Kieran's PoV

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!

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I chuckled. "How discreet." I couldn't help but smirk as I noticed the waiter standing a few feet away. We locked eyes and I gave him a grateful smile. He nodded, relieved, and I refocused on Simon. "Now that you've received the message in four different ways of varied obscurities, are you ready to drop the subject and move on?"

"I guess." Simon relented.

"Good," I stated simply. "So I have to work tonight, tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday. I have to head to my grandparents' house for a bit so you'll have to pick up groceries this week. I already made the list and left it on the counter." I asserted the conversation smoothly, taking it away from uncomfortable topics.

"I don't get paid until Monday." He excused. I rolled my eyes and took out my wallet. Of course, you don't. "No, wait, don't do that. I can cover it." I grabbed a small wad of cash and handed it to him.

"There. That's 50. That should cover us." He tried to hand it back but I denied him. "Just take it," I said, pushing his hand away, "Heaven knows your cooking skills make up for your lack of cash."

"I'm starting my new job soon, I promise." He seemed upset.

I tried reassuring him. "I'm not bashing you. Wait.. Weren't you hired here?" I asked. I remembered him mentioning it now. He nods. "Awesome! Now you can bring me cookies more often!" I joked playfully. I feel like I'm forgetting something. He smiled back and we moved on.

"So you're going to your grandparents' house? Is that who Dotty and Mickey are? I meant to ask after your brother left." He sipped his drink, eyes alight with interest.

"Yep! That's them. I try to visit often but I've been busy lately with work and getting you caught up so I haven't been able to. They must've really gotten to Clark to get him to come all the way out here." He definitely wouldn't go out of his way to talk to me out of the goodness of his heart. If he had one.

"I didn't mean to keep you from your family... Oh, and about your brother-" He paused and looked at me innocently. "Not good?"

I shook my head. "Not good," I replied. He nodded and took a bite of his brownie. That's new. I shrugged it off and started eating my cake. My phone went off again and I checked it. "Ah fuck, I gotta go! I forgot about Markell's class!" I pulled a 20 out of my wallet and set it on the table. "I'll see you back at the dorm. I'm gonna be late though. I have to go to the library and do some research for my project." I took a final bite of my cake before rushing out to make it to my next class on time.

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Sorry about the short chapter. I've been busy. Love y'all. Stay safe!