A/N: Hey guys, I finally get to update thanks to Winter Break! But I terribly hate the cold ._. I'm more of the summer/spring type of person, what about you guys?

Well anywho, I felt like this chapter wasn't really good or anything. I just didn't feel it while writing this chapter, but I had to put this chapter in the story to make the plot of the story grow.

Anyway here is the next chapter. Hope you enjoy!


"I freaking swear, I'm really craving for Starbucks right now," Gary hastily walked in front of Penelope and me, taking quick glances over his shoulder to see if we were still behind him, which we still were.

"Oh for crying out loud Gary, shut up!" Penelope shot back instantly, shoving both of her hands in the pockets of her jacket. Penelope wasn't a morning person compared to Gary and me as you can see. She said it was something about waking up to the cold and it wasn't pleasant enough to start off her day. Or something like that. But it was cold this 10 A.M. morning. We were all dressed in sweats, plain shirts, and you can say we just woke up.

"Whoa, Penelope. Calm down. Maybe a cup of Starbucks will calm you down," I gently said, hooking my arm through her arm.

Penelope shrugged and muttered a, "I guess" and we continued to catch up with Gary who was impatiently waiting for us near the entrance door of Starbucks. Gary is really an impatient man, he needs to get a cup of Starbucks to calm him down too.

Once Penelope and I made it to where Gary was, he let out a sigh and said, "Finally! You two are the most slowest walkers you know that?"

I shot Gary a quick warning look to stop him from saying anything else that would make Penelope even more mad, which he immediately noticed and took a step towards Penelope who was looking down and was trying to look interested at her worn out shoes.

Gary pouted his lips, "Penelope my dearest best friend, I'm sorry doll. I didn't mean to drag you all the way over here. I know you're not a morning person and all. So, I'm sorry. Will you please forgive me? Because I swear, I don't want you mad at me."

Penelope looked up and gently smiled, "Of course I'll forgive you Gary. I know I can be a little moody in the morning, but hey that's me. Take it or leave it."

They both laughed and pulled each other into a hug, making me smile.

"Aw, now isn't that cute?" I happily exclaimed, making both of them turn and look at me with a, are-you-serious-kind of look. I just shrugged and continued to smile, pulling them both by the arms and into Starbucks. Once we stepped into Starbucks, we were welcomed with warmth surrounding us compared to the cold outside and the smell of coffee being made. We immediately took our place in line, since there were only about three people in line and we knew that there would be more people pouring into Starbucks, making the line more longer.

Gary, who was in front of us, turned to us and asked, "What are you girls getting? I'm paying."

"Um, get me a strawberry frappuccino. Make sure they put a lot of creme," I said. Gary nodded and turned to Penelope who was looking at the menu on the wall where the busy Starbucks workers were getting people's orders.

"Get me a green tea frappuccino," Penelope said.

Gary looked puzzled and asked, "Don't you girls want I don't know, a hot drink instead of a cold one?"

Penelope and I looked at each other for moment, looked back at Gary, and both of us said, "Nope."

Gary rolled his eyes and pointed a finger towards us, "Alright then! But none of you are getting a sip of my hot drink. I know both of you, you both like to finish my drink. But this time it won't happen so you both better not drink my drink."

"Cool with me," I stated and sweetly smiled.

"Cool with me too," Penelope said as well and sweetly smiled too.

"Uh-huh," Gary trailed off and reluctantly turned back to the line.

"Let's go find a table Shai," Penelope pulled my arm and quickly dragged me to an empty wooden table near the door and with luckily, three chairs. Penelope and I took quickly took our seats and we both placed one foot on the vacant chair, making sure nobody would take the chair and claim it as their own, since you know Starbucks can get a little crowded.

"So, guess what?" I placed both of my elbows on the table and placed both of my hands under my chin, smiling at Penelope.

Her eyes narrowed at me and slowly said, "What?"

"I got you a date with someone!" I sang, swaying my head from side to side in excitement.

Penelope immediately smiled and took my hands in her hands, squeezing it real hard.

"Really? Oh my gosh! Who?" She questioned, making me almost see hearts in her eyes.

"Taylor's best friend," I simply said. Penelope is always looking for love. Always the one who dreams big to have a family, a great career, and a great husband. I just hope Taylor's best friend will fulfill her dreams.

"Are you serious? Taylor's freaking best friend? Is it cute? Hot? Tell me!" she whined loudly, making the some customers look over at us with curiosity in their eyes.

