Stars Can't Shine Without Darkness (Stellar)

Chapter 3

     Tala entered in Matt’s restaurant. She spotted Jake sitting alone in the corner tinkering with his blackberry.

     “How long have you been here?” she asked him as she took her seat.

     “I’ve been texting and calling you. Where have you been?” he asked as he put his phone away.

     “Your cousin’s one hell of a talker” she complained.

     “Yeah I told Matt he can just bring home the new dish that he wants us to try tonight” he replied.

     “I’m talking about Theo” Tala fiddled with the fork in front of her.

     “You hang out with him today?” he asked.

     “He was lurking in the office again” she explained.

     “What did he do?” he asked as he took the fork so she would stop playing with it.

     “He asked me out on a date and I said yes” Tala was exasperated.

     “I thought you like him” he was wondering why she was having a fit.

     “I do but you know me, I don’t go on dates” she freaking out.

    “Then why did you say yes if your still hell bent on your i-don’t-do-dating thing?” he laughed.

     “I’m still trying to figure it out how he made me say yes” she said still irked. They saw River walking towards their table

     “Am I late?” she sat beside Tala.

     “Tala agreed to go on a date with Theo” he told River as he handed her a glass of water. She looked parched. She took a sip. 

     “So when are you having dinner with him? I’ll do your make up” she said pretty thrilled.

     “I think I don’t want to go out with him anymore” Tala confessed.

     “Just have one date with Theo. If doesn’t turn out well, Matt will be glad to beat him up” River took another sip of water.

     “So when is your date?” Jake was curious.

     “He’s inviting me to your grandmother’s birthday. Are you going?” Tala asked.

     “I’m still thinking about it” he replied. They saw Matt’s girlfriend storm out the restaurant.

     “Not again” Tala couldn’t help but blurt out those words.

     “Since they started going out three months ago all they do is fight and make up, you should be used to their set up already” Jake joked as he handed her the fork.

     “I’m the one who drinks with him every time they have a row. By the time they celebrate their first anniversary I’m afraid I’ll be an alcoholic already” Tala waved the fork in the air in frustration.

     “Don't worry we'll visit you when you're in rehab" River joked.

     Jake was thirsty so he went down to the kitchen. It was his habit to check up on Tala. She was asleep so he closed her door. He was already in the living room when he heard her crying. He quickly went back to her room. He tried to rouse her. Tala woke up.