Yawning, I get out of bed and rub my puffy eyes. I had cried myself to sleep from all of my problems and stress. Wishing that I could ditch work today, I forced myself to get ready and look slightly presentable. Grabbing my phone and keys, I headed out into the chilly morning air.
I stumbled into the cafe, still half asleep, and grunted a hello to Michael. Fixing up a cup of coffee to wake myself up, I made some small talk with Mikey until we had to open up.
"So, anything happen yesterday?" Michael, completely oblivious to my troubles, hit my weak spot and my eyes welled up with tears. "Shoot, sorry I shouldn't have asked that, you don't have to tell me." He embraced he and held me tight, calming me down.
"It-it's okay, it's just that it was a tough day for me because Ashton kissed me out of nowhere and then I went to tell Luke and he got mad because he was threatening to hurt Ash and I defended him so now I honestly don't know what to do at all."
"Wow, and here I thought planning to change my hair would be the news of the day," he joked, still hugging me and comforting me. "If you ever need anything, advice, moral support, just anything, I'm here for you."
"Thanks Mike," I smiled and wiped my eyes to be rid of the few tears that had been about to escape. Taking a deep breath, I put my apron on while Michael opened up the cafe.
After serving a steady stream of customers, it momentarily slowed to a trickle and saw who the next guest in line was.
"Hey Alex." Stepping away from the cashier I silently begged Michael to switch with me. Not wanting to deal with the customer waiting on the other side of the counter.
"Ashton, hi," thankfully, my coworker saw how stressed out I was and switched so I was making the drinks while he took the orders. "I will be helping you today, what would you like?" Michael's lips were in a firm line, obviously mad at Ashton for what he was putting me through.
"I just need to talk to Alex," Ashton begged. I kept my head ducked and didn't look his way. "Come on, please? I think I deserve a chance to at least explain and plead my case."
I silently debated all the pros and cons before finally nodding a small yes. "Fine, but you have 5 minutes at most and have to wait until my first break."
Ashton, looking relieved, ordered a coffee and went to sit down at a table in the corner while I continued to make everyone's drinks.
Luke's POV
Stretching, I got out of bed and for a moment of pure bliss I forgot about all my problems. Reality came crashing down on me too soon though as all of the events from yesterday flooded into my brain. After sleeping on it, I realized Calum was right so I got dressed, took a deep breath, and headed to Alex's cafe she worked at.
((sorry I know that was really short but I need to get on with the story))
Alex's POV
When the majority of the morning rush had calmed down and Mikey assured me he could take care of it for a little while. I slowly sauntered over to Ashton, trying to put off the conversation as much as possible. Sighing when I reached the table, I slid into the booth and gave him a harsh glare.
"Five minutes, that's it." I wasn't up for playing any games and just wanted to get the whole thing over with.
"Wow, right to the point," Ashton tried to lighten the mood but from the expression on my face he could see I really just wanted to be anywhere but here. "Okay, so I know that you have some fling with Luke or whatever-"
"Some fling?" I cut him off before he could say anything else. "You don't get it Ashton," I knew he hated it when I used his full name instead of 'Ash' and it was a low blow but he was undermining my relationship. "I love him, you are getting into something that's over your head. Please just leave."
"No, you said five minutes." I rolled my eyes but didn't interupt him so he continued. "I have known you since we were so little. We have a history together." My eyes wandered the cafe, avoiding all eye contact. "Come on, Alex, you have to see that we have something." I tune out Ashton for a second, not wanting to hear his nonsense. Noticing the bell over the door jingling I look to see Luke standing there, his eyes scanning the cafe.
"Luke," I called out, cutting off Ashton.
"What? No, Alex we should be together. What are you-" Ashton seems disoriented from my sudden out burst, his back to the door so he hasn't seen our latest customer.
"Luke is here," I quickly explain before standing up, a smile on my face. "LUKE!" I call out so he can locate me.
His head whips around with a nervous look on his face until he sees Ashton and his gaze immediately hardens. "Really Alex?" He says with what sounds more like disappointment than anger, which makes it all the worse. He turns and leaves the cafe. I quickly glance over at Michael who nods and tells me he will cover while I chase after Luke. I stand, grab my coat, and jog out to find Luke.
With the crowded streets of San Francisco, it is nearly impossible to find him, even though he is a giant. I try to think of places where he might go when I remember him mentioning in some of our earlier talks that he loved hanging out by the fountain in the park. I make my way over there and see a lonely figure hunched over, sitting on the edge. Taking a deep breath, I slowly walk over. Sitting down next to him, he turns to look at me.
"So I guess you choose him," I could hear his voice crack as he held back tears.
"What? No, I choose you, it will always be you. I love you too much to ever let you go." I looked into his glazed over crystal blue eyes.
"Then why were you with him?"
"He just came to the cafe this morning wanting to talk, he couldn't take the hint and leave so I agreed to give him 5 minutes to try and explain what he did."
"So he came to you wanting to talk and you didn't want him there?" Luke's eyes seem to sparkle with hope.
"Yes, he just wanted a chance to explain himself. I was truly wishing that I could be talking to you instead him," I placed my hand on his and squeezed it reassuring him.
"I believe you, but I just don't know how this going to work out."
So I hope you liked the chapter. Thanks for reading and I will try to write more often since I kind of mapped out the plot.
