Chapter Sixteen: Coffee Shop

Chapter Sixteen: Coffee Shop

**Lilah's POV**

After class the next day, Jared and I are sitting in the small coffee shop across the street with the script between us. I texted the boys about meeting up later and they agreed. We are going to hang out at their apartment around five which gives Jared and I two hours of free time.

"Why don't you just play the lead actress?" Jared asks as he sips from his caramel cappuccino. "I mean you obviously have the ability to act well."

"Yeah, but Thomas convinced the boys that auditions were fair," I mumble. I rip off a piece of the giant chocolate brownie Jared and I are sharing and toss it into my mouth.

"But you're the director and writer. I think it wouldn't hurt to take some control, Lilah."

"Don't talk to me in that condescending tone Jare, it's not flattering." I take off a chunk of the brownie and eat it. The chocolate just melts in my mouth and I sigh. Jared just stares at me. "What?" I say around a bite of chocolate paradise.

Jared frowns and raises his cup to his lips. "Nothing."

"Don't try that with me. I know that look. Spill it." I pick up my vanilla bean frap and take a long pull of the drink.

"God, will you slow down Lilah?" Jared reaches over and lowers my drink. "You're gonna get a stomach ache again."

"Jared, that was so long ago. I only got a stomach ache cause the cookie wasn't fully cooked." I pick up the brownie and eat off a piece. "Don't change the subject."

Jared crosses his arms. "Says the person who eats tubs of raw cookie dough."

"Jared."

Jared sighs and rolls his eyes. "I think you and Thomas need to start being honest with each other."

It's my turn to cross my arms. "What are you talking about?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about, Lilah. The flirty glances. The smiles. The waking up in his bed," Jared says pointedly at me.

"That was one time," I mutter. "I don't need you using it against me."

Jared sighs. "I'm just saying that if you two have feelings-" I snicker and he glares at me, "-that you should try to get closer."

I glare at my gay best friend, trying to set him on fire with my eyes. I don't want to talk about Thomas and me dating. I have One Direction around! I don't need any other guy in my life right now. Unfortunately, as I glare at Jared with my fire stare, nothing happens. No flames. No spontaneous combustion. Nothing.

"Stop trying to set me on fire!" Jared giggles suddenly and pushes my shoulder.

"How'd you know?"

"You had the 'look'," Jared says, suddenly looking at me with narrowed eyes, his blue eyes threatening me. "I taught you the look. It can't be used against me," Jared grins and grabs a piece of the brownie.

We both start laughing harder than necessary. This is the thing I love about Jared. We can both be really weird with each other and not judge the other person rudely.

Jared suddenly stops laughing and watches behind me. I go to turn around but he grabs my hand. "Wait," he whispers.

"What? What's happening?" I ask in a whisper. What the hell could just change his entire mood?

"Lena just came in."

"Oh! Well that's good. I was gonna talk to her about-"

"And she's with Thomas," Jared finishes. He meets my green eyes and watches my reaction. He bites his bottom lip.

But I don't know how to react. Thomas and Lena hanging out? What's weird about that? Nothing. We're all just friends...just friends.

I ignore the slight annoyance in me and smile at Jared. "Don't be weird Jared, let's invite them to sit with us," I say.

"No need, they're coming," Jared says and within seconds, Lena and Thomas are at the table. "Hey guys!" Jared waves up at them.

"Hey Lena! Thomas!" I wave as well. Lena and Thomas exchange glances with eachother before smiling at us. My heart pangs when I see the way Lena looks at Thomas.

"Hey, we were just getting some coffee before studying some physics problems," Thomas says. He looks down at me and I try not to look too interested. His brown curls flop down on his forehead and I want to brush them back.

Below the table, a foot knocks into mine. Jared coughs at the same moment. He's telling me to compose myself and stop being awkward. Yes, I know Jared that well to know what he means by a kick and a cough.

"Why don't you to sit down? We have plenty of room." I scoot over to the wall. Part of me wishes Jared and I had sit at a table instead of a booth.

Lena sits beside me and I lean into her as a kind of hug. She's my best friend, I tell myself, she isn't dating Thomas. She couldn't possibly date him without telling me.

"Oh wait," Jared says, getting up before Thomas can slide in beside him. "I don't like being trapped in." Jared motions for Thomas to go in first and he does. His knee knocking against mine as he sits directly in front of me. I want to kick Jared. Since when does he not like being first in?

"So...Lilah, I heard that auditions for that One Direction movie are coming up." Lena turns towards me and giggles. "I was thinking of maybe auditioning." I choke on the air suddenly. Lena acting? She isn't an actor at all. She frowns at me and crosses her arms. "You don't think I can do it?"

"Well of course I think you can do it!" I exclaim before she gets upset. Lena can get pretty cranky. "I just-"

"Well I'm going to audition. Thomas promised to give me some acting tips and personal lessons. He says I can be perfect for the role if I learn everything I need to know." Lena smiles at Thomas at bats her eyelashes at him.

I raise my eyebrows at Thomas. He's tutoring her? "Oh, really?"

