Page 35 of Claimed by the Fallen
“Come on, Ronnie,” she gives me a loaded look. “You know what I’m talking about. You’re super hot, but you don’t ever talk toguys.”
This time, I don’t stop my eyeroll.
Annie sees and lifts her hands in surrender, “All I’m saying is it might be a good idea to get some practice interacting with guys before going to college. Like it or not, I’m dragging you out with me every weekend. You need to get used to talking to people, especially guys who might be interested in you.” She drops her arms and looks at meexpectantly.
“I don’t see why,” I counter. “I don’t even want aboyfriend.”
“No one said anything about a boyfriend,” Annie states. “All I want is for you to be comfortable in your own skin. You’re beautiful. Guys notice you. Own it. Then, you can decide where it goes from there. I don’t want you to spend the next four years isolated in a dorm room, missing out on fun because you’rescared.”
I think that’s the first time I’ve ever heard Annie say something likethat.
She’s told me I’m pretty many times, and I don’t necessarily disagree with her. I like my dark hair and clear complexion, and my features are in proportion with one another. Objectively, I’m not ugly. The only thing I don’t like about my appearance is the evidence of my heterochromia. Other than that, I know I’m okaylooking.
But Annie has never criticized my shyness before. She never made it seem like a bad thing that I wasn’t prone to flirting with guys. In fact, she and I often make fun of girls who act like they’re interested in nothing except catching a guy’s attention. If anything, we pity them. We definitely don’t act like them or applaud their behavior as good practice forcollege.
So where are Annie’s words comingfrom?
Is she regretting the fact we are going to the same collegetogether?
Does she not want to room with meanymore?
Knowing me almost as well as I know myself, Annie sighs. “Ronnie, I’m not trying to hurt your feelings. Just… do me this one favor. Go refill the guy’s water. Bat your lashes at him a few times, ask him how his meal is, then come back to thekitchen.”
My heart skips a beat just thinking about flirting with Gabe. “I don’t see thepoint.”
“Just trust me,” Annie’s coffee-colored eyes implore me to humor her. “Please.”
I stare at her for a few seconds. I realize she’s serious, and I know she won’t backdown.
“Fine, but I’m just refilling his water and talking about food. I’m not batting myeyes.”
Annie holds up her hands in surrender. “Alright,deal.”
I shake my head, silently chastising Annie’s pushy behavior. I wash my hands in the sink and dry them on a towel before walking out of the kitchen. I sidestep the other waitress as she barrels past me to retrieve an order. Grabbing the water carafe, I inhale a steadying breath and walk towards the back corner of therestaurant.
Thankfully, Gabe doesn’t see my approach. He is looking down at his cell phone, frowning at whatever he sees on the screen. My clumsy limbs appreciate thereprieve.
It isn’t until I’m standing beside the table that Gabe looks up. Instantly, his lips turn up. “Veronica,” hegreets.
I hold up the carafe, careful to not let the item slip through my fingers. “Water?”
He nods and pushes his glass towards me. “Please.”
I try to hide my trembling hands as I pick up the glass and begin to refill it. I clear my throat and ask, “How’s your food?” I know Annie will ask me if I actually engaged Gabe in conversation, and I don’t want to lie any more than I haveto.
“It’s good,” he replies. A knowing smile pulls at hislips.
I notice and look back at the water glass. “Why are yousmiling?”
Instead of answering, Gabe catches me off guard when he says, “Your friend is right youknow.”
I place the glass back on the table and meet his eye. “What?”
The skin around his eyes crinkle with his smile. “Your friend. When she said you’re beautiful… she’sright.”
His words do strange things to my heart. The organ twists and turns in my chest, but it isn’t an unpleasantfeeling.
I’m not sure what to say. Do I thank him for the compliment? For some reason, that seems like it would only serve to open a discussion I’m not readyfor.
