I'm back. For now at least. I had enough time to write and post up this chapter before leaving again. It won't be as long as my last one though(only about a week). Really enjoyed typing this chapter, even if it's not exactly what I had in mind haha, regardless,
enjoy it :)I don't own Ib, everything Ib related belongs to Kouri. I only own my OC's.
*SOUND EFFECTS*
'Thoughts/Writing'
"Speech"
~o~time change
Chapter 14
"And this is the school duck pond, our last stop. It's usually just used as a recreation area." Eve said tiredly. Just as she finished, two objects zoomed by her heading towards the dock, on the other side of the pond.
"C'mon Garry! If we hurry, we can feed some of the ducks!" Oliver called. Eve sighed deeply. Following two energetic boys (one more than the other) around such a large campus was not an easy task. From the beginning, the two had become thrilled and insisted on running around to inspect the smallest things.
"Over here! There's a rabbit hole."
"Did you see that colorful bird? Let's see if we can find it!"
"Hurry Ib! I want to see if we can find that chipmunk."
"Want to see all the coins in the fountain? There's coins from years ago!"
~~~o~~~
Upon reaching the dock, Eve walked towards one of the closest benches she could find, and plopped down. She then pulled out her phone to check the time. 5:56. She had spent over an hour and a half showing (mostly following) the two around the campus. She turned her head towards the two. They were at the edge of the pond, Oliver pointing excitedly at something. They were perhaps inspecting the tadpoles. As if sensing her gaze, Garret turned. Upon seeing her, he smiled brightly and gave a small wave before Oliver took his attention once more.
She continued to watch them until she felt a small vibration in her hands. Emily had texted.
'So how's it going? Anything romantic happen yet?'
'Oliver's been leading the group more than I have. And no, I don't exactly see Garret that way…'
'Sure you don't…and that seems fun'
'More tiring than fun…'
'Why don't you try joining them?'
'Don't want to interrupt'
'You should. After all, this was supposed to be your date'
'Definitely won't now…and it's not a date'
'C'mon Ib, you never know. He could be interested…'
'More like playful'
'Interesting, ttyl, break's over. Just try to have some fun. :)'
Just as she finished reading the text, Eve felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned to see Garret.
"Might if I take a seat? You're not the only one who's tired from constantly running around the entire campus."
"By all means." Eve moved over just as he took a seat. She looked around for Oliver and found him at the end of the dock watching the ducks and geese.
"Thanks. Quite an energetic sibling you've got there." Garret chuckled.
"You could say that."
He shook his head lightly. "So, if I may ask, who were you texting?"
"Emily." She replied simply.
"I thought she was busy?" Garret lifted an eyebrow.
Eve shrugged. "She was taking a break and decided to text me a bit. Hey, do you think we could leave now? It's getting pretty late."
Garret looked up towards the darkening sky. "I guess you're right." He paused. "Say Ib, are you hungry by chance? It's been quite some time since we've eaten lunch…"
At the mentioning of food, Eve's stomach began to grumble lightly. "I was fine until you mentioned food. It's fine though, I was going to eat at home anyways…"
"Now that won't do. How about I take you both to this special place I know? My treat." Garret suggested.
"Oh, no I cou-" Eve began to protest.
"Think of it as thanks for showing me around the school. And I promise you, we shan't take long."
"Ooo! Where is it? Can we go Ib? Please? I'm very hungry." Oliver had suddenly popped into the conversation.
'Weren't you just at the end of the dock 10 seconds ago? How didn't I notice you coming?' Eve thought. She looked at his pleading face and knew that an objection was futile at this point. "Okay, as long as it doesn't take too long."
Oliver's face practically glowed with happiness. "Thank you Ib!" he said as he hugged his big sister.
"It's settled then, let's head out." Garret offered his had to Eve. She nervously accepted it.
~~~o~~~
"It smells delicious!" Oliver said excitedly. Garret had brought them to a fairly remote café, the building was partially hidden by vines and tall trees. Eve was surprised she hadn't noticed it before.
"I thought you would say that. Wait until you try the treats." Garret said with a wink as a waitress walked over to them.
"Garret, is that you? Hi!" the waitress greeted Garret. Eve and Oliver blinked in surprise.
"Hello Angeline. How are you?" he replied.
"Same old. Are these you're friends? About time you brought someone with you. Is this who you're dating now? Hello there, I'm Angeline, Angie for short. I'm like a big sister to Garret. It's nice to meet you." Angie extended her hand. Eve politely shook it , as did Oliver. Angie was a busty woman, with medium-length brown hair, and eyes to match. She seemed to be at least 5 or 6 years their senior.
'Why do people assume we're da-…wait, who he's dating now? Just how many girlfriends…has he had?' Eve turned towards Garret and looked at him suspiciously. She felt a bit jealous but didn't show it.
"N-no Angie, we're not together. I'm just treating them as a thank you." Garret replied, his voice hinting embarrassment.
