Lennox sat outside for lunch. She leaned against the side of the school in a patch of grass, a tray of school lunch resting on her lap. Chad sat beside her, Faith on her other side, and Trey beside her. The couple were engrossed in signing to each other, Faith patient with Trey's signing.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

Lennox absentmindedly nodded, popping a chicken nugget into her mouth. She chewed swiftly and took a swing of her milk.

"I know you don't know me that well, but you can talk to me. I want to be your friend."

She grabbed a chicken nugget and held it out to him. "As a friend, I'm giving you food, because you're the only one without any."

He glanced between her and the chicken nugget, then over her at the couple nursing sandwiches. He took the nugget and plopped it in his mouth, wincing slightly. "Thank you," he said while chewing.

She wrinkled her nose. "You're welcome, but don't speak while eating."

He smirked, then stole her last chicken nugget. She gawked at him, reaching for it to no avail. It had already made it into his mouth, and he was reciting the words to a song while chewing.

Lennox covered her eyes with her hand. "Now that's just gross."

She heard him laugh, and he lowered her hand. She scowled.

"You're cute when you scowl," Chad said.

Lennox found herself flushing. She remembered what he had said at the party; that he liked her. She couldn't like someone she had just met, but she found that he wouldn't be a bad person to like. He was cute, and sweet, and he made her feel like she could let her walls down. Then again, so did Levi. However, Chad and Levi were two different people.

Looking into Chad's eyes as he smiled at her, she felt that she could fall for him. Heck, maybe she was falling for him. Then again, she sucked at emotions.

"You know when you're not cute?" she muttered. "When you talk with your mouth full."

Chad laughed.

Faith tapped her on the shoulder. So, you and Chad?

She sighed. Too soon, Faith.

Do you want to go to Starbucks today?

Lennox nodded. Another coffee couldn't hurt her. She glanced to Chad. She guessed she could let him in to their tradition.

"Hey, Chad, want to come to Starbucks with us after school? It's almost become like a tradition for us."

Chad grinned. "I'd love to."

Trey raised an eyebrow. "I better be invited."

Faith whacked him on the arm. Of course you are.

"I don't think I'll ever get used to the sign language," Chad muttered.

"Then learn it," Trey grumbled.

Lennox narrowed her eyes. "Do you have a problem, Trey?"

No, I'm just not sure about him, Trey signed.

Lennox scowled. "Then you could say it out loud instead of signing it like a coward." She stood, and Chad stood with her, clearly confused. "I have enough people to be angry at and wary of. You better not become another one."

"Lennox, I didn't mean-"

She turned on her heel and left. Chad followed behind her as she walked into the school just as the bell rang.

"I don't want to be a source of trouble within your group, Lennox," Chad muttered.

Lennox shook her head. "It's not your fault."

Chad stopped in the middle of the hallway. Other students began flooding in, and they were soon tightly packed between bodies moving in various directions. Lennox stared at him, into eyes that seemed to pull her in. At a guy who somehow had a crush on her, and who had seen her true colors with Isla and admired her for it.

"I'm just scared they aren't good for you. Faith is so busy with Trey, and now he's upsetting you. I know I haven't known you long, but I just want the best for everyone. I know you can handle yourself, but be careful. I saw what happened with Isla, and I'd hate to see you get treated like that again. Of course, I admire you for how you handle things," Chad rambled, eyes dead set on her. He seemed to have a habit of shoving his hands in his pockets when he talked.

Lennox furrowed her eyebrows. She felt immensely protective of Faith, and even Trey, but his words caused her to think. "I see what you mean, but I'm not going to be rash. I'm done being rash with my anger."

Chad nodded, but something shifted in his eyes. "As long as you're happy, Lennox. Want to get to class?"

She nodded, and she was glad that someone had her best interests at heart. Nora knew what she was doing when she introduced Chad to her.

✌️

Chad gave Lennox a ride to Starbucks. He drove a brand new Ford truck, which prompted Lennox to wonder how much money his family had. She knew that truck had to be expensive. It even had heated massage seats, which felt like a luxury to her. Not even her dad could afford to buy such a nice truck for her. Not even on a payment plan.

"My dad's a lawyer," Chad explained, probably noticing how her jaw had dropped open.

