We decide to take my car since we're always having Tyler drive us around and using all his gas, so I get behind the wheel for a change. After just a few minutes drive we park outside Frenchy's, a local retro-style diner that serves the best burgers in town. The neon sign on the roof and the fluorescent lights coming from inside shine brightly as we get out of the car and head in.
We sit at our usual table, a booth on the far end next to the window and we don't even look at our menus, already having our orders memorized. When the waitress comes Tyler shushes Syd and I before we can speak. "Okay so this one right here will be having the 'big Elvis' with extra cheese, extra fries and a regular coke," he says pointing at me, "This lovely lady will take the 'Doris Day' with no mayo and a cherry coke," he points to Syd, "And I will have the 'Barry White' with a side of onion rings and a vanilla milkshake if you'd be so kind," he flashes the waitress his charming, white-toothed smile and she jots our order down on her little notepad.
"Coming right up," she bats her long lashes at Ty before walking away.
"Dude, ten bucks says she'll write down her number for you on our bill." Syd bets.
"What?" Tyler asks.
"She was totally making eyes at you!" I elbow him, "I'll add ten more to Syd's bet."
"I'm not playing with you guys." he replies visibly blushing.
"Oh, come on, you can't lose!" Syd tries to convince him, "You either walk out of here 20 bucks richer or with the hot waitress' number. I see that as a win either way."
"If I say yes can we stop talking about it?"
"Yes!" Syd and I say in unison.
"Fine then," he gives up, "now let's change the subject."
We move on to talk about my trip and how they each spent their holidays. Syd's parents bought her a pair of custom sneakers she had been begging for and Tyler received a new hoodie and a pair of jeans for Christmas.
Our food and drinks arrive and I nudge Tyler's leg under the table. "Uhm, thank you," he smiles nervously at our waitress whose name tag reads 'Raven'
"My pleasure," she replies with a sultry look. She walks away swaying her hips and I catch her stealing a glance back at Tyler before going to check on another table.
"We've got this in the bag," I lean forward towards Syd and we fist bump as Tyler shakes his head. I take a sip of my coke right as the door to the diner rings, indicating new customers. The three of our heads snap in the sound's direction to see a group of six guys entering the diner. The one at the front of the group has his hood on, which covers his face but as he approaches the counter he pushes it back, revealing a golden mane and I look away instantly recognizing who it is.
"My, my, what are the chances?" Syd says looking at the crowd of boys and leaning back on her seat with her arms crossed and a pleased look on her face, "This should be fun."
Raven greets the group and leads them to the only empty booth big enough to seat all of them, which just so happens to be the one right behind Syd, the one Tyler and I are facing. As they walk over to their table I shrink in my seat, trying to go unnoticed, but Jackson recognizes Tyler's unmistakable silver hair and walks over to greet him.
"Hey man! Such a coincidence you're here, we tried calling you to invite you to come with us but you didn't pick up."
"Oh, yeah I'm sorry, I left my phone at home." Tyler replies just as Jackson's attention drifts to a certain redhead sitting in front of me, "Oh, hey Syd, how're you doing?" he asks uncomfortably.
"Well, things just got interesting, so I'd say I'm doing pretty good," she smirks, leaving him confused at her comment until the rest of the boys come up behind him, and I wonder how I could've possibly missed him before when I spot a full head of curly auburn hair coming to stand next to me.
"Hey princess," he smirks.
Not this shit again.
After what he tried to pull at Jackson's house, I've been doing exactly what Tyler said and avoiding Mason at all costs. Apparently, Ty is a genius because his plan is totally working. Ever since I started ignoring Mason, he's been blowing up my phone with texts that have received no reply from me, which only makes him try even harder. I follow the rules and don't give him even one ounce of my attention. I'll admit, it's been pretty fun making him squirm. I guess he doesn't like the taste of his own medicine.
I think it's time for phase two.
"Oh hi Mason, how are you?" I say giving him my sweetest, most forced smile.
"I'm great, I haven't heard from you in a while."
"Yeah, I went away for the holidays and you know, cabin in the woods, you don't get great phone reception there." I try to sound innocent and like I haven't been avoiding him at all costs. I see Noah standing a few steps behind him, he looks me in the eyes and gives me a knowing smile.
