Five

What did he say to her? Why the heck is she so sad?

"So, do you guys want to go to the park or something?" She forced out. I watched as she swallowed hard to bite back the tears that lined her eyes.

Should I ask her why she is upset? Most of the time, she liked to take a minute to calm herself before we talked about anything emotional. If she didn’t she wouldn’t be able to contain herself and she hated crying in front of people.

"I think that would be fun." I scooted back in my chair and stood up. Cole walked around to Chris's seat and pulled it out for her. Awe. He likes her so much. It's so cute.

We walked down the street slowly, enjoying our ice cream. Cole was on one side of Chris, and I was on the other.

"So, what were you and Jessie talking about?" Cole asked. I wasn't sure if she was ready to answer, but it seemed like she was no longer on the verge of crying. She turned towards Cole.

"Do you mind if I talk to Julie alone for just a minute?" She placed her hand on his forearm, squeezing it gently. He glanced down wide-eyed and opened his mouth to reply but then changed his mind. He closed it and took a couple steps away. She grabbed my arm and pulled me ahead of him.

"Well, I asked how he was liking the new school, and he said it was fine. Then I told him that you looked cute today and asked if he agreed. He said whatever, but then I said that it was obvious that he liked you and that he should make a move, and he yelled at me. "

"You did what?!" I looked at her with disbelief written all over my face. Why would she say that to him?

"I'm sorry! I wasn't thinking. I thought he actually did like you, and I wanted to see his reaction. I didn't think he would get so mad." Her head dropped, and I took a deep breath. I put my arm around her shoulders. "You should be mad at me right now." I looked over at her.

"Why would I be mad at you? Because you spoke your mind? You're my best friend. I don't care what you do. It could be something crazy or dangerous, and I'll still be there to take care of you. That’s what friends do. Besides, you’re always there for me too and..."

"Jules! You're babbling." Oops, was I really? "You know, one of these days the whole you don't care what people do as long as their happy thing is going to bite you in the butt. It's not always a good thing to make other people happy. That's not living. Do you know how ridiculous that is?" She asked.

I actually had no clue. I never actually thought about it. I just do what I'm told to keep them happy. It makes things easier to just stay out of people's way and in the shadows. If they are happy, I get to be happy because they leave me alone.

"Either way I am not mad at you, nor will I ever be." I smiled at her, and she smiled back. "So, why did you say that?"

"I don't know. I was just being honest, and he flipped his switch so fast. I just wasn't expecting it, I guess. I don't know." I hugged her, and she smiled.

We got to the park, and Chris and I raced to the jungle gym, leaving a confused Cole behind us. We were laughing so hard we couldn't breathe when we finally got to the swings.

We didn't really talk once we started swinging. We just laughed like the little kids we were at heart. Cole went behind Chris and pushed her lovingly, smiling as she laughed.

We ended up sitting there for hours talking and playing. Our bowls of half-melted ice cream were long forgotten on the ground as we joked around and talked, and as we ultimately lost track of the time.

"I think I should get going Jules. My parents are going to expect me soon. Are you good walking back alone?" I looked around and noticed all the street lights on.

"Yeah, I can handle it. Thanks though, Chris. I'll see you later, Cole." I smiled at her. Cole and I were friends, but we weren't close. I knew him enough to know that he was a decent man and would make sure Chris got home safely.

She waved as Cole walked her across the park to her house one street over. I climbed out of the jungle gym and began to walk to my street in the opposite direction. When I heard someone's voice getting louder as they drew closer, my curiosity got the best of me. The entire time we were at the park, we only saw one other person. Even they were only here long enough for their dog to poop on the field, and then they walked away quickly without cleaning it up.

I quietly moved over to the side, so I could see around the jungle gym.

"We should go back to my place, my parents won't mind. I'll bring you in through the side door, so they won't see you." I heard a girl say. Based on the topic of conversation, it would have been extremely awkward to interrupt. I didn't want to have to walk past them and have them see me, but that was the way home.

"Who's to say I want to do that?" The voice was so familiar. I gently peeked around and saw Jessie approaching. He sat down on the bench, and the girl from the ice cream shop gripped his hand. She sat sideways on his lap so that she would still be facing him and began to kiss his neck.

"You did, back at work." Her voice softened, and I internally gagged as she batted her eyelashes at him.

"Yeah, and that was while we were at work. I'm not going to your house. If you wanted to fuck, we should have done it back when I was in the mood." His seemingly normal irritated voice rang out loudly for anyone to hear. Lucky for the girl, there was only me.

Why does he have to be everywhere I am? Give me a break.