group
(Hi, sorry, family night. I was watching a movie.)
Sterling’s POV:
If I was being honest, I hadn’t wanted Gray to join us, anyway. I know he apologized, but he still tried to hit on my girlfriend. That was not something I took lightly.
Still, I have him a mostly friendly smile and nodded my head. “Sure, Gray. I’m sure we’ll see you later.”
Grayson’s POV:
I bowed dramatically, giving another one of my smiles before turning around and walking away.
I hadn’t been lying when I said I had business to attend to. I always had a business to attend to. After all, I was a busy man. And no, sweethearts, not the one you’re thinking of. I don’t do that twenty four seven.
I took out my phone and earphones from my pockets, plugging them in my ears and played In My Blood by Shawn Mendes. I wasn’t a big fan of the guy (not that he was a terrible person. He was quite nice), but I liked his music. Then again, I wasn’t a big fan of any music artist. Never have been, probably never will be. Linkin Park and Breaking Benjamin were cool bands, though.
So, how should I spend my one-twenty minutes?
group
("Not the one you're thinking of.." Lol. Gosh, Gray.)
Sterling's POV:
I nodded at Grayson before he walked away, then turned back to the girls in front of me. Stepping behind Eden, I wrapped my arms around her waist, my hands clasped together over her stomach.
"So, where would you ladies like to eat?" I asked, flashing my signature grin as I rested my chin on my girlfriend's head.
(Lol)
I couldn't help a tiny smile, nor could I help being the teensiest bit wishful as I watched them, so easily affectionate with each other. A relationship; something I hadn't had in years, not to mention something I'd missed. "I'm sorry about my.. hostility towards him," I apologized to them both, wringing my hands, "We– It's a long story. And I don't mind where we eat, it's up to you two."
(I feel a little bad for Gray. 🤣)
Eden’s POV:
I felt myself growing warmer as Sterling wrapped his arms around my waist and rested his chin on my head. Even though we’d been dating for a long time, I still wasn’t used to these things. I get flustered a lot.
I shrugged in reply, resting my hands on his clasped ones, leaning back against him a little, listening to Violeta as she apologized. I wasn’t very… interested in knowing why she and Grayson acted like that. I wasn’t a very curious person, so naturally it simply slipped by me.
I did, however, have a slight feeling as to why they had a strained relationship.
“I’m fine with whatever,” I answered quietly. I wasn’t particularly very hungry, but it wouldn’t hurt to eat a little. “As long as it’s something light.”
group
Sterling's POV:
I hummed in thought, trying to come up with somewhere to eat. "Well, there's a salad bar I found a while ago. You can create your own salad, and they have soups, too," I suggested with a shrug, my arms tightening around Eden as I felt her lean back into me.
Eden’s POV:
I hummed in reply, standing on my toes before I stood straight again.
“Sounds good,” I murmured before looking at Violet again.
I definitely know which option I'll be taking, I thought to myself, the word 'salad' being a horror story of its own in my mind. And yes, haha, the chubby girl doesn't like salad. I get it. It's my fault I'm this fat. Hilarious, really. "Sure, sounds good," I replied with a smile.
Eden’s POV:
Once we arrived, I simply ordered a salad for myself. Thankfully they served Russian salads. That was the only salad I could eat. It was good in its own way. I especially liked the lychee in it. All in all, it was good.
I ordered a creamy tomato soup, moving to sit down across from the couple so as not to intrude on their space or cause any awkwardness. One thing I had learned the hard way in high school was table dynamics. If you've recently met a group, never sit between best friends or couples. Always on the edge, always on the opposite side.
group
(My sister distracted me. Sorry.)
Sterling's POV:
I got a create-your-own salad with chicken, bacon, ham, turkey, and basically any other meat on it that I could. As well as cheese, lettuce (of course), tomatoes (gotta have some other vegetable fruit on there, right?), and a nice dressing.
When we say down, I wrapped my arm around Eden's waist and kissed her cheek quickly.
"So, Violeta, what's your major?" I asked, giving her a friendly smile.
Eden’s POV:
Lunch was… awkward, to say the least. I didn’t know what to say, and I much preferred to listen rather than talk. Occasionally I would brush up my leg against Sterling, but I pretended to pay attention to eating.
From what I observed, Violeta looked uncomfortable. It wasn’t a surprise. It’s always uncomfortable to sit with new people, especially if said new people were a couple.
“Potato ruins the taste,” I muttered, scrunching my nose as a potato came into my mouth.
(Sterling's salad is my kind of salad lmao)
My eyes flickered between Eden and Sterling. Did she not want me here? Should I go? Was I intruding? I swallowed, answering Sterling's question. "Studio Art. What are yours?" I directed the question to both of them, trying to ease the tension.
group
Sterling's POV:
"Pre-law. I'm studying to be a lawer, like my dad," I explained, resting a hand on Eden's leg to try to calm her a bit.
