Peter straightened his shirt and brushed off any creases-- imaginary or not. It had been a little over a week since he had scheduled the meeting with Dakota and finally, the day they had set had come. He had intentionally suggested a date that was a little into the future-- by then, all his cuts and bruises would have healed. He had been right, the only marks visible on his body were the little scars left behind.

Peter brushed his hair back and looked at his image in the mirror. He didn't like the look-- it seemed too formal. His fingers combed through the dark strands and he shook his head, tousled hair hanging over his face. There, that looked good.

Colin didn't ask him where he was going when he sauntered past where the brown-haired boy sat at the dining table. He merely gave him a side glance and went back to tapping on his phone.

His unconcern didn't bother Peter. In fact, it made everything so much easier for him. His roommate didn't ask where he was going so he needn't bother coming up with an explanation. Then again, he secretly hoped Colin would ask so he could gloat in his face. Whatever he would say would be the truth-- that he had a date. If he could call it that.

Peter caught the bus and checked the time on his watch, before opening Google Maps and searching for the place Dakota had brought up. It was called Café Stradda and was located in the heart of the city, which was currently bustling with life.

The bus was moving slowly, a bit too slow for Peter's liking and he had thought multiple times of getting off and jogging there. It happened to be the midday rush hour and so the streets were brimming with vehicles and the sidewalks were streaming with people. He thought better of the idea, however, realizing that both he and Dakota would prefer it if he wasn't sweaty and out of breath when he got to the place.

When he saw the next bus stop looming ahead, he was out of the vehicle before it had even come to a complete stop, making him almost knock over an old lady who was attempting to get onboard.

He apologized profusely, only stopping to help pick up her purse which had fallen. But that did little to stop the curses that left the woman's thin, cracked lips. She would have probably thrown her purse at him with her wrinkled hands if she hadn't been scared of the fact that Peter was probably looking to steal the few notes stuffed in it. Whoever came up with the myth that old people were sweet?

Peter's eyes fell on the clear, quartz glass of his watch, it was a few minutes past the scheduled time, that wasn't so bad.

Hands stuffed in the pockets of his jeans, he walked at a pace that was neither hurried nor relaxed-- just fast enough to keep him moving without breaking a sweat.

He made it to the restaurant without any more incidents-- apart from almost tripping because of a man ahead of him who had been walking rather painfully slow.

Café Stradda was just a block down and he got there shortly. Peter expected an upscale place given the name, he wasn't disappointed.

It had a fancy open-air scenery and balmy outdoor atmosphere with umbrellas and trees providing shade for the tables set up. There were potted plants also set at various points and hedges which were shaped in squares around each table.

Trying to keep his mouth from falling out if its hinges, Peter straightened his posture and got a table for two near the entrance. His choice was backed by two reasons-- so Dakota could easily spot him and so he wouldn't feel even more out of place than he began to feel.

A group of regulars were clamoring over meticulously prepared food, others were chattering away while sipping from ridiculously bent straws. In Peter's opinion, it was organised chaos-- in the best sense. But he didn't have any intention to be in the middle of it.

Pulling his phone out of his pocket, Peter unlocked the device in a bid to send Dakota a text but he ended up erasing the message and locking his phone. His eyes roamed the environment, just taking it in until his gaze stopped on a girl who was staring at him. Peter stared back; he was that kind of person. The girl, who had a blush starting to creep up her round face, turned to face her friend with a small giggle.

A small sigh left Peter's lips as his fingers moved over his phone's screen. Typing and deleting. Typing and deleting. Locking and unlocking until...

"Hey."

Peter's bent head lifted and his eyes met Dakota's blue-green ones. She had that infectious smile on her face as she sat after Peter had replied with a "Hey yourself."

"I'm so sorry for not getting here earlier. There was so much traffic," she commented. "Hope I didn't keep you waiting long?"

"Don't worry about it. I only got here a couple of minutes ago."

Dakota nodded, the golden tendrils of her hair framing her face. She brushed the strands back as she smiled again, resting elbows on the table and then her chin on her interlaced fingers. "You look nice."

"And you look better than nice," Peter said quicker than he had meant to. It wasn't a surprise because Dakota did look great in the white dress she was wearing. It fit her slim figure perfectly, hugging her body in all the right places.

"Thank you. Now, can we eat because I'm starving."

Peter picked up the menu and his eyes went wide as he saw the prices attached to the meals. If he could manage to buy one of the drinks sold here, he would have to walk all the way back to the apartment. The only thing he could afford to buy with ease was plain water.

