His office, my rules

ELI

“Do you think I deserve that?” I asked Maya who was pouring juice from a jug into several cups.

“No you didn’t” she answered but wasn’t paying attention.

Maya had decided to volunteer at a charity event this weekend, and I was only tagging along because I didn’t have anything better to do and I liked to help whenever she volunteered.

“But do you think I’m overreacting?” I asked

“Maybe.” she finally looked at me. “Can you pass the stack of cups over there please. I’m running out”

I groaned and followed her orders.

“I actually started teasing you about Professor Vale as a joke, because I remember you describing your dream man and that man is the perfect example. I didn’t think the whole crush thing would actually be serious” she said when I handed her the cups”

“What? What are you saying? I do not have a crush on Professor Vale. I’m just saying that I do not appreciate the way I was spoken to the other day”

“Well, I hate to break it to you, that’s how Professor Vale is. Not for once has he ever crossed me as someone with a soft heart. He’s always cold”

Maya did have a point, Carter was always cold. Now that I thought about it, he was mean too. He was only nice to me sometimes.

“Hi. One cup of strawberry please” Theo said, hovering over the small serving table.

“Hey, Theo” I chimed and Maya handed him a cup of strawberry juice.

“I didn’t know you volunteered at charity events”

“No, I’m not volunteering. It’s Maya’s thing” I said and nudged Maya.

“Yeah, it’s a me thing” she gave a fake chuckle.

“Do you volunteer?” I asked him

“Sometimes. I’d love to see you at some events anytime soon”

I was literally fighting butterflies in my stomach but not in a weird way, in a normal way because Theo Walsh was talking to me. What I didn’t understand was why Maya was trying to be so nonchalant about it.

Well at least because of her, I get to be friends with Theo Walsh.

The day went by slowly but good. I started chatting with a few people. Maya’s volunteer friends and also Theo’s friends. They were fun and cool to hang around with. When it was past noon, we dispersed to find ourselves lunch. Theo said he had a good spot around the venue that served good sandwiches so he decided he’d take us there.

The diner had a nice vibe and captivating ambience, and it looked quite fancy.

“See, I told you” Theo said with his arms spread out. He had been rambling about how cool the place looked and it was truly worth his hype. “Wait till you taste the food”

I looked at Maya, who had a small smile tugging at her lips. She was probably smiling at Theo. He actually did look good under the diner lighting. I could not blame her.

We sat in the booth at one corner of the diner, Theo, Maya, and two of Theo’s friends, Tyler and Luke. Minutes later, a waitress came up to take our orders.

Theo made us order the chicken salad and gave us free will to choose our drinks. I noticed Theo making small talk with Maya and I was beaming for my friend. I was still going to keep an eye on Theo though, Maya was someone I would never joke with.

We were only a few minutes into eating when a familiar scent hit my nose.

“Hey man” Theo stood up from the table to greet his friend. Who apparently had to be Liam.

“I didn’t expect to meet you here” He said. He hadn’t noticed me sitting at the table.

“I could say the same. What are you doing around this side of town?”

“You know.. My parents. The whole charity stuff they do. I had no other choice” He put his hands up.

“Cool man. I’m here for the charity too”

Before Liam could respond, he had noticed me sitting at the table. He looked at me with disgust, as if he hadn’t come knocking on my door a few days earlier.

“You’re hanging out with him now? Them?” He pointed to me and May and then looked at Theo

“Hey, it’s just a harmless lunch” Theo tried to defend himself.

Now that I thought about it. Theo probably knew about Liam and me and was still comfortable hanging out with me? His friend’s ex. They were never close friends anyway, but I guess it still mattered. Bro code?

“Nope. This is messed up Theo. Is it because of her?” Liam pointed to Maya. He'd better not disrespect her to my face. Maya remained silent and was still chewing on her sandwich amidst the subtle exchanges so I mirrored her energy.

“Dude. You’ve got to move on. By the way, you said you were the one who broke up with him” Luke, one of Theo’s friend’s joined in.

“I’ll forgive you all, but don’t pull this shit again. Ever” He walked away looking defeated I couldn’t help but smile inwardly. It made me like Theo and his friend’s even more.