Now, they hopped out of the truck and walked into Starbucks. The smell of coffee hit their noses immediately, and Lennox felt her spirits lifting. She hastily walked to the counter, smiling at Levi.

"Back for another round of my specialty coffee?" Levi asked. His playful demeanor shifted as he eyed Chad next to her.

"Levi, this is Chad. I met him at the party. Chad, Levi. He makes the best coffee in the world, but he himself does not like coffee," Lennox said.

They shook hands.

"His drinks aren't on the menu, but they're good," Lennox said. "I'll take a special drink, Levi."

He grinned. "Coming right up. And for Chad?"

"I'll try one."

Levi nodded and rang up their order. Chad tried to pay, but Lennox threatened to slash his tires if he paid, so he let her buy her own drink. Lennox didn't need him buying drinks for her, but she secretly appreciated the gesture. 

They patiently waited for Levi to make the drinks, and Lennox cherished having her two favorite boys in the same place. Well, save her brother, but he was related to her, so it didn't count. She still couldn't believe all the people she had met when she opened up her eyes. And her heart.

"I thought the people who took your orders didn't make your drinks?" Chad muttered.

"He just does that because only he can make the special drinks," Lennox responded.

Chad nodded, and Lennox drummed her fingers against her leg.

"Here you guys go. I can't get a break for a while, but I'll try to join you," Levi saif, handing them their drinks. "And where's Faith? And Trey?"

Lennox took her frozen drink and shrugged. "They should be on their way."

"Is everything alright?" Levi asked, eyebrows furrowed.

She nodded, taking a sip of her drink. Chocolate and strawberry exploded in her mouth, but they oddly complimented each other.

Lennox took the lead, and they sat at a four person table towards the back. A few annoyingly loud teenagers had taken up most of the front end of the store. She contemplated walking over and saying something, but quickly decided against it. She was there to drink coffee, not start a fight. If it was Isla, however, that would be a different story.

"Wow, he makes really good drinks," Chad commented.

Lennox noticed he had already drank half of his cup, and it was a large, or a 'venti' in Starbucks terms. "I can tell you like it. Careful you don't get brain freeze."

He laughed, then took another long gulp. "I don't get brain freeze. Brain freeze is for the-" He held a hand to his head and winced. "Darn it."

She snickered, taking another sip of her own drink. "Yup, you're way too good for brain freeze. It'll never happen to you. Nope. Never."

Chad rolled his eyes, gently pushing his drink aside as he rubbed his head. "Do you think the others will show up?"

Lennox shrugged. "If they don't, and they don't have a good reason, then you were right. Maybe Faith is drifting away from me." That thought stung. The old her didn't want to associate with people because she didn't want to get hurt. Now, Lennox was wondering if the old her was kind of right. What if all friendship just led to hurt in the end? What if Trey was enough for Faith then, and neither of them needed her?

"Lennox?"

She blinked. She stared at Chad. At least he hadn't left her. He seemed like the only person at her school, not counting her sister, that she could count on. Sure, she'd met him a few weeks ago, but screw caution. She really didn't care anymore.

"Are you okay?" Chad asked.

She nodded, gulping down the last of her drink. Chad had finished a while ago. "I'm fine, just thinking. Thanks for being a good friend."

Chad nodded. "Yeah, friend."

She furrowed her eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

"Well, you know I like you."

She nodded. "I don't like rushing into things."

"I don't either, but, if you even have a spark of feeling for me, maybe we could try it out? We could go on a date, maybe? Take it slow. Nothing fancy, or expensive if you don't want."

She felt a bit taken aback, but she found herself wanting to try. She did find herself attracted to him, and he seemed respectable about it. Maybe they could try. Maybe she could try her hand at finding romance.

"Yeah, I'd like that."

Chad grinned, showing his teeth. Lennox noticed one in the front was slightly crooked, and she thought it made him look cute.

"What about Saturday?"

"Yeah, sure. Saturday it is."

_____

What do you guys think? Did I really just update two days in a row? No, wait, I think it's a double update because technically I updated after midnight last night. Whoops? Anyways, do you guys ship it? What do you think is going on with Faith and Trey? And predictions?

Buckle up, because we have about 11,000 words and I know what I'm doing with them.

-Sarah