She came out and Chloe’s mouth went into a smile. “He is going to cry himself to sleep tonight.”
* * *
Nero leaned up against his car in the student parking lot. Amo and Vincent had joined him a few minutes earlier. His car was just a few feet away from Chloe’s parking spot. Nero knew he and his crew were still going to have to provide some protection; if anyone got wind of him and Elle breaking up, she would be done for.
Nero rubbed his eyes. He hadn’t gotten much sleep the past few nights. He wanted to believe it was going to be easy winning her back, but honestly, Nero had no idea where to start. He had no women expertise outside of the bedroom.
He had spent the weekend following Elle to and from work, again. Moreover, Nero found it even more miserable than the first time he had done it. Watching her so close and not talking to her was torture. Then not going into the diner while she worked was the worst kind of torture.
He had noticed she didn’t look like herself and was clearly in pain. He figured that was why he didn’t talk to her or pop up in the diner; he didn’t want to cause her more damage. She’s had enough of that.
“How are you, man?” Vincent asked, breaking through his thoughts.
“Fine,” Nero answered quickly, not wanting them to think he was torn up over a girl.
“And how’s she?” Amo asked.
“She looked pretty rough last night,” Nero confessed.
Vincent laughed. “You’re going to have to come up with something good, man. Thank God, I’m not you.”
“Yeah, I know. Listen, we need to be on them. I think Cassandra comes back today.” Nero knew he wasn’t going to be able to get too close without making up with Elle yet, but he needed to get as close as he could.
Amo and Vincent nodded. They waited for about five minutes until Chloe’s BMW appeared and pulled in her spot.
Nero watched as the passenger’s door opened and a pair of black boots hit the ground. When the door was closed shut, he blinked his eyes several times before he realized it wasn’t going to change anything. Holy hell.
Nero felt an intense amount of emotions as he watched Elle’s ass sashay across the parking lot in that outfit. Firstly, he wanted to fuck her. Secondly, he wanted her to dress like that more often. Lastly, he wanted to know why she looked perfectly fine.
When only Elle’s back was visible, his first emotion returned harder. It’s been a fucking while, okay?
Nero noticed his friends gawking. “Hey, fuckers, move your eyes to someone else.”
“Damn, Nero, you were right. Elle is just so heartbroken.” Amo couldn’t hold in his laughter.
Nero leaned up from the car and ran his hands through his hair. He turned back to them and saw Vincent closing his eyes, whispering something.
“What the hell are you doing?”
Vincent whispered something else before he opened his eyes. “I was just thanking God for leggings.”
* * *
Elle and Chloe went through the chicken patty line. Picking what we want is now over. Elle knew it had been good while it lasted, and honestly, she didn’t even know if she was going to be able to eat today. She had completely forgotten about lunch money, not like she would have paid the ridiculous price for it anyways.
Elle and Chloe moved up the line. She had been on the lookout the whole morning, and Chloe had started walking behind her again. She did notice that the three assholes had been following them all day, though. I don’t need to be followed!
Elle and Chloe grabbed a tray full of fries and a chicken sandwich and then went to give the lady their number. Elle held her breath, wondering if she was going to get away with it. When she did, she couldn’t believe it. Elle figured the only reason she had was because the lunch lady in the other line was much meaner. So, I guess I’m stuck eating chicken patties for the rest of the semester.
Elle walked toward her and Chloe’s original table, but found it full.
“Shit.”
She looked around and saw the only table that was unoccupied was the table in the corner that they had sat at Friday. Elle turned and walked toward that table. As she did, she noticed Nero, Amo, Vincent, and Leo sat at the table closest to it. Of course they are. The other surrounding tables were still filled with the football team.
Elle took the seat facing the lunchroom again, and Chloe took the one in front of her, just like she always had before. I guess some things can never change.
Elle gave Chloe a reassuring smile. Chloe hadn’t been prepared to go back to their old ways. Elle had watched her as she had blossomed back into her old self. It had been the happiest Elle had seen her since she had met her the first day of high school.
Elle picked up her sandwich to take a bite when she noticed the lunch lady from the other line was heading her way.
“Uh, Chloe, why is she coming toward us?”
Elle watched Chloe swing her head around and then quietly speak, “Should we be afraid right now?”
“I don’t—”
Elle gasped as the lunch lady snatched her sandwich out of her hand and put it back on the tray. “I told you last week, Elle, you need to pay for your lunches. No more charges.” Elle heard her mumble under her breath, “This isn’t a damn charity,” as she walked away.
Elle and Chloe’s mouths hung open as she then walked right up to the trashcan and threw away her tray. She knew this school had really gone to the next level when they’d rather throw away food than feed a hungry child.
“Can she do that?” Chloe asked, turning back around.
“She just did,” Elle said, wanting to disappear.
Chloe pushed her tray away. “You can have mine. I’m not that hungry.”
“No, Chloe. I don’t want it. It wasn’t what I wanted anyways.”