𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐩

𝟐𝟒 || 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧

I enter the café, feeling my phone buzz in my pocket. I already know who it is, but that doesn't stop me from smiling as I reach for my phone to text back.

Me and Aldric decided that we should even pretend to date in text, in case they can get access to our phones.

We text good morning every day, goodnight every night, we call three times a week and it actually feels like we've gotten along so much better recently. We planned to do the date a week from when we made the decision, to make sure the stalker sees us together or talking, since it would be suspicious if we just started dating out of nowhere.

''Oh, hello Estelle!'' I hear Adam shout from behind the cash register, I look up from my phone and smile at my best friend.

I walk towards him, placing my purse on the counter. ''Hi! How are you?'' I ask, making my way towards the staff room but Adams response makes me stop, ''I've been good! A bit crazy in the café tho.'' He chuckles. I giggle, walking inside the small staff room, grabbing my apron before walking back to Adam.

I grab the broom and begin sweeping the floor, Adam stays silent, watching my every move. ''So um, what are you doing today? Wanna go grab something after our shift?'' I stop my movements at his question, ''Today?'' I ask, my smile suddenly drops as guilt takes over. Adam nods his head, a hopeful grin on his face. I sigh, looking down at my shoes, ''I'm sorry I can't today.'' I mumble.

Adam looks at me quietly, his smile drops slightly, ''Oh, how come?'' He asks, walking towards me, grabbing the broom from my hands as he begins sweeping the floor all over again. I hesitate, ''I mean like um.. I might be going out on a date with Aldric..'' I say quietly, not wanting the customers to hear his name and freak out.

Adam stays quiet, his smile is long gone and I feel like that was too much. ''Okay listen, it's not like that. Come here.'' I whisper as I grab his arm, dragging him behind the counters with me.

''Then what?'' Hurt is all over his face, and guilt is all over mine. I sigh, I've been doing that a lot recently, but I can't seem to stop it when I keep on hurting the people all around me.

I open my mouth and begin explaining, ''Well Aldric sort of has a stalker who is either jealous of him or.. me? And so I got this crazy idea about us going on a date to trick the stalker and a few of Aldric's friends are gonna be there as look out for us. It's basically all a lie and we just want to catch that creepy stalker.'' I whisper it all, suddenly out of breath when I finish explaining the crazy story.

I expect Adam to call me crazy for having such a crazy idea, reminding me of what Aldric has done to me so many times that I ended up in Adams arms crying. But he doesn't, all he says is ''I can help you if you want.'' with a smile on his face.