Chapter Two: The Diner
(Mel POV)
I made it to lunch without any warnings, or detentions, I was even early to my second class which surprised some of my classmates who only know me as the truant I was last year. A step in the right direction at least.
I sat outside of the main school entrance untill Wanda joined me. We made our way over to our normal diner for lunch, it was right across the street from school which meant it was always crowded around this time, but worth it for one simple reason...
'Hey guys, your usual booth?' Jared saw us as soon as we walked through the door, his smile lit up the room as we walked towards him.
'Hi, that'd be great' my voice was shaky, it had been a while since I had come into the diner, I hadn't seen Jared for nearly 2 months.
He flashed me one of his amazing smiles that I like to think he reserves for me and that was all it took for my feelings for him came rushing back to the surface, leaving my head fuzzy as a result.
Out of the corner of my eye I could see Wanda trying to hold back a laugh, as soon as Jared turned his back to lead us to the booth I poked her in the ribs and motioned with my finger to shut up.
'When are you going to get the courage to tell him how you feel?' Wanda whispered to me as we shuffled into the worn leather booth, our books piling up on the table for our next classes. I didn't answer, but my face gave me away as I felt the blood rising to my cheeks. I get so like Wanda when i'm around Jared, always blushing at the slightest conversation that involved him.
Wanda broke out into a giggle fit just as Jared returned to the table with our two usual iced teas. 'so what's so funny?' he asked as he noticed Wanda's insane giggling, which only made me blush harder.
'Oh nothing, I think my cousin is just going crazy, first day back at school and all, I think all this work is finally getting to her' motioning to the mountain of books on her side of the table. That shut her up, Wanda always gets defensive about the amount of work she puts on herself. 'Hey! I'm fine thank you very much, it's you thats crazy... about someone anyway...' ! did she actually just say that?! I stared at her in horror, wondering if Jared had caught on or whether she'd said it quietly enough for him to not have heard.
I looked at Jared quickly and realised he was smirking, his brown eyes twinkling, he glanced over at me and I could see a faint blush to his tanned cheeks. He quickly recovered and went to get our usual lunch order, we've all been friends since our first time in here when we started school and we've always had the same order.
I must have looked like a beetroot I was that red, I turned with a scowl on my face to Wanda who was fit to burst with a new round of giggles. She held up her hands innocently, 'don't kill me! I was trying to help! did you see the way Jared looked when he thought I was talking about him?' she had to hold her sides as her laughing started up again. 'don't be stupid Wanda, why would he like me, i'm still in highschool for gods sake!' we were only 4 years apart, not that it would matter when we're in our 30's or even 20's... ugh I need to stop thinking like this, it's not going to happen...
'you guys should stop pretending you don't like each other and just go out!' yeah, like it was that easy.
(Wanda's POV)
Mel only lets me tease her like this about Jared because she says she wants to get her own back one day when I like someone, well she's got a long wait for that one. At the moment I just enjoy someone else blushing and being shy for a change.
I like Jared, and think he's perfect for Mel. Whenever I catch him looking at Mel from across the diner it's clear how he feels, if only one of them actually made a move...
As he came back with our meals I had an idea, I smiled at Mel as sweetly as I could, I know she'll seriously kill me for this later.
'Jared? Mel and I are thinking of going out this friday, ya'know to celebrate surviving our first week back, do you wanna join? We've haven't hung out in ages outside of here.' I gave him my innocent puppy-eyed look, knowing he wouldn't refuse.
'Sure, that's sounds like fun' success! 'aaahh, I have one problem though, I'm supposed to be hanging with my friend but if he can come too..?'
Mel, looking slightly panicked blurted 'Yeah bring him too it'd be cool to hang out with you. I mean for all of us to hang out. Together.' Smooth Mel.
Jared nodded, maintaining eye contact with Mel he answered as if they were the only two in the room, 'Great, shall we swing round yours say 7?' I felt like I should leave them alone the way they were staring at each other like that. 'Sounds great' I interjected, breaking them from their bubble. Jared smiled at us as he walked away to bus a table.
With my mission complete, I sat back with a smile and enjoyed the rest of our lunch period. Mel seemed so happy at the prospect of spending some quality time with Jared that she forgot I totally set her up. Maybe if I can distract whoever Jared's friend is then they can get the alone time they've wanted since they met.