One mate and a Rejection

PART 1 Chapter 8

He rolled his eyes,’ Smart ass."

My mom stood,leaning on the edge of the kitchen door,watching us,her eyes teary and sad.

"Mom?"

I muttered.

She shook her head and exited the kitchen,going upstairs.

"She's just worried,she might lose you Em."

I smiled,"

Go comfort her for me."

"Got it."

I headed to our living room and smiled at Ben,taking a hold of the roses in his hands,touching only the plastic wrap.

Little did he know I was allergic.

“Thanks,"

I smiled,laying them on the couch,’ They're really nice."

Ben smiled,revealing two deep dimples,’ thanks,you look really nice."

“you too."

I couldn't help but think of the tulips Jared always used to get me.

The pretty white ones because he knew they were my favorite,but they were hardly ever in the market here so he'd drive all the way to the next town over for about an hour and half to buy them.

I let my eyes trail to the ones he'd bought me a couple of weeks ago that lay in a vase of water.

"Ready to go?"

I asked him,ripping my eyes away.

"Yeah,let's go."

He led me to a nice gray car that I knew belonged to his mom,"

where are we going?"

"A really nice restaurant my parents used to go to,’ he answered,getting inside.

Again,I couldn't help but compare him and Jared.

Jared would have eased whatever tension was in the car and found a way to make me laugh.

He also would have kept where we're going a secret just to keep me interested.

It was annoying sometimes but I loved him for it.

We reached the restaurant after about thirty minutes of an awkward silence,the only sound being the healthy roar of the engine and the classical music coming from the radio.

Ben parked his car in the tiny lot and exited,running over to my door but I had already opened it.

I gave him a sheepish smile and stood up,pretending not to have seen his flushed cheeks of embarrassment.

We went inside and I discovered that the restaurant was actually an old diner.

It wasn't bad though.

looks homey and

was glad I'd

floor,making our

pulled out my chair,refusing

watched

looked out

viewjust an empty street,a couple of trees

“So,"

muttered, picking up his

you be

and

breakfast,lunch and dinner

"Um,"

I muttered,"

pasta looks

He smiled,"

the

I smiled,"

come here

He shrugged,"

Like twice every week.

used to bring me here as a

was my favorite place and also the only place I knew that had

I laughed,"

Cause I

and I'll order the ice

We'll share."

nodded, letting my yes drop back to

sure."

memory of me and Jared's

said

steak,we'll share.’ Well,that was before and I have to

I snapped my menu shut and watched as a

"Hey Ben,whos your friend?"

she asked.

Ben blushed,"

That's Emerald.

best

"Hi,"

I smiled,shaking her hand.

a pretty one,aren't you? Are you ready

she asked.

"Yes,"

the usual for me,and

ice cream and a slice of

down before he even finished talking,which I didn't think was

smiled and walked away Ben,noticing my shocked face smiled and

you she's the best

a couple of minutes later,still

“Smells good,"

I muttered, inhaling.

“Tastes even better."

the heaven

I said

bite

plates were empty,and then dug into

gained

I muttered.

Ben laughed,"

all the greasy

has got to be