Seas Between

Chapter 26

They met up with Cloe by the alley. Ivy had climbed up the brick wall to the right and trash falling out of cans. "Okay, that's great, yeah, okay, bye, love you, see you soon, bye." Cloe said and put her phone away.

She smiled at them. "I have great news!"

"It can't be better than spending time in Spain with you Cloe." Katrina said and rolled her eyes.

"Katrina, if you don't like me you can just tell me."

"No, it's okay. I feel like a nicer person if I keep that to myself."

"Katrina..."

"Cloe..."

"You really don't understand me, do you? I'm studying and I'm sorry if I lean to studying on you. You just are very interesting."

"Well thanks..." Katrina said awkwardly.

"You done bickering yet?" Alex asked, swinging in front of them.

"Anyway, news, we got special reservations at a five-star restaurant! I'm good friends with one of the waitresses."

"Oh that is good news!" Braden said, perking up. He had been quiet for some time since he brought up leaving.

"Yeah, so when is the reservation for?" Alex said.

"7 o'clock tonight! Will you guys be able to make it?"

"Should be able to. I don't know about Katrina and Braden though."

"Yeah that's fine. I'd love to join you guys if that's alright." Braden said, a little unsure about himself.

Katrina looked up. "I don't know."

"Oh, is everything alright?" Alex asked without thinking.

"Well I don't really, ya know..." She motioned towards Braden who at the time was looking for a reaction from Alex. Cloe studied them all closely as she had the tendency towards.

He reasoned with Katrina. "Okay, if you don't want to come, uh, I don't know. We are in Spain after all and you came to see me. If you want to just hang out, that's fine with me but I don't want to stick you with Cloe." He looked at Braden.

"It's fine."

"Are you sure? I don't want anyone to feel uncomfortable."

"No, no it's alright. I don't mind hanging out with Cloe."

"Well if that's the case, um, I guess it's just you and me Braden." Cloe said, looking almost amused at the things that just took place.

"I guess so."

Braden and Cloe went to the restaurant together at 7 and Katrina and Alex headed off to a burger joint down the street.

"So that was awkward." Alex said plainly.

"Yeah...I'm so sorry for ruining this trip."

"It's not ruined. I didn't know Cloe was going to be like that."

"Well I'm sorry that Braden tagged along. I couldn't exactly force him to refund his plane ticket."

"True enough"

They stood in line to order their food.

Alex said, looking into her eyes and being completely honest. "I really missed you."

"I really missed you too. Seattle really isn't the same without you."

The line moved ahead.

"What will you order?"

"I just need something big and juicy."

"Really?"

"Yeah, something like a comfort food."

"Huh, well maybe I will too."

They got to the cash register and ordered thick, greasy burgers with a plate of onion rings to share.

They sat down and Katrina grasped onto her burger with both hands and took a big bite. Alex's eyes widened as he watched her pull the burger away from her greasy lips.

"So what's next?"

"Uh, I don't know" Katrina held her hands uncomfortably under the table on her lap. "Braden will go home. Him and I will probably never talk to each other again because Braden will never treat me the same as he used to. And, you and I will stay the same, right?"

"I hope so. But really, Braden isn't that bad of a guy." Katrina looked up a little confused. "Really, he just likes you. You can't diss a guy for that."

"You're serious. I thought you hated him."

"What? No, no I don't hate him. I mean he's not the greatest guy in the world but he really isn't that bad." He took another bite of his burger.

Katrina fingered an onion ring as she replied. "Huh, I really didn't think you would you know... not hate him? I mean he did kiss me."

"Well it's not like I like you."

"Thanks?"

"Well I don't not like you. You know what I mean." He said as Katrina finished off her burger.

"Sure..."