I sighed at them, "Will you keep your voice low?"

Penelope cringed and lowered her voice, "Sorry, you just made me so darn excited."

I shrugged and said, "It's okay. Well, yes I'm serious. Yes, it's Taylor's freaking best friend. No, I don't know if he's cute or hot." Penelope's smile faded away and frowned. "But, we shall find out when we go on the double date tomorrow night."

"Tomorrow night?" Penelope squeezed my hand even tighter, making it hurt. I pulled both of my hands away from her firm grasp and nodded.

"Yes!" Penelope exclaimed, now making everyone in Starbucks look at us. I turned red in embarrassment and turned away from them.

"Hey, what's with the loud voices here?" Gary suddenly said, coming out of nowhere with three drink in his hands. Penelope and I both took off our feet on the vacant chair now that Gary was here. He placed my strawberry frappuccino in front of me and placed Penelope's green tea frappuccino in front of her. He gently placed his hot espresso on the table and took his seat. I grabbed my drink and took a long sip of the strawberry frappuccino, tasting the icy sensation of it.

I waved my hand away in the air and said, "Oh nothing. Just that Penelope and I are going on a double date tomorrow with Taylor and Taylor's best friend."

Gary's mouth hung open in shock and made his eyes go big, "No kidding?"

"No kidding," I answered.

Gary blew on his coffee and took a small sip before putting his cup down and said, "So no date for me?"

"Well, actually no. But! I will ask Taylor if he has a friend who's gay," I assured.

Gary squinted his eyes at me and warned, "You better or else..."

I laughed and took a long sip of my drink again.

"So, what else did Taylor say about tomorrow night?" Penelope asked, mixing her frappuccino with the creme with her straw.

"Well, he texted me last night and said that they'll be meeting us at this one Ice Cream Shop at six. He's going to text me address later," I answered. Penelope nodded and smiled to herself.

"Ooh! Penelope's got a date tomorrow!" Gary randomly teased, gently pushing Penelope's shoulder.

Penelope laughed and said, "Shut up."

I laughed and directed my attention back to Gary, "Hey Gary, don't worry. I'll find a date for you really soon."

He laughed and said, "I know doll. Don't worry about me, I'm like a ninja at finding cute guys."

We all laughed and took another drink of our satisfying drinks.


"Now that was some satisfying drink!" I pointed to my now empty cup on the table making Gary and Penelope laugh.

Penelope examined her hand and frowned, "But now I need some tissues. My hands have some creme on it."

"Penelope dear, you know what you should do? Lick it, duh!" Gary laughed.

"No! That just makes me look like a little kid," Penelope exclaimed. She looked at me and asked, "Can you get me some tissues Shai since Gary over here is telling to lick the creme off."

I laughed and nodded, "Sure thing."

I got up from my seat and I was about to walk towards where the tissues were at when I was suddenly pushed back by someone. I then suddenly felt something cold seeping through my shirt. I gasped and looked down to see that my white shirt was indeed covered with iced cafe latte. Why did I have to wear white today? I looked up from my shirt and to Gary and Penelope who both looked shocked. I then turn my direction to whoever spill their drink on me. I then came face to face with a guy about my age who had black spiky hair and brown colored eyes. He had a piercing on his right ear and you could tell from his clothes that he had the player look with his black jeans, dark blue checkered polo shirt that wasn't button but he had a white shirt underneath, and worn out shoes.

"My bad," the guy said and smirked.

"That's all you're going to say? My bad?" I asked, not believing this. What a rude and indecent jerk? What is with guys who are always putting me in a bad situation?

"Uh yeah," he said as it was obvious.

"Well why don't you give her a tissue or something? You know, be a gentlemen or something?" Penelope spoke up. The guy glanced at Penelope, shrugged, and walked get some tissues for me. Once he returned, he placed the tissues in my hand.

"Here," he said.

I rolled my eyes and sighed, "Thanks."

I started wiping my now ruined shirt and continued to wipe it until there was no use. I guess we'll just have to go home and change. Gary then suddenly faked a coughed next to me, which I then turned my head to him and gave him a look of confusion. He pointed his finger to the right. I looked to what direction he was pointing to and I then realized what Gary was trying to tell me. The guy who spilled his drink on me was still standing there in front of me, but this time he was looking me over.

"What are you still doing here?" I rudely asked.

He smirked and laughed, "You know, you're pretty cute."

