Where are you guys going?" Charlotte asked, her brows slightly furrowed in confusion.
Zachary and Cole immediately stopped their bickering, both turning their attention toward her.
"I don't know," Zachary answered honestly.
Cole nodded along. "Yeah, we've been walking aimlessly for… uh…" He trailed off, looking up as if the answer might be written in the sky.
A brief pause.
Then—
Charlotte clapped her hands lightly once.
"Let's get something to eat. My treat," she offered, a warm, easy smile forming on her face.
Zachary and Cole glanced at each other.
A silent agreement passed between them.
Then—
"Yea—!"
A few minutes later—
They stood in line.
"I'd like a double cheeseburger, with a side of fries please," Zachary said calmly, his tone casual like he'd already decided long ago.
He stepped aside slightly and looked at Cole.
"What do you wanna order?"
"I'll have what he's having," Cole said quickly, then added, "and… large fries also… please."
The cashier nodded, tapping away on her tablet with practiced speed.
They found a table nearby.
Charlotte sat across from them, resting her chin lightly on her hand, watching the two of them in silence.
Zachary and Cole, meanwhile—
Kept their heads low.
Quiet.
Then—
"Are you Charlotte Quinn?"
The voice came from nearby.
A random passerby.
Charlotte glanced up.
"…Yeah," she answered simply.
That was enough.
Within seconds—
People started gathering.
One turned into three.
Three turned into ten.
"Can I get your autograph!?"
"I'm a huge fan!"
"Miss Charlotte, over here!"
Papers.
Pens.
Phones.
All suddenly pushed toward her.
The small space around their table became crowded fast.
Too fast.
Cole leaned back slightly, eyes wide as he looked around at the growing crowd.
"…Woah," he muttered under his breath.
Zachary didn't react much.
He just sat there.
Watching.
Charlotte let out a small, slightly awkward laugh, rubbing the back of her neck for a moment before straightening up.
"Alright, one at a time," she said, her tone still kind, still patient.
Even surrounded—
She didn't look annoyed.
Just… used to it.
When Charlotte finally finished signing autographs, she let out a small breath and turned back toward Zachary and Cole.
Her eyes lingered on them for a moment.
Back and forth.
Zachary.
Then Cole.
As if she was silently trying to figure something out.
Then—
Buzz!
Her phone vibrated in her hand.
She glanced down.
Her expression changed.
Subtle—
But noticeable.
The warmth in her eyes faded just a little, replaced by something sharper. Focused. Serious.
Whatever she read—
Was something to take seriously.
Without another word, she stood up.
"You two eat without me," she said lightly, already stepping away from the table.
Zachary blinked. "What?"
"I've got something to attend to."
And just like that—
She was gone.
Walking out of the fast-food place, her attention still fixed on her phone, her steps quick and purposeful.
Silence.
Zachary and Cole sat there.
Staring.
They slowly turned their heads toward each other.
Tilting at the exact same angle.
"What was that about?" they said at the same time.
Another pause.
Then—
Their food arrived.
Plates placed down.
Burgers steaming slightly.
Fries fresh and crisp.
Neither of them spoke.
For a few seconds—
They just stared at the food.
Then—
Munch! Munch! Munch!
Zachary took a huge bite of his burger, chewing without hesitation.
Cole watched him for half a second—
Then grabbed his own.
Munch!
No conversation.
No thoughts.
Just eating.
The earlier confusion?
Gone.
Replaced by pure focus.
Time passed.
Not long.
But enough.
Soon—
Empty wrappers.
Half-finished drinks.
And two completely full stomachs.
"Ugh…" Cole leaned back slightly, letting out a loud burp.
Zachary didn't react—
Then quietly burped as well.
They sat there.
Satisfied.
A short pause.
"…Yum," Zachary said.
"…Yeah," Cole nodded in agreement.