Nine

"So his name is Theo?" Caitlin asked, looking at Grace who was sitting in front of her.

"Yeah, that's his name," Grace replied, lowering her head and staring at a drawing book that was on the table. While her hands were busy scribbling the book.

Caitlin nodded. "I thought he was your boyfriend," she said, turning to stare at the glass of milkshake that was nearby.

"Only 'candidate', not boyfriend," Kaylee said, causing Grace and Caitlin to turn to look at her.

"You mean Grace and the new student will become a couple?" Caitlin asked, frowning and looking at Kaylee who was sitting next to her.

"Yeah, you're right," said Kaylee, nodding her head. "As you know, Grace and the new student look close. And I'm sure sooner or later they will have a special relationship. Especially considering they have the same hobby, namely drawing."

"If you want to talk about someone then not in front of that person but behind her. So she doesn't know" Grace said, making her two friends turn to look at her.

"But is it true? You and the new student will become a couple?" Caitlin frowned, looked at Grace, and looked curious.

"So you believe what Kaylee said?" Grace asked, looking at Caitlin who was sitting in front of her. Then she sighed. "I'm telling you it's not true. Theo and I are just friends nothing more than that. Besides, we've also just met so it's impossible if we suddenly become a couple" she explained, turning to stare at her drawing book.

"But that doesn't mean it won't happen," Kaylee said, causing Caitlin to turn to her. "Maybe now you and Theo are just friends, but someday you will become a couple. Maybe you will even get married"

"It seems you are thinking too far. Because the new student and I are just friends. After all, how can you think like that? Whereas now we are students and I still have a long way to go. I want to work, then after that, I will get married. That even if I find a man who suits me" Grace explained, lowering her head without looking at the two friends.

Caitlin sighed. "We should change the theme of the discussion. Because I don't want there to be a fight between us," she said, lowering her head. Then she turned to Kaylee. "What about you, Kay? Are you and Colton okay?"

"Our relationship is fine," replied Kaylee nodding her head. "And today is our first anniversary"

"Your first anniversary? Are you serious?" Caitlin asked, looking incredulous.

"Yeah, I'm serious." Kaylee nodded. "And tonight Colton wants to take me somewhere to celebrate."

"Wow! That's cool. And I'm sure he will surprise you" Caitlin said, looking at Kaylee with a smile on her face.

"I thought so too" Kaylee replied, nodding her head and smiling.

"Congratulations to you, Kay. I'm glad to hear that" Caitlin smiled without taking her eyes off her friend.

"Thanks, Caitlin," Kaylee replied, turning to Caitlin and smiling.

"You're welcome." Caitlin nodded with a smile that didn't fade from her face. Then she turned to look at Grace. "Kaylee will celebrate the anniversary of her first relationship with her boyfriend. Then what about us? Do you have any ideas about what to do? Because I feel bored if I just stay at home. Especially now that I live alone"

"How about we cook dinner together?" Grace asked, raising an eyebrow. "You can choose to do it at my house or yours."

"I don't think that's a good idea." Caitlin shook her head with her head down.

"Making a cake? Or watching a movie?" Grace raised an eyebrow without taking her eyes off her friend.

Caitlin sighed. "Come on, Grace, don't you have any other ideas? You know those things work best with a boyfriend or crush"

Grace nodded. "Yes, you're right. But I have no other ideas" she said, lowering her head and continuing her activities.

***

"You want to go home with me or Kaylee?" Caitlin asked, looking at Grace who was walking to her right.

"Not both." Grace shook her head, causing Caitlin to frown. "Because I want to go home on foot," she said with a smile etched on her face.

Caitlin sighed. "While I was in New York I thought you had a change. But not, you still prefer to go home on foot rather than using a vehicle" she sneered, averting her eyes.

"If you think like that then you are very wrong," Kaylee said, causing Caitlin to turn to her. "Because she hasn't changed a bit. Still happy to go or come home from school on foot. Even when the sun is so hot like this"

Grace just chuckled, lowering her head without saying anything.

"Hi"

They immediately turned and saw Theo who was walking toward them.

"Hi, Theo" Caitlin smiled.

"Hi. Looks like we haven't met before" Theo said, looking at Caitlin and frowning.

"Right. We haven't met, because I just came back to this town" Caitlin replied with a smile etched on her face. Then she stretched out her hand. "I'm Caitlin Guerra, Grace and Kaylee's best friend"

"Nice to meet you, Caitlin. I'm Theo" Theo smiled and shook Caitlin's hand.

"Nice to meet you too, Theo" Caitlin replied with a smile that didn't fade from her face.

Theo just smiled and let go of their handshake. "By the way, if I may ask, do you want to go home or stop by somewhere?" he asked, raising an eyebrow and walking to Grace's right.

"Wait, is that question actually for the three of us or just for Grace?" Kaylee asked, looking at the new student and squinting.

Theo chuckled. "For the three of you of course," he replied, lowering his head.

Kaylee nodded. "I want to go straight home because I have to choose clothes for a date tonight. But I don't know, what about my two friends"

"I also want to go straight home. But if you want to take me somewhere then I won't refuse" Caitlin replied, causing Grace to turn to her.

Theo smiled. "How about you? Do you want to go straight home?" he asked, turning to look at Grace.

"I don't know," Grace replied, shaking her head. "Because I don't have any plans to go anywhere. So maybe I'll just head home"

"Then how about we go home together?" Theo asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Are you sure?" Grace asked, turning to the new student.

"Yeah, I'm sure" Theo replied nodding his head. "Besides, if I want to go to my house I have to pass your house first. So we should go home together because our house is one way"

Grace nodded. "Okay, I want to go home with you"

Theo just smiled and looked at Grace without saying anything.

"I feel like this isn't fair," Caitlin said, making Theo turn to look at her. "You offered Grace to come home with you, but you didn't offer me"

"If you want, we can go home together too. I'll take you home" Theo said, nodding his head.

"No need!" Kaylee shook her head, causing Caitlin to turn to her. "Because this friend of mine brings a car. So you better take Grace home," she said, putting her arm around Caitlin's shoulder and smiling.

Theo just nodded, looked away, and kept walking.

As for Caitlin, she looked at Kaylee so sharply and cursed her in her heart.