Kept Away ? b. w. simpson

.:.Karolina's POV.:.

I woke this morning, the feeling of guilt still holding it's place in my heart. I hated how the conversation ended between us last night. I felt horrible for ditching him like that.

As Brad stepped into the car, I revved the engine. We buckled our seat belts and I made sure all doors were shut. I turned my head to him, smiling. His lip barely lifted a corner, no sign of a smile.

I could feel the weak smile of mine, disappearing from its place on my lips. I drove, the heavy silence seeming to weigh down the car as I drove to school.

I parked in my usual area, the car engine turning off as I pulled the keys from the ignition. Brad had carefully stepped out, slinging his bag over his shoulder. Sweeping his hair out of his eyes, he glanced at me and started walking.

I trailed him, now walking at his pace as I strided along side Brad.

"I'm really sorry. About last night." I said. I really was. I was the one who got myself in trouble as well. It shouldn't have gone down the way it did.

"Don't worry about it." He said his walking slowing down a bit. It made it easier for me to keep pace with him.

"I should have asked you if you wanted to come. I'll make it up to you?" I suggested. The idea seemed to interest him as he turned to look at me, an eye brow raised.

"How?" He asked shortly. He continued the eye contact, mine leaving his until I gave up.

"We'll find something." I smiled, letting him know I'd stay true to my words. I felt bad and I really wanted to make it up to him.

"I got it. You can buy me those tacos you love so much. I enjoyed those much more than I should have." He chuckled. His nose crinkled as his laugh quieted. He smiled down at me, waiting for my approval, to which I nodded.

I bumped into him jokingly as we continued down our path towards the building.

****

After classes I waited down by the library. Brad said we could go down for lunch by the pier. I agreed to it, the idea sounding much better, now that Brad wasn't mad at me. I stood by the entrance, scrolling through my phone as I waited. I felt weird all alone as I stood their. Usually I had Scott and Jo by my side, but they decided on leaving early and I'd never gotten the memo. I shrugged it off, scrolling past her post about their activities on Twitter.

"I'm starving. Let's go!" He said, running past me, taking my hand. I laughed as he pulled us down to where the car had been parked.

I unlocked the car, the both of us opening the car doors in sync.

"I'm sure no one has been this excited over tacos, huh?" He asked me, his laugh subsiding as he turned to look at me. His hands left the seat buckle as he shifted into a comfortable position in the seat.

"Not until now." I laughed. I pulled out of the lot and we headed down to the pier.

"Do you not like the food in the UK?" I asked curiously, my mind wandering to what the food was like.

"The food is better here. Not that I don't like England. I just enjoy the food much more." He stifled a laugh.

Soon enough the pier had come in full view. The pier was never as busy in the day as it was in the evening. But for us it was a fortunate thing. It meant less lines for food. 

We walked down the boardwalk, his eyes carefully observing as people enjoyed their day. He slipped his sunglasses over his eyes, no longer squinting as his eyes were shaded. We had stopped in front of the taco stand, his smile widening as he rubbed his hands together in excitement. I laughed at him, earning a glare as he began to order.