In Summer We Started

5.

Luca

I met up with a few of my friends around the block, some distance away from my aunt's house. She wasn't home, but if she saw them, I knew how she'd react. She'd always told me that I didn't need any friends, that with the way I was, I was built to be alone, and not keep a stable relationship. I never believed that. My friends liked me the way I was, and oftentimes, we hung out. But, it wasn't in a coffee shop, or any for that matter, I just wanted another chance to get to see her again. Although she was proud and went around judging people as if she owned the town when she was only new, I still wanted to have a glimpse of those bulgy green eyes. So, when I suggested to my friends that we head over to the coffee shop, they eyed me warily.

"Come on," I shrugged, trying to play it off. "It's not like either of you haven't gone there to get a cake or two before. Besides, their sweets are great."

"Yeah," one of my friends agreed. "You're right." They'd each come with their own bikes except for one who had to pair with me for the ride.

"Come on, let's go!" I exclaimed, my voice tinged with excitement. I could just imagine the look on her face when she saw me another time. She'd probably be shocked. The wounds I'd sustained from the bottle my aunt threw at me had healed nicely, and I was grateful that my friends didn't notice it. They were all high with vibes, and we kept shouting all the way to the coffee shop, the wind tousling our hair. Mine in particular was in a muse. My hair was stubborn-I'd gotten it from my mother-and it was hard to comb. Most days, I just ran my hand through it or used a gell to arrange the strands carefully. My mom used to tease me about my hair because when I was younger, I carried it out like that, but not anymore. She and my dad lost the right to the parent title when they abandoned me, leaving me in my aunt's care-an aunt who didn't love me. I was never loved.

We all laughed, slapping each other's chests when we arrived at the coffee shop, and I casually glanced around for any sign of her. She wasn't here. Maybe she didn't come to work today. Immediately we began walking to a spare table by the corner, all eyes were on us, staring, watching our every move. I guessed it was because we were rarely ever here. I couldn't remember stopping by with my friends, even though the place was pretty popular. And everyone loved the owner. We always thought we wouldn't fit in, and we didn't want to, until today. It was only after we'd taken our seats, I spotted her, discussing with the waitress who had her eyes set on me since I entered. She was easy on the eyes, and pretty, but I knew her type already. It wasn't going to take long to get her in bed, and I could if I wanted. But, I liked a good challenge, and I disliked gingerbread hair for some weird reason I didn't understand. She leaned in, discussing something with the waitress. I was too far away, but I noticed their lips moving, and throughout the time they talked, they stared right at me, as if their conversation was about me. I leaned back in my chair, joining in the discussion and laughing with my friends. Best to give them a f*****g show.

They were talking about this girl who was wasted at a birthday party last night. They'd tried to get me to come, but I couldn't go. I just wasn't feeling it. Now they talked about it, I wished I had gone. I threw my head back and laughed at the dude's description of how he'd tried to get on with the girl, but she'd spat her drink in his face.

"Guy, she wasn't kidding." And we all burst into another fit of laughter. I knew we were kind of disturbing with our noise because everywhere had gone quiet all of a sudden and it was just us. A lady left the counter where she'd made a statement, pointing at where my friends and I were seated and a minute later, she was marching to our table. Her arms crossed coldly across her chest.

"You guys are being noisy. Please, keep it low," she said, frowning. I sat back, staring at her, remembering the time when she'd scowled at him in the bakery. It seemed a long time ago now, but I couldn't forget. She'd judged me silently without giving me a chance to explain or prove myself. I didn't need to prove myself to anyone, but I didn't want her to form the wrong opinions about me as she was new. My friends quietened down, and I decided I would taunt her. Payback's a b***h! She was already leaving.

"Not so fast, babydoll. You're the girl from the bakery, right?" I asked, even though I'd confirmed that she was the one. I was taunting her, wanting for the cool and calm exterior to crack. My friends watched the scene, as quiet as a moose.

"Yeah, and so?" She lifted her chin, defiant. Feisty I see. She was a tough cookie.

"You were rude."

"No, I wasn't. You're the rude one," she shot back. "You should look at yourself in the mirror before saying stuff like that to people." My friends blew up in support of her, and I shot them a look of warning. They were supposed to be on my side. Not hers.

"Really? Cause I remember you were the one who scowled at me for having an issue with the baker. I know you're new here, but act like it, and stop forming opinions about people before you even know them." That got her to shut up. My friends cheered me on. I could see the lines cracking on her face, her mouth was pressed firmly in a thin line. She shook her head, and stalked off, annoyed at my outburst. Her small bum shakes as she walks away.

"Man, that was some smack down. A toast to that, maybe?"

I looked at my friend, raising an eyebrow. "We would if we had a drink." He signaled to her for the menu, but she delayed in bringing it, looking around for someone. She didn't find the person, and brought it over herself, her feet tapping on the floor as she waited for our order. All the while, I studied her, and even after she'd come with our food and left, I didn't take my eyes off her. Watching her do her thing.

"Um, since we don't have champagne. Shall we all raise our coffee cups for a toast? To more fun moments?" They all laughed and clinked their paper cups together. I sipped from my creamy coffee, eyeing her. Her back was to me and she didn't notice because she was wiping down the counter with a wet towel. I could feel my friends, staring at me, whispering amongst themselves. They were going to ask me questions, I knew and had to be prepared for it. As soon as we were on our way out, they began hounding me about my interest in the girl, and I hushed telling them to keep it down till we were outside. But, they were too eager so I had to spill.

"No. Chill. I'm not interested in her in that way. I meet her before at this bakery. Because she's new, she thinks she's hot and all that, but she's no better than the rest." I went on to narrate my incident at the bakery, and how she must have summed me up as rude, cringing when I mentioned the part about burning the building down. I'd been so pissed.

"Still, she's hot. And she seems like a fresh experience from the normal town girls we're used to. I wouldn't mind knowing her more if I were you," one of my friends said, and I whipped my head to stare at him.

"Hell, naw. She's not my type. I wouldn't mind smashing her though if she's up for it. Also, I'd love to reduce that ego of hers." Truthfully, I half meant it. Because I hadn't thought of her in any way apart from the annoying snobby girl who thought she was better than everyone. But after I said what I said, I toyed with the idea of smashing her. I'd really like a good challenge, and she proved as one. I could get her into my trap, make her swoon, and then she'd see that she was no better than him in any way. She'd always be the new girl who no one wanted to be with. My friends laughed about it, moving ahead of me, and talking as they went. They'd moved on to something else-another hot topic. I followed closely behind them, but before I left, I glanced at her again, this time winking at her. She responded with a small shake of her head, flipping her middle finger.

I smirked. Gotcha!