Long Time No See (Red X Chloe)

Chapter 2

(Red's pov)

I have no idea where this godforsaken café is. I haven't been here in FIVE YEARS. How am I meant to know? GPS used to be so polite, but now it's screaming at me to take a left while I'm in a right turn only lane. It doesn't help that my phone keeps slipping off the holder that doesn't fit quite right on my motorbike, but I have bigger problems. Today, I am seeing Chloe Carena Charming for the first time in five years. Thalia practically forced me to 'dress nice'. I do dress nice. There is nothing wrong with jorts, a crop top, and a flannel. She managed to get me to agree on a pair of slacks, a button-down shirt, and a leather jacket. She recruited Cole to do my hair because, apparently, my shaggy mullet is not entirely formal looking. I don't think there's anything wrong with it. Thalia got me new glasses as well, hexagonal wire frames, and they do suit me a lot more than my bulky black rimmed ones. I've missed driving around these streets. I remember my last day, Chloe and Thalia, planned this whole event to make it the best day ever. I remember her tears. It broke my heart to see Chloe like that. There wasn't much I could do, though, my parents got a new job and with that came a new school, new classes, and not friends. Not very many people want to hang around with the 'Josephine big bollocks'. It was a pathetic play on the phrase 'Johnny Big bollocks' but with added spice, I guess. I didn't mind having no friends. It made it a lot easier to choose to move back here again. Cole was still here, and he was like a brother to me, but I've missed Chloe the most. The way her laugh dances through the air, and the was her eyes light uk when she talks about something she loves. I wonder if she still likes space. She could just talk about how many moons Jupiter has and how many earths can fit inside the sun. I would listen to her talk for hours. Her voice is so light and carefree. It just automatically soothes you. Oh crap. Did Cole or Claudia tell her I'm not Rowan anymore? Did they tell her I'm now Red? Fuck what if she doesn't accept me. I've liked her for so long, I don't know if I could deal with her hating me. Even if she doesn't hate me, I still don't have a chance with her. She's straight. I'm not a man, nor am I her type. I don't really know what her type is to be fair, but I know that it's probably not this trainwreck of a person.

The GPS says that I have to take a right and then a left, and my destination will be on the right. I don't actually know where I'm going. This is all in the new part of town, or the one they were building when I left, so I am about as blind as a stick with a blanket over its eyes. I come to a small shop door, just tucked away behind the flower shrubbery that says ,

'Tea with Alice'

It's meant to be slightly Alice in wonderland themed, and the door very obviously fits that description. A large white rabbit made of what seems to be waxed tissue paper sits on the centre of the door, and the handle is shaped like a pocket watch. The bell overhead rings as I step inside, scanning the seats to find some remnant of the girl I knew when I was twelve. I found her. Sitting on a booth in the corner, sipping on what looks like a refresher if some sort, and scrolling aimlessly on her phone. I rush to the counter and order a black coffee, complimenting the large decals and checkerboard wallpaper of the café, before making my way over to Chloe. It isn't until I'm about a foot away from her table that I see what she's actually wearing. She looks gorgeous. She has a blue dress and small matching heels on, and her hair is tied back into braids. I clear my throat when I get to the end of her booth and go to finally speak when she lifts her head, but I find myself unable to. Her face. Her face hasn't changed unless you count the small mark that wasn't there when I left, but apart from that, she had only grown prettier with age. It is only then that I become aware of how itchy these dress slacks actually are. I really should have worn leggings underneath them. My thoughts are drawn away from my trousers and brought back to her face, and she makes a small gasping noise, like she was going to speak, and a blush spreads across her face

Fuck she's hot.