Opposites

2.7

guess who finally found their laptop charger...like the new cover? 

I couldn't focus during my morning shift at the diner. I was torn between going home early or quitting all together. I knew I couldn't quit, so I was going into the kitchen to make myself some fake throw up. Davie never really let us leave early from work unless it was an emergency, so this seemed like the best option. I was about to get out the milk when I received a call from Aimee. I answered the call.

"Hey, Aimee." I sighed heavily as I guessed she was about to tell me she talked to Justin. 

"Actually, it's Nate. I knew you wouldn't pick up if it was me who was calling due to the numerous voicemails I left you, so here I am I guess..." I could practically hear the shrug in Nate's voice.

"What do you want?" I whined into the phone, already being done with the conversation.

"I want to make up with you. Aimee, Luke, and I are gonna be swinging by in about an hour. Is that a good time? I know that's your usual break time." Nate sounded almost nervous.

"I'll see you then." I hung up and decided to stay at work after all.

"Hey, who was that?" I turned to see Anne in the doorway to the kitchen.

"It was Nate. He's gonna be here in about an hour, during lunch break." I tucked my phone back into my red apron.  "Are you going to tell him?" Anne held open the door for me as I walked out to the registers. Anne walked to the one next to mine.

"Tell him what?" 

"That, oh I don't know, that you aren't into him anymore and that you totally have a thing for Justin?" Anne scoffed.

"Of course I'm not gonna tell him that. I'm still 'into' him." I stared straight ahead and groaned. Nate was attractive and good to have around.  

"Okay, your choice." Anne helped out a customer as I smiled politely in their direction. 

***

An hour later, Anne and I sat at a table in the corner while we waited for the others. She kept giving me sympathetic looks across the table. I ignored them while I played with my hands. Fifteen minutes late, Aimee, Luke, and Nate finally showed up. Stacy took our drink orders while we conversed with one another. Aimee and Luke had already kissed numerous times in front of us all within the first few minutes of them being there.

"We get it, you're a couple." I groaned as they kissed once more.

Nate and Anne laughed at me as Luke cleared his throat. Apparently, I was being talked to for a few minutes, but had completely zoned out. I couldn't stop thinking about the night before. The only time I reacted was when Nate reached under the table and pat my thigh to get my attention and then rested his hand on my knee.

"I'm sorry, what?" Nate chuckled at me. 

"I asked if you wanted any of my fries?" He gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and pulled his hand off of my knee. 

"I have to pee." I slipped away from the table and went to the bathroom. 

I took deep breaths once I entered and splashed water on my face. I wanted to cry and climb out of the bathroom window, but I knew I couldn't do that. I had been in there for too long and decided to go back to the table with everyone. When I got back, I noticed another person had been added to our party. Justin was sitting next to Aimee. The others hadn't noticed I was standing right in front of our booth staring on like an idiot. I cleared my throat and Nate made way for me to sit down again. 

"Hi, Cali." Justin had his hands clasped together on the table. I bit down hardly on my lip.

"Hi." I could tell Nate was getting defensive as he wrapped an arm around my shoulder. He was probably remembering me mentioning him in our fight we had. 

I took one of Nate's fries and pressed into his side. I could feel the eyes of Anne and Aimee on me. I probably had been given warning messages about Justin at the table, but didn't check. I put a hand on Nate's thigh, which seemed to startle him. 

"So, have you guys decided where you're going to college?" Justin broke the silence. 

"Anthem Institute." Aimee and Anne replied together excitedly.

"I haven't decided." Luke mentioned.

"I'm not going to college." I casually replied. No one looked at me.

"I'm going to Rutgers." Nate took a sip of his drink.

I cleared my throat, "What about you, Justin?" 

"I don't know." he cracked his knuckles.

"Won't your dad be upset with you for not picking a college?" I cocked my head in confusion. Justin cleared his throat.

We sat through about fifteen more minutes of  conversation until Aimee, Luke, and Nate had to leave. 

"Well, it was nice having lunch with you guys." Aimee hugged us goodbye.

"I'll see you, babe." Nate left a short kiss on my lips, but when I realized Justin's eyes were on me, I pulled him back for a deeper one. I still couldn't bring myself to feel anything much for him. There was definitely something there, just not enough something.

"I'll clean up the table." Anne smiled awkwardly at Justin and I who were now the only ones left at the table while Anne went to get cleaning supplies.

"I'll walk you to your car, I guess." I crossed my arms and waited for Justin's response.

"Okay..."

I stood awkwardly in front of Justin, by his car, and waited for him to say something. He muttered something under his breath that I couldn't understand.

"What was that?" I leaned in closer to hear him.

"I said, how are you still with him?" Justin swallowed and made cold eye contact.

"Excuse you? How could you say that to me when you're the one with Tamara?" I scoffed at him.

"I'm not with Tamara." Justin stood with a perplexed expression on his face.

"That's what she said when she answered your door the other night. You're still in love with her. How petty exactly are you?" I crossed my arms.

"That was you? No, I'm not in love with her and I never was. I was just naive. She said that it was Jennie who showed up. Tamara showed up completely drunk at my place. I tried to sober her up. She kissed me and that was all that happened. I drove her home after making it clear that it meant nothing. I believe love lasts forever, and Tamara and I are definitely something I don't want to last forever. I only want you." Justin hardened his tone and swallowed.

"Whatever, Justin. You don't have to bother explaining anything to me."

"Why'd you show up at my place, anyways?" He tilted his head to the side and raised his eyebrows at me. 

The humid air of the day made it harder to breathe as I tried to think of a valid reason, "I don't know..."

"You know Cali, I thought there was something between us. I thought that maybe you had feelings for me too. I'm done trying to make anything work with you. It's your problem now." Justin turned back to his red truck and didn't even wait for my response as he drove away.