Chapter 15

They surprisingly agreed to that. I put that forward expecting them to ignore the demand and forget about the whole thing but they agree all together and started making plans on when we should go.

Right now Elizabeth and Anne gossiped as they were trying to decide on what clothes they should wear. So far they've only sorted out Lizzy's own. Anne didn't want to go back to her dormitory to change so her friend offered her unlimited access to her wardrobe to pick an outfit of her choice.

The generous friend is going in a patterned colored sundress with small yellow roses and white background combined with nude stilettos. Her makeup was already done to perfection and her hair is straightened. Anne was caught between a halter neck tube top with a white jacket and black ripped jeans and a beige crop top with white ripped shorts and still with the same white jacket. With much consideration between the two desirable option she chose the latter and began to doll herself up.

"What are you going to wear Ren?" Anne asked while removing her see through top.

I urged myself to suppress a groan at the thirsty look the the girls infront of me had. I'll admit they do look amazing and pretty.

"You know what? I'm not even going to fight it, go on go ahead and dress me up like a doll."

They were ecstatic. Most of all the smile etched on Lizzy's face was that of a starving lion who hadn't seen a prey in days.

"Actually maybe....." Before I could even retract my earlier statement Anne stuffed a bunch of pretzels which we were snacking on in my mouth while her acquaintance rummage the pile of clothes already scattered on the floor.

As if prepared for this moment in seconds she pulled out an aqua blue one piece in triumph. With no time to waste she elegantly leaped over the bunch of fabrics and shoved the one in her hands at me.

"Strip."

After the long process of hair curling and facial makeover I was ready to put on the one piece. The aqua blue material was a simple sleeveless V neck jumpsuit, with oval rhinestone applique on the neck.

"You look stunning." Anne praised clapping in excitement whilst Elizabeth stood there almost in tears admiring her creation. I fished out a black leather jacket from the pile and put it on.

"It's always a pleasure." She dramatically let out a sob.

"Umm girls it's almost time for the game, we have to leave now unless we'll miss it" With that reminder we each slung a purse over the shoulder and left the apartment. Since the basketball court was far away Anne had already ordered an Uber beforehand.

The court was loud and bubbling with cheers as the crowd anticipated the arrival of the teams.

The girls led me to where the rest of their group was situated holding our sits. With little interaction I can make with them as possible I swiveled and paid attention to the court which patiently waited for the teammates. I scanned the large room of many faces looking for one in particular. I didn't find Sid anywhere but I did catch the eye of Jason at the other side of the room. We waved at each other. I think Jason was about to mouth something when I received a text.

Jacob: Meet me after the game. By the entrance.

Me: okay, Good luck out there.

Jacob: Tnxs.

The players rolled in not long after that. I immediately located Jacob as he jogged with Noah his Captain.

Lizzy nudged me and thought it was funny to taunt me.

She called "Go Gibson. Win this so you can give René your D."

I nearly choked her. Jacob merely laughed together with some other people at the audience.

The match started at a good pace. Our bears got a good start. I don't know Much about basketball and only cheered when others did. Lizzy seemed to know a great deal of it, not surprising judging by how she always comes to this games a few times to impress her dates.

Cerritos also put up a fight. It's obvious both teams have the same level of skill as the other but alas one can only come at the top.

It's our bears.

Most of the court roared in delight while the players on the ground threw each of the scorers up. Jacob scores twice while the other teammates were equally great, though Noah got the most shoots and even scored the winning shoot leaving the Cerritos to bow thier head in shame and disappointment.

A few minutes of celebration in and someone marched in with the bigass cup. It was presented to Fork.

Everyone started flowing out of the building wanting to enjoy the weekend while it lasts.

Elizabeth and Anne wasn't exempted.

"We're heading to the party. The guys wants us to help out before people start arriving. Let's go."

"Uhh actually I'm going to stay Jacob texted me to wait."

Understanding washed over her face as she wiggled her eyebrows. The girls did nothing to hide thier giggles.

"Oh well then, we shouldn't keep dear Jacob waiting now should we." She faces them "Girls c'mon" they all moved out not before giving me a pat on a part of my body.

"It's okay to come late if you know what I mean." The leader jeered and left.

I stood outside at the entrance of the building, arms folded looking around and waiting for Jacob. The parking space was almost empty and the night sky is getting darker by the minute if that even make sense.

A lot of noise disturbed the peaceful silence of the night and was coming closer than I could comprehend and before I knew it the victors of the evening emerged from the double doors.

"We're going to burn this shit down!!"

"Woohoo!!" The bears hollered. Most of them now washed and changed, huddled each other while shouting and still celebrating the victory. Kyle one of the frat dudes swung the trophy up in the air carelessly. The rest of them continued on with the noise until Bryan noticed me.

"Ren. You came!" They looked surprised to see me. Then again I don't use to come to these games.

"Congrats guys, that was a great game out there. You really deserve it."

" Thanks. That means a lot to us." Cameron quietly answered.

"What are you doing here alone? It's getting late."

"Are you coming to the party?"

When they were done bombarding me with questions I nervously avoided thier pointed gaze.

" Uhh yh I'm going to the party."

"Great let's go together c'mon." Gale one of the teammates I haven't really talked to spoke up.

Now I don't think that was the bestest idea. Don't get me wrong they all seem like nice guys but riding in a car filled with men. Seven in number!, It doesn't sit right with me.

"I'm actually waiting for someone."

"Who?" Noah eyed me.

"Me." From the same way they came Jacob finally graced us with his presence.

He strode to where I was and flung an arm around my shoulder. The boys put two and two together.

"This is who you were talking about." Noah yelled not minding that he was the only thing anyone could here from afar.

