The town of West Kinsley was small. Small enough for everyone to know everyone. And that usually worked out well when you had a problem because your third-grade teacher could give you a ride if she saw you with a flat by the roadside or your local baker could lend you fifty dollars when you are ten dollars short at the grocery store. 

But it didn't quite work out if you were a popular Jock who had gone out with several people. For example, your ex-girlfriend might be cosying up to your ex-boyfriend in the one dinner that soccer players come to hang out after every win. And I know it probably sounds like a one-time thing but it's not. You would think I would have learnt my lesson by now since this was not my first time walking into Shakes & Ackes and finding two of my exes on a date. 

"Ah... I forgot. This place is your ex hang out." Jan said dramatically raising his hand to his forehead like a Victorian maiden, "Are they having a reunion or something? Or is this their natural habitat? You know, where you pick them from?" 

"Shut up," I said, pushing past Jan and going to the table furthest from Kira and Ryan. 

Henri sidled up next to me in the booth followed by a couple of our teammates that had just arrived, "Maybe tone it down. Or just, I don't know...stay single?"  

"What?" I asked, flipping through the menu. A menu I had seen a couple of hundred times. If asked I could name everything in the Shakes & Ackes menu including the prices but looking at the menu was better than the alternative. The alternative being, watching my friends & Kira treat my relationship with her like it had been a game. It wasn't. At least not for me. 

"You are making it hard to go places." Henri laughed, "West Kinsely doesn't have that many places, bro."  

"Idiot," I smirked. I watched the piece of bread I threw land smack dab in the centre of Henri's face. Funny how he wasn't there for the conversation with Jan and Caspia but he still managed to pick it up where they left. 

"You people are deplorable,"  Caspian said, picking up the bread and eating it. 

Jan placed a platter of fries and burgers on the table before speaking, "You know the reason why all your relationships never work out is..."

"Speak of the devil," Caspian muttered as he watched Kol Westkins walk into the already packed diner. 

Caspian, Jan and Henri have this wild theory that I am in love with Kol Westkins. But they couldn't be further from the truth. Kol and I are friends we have been since he was a senior at West Kinsley High. Kol basically mentored me throughout High school, I went from being a nobody to being the popular jock because of Kol. And I haven't met anyone cooler than Kol. He has been there for me since then and even now. Now that Kol is in college and I am in High School nothing has changed between us. We still go to parties together and he still drops by his fathers coffee shop when I am working. 

Kol Westkins is the direct descendant of the founders of our town so for a small town his family is like royalty around here. They own a lot if not most of the establishments in this town. That means a lot of people are always trying to be his ‘friends’. 

"I will catch you guys later," I said, leaping over my seat so I could make my way towards the counter where Kol was sitting, legs spread and elbows resting on the counter. 

Jan made a whip sound and Caspian and Henri laughed behind me. I know what it looks like but that could be further from the truth. Kol was attractive, sure but he was also way out of my league. With his long curly hair, brown eyes and fair skin, he could get whoever he wanted. Not to mention wealthy people tended to date other wealthy people so that the wealth they had grew. That's what Kol's parents and grandparents had done. 

I sat down on the barstool next to Kol and lightly punched him in the shoulder, "What's up?" 

"Heard about Kira," Kol said without looking at me. I followed his gaze to see what he was looking at and low and behold the topic of discussion. 

"Yeah," I said looking over the counter so I could signal Grandpa Ackes to make me a milkshake. 

"Sorry. I know you liked her." Kol said, turning to face me. 

I shrugged and looked around the diner trying to avoid his eyes and Kira's table. 

"Congratulations on your win against Goldridge. Those players are usually tough to beat, especially in the first game." Kol said, patting my back. 

"You have no idea," I said smiling, "For a second I thought we were done for but those final ten minutes of the game changed it up for us." 

Kol laughed and flicked his head into the direction of the door, "Wanna get out of here? I am sure you have seen enough of those two." 

He didn't have to tell me which two. I knew the two he meant were Kira and Ryan and I was ready to forget about them. Kol slid off the stool and led the way to the parking lot. Knowing Kol we would probably end up at a party.