We Really Need To Stop // ImAllexx

Exactly The Same

"I've got an idea! Why don't we all line up in height order?" Will suggested out of nowhere, already bouncing from leg to leg. He was probably trying to keep warm. But it made him seem like a kid who couldn't wait to begin a prank. Why was he always wearing that denim jacket with the fleece around the hood? Didn't he own anything else?

My eyes drifted to the silhouettes of some birds soaring over the spindly dead trees on the other side of the street. There was a bakery of some sorts over there, with a small queue outside and it smelt so so good.

"Oh yeah that's a fucking great idea, Will," George moaned, arms folded across his black much cosier-looking felt jacket. "Because we all know I'm going to be last!" Infuriated, the shortest of our bunch kicked at the ground.

"Oi oi, alright! It's just an idea, no need to get upset now," Will frowned. He took a step back from George, but Alex found his way in.

"Who said you're going last mate?" Looking to Will, Alex patted George on the back.

"Yeah," Will continued, flashing a wink at Alex. "I was thinking we go shortest to tallest like. It won't be funny otherwise. When they pop their 'eads out that store, I want 'em to see us all lined up in a perfect row! They'll be so confused - it'll be brilliant!"

"Alright, let's do it then," George eagerly rushed to the front of the store before he could even finish speaking and before anyone else could bustle their way in.

Keeping my eyes on his cream hoodie and brown hair, I nervously followed behind Alex who was next in line. A pair of seagulls were cawing loudly, sitting on top of the brand new about-to-open Bubble Tea shop 'COSMOS'.

"Alex, I think we've fucked it..." As I watched the cold clouds of air cascade from my mouth, I tapped him on the shoulder. Instantly he turned around to face me. All the chatter around us, the seagull cries and George's impatience - fizzled out into nothingness. We held onto each other there, between the light in our eyes for a few moments before reality crashed back in.

"Why? How have we fucked it, Callie?" Alex's teeth shone even more brightly than the sequins on his Gucci sweater.

"Umm, I think we're the exact same height," I said, going to rub my eye then stopping myself. This morning it took me over 40 minutes to perfect my eyeliner. Nothing was going to let me ruin it now, especially not a little itch.

"Yeah? Maybe we are? Let's see!! George, what do you think?" With his back squished up against me, Alex was keeping me warm. This was nice. If only we could stand huddled together like this until the shop opened.

We were all sacrificing our body heat, free time and sanity for... yep, a cup of tea. That's right. Crazy way to spend a Friday, I know. It was Nadia's idea. So, here we were: James, Will, Fraser, Nadia, me, Alex and George - all stood in height order, in the freezing cold streets of SOHO, waiting desperately to claim our one free bubble tea each. The store was opening at 13:00. It was now 12:57. According to the poster, the first 50 customers would get a free drink of their choice.

"Err, hate to break it to you," George began hesitantly, "but I think Alex is a teeny weeny eensy bit... smaller," he concluded. Using his hands as a viewfinder, George squinted to double check. Then, he promptly turned away from us, keeping his focus intently on the door.

"YESS!!" Alex fist pumped the air.

"Didn't expect you to be so happy about that," George laughed, turning around again and Alex rolled his eyes. "But nah really, you two are basically exactly the same height. Congratulations," George added the last part in a serious tone which made Alex and me both pause before bursting into a giggle fit.