Chapter Thirty

Thirty minutes earlier...

Since we were both free today, Ryan and I decided to go to the mall. We planned to buy the items we needed for our Halloween costumes. We first did a little research online on what costumes to wear. Both of us were so indecisive that we took time before we left.

By the time, we got to the mall. It was already lunchtime. Since we were both hungry, we decided to eat lunch first. We decided to eat at our favorite fast-food restaurant. However, since it was lunchtime, the place was packed.

We could have eaten elsewhere but we didn't. Besides, any restaurant will be packed at this hour. So, we decided to stay and queue at the cashier. After a few minutes, we were finally able to order. While he waited for our food to be prepared, Ryan told me to look for a table. So, I did.

Looking at where I was standing, I could tell that there were no vacant tables. But I did find two empty seats in a four-seat table. My jaw dropped when I realized who were the two people occupying that table. It was the Solistre cousins!

They are here! They were already eating. By the looks of their meals, they had just got here a few minutes earlier. They seem to have done a lot of shopping because of the shopping bags on their sides.

As if she could sense me staring at her, Claire looked up and we made eye contact. She was also surprised to see me. But her wide eyes returned to their normal size. Then, she motioned for me to come closer.

I made a gesture to inform her that I was with Ryan. She looked still for a bit. Then, she smiled wide. I can tell by her smile that she has a plan. Once again, she motioned at me to come closer. So, I did.

Only when I was a few steps away did Diane notice me.

"Hello, Kuya Justin Cyrus! What a coincidence to see you here." Diane greeted first.

"Hi, Diane and Claire! It's a coincidence indeed." I greeted back.

"Oh? Do you plan to eat here? There are no other tables available. Why not join us?" Claire offered. But with the intense gaze she was giving me, she seemed to be telling me to follow her lead.

"Sure but... I'm with... someone." I said not wanting to reveal who I was with to Diane.

"Oh? That's o-"

Diane stopped talking in the middle of her sentence. Her eyes went wide. But she wasn't looking at me. She was looking at something behind me. I realized immediately what she was seeing, right before I even turned around.

Just as I suspected, Ryan was behind me carrying our tray of food. He too was looking shocked to see the Solistre cousins. I looked at him awkwardly. Then I decided to speak.

"There are no available seats apart from these."

Ryan looked at me with a still expression. What could he be thinking? Did he want to back out now? But he can't do that. Diane already saw him. If he backed out, this could give a bad message to Diane.

"Cyrus is right. Diane and I don't mind you sitting with us. Isn't that right, Diane?" Claire suddenly spoke.

I must say. Claire knows how to shift the tension in her favor. Diane is now pressured to comply without making Claire look bad. Claire did ask if it was alright with her.

"Of course. It's okay with me." Diane said in a pretty convincing tone.

"Okay. Thank you." I said. Then I proceeded to sit at the chair in front of Claire.

Ryan had no choice but to go along with it. He said his thanks. But he said it to no one in particular. He set down my food in front of me leaving him on the tray. Then, he sat down.

Afterward, the wave of awkwardness took over us. Ryan began to eat while Diane continued munching on her fries. Both were silent and avoided looking at the other even though they were sitting across each other. Damn! What do we do next?

Claire nudged me from under the table. I looked up at her. She held my gaze while she made eye signals at me. She wanted me to start a conversation. I looked back at her while thinking of what to talk about. Due to my panic, my mind was a mess.

I made a subtle sign to Claire that I couldn't think of anything. She looked at me wide-eyed and annoyed. I can't blame her. After all, I'm ruining this perfect opportunity. Ryan and Diane are just beside us looking very awkward with this. Claire gave me an exasperated look.

"By the way, Cyrus... Detective Lagron called me the other day." Claire began to speak lifting the awkward atmosphere.

I already knew what she was about to say. We had already talked about this the other day. But for conversation's sake, I guess it won't hurt to repeat our talk.

"He did? Was there news about the robbers who stole my phone?" I said trying to sound surprised.

"Yes. They found the gang's headquarters. The gang members including their leader are now under the custody of the police." Claire said it so naturally as she told me the first time. Acting seems so effortless on her part.

"That's good news! Did they find my phone?" I already knew they didn't. After all, the detective already told me that the chances of recovering it were very slim.

"Sad to say no. It was already long gone."

Then we became silent. From the corner of my eye, I noticed that the two were listening to us as they ate. Claire and I waited for them to ask questions regarding the topic. But a minute had already passed, and none of the two spoke.

But neither of us was going to give up.

"By the way, what was the brand of that phone of yours that got stolen?" she asked to keep the conversation going.

We didn't talk about this before. She wasn't also around when the detective asked me this for their investigation. I told her the brand of the phone and also the model. She looked so surprised. Who wouldn't be? That was the latest model of that phone brand.

"Oh wow! And you bought that the day before it got stolen?" Claire asked in disbelief.

"Yes."

"Damn! No wonder you almost cried."

Okay! Hold that comment right there.

"Wait a minute! I DID NOT cry." I said in defense.

"I said you ALMOST cried. If you could only see your face that day, you looked as if someone had died."

Well... she has a point. But I still didn't cry. Then, she began to chuckle. She looked so amused by my outburst. Soon, I found myself smiling. From my peripheral view, I noticed Ryan and Diane looking at us. I can tell that they were surprised by our 'getting along' act.

Claire seemed to notice it too. She began talking about her opinions on buying expensive and newly released phones. I commented on some of my ideas on the topic. Soon, we were comparing phone brands as we ate.

Our topics went on and on. We went from phone brands to phone app recommendations. Our discussion was so natural like what friends would do. I almost forgot that Ryan and Diane were watching us.

"Why are you here, by the way?" Claire said as soon as she finished drinking her powdered juice drink.

"We're going to shop for our Halloween costumes," I answered.

"Oh? Diane and I just did ours," she said pointing to their shopping bags at the side. She even took the liberty of giving us recommendations on where to go.

"Anyway, it seems I already took a lot of your time," Claire said. She's right though. We finished eating thirty minutes ago.

"I guess it's time for Diane and me to get going. We'll leave you two."

Claire began getting her things and so was Diane. They stood up from the table and said their goodbyes. Claire purposely greeted Ryan and me separately. This made Ryan and Diane look at each other to say their goodbyes. As they do so, Claire and I share an initial victory smile.

This is a good premonition of what might happen at the Halloween Ball. I can't wait!