Page 33 of Accidental Proposal

“You don’t remember, sweetie?” I asked in a fake sweet tone, with an intentionally confused face. “You gave me money on a credit card…so I think I can afford it.” I plastered on a fake smile. “Let me grab some shoes.” With that, I headed back to my room. Muttering under my breath, I grabbed a new pair of black Converse I’d gotten at the mall the other day. With my bag swung across my shoulder and my phone in my pocket, I went back to the kitchen. Liam really did know how to push my buttons.

“Let’s all ride in one car,” was the first thing Lennon said the moment I walked through the door. Before I could even ask what we were doing, she had her arm hooked through mine, dragging me down the hall toward the garage; the two boys followed behind us quietly. Lennon didn’t even wait for them as she dragged both of us toward the Jeep Rubicon at the far side of the garage.

“I just love this car,” she said, jumping into the back seat.

“I haven’t been in it yet, but I love Jeeps,” I said, sliding in next to her.

“Let me guess, you’re always in the Audi,” she said. I nodded just as the guys opened the doors and got in.

“Lenn, why did you pick the Jeep out of all the cars?” Blake practically whined, looking over his shoulder at her.

“I wanted to ride in something different, so sue me.” She stuck her tongue out at him immaturely. “Let’s go to Rick’s Pizzeria.” I watched Liam roll his eyes in the rearview mirror, but he did what she asked and backed out of the driveway. I could tell she was the one who told everyone else what to do.

The whole ride to Rick’s Pizzeria, Lennon made conversation between everyone, trying to lighten the atmosphere. Her and Blake talked about random topics such as which phone device was better, the iPhone or Samsung Galaxy, to what pizza topping was better. I studied Blake the whole ride, and from the way he interacted with Lennon I was starting to like him. He was a big guy, probably worked out every day of the week, but when it came to his friends he seemed like a big softie. At first I thought he didn’t like me, but it seemed like he got over the fact no one told him about Liam and me.

About fifteen minutes later, Liam pulled the car into a parking lot of a cute little place. It was an old brick building that was set between two bigger buildings that were probably businesses. We all jumped out of the car and headed inside. The moment I stepped through the door, the smell of homemade pizza hit me straight in the face. I hadn’t had anything to eat in hours, and the smell of it and garlic bread was making my stomach grumble. I could tell it was a family-owned place. Black and white pictures covered the walls, as well as colored ones. The red walls were inviting, as was the atmosphere. The place seemed pretty busy as we waited to be seated. A few minutes later, a plump woman came up and grinned at Liam, Blake, and Lennon.

“Liam, Blake, Lennon, I haven’t seen you in a while,” the woman said in a pretty thick Brooklyn accent. She hugged them all and kissed them on their cheeks before coming to a stop in front of me. “And who is this lovely lady?” She suddenly grabbed and hugged me tightly to her. I looked over her shoulder at Liam, but he just ignored me.

“I’m Jenna, just a friend,” I said once she let me go and stared at me.

“Mmhmmm.” She looked at me one more time before turning around and grabbing menus. “Right this way.” I trailed behind everyone as we were led toward the back of the restaurant to a booth. With Lennon next to Blake, I had no choice but to sit next to Liam.

“How about a large three-topping pizza?” Blake asked, not even glancing at his menu. Looking around, I noticed none of them were. “And wings.” Next to Blake, Lennon rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. Before I could even answer, the same woman came over to the table to take our order. In less than a second, Blake rattled off the order and the lady left. It was pretty clear they had been here a lot. “So, Jenna, tell me about yourself. Liam has told me nothing about you,” Blake said, putting his hands on the table and leaning toward me.No surprise there.

“There’s really nothing to tell. I’m not an interesting person,” I said, shrugging. “How about you? I don’t know anything about you, either.” I tried to switch the topic. I was not in the mood to talk about myself tonight.

“Blake works with his father; they own a big construction company,” Lennon butted in before Blake could answer.

“Wow, that’s impressive.”

“Soon I will own the company here in New York.”

“Sounds like you guys have a good business.” I shot him a smile. Blake opened his mouth to answer but was cut off when a pitcher of beer was put in front of us. Before the lady could leave, I asked for a glass of water before turning back to three sets of eyes staring at me.

“You don’t drink?” Blake asked, pouring beer into three glasses.

“No, not really. Plus, I’m too young.” He sent me a weird look, but I let it go. Was it weird that a nineteen year old didn’t like alcohol or something?

Conversation for the next little bit was light with Liam, Lennon, and Blake talking to one another. I added in a couple of times but mostly sat back and listened to them talk about work and reminisce about their childhoods together. I felt out of place among the three of them and couldn’t help but feel I shouldn’t be here. I should have just stayed home and made myself something to eat instead. Liam wouldn’t look in my direction, and when he did it was a frown or a glare when I added to the conversation. I watched as Lennon was hanging onto Blake’s every word, clearly smitten with him. Blake was laughing and smiling over at her with a wide white grin, completely ignorant of the looks Lennon was giving him. When I looked at both of them, I knew they would make a cute couple and that I would have to be Cupid for them soon. The three of them had a bond that I knew no one could break, and I was impeding on it.

Watching them talk and laugh made me jealous. I’d never had a group of friends like that. The two friends I had in high school were closer to each other than they were with me, and I had been fine with that. You would think that during high school I would want to have close friends, but I didn’t. I was fine being alone until recently; lately I’d wanted someone to be around, someone to talk to. I missed Candy and Sophia more than ever, what with being cooped up in a big house by myself and that making me antsy and lonely. Sitting here listening to them talk really made me feel lonely. I didn’t belong with them.

The longer I sat there, the worse I started to feel. I kept getting lower and lower in the booth, trying to act invisible. After saying something in the conversation and hearing Liam scoff at me, I knew I had to leave. I couldn’t sit there any longer listening to them acting like I wasn’t there. I knew when I wasn’t wanted. When there was a break of silence, I sat up.

“Hey, guys, I think I’m going to go,” I said quickly before losing my confidence.

“What, why?” Lennon asked, looking at me. I felt Blake’s and Liam’s eyes on me as well.

“I…I don’t feel so good. I’m sorry, but please stay and eat.” I forced a smile, sliding out of the booth.

“No, it’s okay. We can take you home,” Blake said, making a move to stand up.

“No! No, stay, really. I’m fine.” I shot my hand out onto his arm, stopping him. They didn’t need to leave just because I was.

“At least let Liam take you back,” Lennon reasoned. I looked over and saw Liam with his jaw clenched and a dark look on his face.

“It’s fine. I’ll see you guys later, though. It was nice meeting you, Blake.” Nodding at them, I turned and walked away from the table before they could say anything else. I knew Liam wasn’t happy about me being there, and it would make him angrier if he had to take me home. I’d just get a taxi. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I gripped the handle on my bag and made my way to the front door. I ignored my rumbling stomach and pushed open the door.

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