Seventeen

"One of the fun things is watching movies while eating snacks" Grace mumbled, placing some snacks and canned drinks on the table. Then she sat down on the couch, took one of the snacks, and opened it.

But just as she was about to eat the snack, her phone rang. She immediately took the object that was on the table and stared at the screen.

"Caitlin?" she frowned when she saw an incoming call from her friend's number. "Why is she calling me? Does she want to ask where I've been spending the weekend?" she asked herself. Then she answered the call and put the phone to her ear.

"Hello, Cait. What's wrong?" she asked, turning to stare at the television screen.

"Hello, Grace, can you open your door?" Caitlin asked on the other line.

Grace straightened up. "Open my door?" she frowned. "Why should I open it?"

"Because I'm standing here so you better hurry and open it. Okay?"

"Wait, how long have you been there? Why didn't you tell me any way you wanted to come here?" she asked.

"Grace, can you stop yourself from asking me anything? You'd better open your door soon because I don't like being out too long. You know the night breeze is so cold"

Grace sighed. "Okay, wait a minute I'll open the door," she said. Then she got up from her position, put the phone and snacks on the table, and walked.

When she reached the door she immediately stopped and opened it. And she could see Caitlin standing in front of her.

"Finally after waiting for so long you opened the door" she sighed and stepped inside making Grace immediately shift.

"How long have you been standing there?" Grace asked, closing the door and turning around.

"About a few minutes." Caitlin turned around and Grace rolled her eyes. "By the way, I didn't come here to chat with you or for a girl's night but I wanted to take you to the grill"

"Take me to the grill?" Grace frowned.

"Yes." Caitlin nodded. "I think tonight is the perfect night to have fun there. Because it's Friday night and tomorrow isn't a school day. So we can be there as long as we want without worrying about waking up late tomorrow" explained Caitlin with a smile etched on her face. "You're coming with me, right?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I can't," Grace replied, walking past Caitlin.

"Why?" Caitlin asked, turning around and following her friend.

"Because I'm watching a movie," Grace answered, stopping and sitting on the couch. Then she took the snack she had opened and ate it.

"Only that?" Caitlin stood by the couch and Grace nodded. "Oh come on, come with me to the grill," she said, sitting down next to her friend.

"Sorry, but I can't. And I don't want to. So don't force me," Grace said, staring straight ahead and staring at the television screen. "Besides, aren't you used to going to the grill alone?"

"Yeah, but this time I want you to come with me. So we can have some fun together" Caitlin pouted and lowered her head.

"Why don't you take Kaylee with you?" Grace asked without turning to look at her friend.

"I've done it but she refused. And she said that the place is not her favorite place so she doesn't want to go there. Especially if it's for fun" explained Caitlin. Then she turned to Grace. "Grace, please accompany me there so I don't go alone," she pleaded.

***

"My guess was right that it must be crowded in here," Grace said, looking around the bustling crowd with almost no seats left.

In the end, Grace was forced to comply with Caitlin's wishes and accompany her to the grill. Because she was tired of hearing her friend who kept whining like a child asking to buy a toy.

"Sure." Caitlin nodded. "Because tonight is Friday night," she said and Grace glanced at her.

"Excuse me, this is your order"

They turned and saw a man placing two drinks on the table in front of them.

"Thank you" Caitlin smiled at the man.

The man just smiled and continued his work.

As for Grace, she reached for a nearby drink and took a sip.

"By the way where have you–"

"Hi"

Caitlin's words were cut short when she heard a familiar male voice. She immediately turned and saw Cam who was standing to Grace's right.

"Hi, Cam" Caitlin smiled.

"Did I make you guys wait long?" Cam asked, sitting on a chair nearby.

"Of course not. We just got here a few minutes ago" Caitlin replied, shaking her head with a smile that didn't fade from her face.

Cam just nodded and looked away without saying anything.

"You took Cam too?" Grace frowned and turned to Caitlin who was sitting to her left.

"Yes." Caitlin nodded. "Because I'm sure it would be more fun if he came with us," she said looking innocent.

Grace sighed. "You should have told me first," she said, averting her eyes with an instantly changing expression. It was as if she didn't like seeing him there.

"Why?" Caitlin frowned. "Do you mind if I invite him to join us? Come on, Grace, Cam is not a stranger he is our friend. Your ex-boyfriend" she said and Grace glanced at her.

"If you guys don't like me here then I'm leaving," Cam said making the two girls turn their heads towards him.

"No, we don't mind," said Caitlin, shaking her head.

"Really?" Cam raised an eyebrow. "How about you?" he asked, turning to look at Grace.

"Yeah, Caitlin's right. We don't mind if you're here" Grace nodded without turning to look at Cam.

"Thank you" Cam smiled. Then he turned to look at one of the grill staff in front of him. "I want to order a beer"

The staff nodded and immediately prepared Cam's order.

"By the way where are you guys going to spend the weekend?" Cam added turning to look at Grace and Caitlin.

"Well, we talked about it when we were going home because we were planning to spend it together. But we haven't found the right place yet" Caitlin replied.

"How about camping or hiking?" Cam asked, raising an eyebrow. "I thought it would be so much fun"

"That is a good idea!" Caitlin nodded in agreement and made Grace turn to her.

"You agree?" Grace frowned. "Didn't you previously disagree when I suggested it? And you said you were afraid that we would be the next victim. But why are you agreeing now?"

Caitlin was immediately flustered but she tried to remain calm. "Umm... It's not that I don't agree with your idea but I just feel scared" she said, lowering her head. "But not now" she continued, turning to Grace and Cam.

"So?" Cam raised an eyebrow.

"We're going camping together!" Caitlin nodded and looked excited.

"Sorry, but I can't come with you guys," Grace said, making Cam and Caitlin turn to look at her.

"Why?" Caitlin asked.

"Because I have other things to do. Besides, you didn't agree before so I decided to do something else," Grace replied. Then she took the drink in front of her and took a sip.