Little Things

I start noticing little things.

Like how Kane automatically gets in the front seat of my car, even though it should be Landon or Lydia who sit up front.

Or how he puts his arms around the back of my seat while I'm driving.

And how he stood beside the booth and waited for me to slide in because we always sit beside each other.

He takes up majority of the booth so his leg is always pressed up against mine, but today it feels like it's burning a hole through my sweats. What the hell is going on??

These are normal things between me and Kane. Things we do all the time. Things that I have never thought twice about.

When the waiter comes Kane orders my food like he always does because we each always get the same thing and I look up to see Lydia smirking at me.

Has years of being told I'm in love with Kane finally brainwashed me into believing it?

I jump when I feel his arm go to rest on the booth behind me and he gives me a weird look. My whole body feels hot. 

I can see that the three of them are talking. Their mouths are moving but I'm not registering the words. My whole mind is occupied by how Kane's body is pressed against mine.

"You ok?" Kane whispers into my ear

I jolt away from him like he just shocked me and he raises his eyebrows at me.

"What?" I breath

"You're weird today"

He's not wrong. I am weird today, but it's his and Lydia's fault.

The waiter sets all our plates down and I watch as Kane takes one of my pancakes for himself and replaces it with one of his waffles. We've done this for as long as I can remember.

I hate Lydia right now. Especially because she's giving me a "told you so" look.

She's not right about me being in love with him but she did make me have a big realization. Me and Kane are too close. It's no wonder I can't get a boyfriend I'm pretty much in a one sided relationship with Kane.

I make sure he doesn't fail classes. I bandage him when he's hurt. I change my food order for him. I go get him no matter the time when he gets too drunk and calls me.

It's becoming more clear why everyone thinks I'm in love with him.

I'm vaguely aware of fingers snapping in front of my face. 

"Yoo-hoo, Viola" Landon chants  

I realize while I've been lost in thought I've just been staring at my food in front of me. 

"Sorry" I shake my head "What?"

“I was asking if you booked the cabin for our trip this summer?” 

Of course I’m the one that’s in charge of doing it because dumb and dumber can’t take responsibility for anything unless it’s getting alcohol. 

“Yes, I booked it.” It comes out harsh.

Landon’s eyes widen and he returns to eating his food. I didn't mean for it to come out like that, but it get's annoying always being the one with all the responsibility. 

“You guys are renting a cabin this summer?” Lydia asks

“Just for a couple of weeks. You should come” Landon tells her and I notice that her face flushes.

“Oh.. I mean.. yeah, I don’t have any plans this summer” She shrugs like it’s no big deal but her multiple stutters already ruined her nonchalant act.

I pick at my food, too stuck in my head to be able to enjoy my meal.

Kane finishes his food, then stretches and drapes his arm across my shoulders. I stare at his hand that’s resting on my arm.

My head is swimming and I can’t think with his leg pressing into mine and his arm wrapped around me.

This is ridiculous.

Absolutely fucking ridiculous.

“Are you gonna eat that?” Kane leans in and asks me

“What?” I snap

His holds his hands up and leans back over to his side. I slide my plate towards him and he wastes no time digging into it.

I just want this breakfast to be over. I want to crawl back into bed and sleep and hopefully forget about all this when I wake up.

Lydia and Landon are deep in conversation about how much they hate their chem professor when I notice Kane staring at me.

“Can I help you?” I turn to face him for the first time all morning

“Someone’s extra pissy this morning. Wake up on the wrong side of the bed?”

“No I woke up to two trolls jumping on top of me”

“You should be more grateful. I would be so happy to wake up to two girls jumping on top of me.”

My nose curls. “Yes, well that’s because your disgusting”

He waves his bandaged hand at me the same way he did last night.

“Ah, you can’t be mean to me I’m still injured.”

So, he does remember. 

“I hope it gets infected.”

He slides his injured hand my shoulders. “It won’t. My sweet Viola has perfected cleaning my wounds.”

I roll my eyes. I’ve given up on telling him to stop calling me that.

The waiter brings the bill and we all pitch in on it and the tip. I would’ve paid for all of it if it would get me out of this fucking booth.

Kane is about to stand up when I hear my name. I look up to see Jordan standing at the edge of our table smiling at me.

“Jordan.. hi” A genuine smile spreads across my face

Kane moves in front of me, inserting himself between me and Jordan. 

“I’m Kane” He holds his hand out for Jordan to shake.

He grips Jordan’s hand tight but he doesn’t show any signs of pain.

“Jordan” I notice him grip Kane’s hand back. It's not everyday someone is brave enough to challenge Kane. 

“And I’m Landon” Kane lets go of Jordan’s hand when Landon sticks his hand out for him to take. Landon knows how Kane is so I'm glad he decided to interject.

“Nice to meet you” Jordan smiles at him and they exchange a normal handshake.

Jordan returns his attention to me. “It’s good seeing you again”

He walks away before I can respond.