The boy hopped to this feet before offering Cheyenne a hand. She sheepishly grabbed it, and with a sharp tug was rocking on her own feet. Next, they both turned towards me. The boy cocked his head, greenish blue eyes scrutinizing my visage. It was almost like he was either attempting to scan me into his memory or remember if he'd ever seen me before. Light blond hair fell into his eyes, a dimple prominent as the corner of his lips tilted upwards.

"You must be Connie," he smiled, shocking me by sticking out his hand. "I'm Luca. Cheyenne never shuts up about you and how she'd wish you would visit. I'm glad you have! Welcome to Oceansworth."

Still dumbstruck, I gripped his hand and awkwardly flopped mine up and down. Once he let go, he swiftly wiped his palm against his jeans, perplexing me.

"He's a little bit of a germ freak," Cheyenne explained shyly. "He's not trying to show disgust."

I nodded, understanding that different people have different quirks. Really, it's what makes us all different, us all dynamic characters in the book of life. I'm sure he's received heavy ridicule for his quirk, but those people are just insecure about their own quirks.

I noticed Brenda hanging some jeans on a spinning rack a little ways to my right. However, she was only half working. Her head repeatedly turned in our direction, a grin spreading from ear to ear. Honestly, I couldn't work out if she was excited that I was making a new friend or cooing at the cuteness of the couple. Since I had no intention to converse with Luca ever again, and they were quite cute together, I rooted for the latter.

Next, my gaze snapped to Drake. His attention was solely on the MacBook placed in front of him. I guessed he was crunching numbers for the shop, inventorying, or Facebooking. Older people still used that social media network, right? Not that I'd use any social media, as people could easily ridicule me on it.

"Connie?"

My eyes snapped back to Cheyenne and her boyfriend. My friend's face lit up when she allowed a smile to grace her face, which was often. But this time, I could detect that this boy caused her to smile the type of tip tugging grin that hurt after a while. She was completely relaxed next to him, casually leaning her arm against his shoulder. He didn't flinch from her 'germs.' Maybe they had a mutual agreement of some sort. She wouldn't call him out for his phobia of germs if he didn't make fun of her dyslexia.

A small smile plagued my lips, yet my heart shuttered. Was I going to shatter him with a few simple sentences as I did Tasha? If Cheyenne and Luca realized what a monster hid behind my facade, would they run?

"I'm happy you two found each other," I finally forced out, praying my voice didn't wobble. "Do you doodle him in your sketchbook, Chey?"

She turned pink, pulling away from her boyfriend and heading towards the two wooden tables at the entrance of the store. Luca and I followed suit. The walls were, surprisingly, light blue.

Seriously, did Cheyenne design most of their store's layout? I was honestly surprised her glasses where light pink instead of light blue.

"Here, we have some sale items," Cheyenne announced rather loudly. "Connie, why don't you pick out something you like?"

"Oh no," I laughed, even though I would have loved to. "You don't have to offer me anything." It was true. I didn't deserve any special treatment.

Luca moved to stand beside me as Cheyenne's light and hearty mien faltered. "At least look. It'll make her happy," he whispered lowly so his girlfriend couldn't overhear.

After emitting a soft sigh, I nodded. Better not be a worse person than I already was. So, I flashed Cheyenne a feigned, closed-lipped smile before picking up a random top. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her smile widen. Why were some random tops so important to her?

A held up a dark blue tank top. A pastel blue heart decorated the center of it, a ting of silver outlining the heart. Faux diamonds were placed atop the sliver of silver, glinting in the sunlight streaming through the clear doors and windows flocking it. The material felt light cottony while the bottom fanned out. Actually, I liked the shirt.

"How much?" I asked without turning around. My parents had given me some spending money. By spending money, I mean a pity twenty. Hey, it was still something.

Cheyenne practically squealed. "Oh, you can have it for free. But do you really like it?"

A real smile wormed it's way onto my face as I turned to face her. I nodded."Yeah! It's very pretty. And blue," I laughed at the last part.

My friend literally bounced on the balls of her feet. "I made those myself!"

My jaw dropped as I turned the shirt to glance at the back. It was plain. "You did? This is very good!"

Her grin was so large that it had to strain her muscles. However, it was also contagious. Smiles widen and grew on Luca and I's own faces.

Suddenly, a ping sounded from Luca's pocket. He yanked out a Samsung phone, I believed it was the new s7, or whatever it was called, and glanced at the screen. His grin instantly dropped.

"You have to go, don't you?" Cheyenne pouted like a child.

I almost smiled as Luca pulled her in for a hug, pecking her on the check before releasing her. Almost. He turned and offered me a wave.

"So, is she the exception to your germ phobia?" I teased, actually smiling at the cuteness that time.

Sheepishly, he nodded.

"Aw," I cooed. "That's adorable. Relationship goals."

"Connie!" Cheyenne whined, contradicted by the upturn of her lips.

Finally, I retuned Luca's wave, hugging my closet's newest edition to my chest. The soft fabric easily molded against my arms, hanging over my slightly tanned flesh.

"Will you come meet the rest of the gang?" My friend's boyfriend queried instead of leaving. He looked like a hopeful puppy with wide, blue-green eyes. Maybe his disheveled and lengthy hair could pass for dog ears. Immediately, I bashed myself for thinking such thoughts. That could be considered rude.

"Um," I muttered, finally addressing the question at hand. My brain was screaming no, I wouldn't. I couldn't let anyone else become hurt by my hand. My heart screamed yes. It wanted to meet each and every one of the younger girl's friends; it wanted to learn their quirks and meet their smiles. However, my brain contradicted; you'll just burn the smiles right off their faces.

"I'm sure she'd love to," Cheyenne answered for me.

Instead of complaining, I kept my mouth clamped shut and nodded. From the gleams in both of their eyes, I could tell that it'd please them. I didn't want to become the reason their smiles turned upside down. I'd just meet the rest once then never speak to any of them again. They'd easily forget me and hopefully, I wouldn't have caused any detriment to them.

"Great," Luca smiled, his eyes alight. As he turned to exit, he pulled a travel sized hand sanitizer out of his pocket.

Cheyenne looped an arm around my shoulder as someone else entered the store. "Alright Con, whatcha wanna do next?"

Cease to exist. "I'm not sure. I guess just hang here for a while?"

She pulled away smiling. "Are you too old for tag?"

"Wha-"

"You're it!"

And with that, she sprinted to the other end of the store, chocolate hair flying behind her.

----
Slightly shorter chap but I wanted to end it there. Thoughts? I left for Canada today and got to write in the car after putting it off. Thank you guys so much for all the support. Honestly, I didn't expect this book to get this many reads. Also, I didn't know I had so many Christian readers. :)

I was thinking maybe to do a short q & a at the end of the next chapter. We're at 98 reads but after I publish this it'll probably hit 100. So, ask me or any characters some questions to celebrate this book's success. (Yes Alyse_BreAnn I got this idea from your interview 😂)

I mean ask them now and I'll answer them in next chapter's author's note if there's just a few. Or maybe in my random writing and challenges book. So, ask away. I'll only answer if it won't spoil anything.

QOTD: thoughts on Luca?

Ps. Luca's name was suggested by SilentSpeaker01 so thanks for the name!!

Peace

-Sarah