Bookview Valley 2

Chapter Nine: Dating Sim

Friday, January 23rd (Edited 6/30/24)

Four days until the sentence hearing...

I stare at the entrance to Brewed. I told Jemma not to choose this place for the...dates? Yet, she did. "It's the only good place." I think was her reasoning. I was already in a bad mood, but now I'm in a worse mood. With a sigh, I walk in. I glance around for Tyler, but he's not here yet. To be fair, I did get here almost an hour early, mainly because I wanted to scope the place out. I do not want what happened last time I was here to happen again.

First, I check the bathrooms. Yes, plural. I receive a few weird looks when I go in the men's, but there was no one in there. Second, I check the book section. No one hiding behind the bookshelves and no dead bodies. The employees give me weird looks, but they don't say anything. Lastly, I check the loft. I stand on the last step and peer into the loft, refusing to set a single foot in there. No one suspicious and no one dead. I make my way to a booth finally and take a seat.

A waitress walks over, glances at me, then says," Mocha?"

"Yes, please," I reply and she walks away. I take my phone out and refresh the messages. Nothing new. I glance at Nick's name and sigh. I tap open our messages and re-read them. A thought passes through my mind. If he's the killer, then he might be at the party, but if I invite him to the party and keep an eye on him...

I tap on the message bar and hesitate, my finger hovering over the keyboard. Maybe I should run this through with Jemma so I don't mess with her plan. Though, to be fair, if Nick is the killer and doesn't go to the party, then her plan won't work. BUT, if he is the killer and he's there, and I haven't invited him, it'll make it harder for me to keep an eye on him. Also, then we won't know for sure. However, if I invite him and he is the killer, then I just brought a killer to a party full of teens. Mayb-

My thoughts are cut off from someone approaching my table. I turn my phone off and look up, "Hey, Morgan."

"Tyler," I manage a smile, "Hey."

"How are you?" He asks taking the seat in front of me.

"Uh.."

"I mostly ask, because of yesterday," He says, his face flushing, "You seemed pretty upset."

"Oh, that," I chuckle nervously, "I was."

"Oh."

"I didn't know I was choosing...a love interest," I make a face and Tyler laughs.

"I know Jemma sent me here for a 'date', but honestly, I'm down to just be friends. You seem cool," Tyler shrugs.

"I appreciate that, I do, but don't judge me for not trusting you. Even if Jemma's spidey-sense didn't tingle."

Tyler laughs again, "No, yeah, I totally get that. No hard feelings."

My blue eyes meet his amber ones as he smiles at me, "You actually seem pretty nice."

"You do too." The waitress walks over, mocha in her hand.

She sets the chocolate drink in front of me and turns to Tyler, "Would you like anything?"

"Uh, sure," Tyler nods and skims the menu, "Could I get a white mocha?"

"Sure thing," The waitress walks away.

"A white mocha?" I ask, taking a sip of my normal, perfect mocha.

"What? Is that weird?"

"No, I just prefer normal mochas."