The Space Between

Chapter 24; Not a date

Sarah watched the show in amazement though she had seen it many times. Every time the show blew her away. The water dancing in a trained rhythm. From where they sat at the water deck, they had the perfect view of the water and the lights shone beautifully around them. She had dreamed once as a child to sit in this restaurant and enjoy an expensive meal with a good view but she didn't know that it would come true one day. As this desire to her was so trival, she hadn't remembered that untill they reached the spot. Specially because of someone, that too, Xavier who she had not met untill the end of her school. She remembered being in 8th grade while he was a senior in high school. Shifting her attention away when the show ended, her eyes fell on him. The stare of many men that disturbed Sarah was not a pin to discomfort her now because admittedly so, the eyes that were admiring her saw her not as a beauty rather a person with beautiful aura. Xavier could care less about the show when his senses drank in the elegance. He knew that he promised himself to stay away from her but when he saw Andrew spike the drink. He knew that he needed to get her away from them. Sarah was naive enough to trust anyone. He didn't want it to cost her. "What?" Sarah asked suddenly very aware. She hoped she was looking okay. They had decided to order after the show and now that the performance ended,they could eat. Sarah was also starving.
"Should I call the waitress. Are you ready to order?"  Xavier spoke gesturing the waitress to come over.
Sarah looked down at the menu and realised to keep it simple. "I will have a philly cheese steak with some fries on the side "
"What about you?"
"I will have the same as you"
"Oh just stop copying me already " Sarah said waving him away and Xavier smiled. "I'm not copying you. We just think alike "
"Ah! A Man after my own heart. How lovely "
Sarah joked holding her hand on her chest and Xavier laughed at her tactics. The voice smooth to her ears.  Sarah did too but said in a warning tone "but this is not a date "
"Whatever you say my love" Xavier said winking at her instead. A few second later the waitress came to take their orders. She couldn't help but notice how the waitress tuck the hair behind her ear flirtatiously. "Anything else sir. Any special requests " She said smiling seductively and batting her lashes at him. He just denied and gave back their menus to her. She walked away swaying her hips slightly and Sarah rolled her eyes as she turned her head back to the table. "What are you rolling your eyes at?"
Xavier asked her raising his eyebrows and Sarah looked towards him. Amused by her reaction. "That waitress was totally eyeing you up" she said her tone hinting an octave to disturbance. "Why, were you jealous?"
Xavier smiled that she was effected by that. That meant she cared.
"No. I just hate to see her waste her energy like this" Sarah said with a straight face instead. At this moment, the fact she was so comfortable. She was being more of a friend towards him than anything else. Xavier's expression also dropped but he said "You can try to hide it all you want but I know you care"
Sarah didn't reply but shook her head. Their food came not sooner than that and they started eating.

As they were heading out. The same waitress from before whispered something in Xavier's ear and gave him a piece of tissue. No doubt with her number on it. Sarah felt the possessive need to tell her to step away but she kept to herself. This was not a date. You have no right on this man. Her voice reasoned.  Yet she couldn't help being mad at him. As they sat in the car. Halfway through the ride, Xavier could feel the energy and atmosphere shift in the car. She was quiet but she was mad. He stopped the car. "What's the matter?" He said sighing and turning towards her. She looked at him and asked in a small voice "Is that the kind of girls you prefer. Who are really forward and have a great body?"
"What? No. Where is this coming from?"
Sarah didn't say anything. She shouldn't even be mad at first place. It wasn't her role to play. Here she was yet again hurt and wondering if he liked that.
Xavier realised after a minute "Is this about that waitress because I wasn't even paying attention to her"
He was right. He wasn't. He had realised what she was trying to do but neither was he impressed nor was his mind thinking of anything other than the girl who sat with him right now.
"Yeah you're right. It's not even my place to demand answers from you sorry "
Sarah said looking away and Xavier's eyes softened. "You can ask me anything you want. Anytime you want "
Sarah looked at him nodded and smiled. Xavier started the car right after to continue their journey towards Sarah's house to drop her off.

At a distance, he stopped his car and killed the engine. Sarah looked at him and smiled "Thank you for the amazing food. I really enjoyed tonight "
Xavier nodded "I'm glad you did"
Their gaze locked into each other fighting to see who would break their contact first. It was Xavier. He turned his head away and spoke. "Alright then See you tomorrow "