"Yeah, he even promised to show me stage kisses!" Lena squeals and grabs my arm, pulling me to face her again. Her brown eyebrows are arched high as she stares at me with big brown eyes. My stomach flips at the thought of her and Thomas kissing.

"Kissing? Well, that sounds... interesting," Jared draws out. He taps a finger to his chin, his blue eyes set on Lena's face in concentration. I feel like I may be sick. "Doesn't that sound interesting Lilah?"

I do my best to nod convincingly. "Sounds perfect. You'll be so great," I beam at Lena and enfold her in a giant hug. My heart cracks a bit.

Thomas coughs. "Well, I'd stay and chat but I really have to get started with helping Lena. Can't be too good!" Thomas laughs, waiting for Jared to climb out of the booth. I watch Thomas' jaw clench and unclench but his smile stays in place.

Lena squeezes me rather tightly before getting out of the booth. "See you later guys!" She waves, her hands fluttering so quickly that her hands turn to blurs.

Thomas gets out of the booth as well and grins. I try to meet his gaze but he doesn't look directly at me. He wraps an arm around Lena's shoulders and I feel grateful for his absent gaze. My face feels flushed of all heat.

"Catch you later. Bye, Lilah," Thomas says, his voice reflecting boredom. He turns Lena and himself around. Lena giggles into him as they leave the coffee shop.

"Well...that was so-"

"Weird?" I look at Jared with confusion. He bites his bottom lip and suddenly bursts into laughter. "What?!"

Jared lurches sideways with laughter, his hands wrapping around his sides. The people in the coffee shop stare at us. I try to smile at them I'm apology for Jared's weird behavior. "Jared!" I shush him.

"Oh my god!" Jared erupts with more laughter, his face turning a light shade of red. I scowl at my friend. I'm missing something.

"Are you going to explain to me why the hell you're laughing so much?"

Jared's laughter starts to diminish and he rubs at his watery eyes. "Oh, that was too classic. You should have seen your face!" Jared chuckles again, causing more tears to fall.

I cross my arms over my chest. "Jared."

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry," Jared holds his hands out in front of him. He fans a hand to his face, trying to cool off from his laugh attack. "It's just that, well, Lena is a terrible actress."

I frown. That wasn't what I was expecting. "I know. Which is why I was shocked to hear Thomas tutoring-"

"No, I mean she's a really bad actress. She was completely unbelievable right now." My blank face only causes more laughter from my blonde, gay best friend. "You believed them! Lilah! You're so naive!"

"Hey! I'm not naive!" I defend myself.

"Then you're playing stupid. Thomas and Lena are obviously only doing that to make you jealous!"

"Jealous?" Me? Jealous? Of what?

Jared rolls his blue eyes and grabs my hand. "Honey, you are so into Thomas that it's almost painful to watch. You have to admit you got jealous at the thought of him tutoring Lena," Jared explains.

Was I jealous? I mean, sure I got a tad bit upset at the news, but jealous? I couldn't be.

"Look Jared, I'm not into Thomas. I was just shocked that Lena would be auditioning. It's not like I actually care."

Jared lets out a deep breath. "But you understand that they did all that only to see your reaction, right? I mean who goes to a coffee shop and not order anything? It's really-" Jared cuts off at the sound of my phone blaring loud music, demanding to be acknowledged.

"Hold on." I grab my phone out and glance at the screen. Zayn. "It's Zayn!" I squeal, my fangirl making herself known.

"Lilah, Thomas-"

"Shh!" I cut him off and hit accept. I don't have to focus on Thomas. Zayn of One Direction is calling me!! "Hey," I say, trying to be completely relaxed sounding even though my heart pounds loudly.

"Lilah! Hey, I was just wondering if you wanted to catch a movie. The lads are all discussing the perfect girl for a lead role and I could use some time away."

"Right now? What about the meeting in like two hours?" Jared glares at me from ignoring him.

"Lilah, you better not be-"

"We can be late. It'll be fine," Zayn says with a laugh. My smile widens. Zayn and I at the movies. Alone. Oh god.

"Okay, sounds great!"

"Cool! I'll come pick you up. Where are you?"

"The coffee shop across the street. I'll see you later!"

"Alright. See ya," Zayn says before a soft click ends the call.

I squeal and grab Jared's hands. "OHMYGOD! OHMYGOD! OHMYGOD! A date with Zayn!!" I yell and jump out of the booth. I yank Jared up, pulling him into a hug.

"Lilah, but-"

"OHMYGOD!" I giggle and jump up and down. Jared stares at me with a slight frown and I realize that he isn't joining me in my happy dance. "Why aren't you celebrating with me?!" I stop jumping and sit back down, ignoring the stares of the people.

Jared frowns and lets out another sigh. He stares at me and opens his mouth. He's about to say something but then stops again. He gives me a small smile. "I...just wish I were invited too!" Jared exclaims and grabs my hands, squeezing them.

I grin at Jared. There's my best friend that I know and love. "Oh Jare, this is turning out perfect!"

Jared nods. His smile seems off but I'm not in the mood to question it. "Yeah, perfect."

**A/N** Looks like Lilah has her head up in the clouds.