"Mind if we sit?" Marco asked. I glanced up. He was standing in front of the picnic table with Lara. They sat down before I could answer. "My mom was a little upset you had to leave before her pasta was ready. She loves to cook for people." 

"Oh. Could you tell her I'm sorry?" I asked, feeling guilty and worse than I did before. Marco glanced up. 

"What? She's not upset at you. She's upset that you didn't get to eat any, so she told me to bring you some. Here," Marco explained, handing me a container of pasta. It was still warm. "I thought I had a plastic fork in here," Marco continued, rummaging through his bag. 

"I've got one! I keep a lot in my bag. You never know when you might need silverware," Lara commented, handing me a plastic fork, still in its packaging. She pulled out two more forks, and Marco pulled out two more containers. I opened the container and the fork, quickly eating. The pasta was amazing. "Damn, you act like you haven't eaten in forever," Lara commented. Marco tried to subtly elbow her, but I noticed.

"Sorry, sometimes Lara says the first thing that comes to her mind without thinking it through. She didn't mean to be rude," Marco explained, side-eying Lara. I continued to eat, but more slowly this time. There was plenty of pasta in the container, and it wasn't like anyone was going to take it. 

"Sorry," Lara apologized. I shrugged it off, acting like I didn't care. "Oh, Marco! You know that guy I've been talking to? Well, we finally went all the way last night. It was-" Lara started. 

"Lara! You're my best friend, and I love you like a sister, but there are some things that I do not need to know. Especially over pasta," Marco yelped. 

"I also did not need to know that. Liam is a friend of mine, too. I honestly did not need to know that about either of you," I added. I knew the guy Lara was talking to was Liam, because he told me they were going on dates. 

"Okay, okay! You two are just jealous because you aren't in relationships," Lara laughed. 

"How do you know I'm not a relationship? I could be dating someone," I responded. Lara laughed again. 

"Oh, please! I'm basically a private investigator at this point. I know everything about everyone," Lara responded. 

"It's true. I can't hide anything from her," Marco groaned.

"Like your crush," Lara commented. 

"My crush? I don't know what you're talking about," Marco stuttered. His face was turning red. This was starting to get interesting. I took another bite of my pasta. 

"I want to know what we're talking about. Who is Marco's little crush?" I asked, intrigued about what the answer would be. 

"Marco knows exactly who I am referring to," Lara smirked. Marco buried his face in his hands. "Am I right?" She asked innocently. Marco groaned. "I believe that's a yes," Lara smiled. 

"Why are you like this?" Marco sighed, putting his arms down. His face was a deep red. I felt left out of their exchange.

"Um, can I know who it is?" I asked. I don't know why I wanted to know the answer so badly. It's not like it should matter to me. 

"It doesn't matter. It's not even a real crush. It's more of a slight curiosity about a relationship with this guy. My mom mentioned something about him, and I may have daydreamed about what a relationship would look like with this person," Marco stuttered. He's usually so cocky and sarcastic. I wanted to know who made him like this. "I'm going to wash my hands. I got pasta sauce on them." 

"Amazing excuse to get out of this conversation!" Lara yelled after him. As soon as he was out of earshot, she turned to face me. "Can I ask you a bit of a personal question?"

"You seem like you're going to ask me no matter what, so go ahead," I sighed. Lara seemed sweet and funny, but she worried me. I wondered what all she knew about me. 

"Are you bisexual or something like that?" Lara asked. I dropped my fork in the container in surprise before picking it back up. 

"No! What would make you think that?" I asked. I don't know why I was so nervous. I shouldn't be nervous over one question. 

"Nothing. I was just curious. Anyway, I got to run. Tell Marco I'll see him tomorrow," Lara shouted, running off. I stared at my food until Marco returned. 

"Where's Lara?" He asked. My hands were shaking. I should not be shaken up over that one question. "Jackson, are you alright?" 

"Your friend is a jerk," I hissed. I'm not even sure why I said it. It's not even like I don't like Lara. I think Lara is cool, but something about her question made me feel uneasy. 

"Oh, god. I am so sorry. Look, Lara isn't the best with conversations and social cues. Do you mind if I ask what personal thing she told you or asked you?" Marco asked, sitting next to me. 

"It doesn't matter. I've got somewhere to be," I responded, closing the container of pasta with the plastic fork inside of it. I shoved the container in my backpack. I didn't actually have anywhere to be, but I knew I didn't want to be here. 

"Oh, okay. Are we still meeting at 6?" Marco asked, almost sounding desperate. 

"Yes. You don't have to worry about your perfect little grade. I'll be there," I hissed. Marco took a step away from me. 

"I'm sorry. I'll tell Lara she upset you, and she won't do it again. I'll ask her to apologize to you," Marco responded. 

"Dont bother," I answered. I didn't want Lara to know that her question bothered me. I don't even know why it bothered me. I turned away from Marco and quickly walked away. 

Around 3:30 p.m., I received a voice message from Marco. I was walking to the gym, and I didn't want anyone listening to the message, so I popped my earbuds in and pressed start. 

Hey. This is Lara. I don't have your number, so Marco let me use his phone. Marco told me that what I said bothered you. That was not my intention, and I am truly sorry for upsetting you. I also wanted to let you know that I haven't told Marco what the question was, and I won't say anything that will give it away over this message, for your privacy and because Marco can currently hear me. He doesn't want me to go off with his phone. Anyway, that's not the point. The point is, I'm sorry that my question bothered you. I also want you to know that I hope you find the answer that makes you happiest. Anyway, Marco's glare is kind of scary, so I think I'm going to go now. I don't want to say something wrong. Okay, bye!

Towards the end of the call, I could hear Marco saying Lara's name. he sounded disappointed. I was thankful that Lara never said anything about what the question was. I also wondered what she meant when she said she hopes I find the answer that makes me happiest. I had already answered her question. I sent a small text that said 'apology accepted', and continued to walk to the gym. I needed some time to think.