"I see, well I'm guessing you'll want the usual table? Right this way." Angie motioned for them to follow her.
~~~o~~~
"Don't you have to reserve the tables up here?" Eve asked.
"Usually yes, but I don't really have to worry about that." Garret replied as he held out their seats, motioning for them to sit down.
"And, why is that?"
"Perhaps because my family owns the café?" he replied.
"They do?" Eve said surprised. Oliver and Garret both gave her bewildered looks. "Did, I say something?"
"You didn't read the signs? It clearly says Mazarine Candir Confectioneries." Garret explained slowly.
Eve's face grew red. "Oh…I-I had forgotten the Mazarine family was well known for their many confectionaries and café items."
Garret chuckled. "It's , haven't I mentioned it before?" Eve shook her head. "Well, you know now. And that's all that matters."
"Even I knew Ib." Oliver said.
"When?" she asked.
"While on the tour, Garry told me his last name. And I remembered the Mazarine Con-confacshionaries?" Oliver stated, trying to sound out the word confectionaries.
"Con-fec-tion-a-ries. Good try kiddo. He put two and two together. You should have seen how excited he was." Garret smiled.
"That makes me feel better…" Eve said, still embarrassed. How could she not have known that before? She certainly had to admit his name had ringed a bell.
Garret clapped his hands together. "Well, you have the menus, choose what you'd like."
Oliver's eyes immediately skimmed through the menu, his brain making a mental list of all he wanted to order. As if sensing his intentions, Eve whispered to her younger brother, "Don't order too much or anything too heavy. I don't want you spoiling your dinner." Oliver pouted before nodding in response.
~~~o~~~
"There we go anything else you'd like?" Angie asked.
"No Angie, we're good, thanks." Garret replied.
"Alrighty then, just call if you need anything okay?" she winked before walking off.
"Well, by all means," Garret motioned for them to begin eating.
Oliver immediately dug into his banana split (made with frozen yogurt, upon Eve's request). Eve hadn't wanted much and in the end had chosen to share a plate of macaroons with Garret (upon his request) with a side of chamomile tea. Eve cautiously reached for a peach-colored macaroon and took a small bite. 'Mango flavored…it's really good.' Eve thought.
"I see you like the macaroons." Garret commented.
"They're delicious." Eve said light-heartedly.
"Good to hear. What about you Oliver?" Both turned towards the small boy.
Oliver swallowed the yogurt in his mouth before answering with a very satisfied "Very Much."
Garret turned back towards the plate of macaroons and began eating his portion, all while smiling.
"You're ecstatic." Eve noted.
"How can I not be when I'm at such a wonderful place with such a beautiful girl and her energetic younger brother?" Garret chuckled.
"Garry?" Oliver called. Garret turned towards the small boy, awaiting his next question.
"You like my sister don't you." Oliver stated frankly, a few giggles escaping his yogurt covered lips. Eve turned a bright shade of red while Garret simply blinked.
"O-Oliver!" Eve hissed. Garret turned to look at her, his face distant. He looked at her for a good while before turning back to Oliver.
"What do you think?" Garret asked. Eve's blush deepened.
"I think you do. Don't you?" Oliver replied, giggling once more.
Garret chuckled, "I'm not saying it's possible, but I'm not denying it either. It all depend on the other person."
"What do you mean?" Oliver asked, intrigued.
Before answering, he turned and looked Eve in the eyes. "It all depends, on their feelings, and whether they'd accept me or not." The table became silent after that. The two continued to maintain eye contact. And no matter how embarrassed either seemed to be, they couldn't seem to look away.
After a few seconds, Garret looked away and began chuckling. "I'm just pulling your leg. Ib and I are strictly friends. Right Ib?"
"R-right..." Eve responded nervously.
Oliver began giggling again. "You're fun Garry."
Garret simply responded, "Thanks Oliver, I try." The mood was light once again, but Eve still felt uneasy. As if someone was maliciously glaring at them from afar. She cautiously turned her head around the area, but considering they were the only group up there, there wasn't much she would find.
"Ib? Are you okay?" Oliver's voice returned Eve's focus.
"Hm? Yes I'm fine, just...surveying the area. It's really beautiful up here." she replied, giving them a fake smile. She hoped the uneasiness was nothing more than leftover embarrassment from Garret's 'confession'. But then again...
*Suspense* Where is this uneasiness coming from? It's not described well, but I promise it'll make more sense in the next chapter. :) It's not exactly one of my best works, but I just had to give you wonderful people something. Now onto out new minor character,
Angeline Roberts (24): Assistant Manager at the Mazarine Candir Cafe. She's worked there a long time, and had gotten to know the family pretty well (hence she considers herself a big sister to the Mazarine kids). Minor character, she may pop up a few times here and there later on. Maybe
That's all for now. Thanks again guys for everything (your support means a lot!). And I'm glad you're enjoying the story. Until next week! Have a smileyface ﾟωﾟ