The Comet Cafe

Chapter~1

"Hey, Julia. Are you studying already?"

"Not yet. I'm planning to procrastinate as much as I can." This was true. I mean, I did have my literature book out, open in front of me. All the studying I did over the weekend was too much for my body to handle.

"Julia Louise Moure isn't studying?! What is this madness?"

My best friend, April, just called. It was the Monday of finals week. She had been calling me all weekend and I kept on saying that I was studying, which I was. We talked today in school, but April really likes talking. It's odd for me, one of the shyest girls in the junior class, to be best friends with the "Chatty Cathy" of the grade.

I met her in second grade, when I moved to Meadow Hills. Dad's job had just transferred him to the small Illinois town. I was even more shy back then, spending the first few weeks alone on the playground.

Until April came.

She must've seen me alone, sitting on a bench. She came up to me with a shovel and bucket in hand.

"They put new sand in the sandbox. Want to play?"

"Sure."

That one, simple word was the start of an excellent friendship.

We played in that sandbox for the rest of the recess time, talking about our favorite color, stuffed animals, and books. We had a lot in common and were inseparable for the rest of grade school.

In middle school and high school, we met some more people and became a group of four: April, Katie, Lucy and I.

"And, what are you doing Miss April Winnie Hooker?"

"Hoping you aren't doing anything special." She replies.

"What for?" I say, wishing she isn't setting me up again. The last time was last year, and it didn't go as planned.

His name was Logan and he was really sweet. Not half-bad looking either.

April had talked to me on the Friday before the date, which was on Sunday, saying he was from her church group.

I thought, why not?

I hadn't dated since Nick in 9th grade, who was a bit of a jerk. He kissed another girl at some raging party that the popular group has every weekend. Lucy saw him and talked to me the next Monday, saying, "Jules, I wanted to kick his ass so hard right then and there, but I knew my dad would totally ground me for it."

Her comment made me laugh, even in the middle of my tears.

I realized I didn't need him, if I had my friends by my side. I stopped dating for a while, but it wasn't like I had boys asking me out on an everyday basis.

"Logan's a great guy and I've talked about you a lot. Please...?" She had pleaded with me and I said yes, of course.

On Sunday night, I got all dressed up, wanting to make a great impression on this guy. I wore a dress that I got shopping with the girls on Saturday. It actually made my boobs look visible, because usually you can't even see them. I felt good.

Going into the restaurant, I suddenly got nervous. I hadn't been on a date in a long time. I forgot how it went.

I decided to just calm down and walk in there.

We made small talk and ate our dinner. Then, at the end, he asked, "Can I ask you something, Julia?"

"Sure."

"Do you really like me?"

I didn't know how to answer. Boys aren't usually that up front with me.