I don't know what love is but I Love You

Chapter 7

Ali was surprised at how easily she had managed to persuade Vicki to accompany her to visit Joe in Berkeley. She knew that her friend wasn't too fond of Joe and his best friend Dave, who'd had a crush on  Vicki in high school. When Joe and Ali started dating, he tried to talk Ali into a double date, but she knew her friend well and knew that scheming behind Vicki's back could end badly for their friendship. One day, Ali asked Vicki what she thought of Dave. When Vicki replied that Joe and his friends weren't the dream company for her, Ali got a little sad. Vicki quickly added that she'd try to tolerate Joe for her sake, but Ali had better get the idea about a double date out of Joe's head.

On the way to campus, Vicki and Ali talked about music, painting, and beauty news, among other things. Ali tried to find out from Vicki something about the mysterious guy from Chicago, but all Vicki had to say was that he was fantastic, gorgeous, wonderful, divine, and amazing. Ali was pleased that her friend lit up when she talked about her mysterious admirer, but she had a feeling that Vicki hid something from her. However, she decided not to pursue the topic any further for now.

When they arrived at the college town, Ali looked around on all sides excitedly. She closed her eyes for a minute, imagining that in a few months, this could be her home. A moment later, she was snapped out of her thoughts by a familiar voice.

"I thought this moment would never happen."

Later, Joe hugged and kissed her in turn, ignoring Vicki and the other people strolling through the parking lot.

First Joe showed the girls his room and introduced them to his roommate, then they went to eat at a small Mexican restaurant. Joe asked the girls if they'd mind  Dave joining them. Ali looked at Vicki, as she tore herself away from the phone screen for a moment, and replied that she was fine with it.

While the three were studying the menu, Dave appeared. First, he greeted everyone and then took a seat next to Joe.

"You'll never guess who I met at the entrance," Dave said mysteriously. "Did you know that Ana Kendrick works here?"

"No," Joe answered dryly.

Of course, he didn't know she worked here. If he'd known, he wouldn't have brought Ali here. Fortunately for Joe, a waitress came to their table, so Ali didn't have a chance to ask who Ana was. They all decided they were in the mood for tacos. Joe and Dave ordered theirs with beef and the girls ordered theirs with chicken. To top it off, the waitress recommended a non-alcoholic Mexican beer for them.

While waiting for the food, the guys inquired about school and what was going on in town. Vicki said very little, and basically just answered the questions directed at her. Later during the meal, Joe and Dave talked about their impressions of their first days at college.

"I envy you guys this freedom," Ali said.

"I'm looking forward to this being our everyday life," Joe replied with a smile.

While Dave talked about his eccentric economics lecturer, Joe excused himself to call his stepdad, who had texted him that he couldn't find a drill anywhere in the garage.

On his way out of the restaurant, Joe was spotted by Ana. Since the restaurant wasn't busy, Ana asked the other waitress to keep an eye on the tables so she could follow Joe outside.

"I'm glad to see you," Ana said, approaching Joe.

"I already told you it was a misunderstanding. My first college party. I overdid it with the alcohol. I thought you were my girlfriend and that's why I kissed you," Joe explained.

"I don't mind that you have a girlfriend. I just have a thing for you and I thought we could have some fun once in a while," Ana said, smiling sweetly at him. 

Joe shook his head in disbelief and walked into the restaurant. Ana had no choice but to follow him. Returning to the table, Joe asked for the bill. When Joe opened the book brought by the waitress, he found, in addition to the bill, a napkin with a lip print and signature inside It read, "Hope to see you again. Ana." If Joe hadn't turned pale and his hands hadn't been shaking, no one would have noticed the napkin. He tried to explain to Ali that the napkin wasn't meant for him, but she grabbed her things and left the restaurant. Joe left his wallet for Dave to settle the bill, and ran after Ali. After a while, Dave and Vicki came out of the restaurant. Dave stayed with Joe while Vicki and Ali got in the car and drove away. Dave patted his friend on the shoulder and tried to comfort him.

"She'll get over it, you'll see."

On the drive back, Ali and Vicki barely spoke to each other. Vicki had a great desire, to talk about what a jerk Joe was, but she considered that he was the best representation of himself. When they arrived in front of Ali's house, Vicki hugged her.

"If you want, I'll stay with you tonight?"

"Thanks, but I'm so tired, I'm going to bed soon. I'll call you tomorrow, okay?" said Ali as she got out of the car.

"Take care of yourself," Vicki called as she drove away.

Ali walked home slowly, wondering what to do now. She looked at her smartphone and saw several text messages and three missed calls from Joe. Finally, she decided that Joe wouldn't give her any peace and texted him that this matter couldn't be resolved over the phone. Joe wrote Ali back that he was going home in a few days, so they'd have a chance to sort out the whole misunderstanding.