❝Girls like you run 'round with guys like me till sundown when I come through ❞
- Maroon 5, Cardi B, Girls Like You.

"You can't buy my forgiveness with a milkshake, Kaleb," I gave him a pointed look before taking a sip of the milkshake he had handed to me.

"Well, if you think of it, I can," he grinned, plopping himself down on my bed.

"Really?" I rolled my eyes and he sighed, "I'm sorry."

"Are you really?" I looked at him, "What made you-"

"That's the point. I really didn't think she could say it."

I looked at him, surprised, "You're kidding, Kaleb. You've got to be. You know me and Sydney don't like each other. Definitely, she would do all she can to show she's better, so of course, when she hears what I have proposed to say, she would gladly steal the idea."

"I actually didn't tell her all what you'd planned to say."

"I still don't know why you two were having a conversation about me."

"Well, Sydney said she needed something to talk about, then I casually mentioned that you had said the same thing but found something already. Then, she asked-"

"In the most innocent voice, of course. She asked what I found. I know," I let out a breath. "Just remind me next time when I want to tell you something about Girl Up that I shouldn't."

"Hey, come on," he sat up on the bed. "Don't say that. Rae, I'm sorry, okay? I'll make it up to you, I swear," he ran quiet. "Are you still mad?"

I slurped on my milkshake, disregarding him.

"Fine, how about we play Madden next time? And we'll have cookie dough," he added.

Eating cookie dough was one of the many things me and Kaleb called our tradition. Phoebe would bake cookies and leave extra dough for us to feast on.

"And, donuts and coffee for a week?" I could feel a smile playing on my lips.

"You got it," he rolled his eyes after a while.

"Plus," I placed emphasis on the word. "My name shouldn't leave your mouth when you're with her."

"That depends, you know."

"You know what I mean."

He nodded, "Why are you just coming home by the way? Do you come home this late?"

"These days, yes."

"Why, though?"

"Well, for one, its just been busy at the bakery. And two, I just might be having discussions with River."

"Hey, you're supposed to be telling me these things!"

I felt my face light up in the widest smile.

*****

"Renée?"

I looked back, smiling at Logan who now came to lean against the locker beside mine.

"I'm sorry, I should have texted you or something. I have been trying all week to talk to you, but its one thing or the other that comes up."

I smiled at him, "It's fine, really."

"Are you okay now?" His eyes didn't leave mine.

"Am I okay now?" I raised an eyebrow, totally confused.

"Yeah," he dragged the word. "You were ill?"

"Oh, yes," I nodded. "Yes, I'm fine now." I chuckled and he ran a hand through his hair, "So, uh, do you mind us trying again this weekend?"

I thought of it. Do I just tell him straight up that I couldn't make it? I cleared my throat, about to tell him I couldn't, when a girl who was walking in our direction, swaying her hips with extra effort walked by us, tapping Logan's shoulder, "Text me, Logan."

Logan shrugged her off and looked back at me. Really, he had so many girls pining after him. Why did he want me?

"I have work on that day," I didn't know why I said that when I knew well I didn't have work on that day.

I saw his face fall and I instantly felt bad.

"Well, uh, how about we just hope for another time?" He said.

"Okay, yeah," I nodded.

"By the way, I got you something," his eyes sparkled and he dipped his hand in his backpack, taking out a box of chocolates.

"I wasn't sure what kind to get you, but I really hope you like it."

I was surprised and in that manner, I took it from him, "Whoa, Logan, thanks."

He smiled a cute smile before walking away. It wasn't long at all after he left when Kaleb came up to me, a silly grin on his face.

"Must you always look like an idiot?" I chuckled. "And don't you have a class?"

"Not until ten minutes," his gaze dropped to the book in my hand, "What's that?"

"What does it look like? It's a box of chocolates."

His eyes didn't leave mine as he took the box from me and examined it, "Who gave it to you?"

"Logan?" I answered.

"Why?" He had an eyebrow raised and I shrugged, "He just did. He asked if we could try a date this weekend."

"And?"

"I told him I was busy Saturday."

"Good, but are you really busy?"

"Nope," I shook my head.

"Even better, because its the day for FIFA and food."

"Madden," I corrected.

"Oh yeah," he rolled his eyes.

I smiled in satisfaction, then looked to see that Kaleb had plopped a chocolate into his mouth. Immediately, I smacked his hand hard, taking the box from him, glaring, "What the hell is your problem? Jeez, you have no manners, Kaleb. It's meant for me. What if Logan sees you eating it?"

