The Comet Cafe

Chapter~12

"I'm nervous," Lucy bites her lip and plays with the strand of purple she put in her hair today. I think it suits her. She was going to dye it red, but red reminds me of that bitch Rosy, so I talked her out of it. We were parked outside Zeke's house, however we were stuck in the car because Lucy was nervous.

"Because you like him," Kate states simply. I stifle a laugh at the glare Lucy gives her from the front seat.

"HE HUGS LIKE A TEDDY BEAR, OKAY?!" Lucy defends, but doesn't do much to her case. We all know it's more than his snuggly hugs.

"Whatever. Can we go in?" April huffs. She doesn't wait for answer and gets out of the car. We all follow. April's been distant the whole car ride. I've been wanting to ask about it, but don't want her to blow up in my face. We get to the door and Lucy tries to hide behind the three of us. Kate rings the doorbell and I swear to god, you can hear Lucy biting her fingernails off.

"Hola, amigos!" Zeke exclaims when he opens the door. April gives a small smile before stepping in. Zeke furrows his eyebrows for a second, but doesn't question it. I wonder if the whole Logan thing finally hit her today.

"Hey!" I wave and follow April into the two-story house. It looked cozy from the outside and it definitely does indoors, as well. The living area, I assume, is filled when dark and lighter shades of brown, with purple and red accents in paintings and other things. There's framed art all over the walls. The only bare wall you can see is near the bottom, close to the plush, tan carpet. I spot spiked-up black hair in the kitchen behind the living room. No Alex. Yet.

I look behind me to see Kate taking in the space, too. I see Lucy is still by the doorway with Zeke, chatting with him. They'd really be a cute couple, even if they look like complete opposites. Lucy with her combat boots in 70 degree weather and Zeke with his dimpled smile and khaki shorts.

"Oh, hey, ladies," Hunter says when he walks into the room with Alex. He's wearing another muscle shirt and I silently praise the Lord for making it a warm summer.

"Ready to hear us?" Alex asks, leaning on the couch like he lives here. The ban seems so close I bet they've been to each other's houses thousands of times.

In answer to his question, I nod swiftly. Kate does a halfhearted shrug and I want to elbow her in the ribs when I see Alex's face fall.

"Aw, you don't want to see us?" Hunter says, pouting. He reminds me of a puppy almost. His long hair looks like ears.

Kate's about to speak when Zeke comes closer. "Let's go downstairs, eh?" Hunter and Alex guide the way for Kate, April and I. Lucy hangs back with Zeke and I give her a wink when he's not looking. She scowls before turning to him with a smile. I laugh to myself. Alex gives me a side look while we walk down the stairs. I didn't even notice our proximity. I feel my hands get clammy.

"What's so funny?" He inquires. I sense my cheeks getting hotter and think of just doing a mysterious shake of the head, but instead I speak.

"Just the two lovebirds behind us," I reply. He smirks and I smile back at him.

"I kinda thought she hated him."

"Oh, she did. But, apparently he gives 'heavenly hugs'," I make air quotes with my hands. He smiles and I can see his eyes glow under the fluorescent lighting of the basement.

"He does give good hugs."

I giggle as he goes over to the guitar set up with all the other band stuff. The basement is finished, with wood flooring and cream walls. The instruments and chairs are set up in the front of the space, and I can see a bar and laundry items near the back of the space. It looks as though it's only used for the band practices, or a least, that is it's main use. Alex sits down on a leather stool with the acoustic guitar in his lap. He strums it a couple times. I feel butterflies in my belly. God, it's gonna be hard for me to be normal tonight.