"Oh, yeah totally. Well, I hope you had a great time." Mason says forcing my focus back on him.
"Thanks." I feel like my face is about to crack from forcing my smile so hard.
Oh god, please let this conversation be over.
Just as Mason is about to open his mouth again, Noah speaks up. "Did you ever end up replacing that lost windshield wiper?" he asks and everyone's eyes look between us.
It takes me a second to recall the conversation we had when I was on my way back. My parents and I got caught in a snowstorm and the wind was so strong that it tore one of our wipers off. I'm surprised he remembered such a mundane conversation.
"Not yet, but we managed without it." I reply, ignoring the confused stares of my two best friends.
"So... listen guys," Syd speaks up grabbing everyone's attention and breaking the tension that's been building, "My parents are going out of town next week, and the girls from the squad suggested throwing one last party before the break is over, would you be interested?"
I shoot a confused look at her because she hadn't mentioned this to me at all. "Did you know about this?" I whisper to Tyler and he shrugs.
"If you're there, I'm there." Mason replies grinning at me. I might throw up in my mouth.
"What about the rest of you?" she brushes his answer off.
They look at each other questioningly before turning to Noah, apparently letting him decide for them. He quickly glances at me before looking back to Syd, "We'll be there."
"Sweet," she replies with a devilish smirk, drawing her straw between her lips to take a sip of her cherry coke. The boys move back to their table and sit down, everyone talking over the other trying to decide what to eat. Noah sits in the feat facing me and he seems to be the only one of the group who is staying silent. He shoots me a quick grin before focusing his attention back on his friends, but still keeping his mouth shut.
Okay, good news, I made it through a whole conversation without letting the urge to punch Mason in the face overtake me.
Bad news, it seems like I'll have to tolerate him for another full night next week, and if he tries to pull anything again, I can't be sure I'll have that same willpower.
"Since when are you throwing a party, and why didn't you tell us?" I ask Syd.
"Since right now, and because up until ten seconds ago it wasn't happening." she says, typing away on her phone.
"What are you up to Syd?" Tyler asks.
"Nothing! Ugh, why are you guys so tense and suspicious of me all the time? I'm a teenager whose parents are going to be away for a full week and I want to have some fun with my friends before school starts again. Is that a crime?" I raise one eyebrow at her. "I'm serious." she replies.
"Fine," I believe her.
"So you're coming right?"
"Do we have an option?" Tyler asks.
"Hmm," she pretends to think about it, "not really."
"Then I guess we are. But I won't stay to clean up the next day." Tyler negotiates.
"I didn't ask you to." She replies and we all get back to our food.
Once we're done we ask for the check and Syd and I wait anxiously for it to arrive. Raven comes back with it and hands it to Tyler giving him a wink before walking away. As soon as she turns around I rip it from his hands to see a note written at the bottom in pink ink. "Call me," it reads next to her phone number and a little heart.
"Yes!" Syd exclaims, "Pay up, bitch" she claims victory over Tyler making the boys in the other table turn around to look at us.
Tyler sighs and pays his dues before we settle the bill and head out of the diner. I'm the last one through the door and I look back to try to steal one last glance at Noah, but instead, Mason catches my eye making me dart my gaze away from him, shaking my head as I exit.
Once we're in the parking lot, Tyler takes the piece of paper out of his pocket and crumples it up heading towards a trash can.
"What are you doing?!" Syd stops him.
"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm throwing it out."
"I know dumbass, what I meant was why?"
"Because I don't want her number, I didn't ask her for it."
"So? She's gorgeous and totally into you!"
"She's not my type." Tyler shrugs.
"Then you must be blind, an idiot, or both." Syd retorts.
"You can take it if you want it." he hands her Raven's number.
That seems to stop their bickering. "Hm, don't mind if I do." Syd says putting the piece of paper in her pocket, "Did she give off that 'I swing for both teams' kind of vibe to you?" She asks.
"Oh, totally, I saw her eyeing you too." I reply.
"Right? I saw that but I wanted to let Ty have a shot at her first."
"Wanted to let Ty have a shot at her first," Ty repeats her last sentence mocking Syd and making me laugh as the three of us get in my car and drive back home.