"You decided what you want yet?" Dakota asked looking over her own menu.

Peter could only shake his head.

"Don't worry, I know it looks all too imposing. I always order the banana smoothie and a sandwich anyway," she admitted. "I just like to look at the overpriced items on the menu."

But the banana smoothie and sandwich were overpriced and that was the only thing Peter could think about as he nibbled and drank.

"I found an agency that's open to new models, it's here in California, about a half-hour drive from your apartment."

This time, Peter acknowledged Dakota with a nod. His phone pinged as she texted him the website of the agency and other details surrounding them. Next, she showed him pictures of their offices from her own phone. It was then that Peter saw it, as she navigated through her phone's gallery. A photo with a view that struck a memory..

"Wait, was that the UC Berkeley campus?"

"Yes. Do you know anyone there?"

"I am anyone there. That's the college I go to."

"Wow, I go there too," Dakota beamed. "I've never seen you though. Although, it's probably since I hardly ever participate in anything." Her voice fell to a low tone and she made a face as she stirred her straw in the bright coloured liquid. "The only frat party I went to was a total flop. I ended up throwing up all over the host and I got a called this stupid nickname the entire semester."

"Wait wait wait." Peter leaned forward, steadying himself by grabbing the arms of his chair. "You're Sir Pukes-A-Lot?"

"Oh God, this is so embarrassing," Dakota said with a laugh, shielding her face with both hands. "It was the craziest thing ever and I swear, I don't drink like that."

"You bet," Peter laughed. "But in my opinion Chase deserved to get regurgitated food showered over him. He was such a trashy person."

"You don't know half of it."

They ate and laughed and made plans to keep in touch when school started in January. The next time Peter's eyes fell on his watch, he saw that time had far been spent. It had been more than an hour since he and Dakota had ordered their food. She had insisted on paying for everything because it had been her idea to come here. Peter denied but she got her way. "It's my treat," she said.

"All we need now is to get your details and photos and we can email them. That wouldn't be much of a problem since Colin said he'd be the one to take your photos."

"Uh huh," Peter responded dryly. "I don't know if that still applies."

"Nonsense, you two should get over that stupid fight you're having and just stop ignoring each other like some twelve year olds."

The surprise Peter felt at that statement made his body still for some second. How does she know?

The blonde answered his unspoken question. "He told me. But he's still willing to take your photos, don't worry."

They've been talking about me, Peter thought.

"He's also willing to pick you up after this, he's going to be here in about ten minutes."

"Why is he picking me up? I never asked him to pick me up. How does he even know where I am?"

"Colin told me he'd pick you up after I had told him we'd be meeting, because he said something about you being super broke."

Peter had to blink twice to make sure he was hearing this right.

A car horn blared. Once. Twice. Right before Dakota's phone vibrated.

"Oh, uber's here," she said, beginning to stand. Her lips pressed a kiss against his cheek with gloss-covered lips. "I'll see you whenever, Pikachu."

Last thing Peter got was a wink before Dakota hurried off, leaving him more confused than ever.

He had been heading for the bus stop when his phone started ringing. He checked it to see Colin's name on the screen and he shoved it into his pocket without answering it. Nonetheless, he spotted Colin's car parked across the street from where he stood.

With nonchalance, Peter crossed the street, got in the car, and permanently turned his gaze towards the window.

"I hope you didn't knock Dakota's food over for kissing you." Colin said as he changed gears, eyes facing the road. "Or is that a thing you've only reserved for me?"

"I wish I could smash your head in the dashboard for telling her about my financial situation, it's none of your business, you know? But I'm only holding back because I need you alive for the time being. I'm definitely doing it though, you can count on that," Peter breathed through gritted teeth.

Colin looked over at him with a smile that tugged at his lips. "We really went from "fuck off" to "lemme smash you into things." Kinky." He stepped on the gas.

Look at me, posting an update so early ;)
I hope you like this chapter!

Special mentions: nikitaunam for making my laugh endlessly with her comments. (Y'all should check out her bxb book "The boy who ran away" it's amazeballs!

miku_nakano3_II and The-Potato-Whisperer to being wonderful disasters in my book together ♡

And last one goes to Nicoismysenpai for literally being himself! You guys should check out his work too, you'll love each one! (P.S he has some gay smut book up in his profile so... that's there 👀)

Check out his other work "We Were Liars" it's a great book too!!

Thank you all for reading! Remember to vote and comment ♡♡