I could feel my face turning red since I wasn't use to getting compliments about my looks. I cleared my throat and raised an eyebrow, "Oh really? Is that why you spilled your drink on me so you can get my attention?"

He shrugged and plainly said, "Maybe. Maybe not."

I looked at my Gary and Penelope and mouthed to them, "What the hell?"

They both shrugged.

"Anyway. I'm sorry for spilling my drink on you, but to make it up, my name's Austin," Austin introduced himself, extending his hand towards me to shake his hand.

I glared at his hand until he finally realized I wasn't going to touch nor shake his hand. Hell no. He then pulled his hand back and shoved both of his hands in his jean pockets and looked down at me with a smile on his face.

"Okay then, what's your name?" Austin asked.

I shrugged and laughed, "Hah, like I'm going to tell you my-"

"Her name's Shailene," Gary suddenly said.

"Gary!" Penelope and I both exclaimed at the same time.

"Sorry, but he is cute," Gary explained, raising both of his hands in front of him in case I was going to hit him, which I am going to do when this Austin guy leaves me alone.

Austin snorted, "Shailene huh? That's a really cute name. Well, Shailene. How about you and me go on a date tonight?"

I smiled sweetly at him and said, "No thanks. I have a boyfriend"

He frowned and said, "So? Then how about your number?"

"I am not giving you my number!" I raised my voice, becoming angry with this guy. But the thing that ticked me off even more was that he just smirked at me.

"Come on Gary and Penelope, we're leaving," I sighed in frustration and grabbed my empty cup. I then moved away from Austin and made my way towards the trash bin near the door. I threw my cup and pushed open the door that would lead me out of here, away from that guy. I quickly stepped out of Starbucks, turned to the left, and started making me way to the condo which was only three blocks away.

After walking ten steps, Penelope caught up with me and grabbed me by the shoulder, making me stop walking.

"Hey Shai, calm down. That Austin guy was just a jerk, don't mind him," Penelope assured.

I breathed out and sighed, "I know. It's just guys these days. They're all jerks."

"Except for Taylor," she said with a smile.

I smiled and nodded, "Except Taylor."

I then noticed Gary wasn't anywhere in plain sight. I turned around to look around my surroundings, but still no sign of Gary. Where could he have gone, I thought. I scratched my head and sighed.

"Um, where's Gary?" I asked.

Penelope then looked around her surroundings and shrugged, "No idea. I thought he was behind me the whole time. Oh wait, there he is!"

She pointed to where Gary was, who was running up to us and he looked kind of guilty. I wonder why...

"Where'd you go?" I asked.

"Please don't get mad at me when I tell you. Please?" He looked worried, tense, and guilty all thrown together. I slowly nodded and Gary was about to explain his whole disappearance when my phone vibrated in my pocket. I held up a finger to tell Gary to wait a moment. I checked my phone to see that I had a new text message from an unknown number. I hesitantly clicked the open button and the message read:

Lookie here, I got your number. Tell you friend, Gary I said thanks for giving me your number.
Hope you don't get too mad at him (;

I gripped my phone tightly and closed the text. I looked up at Gary and shook my head.

"You did not just give Austin my number!" I shouted, anger boiling inside of me.

"You did what Gary?" Penelope gasped from beside me with her eyes wide.

He frowned and stepped towards me, "I'm so sorry Shai. But I totally forgot you were with Taylor and that Austin guy was so cute. So I couldn't miss the opportunity of a cute guy getting your number. But honestly Shai, I totally forgot you're with Taylor. I am so sorry!"

I sighed and nodded, "Okay, I forgive you. It's not like I can do anything since Austin already has my number. But please Gary, remember that I am with Taylor. Please."

He nodded and opened his arms, "Best friends?"

I smiled a little and stepped into his arms, "Practically siblings."

"Aw, group hug!" Penelope exclaimed, getting on with the group hug and squeezing us all together.

We laughed and sighed in happiness. But deep down, I had a gut feeling that something was going to happen. A bad thing actually. I don't know, but there's just something off about Austin. To be honest, he is cute. But there really is just something off.


Like I said, I wasn't really feeling this chapter at all. I guess I was having writer's block or I just honestly wasn't feeling this chapter. As I said earlier, this chapter was needed to make the plot grow. BUT, the next chapter will be a good one. I know this chapter didn't involve Taylor in it, but for sure the next chapter will have Taylor in it.

You know the drill, REVIEW & SUBSCRIBE. Please and thank you (:

I would really like to know your thoughts.