Charlotte smiles softly, shaking her head, "Wish I could, I'm on the close at work." She says with a shrug.
"Have fun." I say, and Charlotte rolls her eyes.
"Like I could, I'm stuck with Randy tonight, and he just stares at me and doesn't speak."
"He has a crush." I murmur, grinning at my best-friend.
"Well maybe I'd like him back if he didn't just stare at me while I cleaned the popcorn machine or if he didn't just pop up randomly when I'm in the theatre cleaning under the seats."
"What about tomorrow morning?" I ask, nudging her shoulder lightly. "Breakfast? I'll come to yours. I feel like I haven't actually seen you in weeks."
Charlotte is already shaking her head.
"I can't. I've got an appointment before class."
I frown. "Oh. For what?"
She shrugs, adjusting the strap of her bag. "Just something."
"Are you okay?"
She blinks once, too quick. Then nods. "Yeah. It's nothing. Just a check-up."
There's a pause. A strange one. Like I should say something else.
Instead, I smile. "Okay. Well, text me when you're free? We need a proper catch up."
"I will."
She looks at me for a beat longer than necessary.
Then she leaves.
I pull my phone from my pocket as it vibrates with a message.
'Favour?'
I roll my eyes at my brothers message but before I have the chance to reply it vibrates again.
'Can I get a lift home, and some of the guys too? I know you parked down the street, and I need to get home quick. Party.'
'Be at my car in five or I'm leaving you behind.'
'Knew I could count on you.'
I roll my eyes at his message and start walking to my car, kind of hoping he misses the five minute mark.
Except when I reach my car, there Leon is laughing with Justin and Asher, leaning against the hood of my car like they have no care in the world.
"Let's go, Ives, we got to beat the rest of the team, move the furniture, make sure all the breakables are gone."
"Honestly I don't know why you move anything back when you throw these things nearly every week."
Leon rolls his eyes and waves a hand to the car, so I unlock it, walking around the side to enter, ignoring the eyes I can feel tracking down my spine.
I start the car and check my mirrors, catching Asher's eyes in the rear view mirror. His attention causing me to pause for a second, my cheeks warm from the perusal of his eyes across the features of my face until Justin clears his throat.
I blink and pull away from the curb.