I knew she wasn't exactly comfortable with this whole thing, but it would be good for her. We couldn't be together all the time, so she should have some other friends to keep her company when I couldn't. No matter how much she would prefer to be alone most of the time, she shouldn't always be alone.
"That's cool," I told Sterling, hoping I sounded as sincere as I felt as I turned to Eden. "And you?"
Eden’s POV:
My eyes flickered to the hand on my leg and I swallowed. I know Violeta wasn’t a bad person. I just didn’t know how to react around her, or around other people. I felt touched that Sterling wanted this to work for me and I also felt a little bratty for not taking up this chance.
After taking a few more bites of my salad, I put the spoon down and turned to Sterling.
“Can we get this packed to take home?” I asked him quietly, done with eating but not wanting to waste it. Despite there being potatoes, it wasn’t bad. It was really good, and I figured I might want to eat it later on.
I cleared throat before turning to Violeta to answer her question.
“My mother is a vet,” I said in a soft tone. “I’m walking in her footsteps.”
I nodded, biting my lip. "That's really interesting." Here, I paused. "Listen, I can leave if I'm making you uncomfortable, you don't have to worry about offending me or anything. I'm sorry if I intruded."
group
Sterling's POV:
"Of course," I said softly, having leaned down to speak in her ear. "I can go grab you a box, quick."
"You're fine, Violeta. Please, don't feel like you have to leave," I assured her with a soft smile. "We're just more used to our old social circles, so it's different trying to fit in at this school. Plus, it's always good to make new friends, right?"
Eden’s POV:
It wasn’t a surprise she noticed. It wasn’t difficult to tell whether I was uncomfortable or not.
I sighed, sitting up straight.
“I’m not a people person,” I said, my voice steady. “I’m not friendly, and I’m definitely not one to make friends, but I’ll be honest. My boyfriend wants me to socialize more, he wants me to at least try, so I’m trying. I apologize if this made you feel like you were unwanted, but that wasn’t the intention.”
I dug my teeth into my lower lip, nodding slowly. “You didn’t make me feel unwanted— I just didn’t want you to be uncomfortable. Sorry.” Guilt twisted my gut ito a knot. Why did I ever open my big mouth?
group
Sterling's POV:
I watched the two girls for a moment before excusing myself and standing. This seemed like something Eden could do on her own, so I would go get her box for her food.
"I'll just be right back," I explained as I stepped away from the table. "Going to go grab a box."
Eden’s POV:
I nodded at Sterling, smiling in appreciation before I turned to Violeta.
“I admit, I am uncomfortable,” I answered honestly, resting my hand on my chin. “But I suppose I’ll get used to it. Don’t get me wrong, Violeta, I think you’re a nice person. I’ve never been one in the social circles, so I’m quite terrible at making friends. Sterling’s the one good with that.”
“Right.” I nodded again, relief washing over me. “That’s completely understandable, I used to be the same.” Tucking a lock of dark hair neatly behind my ear, I placed my elbows on the table. “Maybe… we have something in common that we could talk about? Or is that going too far?”
Eden’s POV:
I thought for a moment before shrugging.
“I draw,” I answered simply. “My dad’s an artist. Learned a thing or two from him.”
(Sorry, my baby brother demands attention. XD)
(Lol no problem)
This significantly brightened the smile on my lips. “Me too— except my dad’s not an artist. Do you like sculpting?”
Eden’s POV:
I stared at Violeta for a few seconds, finding that the smile looked quite cute on her. Then I realized I should answer her question, so I shook my head lightly.
“Never tried,” I answered, resting my cheek on my palm. “I just draw. I can paint a little, but I’m not a professional. Learned most of what I can do from my father.”
“That’s still cool,” I answered truthfully, relieved to be getting into some sort of rhythm with her. Fiddling with the neckline of my crop top— yes, I’m chubby. Yes, I wear crop tops. Judge me, I dare you— I fished for another question to ask. “Do you like any particular bands or artists?”
Eden’s POV:
A small smile adorned my lips as I took in that question.
I nodded.
“Twenty One Pilots,” I answered, running a hand through my hair. I chewed on my lower lip, straightening to see where Sterling was. It shouldn’t take that long to get a box, did it? God, he just needed to disappear for five minutes and I’d start to panic. How could I even survive without him?
I cleared my thoughts away, focusing on the task at hand. I couldn’t be clingy. This wasn’t me. This is annoying. It’s irritating. No one likes a clingy person.
“What about you?” I questioned her, keeping my expression leveled.
I thought I saw a flicker of emotion pass over Eden’s features, but her face quickly cleared, so I brushed it off. “I think I’ve heard of them— didn’t they write that song about being stressed out?” In response to her second question, I suppressed a ridiculously dorky grin. “Yeah, I listen to a lot of music. I mostly like a band called Through Juniper Vale, plus some Panic! at the Disco, and some older stuff. Musicals, I guess.”