"Yeah." A pregnant pause passed for a while. It was almost certain that Noah and Jacob shared a look.

"We'll see you at the party then." Cameron dismissed fighting Bryan for the trophy because he was about to wear it as a hat.

They all drove off soon after.

"You talked about me. Good things I hope." He steered us to the only car left.

"Great things." With one last squeeze on my shoulder he opened the door for me.

"I was thinking we grab something to eat you know, before the party." On que my stomach made an inaudible grumble.

"Good idea. What do you have in mind."

"The diner a few miles from here." He turned the key in the ignition and stepped on the accelerator.

"Speedy's! "

"Yeah I think, you've been to the place?"

"You haven't."

"No." He shrugged nonchalantly.

"Dude the diner isn't far from our faculty!"

He turned to the corner where the diner resided.

"Didn't really notice it."

He parked.

"They have the best steak and burgers, let's just say the chef is blessed in the meat department. Literally and figuratively."

He guffawed.

"I'm serious" I was a little offended by his amusement to this. "Alright, you know what get down you're about to taste the best hamburger in history."

" Okay." He scoffed and met me infront of the car as I walked into the familiar establishment.

The diner was up and running as usual since it was a Friday night. Some had jerseys and yellow colored clothes entailing that they just got back from the games too. A corner of the diner close to the restroom a large crowd gathered in rearranged seats laughing and celebrating the win. Right by the middle of the room is the open kitchen where six out of the ten employees were on thier shifts running around cooking and or serving the food.

Mickey the head chef was at the grill flipping meat and shouting orders to the rest of them. At the counter was Patt and Mia working the register and refilling drinks. They were both students in our school working part-time here. The twins had both platinum blonde hair and almost look alike. The waiters just five ran around taking orders and serving food.

I didn't waste ay time, I grabbed Jacob's hand and pulled him to an empty booth a pair of customers vacated and passed us.

"When do I get to eat the best 'burgers' in the world." he air quoted burgers.

"We have to wait a little bit." the staff was in a hurry to attend to everyone all at once. I didn't want to burden them any further.

"Hello what can I get you two tonight, oh hey Ren." Whitney Speedy's sixteen year old granddaughter came to view. She was very short and had long hair. She was a bit chubby but that only added to her girl nextdoor look. Whitney waitress here on weekends for extra cash.

"Hi Whitney, how are you and how is the old man?" Her family is loaded. Whitney's parents actually lives in Florida, she comes here to spend the holiday with her grandfather Sebastiaan AKA Speedy. He got his name from a boating accident that happened a long time ago so he's been stuck with it ever since. Whitney's parents are wealthy but Speedy wasn't.

"I'm good. Don't get me started on his recent shenanigans." She sassed.

"That's not a good way to talk about your grandfather like that." I reprimanded. Though the teen's act of hard work for her own money is commendable she still has a little spoilt bratty attitude in her that comes out time to time.

"Sorry. And who is this."

"This is Jacob." Jacob smiled at her confidently and outstretch his hand for a handshake.

She took it.

"I'm Jacob. Pleasure to meet you."

"I'm Whitney, pleasure to meet you too." After the handshake Whitney joined her pointy finger and thumb together and subtly sent me a wink.

" So what are you too lovebirds going to have."

"We were thinking maybe we should hold on a bit because of the big crowd you're having."

" Oh no need, most of them are gone." She was right. The diner was half empty now, especially since the fans that situated at the corner left. The customers that are now left have been served and are already eating, giving the staff time to rest.

"Well in that case I'll have the double deluxe cheese special with no tomatoes and onions with a Cola drink, and a strawberry milkshake for desert." She wrote it down on her pad and pushed the menu towards Jacob. He refused it and waved her off.

"I'll have the same."

Whitney nodded "It should be ready within 15 minutes. Table 12 is free would you like to move there so that you can see everyone?" Should I?

" Maybe not I'm on a date. When we're about to leave I'll say hello to them." She tried to hold back a smile.

"okay" she left.

"Does everyone on campus know who you are!?" He asked rhetorically.

"Not everyone." I chuckled and knawed at the free cashew nuts on the table.

"How, you don't seem socially outgoing. No offense."

" None taken."

I shook my head "Do you wanna know how I turned popular?"

He gave me a slight nod. I leaned in and motioned for him to come closer.

"Do you really wanna know?"

"Mhmm." I let suspense build as he became more anxious awaiting my answer.

I whispered "I... am a nice person."

Jacob expression was that of offense and displeasure. The urge to smirk was uncontrollable.

"Here are your drinks. Mickey is almost done with your orders." Whitney came with the dark liquid in glasses and place it on the table in front of us.

"Thank you Whitney."

"No problem. I'll be by the counter if you need me."

Everything aside both of us talked for a little bit. That is until the waitress brought us our food and left as quickly as she came.

"Alright Jacob, try it." I let mine sit untouched while I anxiously await his first bite.

He slowly leaned in with the burger in his hands, deliberately taking his time he took a bite of the delicious ensemble.

"Well??"

"It's nice." Ok wow.

I deadpanned "Nice!! Just nice?"

"Yeah, it's alright." And he kept on eating.

"Not amazing?!" I exclaimed. He just shrugged in indifference.

"There's nothing really special about it."

I let it go. Clearly some people don't know what they're talking about.

I internally scoffed and munched on mine, I swear it's like the first time tasting it every time it enters my mouth. From the well done beef to the glazed lettuce and the warm cheese. Totally unhealthy but who cares. Even Lizzy thinks it's one of the best things she's tasted.

Minutes into eating we made small chatter. We didn't realize we were getting late until we finished our milkshakes and checked the time. Grabbing my hand Jacob rushed us out of the diner leaving me to only wave and yell a quick hello to the shocked faces of the employees.