||BRAD||

I was waiting by my truck out in the parking lot, leaning by its door while staring at my phone in hand, my other inside the pocket of my jeans. I felt my heart pounding out of my chest at the thought of being back together with Noah but also interacting with Anna. I texted him to come meet me outside while I waited for them.

After a while, I could see from the distance in the crowd of other students, both of them walking side by side as they approached. I could see that Noah has an endearing smile while Annabel had a timid expression, looking elsewhere. "Hey Brad," Noah waved as he came up to me and gave a hug. It's been quite a while since I've had him close to my arms that I wanted to lock him with my embrace and stay like this forever, but I was brought back to reality when I remembered that Anna is here with us standing by bashfully. Letting go and standing straight up, I rubbed the back of my neck, "so..." I mumbled, "we can talk about this elsewhere. Any place in mind where you two would like to eat?" I asked them.

Annabel was still pretty unresponsive which I totally understand, Noah on the other hand seemed to be pondering, "we can go to Liam's restaurant? I like the place," he smiled. I wouldn't be lying if I was feeling a bit tad awkward at the mention of his suggestion, "is there something wrong?" Noah said, noticing my reaction.

Frowning, I didn't really know what to say but ask for Annabel's opinion, "Anna?" I said.

"I... I'm fine with what Noah considers," was what she says, still keeping her head stiffly low.

Sighing, I nodded and smiled at Noah, "okay then, welp, I'm guessing that you'll drive yourselves there? Or would you..." I couldn't really finish my sentence about proposing the idea of giving both of them a ride at the same time. It was just too uncomfortable to think of, but gladly, Noah was fine with it, "yeah, I can get us there," he says. Grinning I give him a kiss on the forehead before watching them walk in to his car. Getting inside my own truck and starting it, I began backing up out of the parking lot and started heading to Liam's restaurant while watching Noah follow from behind through my front mirror. I heaved a huge breath as we continued on.

-

When we entered, we were led by a female waitress who gestured us to our usual semi-circular booth. It seems that we engraved our identity into her brain that she remembers that this is our favorite spot. She smiles at as us we take our seat, Noah between Annabel and I. "Liam will be your waiter for tonight," she says whilst laying a menu board for each of us.

"Thank you," Noah says to her sweetly. As she leaves, we all began looking for something that we want.

"Don't be afraid to get anything pricey," I give both of them a confident look. They both nod, the difference is that Noah's cheerful while Annabel cant even look at me in the eyes. I frown at her but kept silent. "Oh hey..." we hear Liam approaching our table. We look up to see him staring at the three of us in surprise, obviously not expecting such a trio to be back together like this. "Want me to get you guys something to drink?" He grins.

"I'll have Coke," I say to him.

"Water please," Noah asks, "same please," Annabel added. Liam nods he gives a little wave to the two before heading out to grab our beverages. As he leaves, we return our attention back to ourselves. I was almost afraid to speak, not to Noah, but to Anna, and judging by how she's been behaving the entire time, I know that the atmosphere is so thick and just awkward to say something. "So..." Noah just suddenly starts. "It's nice of you to invite us," Noah turns to me. He always held this precious look that keeps me mesmerized at him.

I smile, "you're welcome," I say softly.

There was a bit of a pause before he now gives his notice to Annabel, "are you feeling well?" He asks her.

"Y-yeah, I'm fine," she replies with her head up and directed towards him without hesitation.

Soon, Liam returns with cups in his arms, "Here you guys go," he says, giving us our drinks. Later on, he pulls out a notebook and a pen, "are you guys ready to order?"

We gave each other looks before proceeding, "yeah," I nod.

-

As Liam received our list, we were left alone again in a cumbersome situation. I kept fumbling my thumbs together while Annabel keeps gazing around the room. Noah would always be the one to say something but it's only a two-way conversation with him. He sighs, "I have to go use the bathroom," I raise a brow at him and Annabel gives him a look. "May I exit?" He asks Anna to move out if the way. My eyes drifted towards his cup and notice that he has barely even drunk at least one-fifth of water. Damn Noah... I see what you're doing. "I-I need to go to," Anna mumbles, to which Noah interrupts her.

He looks at her straight in the eyes with a look of empathy, "Please..." he begs, "please talk to each other, for both you and for me?" He says and looks at me as well. I frown and so does Anna. She gives him a worried expression. Noah gives her an embrace to comfort her.

"Please..." he murmurs one last time.

Anna's face softens as she laces her arms around him for a moment before to pull of. She sits back down and we both watch Noah turn to a corner where a hall leads to the bathroom. I look at Annabel, and she looks back at me. With a calming breath inwards, I try to collect my thoughts.

"Annabel..."