Caroline’s lips twisted into a soft smile, her mouth letting out a sigh as she turned to face Amber, back to the door.
“He’s a good person,” she answered, shaking her head. “He just doesn't feel like showing it, so he comes off as rude. Honestly, if that boy just tried…”
“Tried what, Caroline?” The manager jumped lightly, turning back, eyes wide as she stared at William. His hair were still wet, dripping, towel around his neck. Caroline scowled.
“Do you not know how to properly dry yourself, Will?” She shook her head. “It’s getting colder. You’ll get sick.”
William offered her a smirk.
“You’ll just nurse me back to health, wouldn’t you, Caroline?” His eyes finally flickered towards Amber, the expression on his face dying until it became blank. He straightened, looking back down at Caroline except far more reserved, the playful glint in his eyes going out like a dying flame.
Amber felt something something prick at her heart at her roommate's words to his friend. She gave him a tight smile and nodded once.
"Hey, William," greeting him quietly. "Did you happen to see Jace in there?"
William turned his attention back to Amber, staring at her for a few seconds before he nodded.
“He’s coming,” he answered quietly, moving to stand beside Caroline rather than in front of her.
Amber nodded once, slowly. "Great. Thanks… Uh, I think I'll just go wait for him over there, then. You guys can talk to each other in private," she said as she started toward the door.
Caroline nodded and offered Amber a small smile.
“It was really nice talking to you, Amber,” she said politely. “I’ll see you next time during practice.”
“You too, Caroline,” Amber said with a small smile before she turned around to wait for Jace.
William began to move, Caroline falling in step with him. Both of them exited out of the gym in silence–William keeping his suggestive remarks inside and Caroline enjoying the quiet.
While they walked away, Jace came out, his hair still slightly damp, but not dripping. He grinned when he saw Amber, crossing the distance and engulfing her in a hug, picking her off the ground.
"Ah, did you miss me~?"
Amber laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Of course I did. I’ve been waiting for your hug for, like, two million years, now.”
Jace bumped their noses together. "Aw, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting," he kissed the tip of her nose. "So, what did you do while waiting for me?"
“Talked to Caroline a bit. I didn’t realize she and William grew up together,” Amber mused, smiling at the kiss.
Jace shrugged.
"Their relationship is a bit weird," he answered. "She's the only one he's not a jerk towards, but I guess that's because they have a sibling relationship."
“They’re like siblings? Hm… Interesting,” Amber bummed before smiling up at Jace again. She pecked his lips quickly. “You should put me down so we can go do something. Maybe grab lunch?”
Jace set her down but still kept his arms around her. “Where do you wanna go? I’m dying for some burgers and fries.”
“That sounds great right now, actually. I bet we could find a good place to go. Unless you know of somewhere?” Amber wondered.
Jace furrowed his eyebrows. “The guys and I usually go to McDonalds, but we can go wherever you want.”
Amber crinkled her nose and slid her hands down his arms to wrap her fingers around his, tugging their hands in between them. “Let’s find somewhere new. C’mon, we’ll google it on the way outside.”
Jace let out a little laugh, shaking his head before he agreed. “All right, you do the googling, though.”
“Dang, I was hoping I could convince you to do it,” Amber chuckled. She squeezed his hands before letting go and pulling her phone from her back pocket. “Are we going to drive or walk?”
Jace threw his arm around her, pulling her close. “Let’s walk.”
“So then I’ll find something in walking distance,” Amber mused, leaning into his embrace as she tapped away at her phone. “Looks like there’s a place about a block away. Inexpensive, but good food.”
“Sounds good,” Jace lead her out of the school gate while she tapped on the phone. “So, how was your day?”
Amber hummed and glanced up from her phone, which she'd pulled directions up on. "It was good. I worked on my assignments, finished a paper that's due tomorrow, and then came to watch you practice. What about you? How was your day?"
Jace scrunched his nose. “Well, that sounds tiring,” he said. “We took major notes today and there was a test, too. I seriously hope I did well. If I don’t, I would find my mom in dorm ready with a slipper in her hand.”
Amber chuckled and reached up to give his cheek a quick kiss. “Well, my parents are thrilled that I’m here at all. They didn’t think I would get to go to college, honestly. We’re a little… tight on money…”
Jace frowned at her, bending down to give her a small kiss. “I’m sorry about that,” he pulled her closer, trying to think of something nice to say. “I’m glad you were able to come.”
“Oh, it’s fine, really. We just don’t have as much as others would. I got a scholarship, which is how I’m here,” Amber explained with a shrug.
Jace fell silent, not trusting himself to speak. He didn’t want to say the wrong thing.
“Oh, I nearly forgot,” Jace blinked, trying to steer the conversation away. “Caroline’s birthday is in a few days, and the basketball team is throwing her a party. You should come, too.”
Amber’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. “I hardly know her, though… Are you sure it would be okay?”
“Of course it would be,” Jace kissed the middle of her brows. “It’ll be fun. She is completely oblivious to it.”
“If you’re sure,” Amber gave in, smiling at the kiss. “Okay, now let’s go eat. I’m starving.”