The bell rang, indicating it was time for another class.

"Don't finish those chocolates without me," he told me as we started our journey to our classes.

*****

"Whoa," I said in amusement. "I've never been to this part of the bakery."

I really was surprised. I had followed River to this part of the bakery after I was done working for the day. It seemed like an extension of the bakery which was on another side I didn't know existed.

"And you work here. Wow," he said sarcastically, a hint of a smile on his face.

"Well, only for about two weeks," I said in my defense. "And my job is on the other side only."

By this time, his camera was in his hand and he took a picture of the scenery, "Only two weeks?"

"Mhm," I nodded, watching him as he took a few more pictures.

"I'm surprised it isn't longer. You do your job quite well," he looked away from the camera. I flushed. Did he really notice how I worked?

"Thank you," I said. "How did you discover this part of the bakery?"

"I'm doing a job. I have to be familiar with the interesting parts of the bakery," he chuckled.

"What are you going to do with the pictures you just took?"

He shrugged, "I'll just see what I can make out of it."

"Are you going to put them in a frame?"

He looked at me, a smile playing on his lips "Are you always this curious?"

"Hi, Mr Observant, I'm Miss Curious," I grinned and he chuckled, "That was smooth," he picked his backpack. "Follow me."

I followed him and found both of us in front of the bakery and without going through the main entrance.

"You look surprised," he said. "You really need a tour around where you work."

I tucked my hair behind my ear and chuckled the same time two girls walked by, giggling. River seemed to pay them no attention, but I did because I couldn't help but notice they were beautiful. My eyebrows furrowed when I saw that they stopped in their tracks and started walking back.

"Hey," one of the girls greeted, looking directly at River who now looked back at her, confused. He threw a quick glance at me then looked at her, "Are you referring to me or her?"

"You," she giggled. "My friend here thinks you're cute."

He seemed embarrassed as he pinched the bridge of his nose, a shy smile on his face as he said, "Thank you."

"And we were wondering if we could get your number," she smiled, twirling her hair with a finger.

He looked taken aback, and when he could speak, "Nah... no, I don't think that's necessary, but hey, you're both cute too."

She blushed before walking away.

After she left, we were quiet for a while.

"I'm surprised you didn't give her your number," I said, and he chuckled, "Why would I?"

I shrugged, "Don't all guys want that? Want that kind of attention?"

"It's great I'm not all guys, don't you think?"

Everything he did or said made me fall harder for him and he didn't even know it.

"But, really, why would I want to give her my number. She's pretty much a stranger," he asked, laughing lowly.

"I don't know. They're beautiful?"

"If I was giving out my number going by how beautiful girls looked, I would have given you a long time ago -"

My heart fluttered and I felt my cheek burn at his words. I was only grateful he couldn't see it because of my hair covering my cheeks.

"- and other girls I've seen, of course," he awkwardly added.

I felt my heart fall to my stomach. He didn't mean I stood out as beautiful. He only said it to be polite. I covered up my disappointment with a smile.

"- plus, I know for sure that her face was caked up. Loads of make up and all that," he chuckled.

"Well, I thought guys liked that."

He smiled gently before saying, "Not to sound mean or anything, but make up does hide a lot of things up. For all we know, she could be looking like Gollum without make up."

I took in what he said. Gollum. I threw my palm over my mouth, trying to keep from laughing, "No, that's mean. Really mean."

He laughed, "I mean, I know I'm a nice guy, besides, it doesn't matter. I have -" His phone vibrated.

I saw him tense up as he read a text from his phone. He immediately looked at me and I knew something was wrong. The smile had left his face, "Uh, I have to go, I'm sorry."

I nodded quickly, "It's fine. I totally understand. Is... is everything okay, though?"

"Yeah," he swallowed. "I could have taken you home," he said sincerely.

"Don't worry about it. It's not dark yet, I'll make it home safe."

He nodded and grabbed his backpack and started to leave, but he turned, fiddling with the strap of his backpack, "Renée, have you ever been to an art gallery?"

I shook my head, "No, no. I haven't."

"Right, uh, do you maybe want to go with me to one on Saturday? I think you'd love it."

I smiled, "Definitely."

"Great," he tried to smile. "We can talk more about it tomorrow?"

"Sure," I smiled maniacally when he turned to leave and even though I was wondering what could be wrong with him, I was excited about this new development.

●

What do you think is up with River?

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Thank you, ofcoursenotawriter, for the beautiful cover!
She sent it to me during the week, last week and I was just able to open it.
I really appreciate it💙.