because if he already knew I liked him, he let me kiss him even though he may or may not have already had a new girlfriend. Did he not even consider it cheating, because it was just me? Like he didn't even think I was worthy enough to consider it cheating? Though maybe they weren't in a relationship yet, but after kissing me, he knew for sure he didn't like me? f**k, whatever it was, I felt shitty. “Carly huh? Interesting." I muttered. I looked up just trying to refrain from giving anything away. “How do you know her?” “Well, we dated.” He said matter-of-factly. I didn't know this. They never spoke. I mean, he never seemed to speak to anyone but Nick. But had they been a thing? He must have been able to read my surprise from my face because he smirked at me. “You don't like her.” He stated. He wasn't wrong. But how did he know? “How-” he cut me off before I could finish. “You always have that fake smile when she tells a joke. Like it almost physically hurts you when she does that. It's fun to watch. Though I don't see why you try to hide it, since she makes lousy jokes.” He was watching me now, full stare, and I felt a bit exposed. I didn't know he had been watching me, he had always seemed unbothered by everyone. For a bit, I felt my heartbeat speed up and now that I took a good look at him, well… he was handsome. Tall, short dark black hair, nice brows and light brown piercing eyes. Full lips too. They looked good with a smirk. “You've been watching me?” I said carefully. Not really knowing where I wanted this conversation to go. “Maybe” he tilted his hand when he said it. How about you stop with the mystery Cole, so frustrating. I rolled my eyes. I wanted to retort something, but I felt a cold drop landing on my face. And then a few more. s**t, it was starting to rain. I had my bags and everything from the shopping and a small panic rose. “Ah f**k, I need this to stay dry” I stood up from the bench and was gathering my things when he took a bag from me. Surprised and almost offended, I looked up. “My place is just over there,” he pointed to a block with houses at the edge of the park. “Let's go.” He didn't even wait for me to reply but grabbed me and guided me towards his place. The door made a beeping sound as it opened and even though it had been a short sprint from the park to his place, we were drenched. It was like the sky had broken loose, just to torment me. My condition wasn't great, and I was standing with my hands on my knees. He didn't seem to have any issues at all and was quickly kicking off his shoes in the doorway. He moved along and disappeared off the corridor, leaving me by myself. Like it wasn't awkward enough that I was at his place all of a sudden. Now what? Fine, I thought, I don't know, but I guess I'm invited. I unlaced my shoes and hung up my coat and moved to follow him in the living room. I almost bumped into him, and he stood just around the corner. Standing like that, with his wet hair, I could smell some musky and pine scent and saw a drop of water falling from his hair on his white shirt. He pushed a towel towards me. “You can shower first, I'll go after.” Shower? At his place? Wait a minute… I opened my mouth to say I wouldn't need to, but he cut me off. “Or do you want to go together?”