Choices

Chapter 5

We arrived at Lila's diner in less than 10 minutes. Walking in we look around to find a comfortable place to sit.

I love this cafe a lot. I come here sometimes to relax when I am feeling stressed at times. It just has this homely feel to it. I would choose something like this to a big fancy restaurant anytime.

The owner of the cafe was an elderly woman of around 50 to 60 years. I call her aunty Lila because she's like a second motherly figure and is very nice. I come here frequently so we are very familiar with each other.

Once we settle down on a table in the edge of the cafe near the windows, I spot her coming out from the back with freshly baked cupcakes on a tray approaching the glass case.

I suspect she does most of the baking and cooking and her hired help just serves the customer.

After arranging the cupcakes in a tantalizing manner, she raises her head and spots me immediately giving me a warm smile.

Julie groans "we've been here for like 20 seconds, where's my vanilla?".

I shake my head at her with a tsk "have some patience girl".

"Whatever".

Aunty Lila approaches my table and we greet her "hi aunty Lila".

"Hello girls" she replies.

"How has today been" I ask her.

With her smile intact she replies "you know, a little sale here, a little sale there, forget about the old lady, what have you being up to?".

"Old lady?!!" I scoff "you're the prettiest lady I have seen at this age".

I am serious though, she has lovely green eyes and blonde hair with some tuft of gray hair. She has smile lines around her mouth which shows she must have smiled a lot in her youth.

"Yeah, sure" she says as she waves off my words dismissively as if waving off a fly.

"You still haven't answered my question about what you've been up to, darling?" She reminds me.

"Ohh nothing much, just focusing on school and living my life".

She looks disappointed "so no boy drama or boyfriends yet?"

I bark out a laugh "nope".

Julie nudges me "single but ready to mingle".

I shove her "no I am pretty ok right now".

"You never know..." Julie says in a singsong voice.

Ignoring her, I look at up at aunty Lila "where's Noa?, We would like to order something".

Noa is the girl that serves the customers as the hired help. She is also my friend as she takes my order a lot, at times we have a conversation if she's not too busy.

A sad look enters her eyes "ohh Noa's gone to college and she had to quit". I can see that she misses her.

But the sad look is quicky cleared off "but no worries, I have hired someone new to help me".

I am curious and I wonder if we can also become friends.

"Where is she?" I ask.

A twinkle enters her eyes "I think the question is where is he?".

Ohh it's a boy.

"My bad, where is he?".

"He should be around, I just told him to arrange somethings in the back, don't worry he's a hardworking lad".

Someone appears through the back. "There he is, Noah!!" She calls.

Wow Noa and Noah, I muse.

I look at his face and I feel a rush of familiarity. I know him from somewhere. Oh yes, he is in my English class.

Wait..... Isn't he the one Nate said was staring at me?.

He looks at us and recognition enters his eyes. Aunty Lila Pats his shoulder "come on take their order, they're among my favorite people so treat them well, I'll be right back".

She takes her leave and he starts to fidget looking at anywhere but at me.

He looks at Julie "um.. welcome to Lila's diner, um... what would you like to take... I mean....order?". A flush covers his cheek.

Julie straightens up "finally!!, I would like a cup of ice cream, vanilla please".

He turns to me but still doesn't look at me like he did with Julie, instead he stares above my head " what about you Ha.....umm girl..... Sorry.... just what would.... would you like to order" he stutters out.

By now his whole face is red. Julie snorts unattractively. I nudge her leg under the table and reply "um no problem, I'll have two of those delicious cupcakes, a plate of brownies and another cup of ice cream, vanilla flavor".

"Sure coming right up" he quickly says and spins around to get the order. I swear I don't think I've seen someone move and walk so fast.

"Wow, what is wrong with that dude?" Julie says.

I recall what Nate told me.
"Haven't you ever noticed the boy with the dark hair at the back with the big blue hoodie that's always staring at you whenever he thinks you're not looking".

I tilt my head a little as I consider.

Nah, I'm pretty sure it's something else. Maybe the guy's just nervous because of his new job.

I shrug "who knows?".

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Keep reading and leave a comment to tell me your speculations and what you think about the characters. Till the next chapter, bye.