Speak Up | Lams DISCONTINUED

four

"'Liiizzaaaa," Alex whined from his favorite Schuyler sister's couch.
"Aaallleeexxx," She mimicked, walking into the room, taking a seat on the end of the couch after moving Alex's feet. This didn't do much though, as he just put his feet back on her lap once she'd sat down.
Alex gave her a false angry expression, causing her to laugh at him. "Yes, Alex?"
"Help meeeeee!" He said like a child, holding his phone out to her with the messages he'd sent John open on it. The conversation still only consisted of the two awkward messages from the night before.
"What'd you want me to do about it?" She asked after taking his phone and reading the messages.
"Help me."
"Help you what, Alex?"
"I don't know what to say to him!"
She gave him a knowing look before asking, "Do you like him?"
Alex could feel himself blushing and tried to hide it with little success. All he did was shrug in response to Eliza's question.

She laughed a little before typing something and sending it before Alex could stop her.
"Eliza! What did you do?!" He yelled, leaping towards her in an attempt to grab his phone back.
She continued to laugh, handing him his phone. Alex quickly read the message.
Alex: Hey, I know this is kinda random, but do you maybe wanna get coffee sometime?
"Jesus Christ, 'Liza! He's gonna think I'm weird now!" Alex groaned, leaning into the couch.
"Better for him to know off the bat, don't you think?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.
"That I like him or that I'm weird?"
"I was thinking more so the weird thing, but either one works."
Alex rolled his eyes before shutting them. He felt like just disappearing.

A few minutes later, his phone buzzed. Alex's eyes shot open and he immediately made direct eye contact with Eliza who only smirked at him in response.
Alex reached for his phone, seeing John's name on the lockscreen. He took in a deep breath before unlocking it.
John: Sure, just tell me when and where and I'll meet you :)
Alex smiled at the screen before Eliza took his phone again, typing another reply, then handing the phone back to him after hitting send.
Alex: How about tomorrow? Starbucks on 184th at 4:30?

Alex rolled his eyes. "What if I have class tomorrow at 4:30?"
She shrugged. "Then I guess you're skipping to go on a date."
"It's not a date!"
She only shrugged in response.
Another minute passed before Alex's phone buzzed again.
John: Works for me. See you then

"So when do I get to meet him?" Eliza asked, reading over Alex's shoulder.
Alex rolled his eyes, locking his phone and throwing it gently on the coffee table. "I don't know. Why? Does he need the "Eliza Stamp Of Approval"?"
She nodded. "Everyone you date does. And vice versa."
"Wait, I get to give guys you date the "Alex Stamp Of Approval"? Since when?"
She laughed at his response. "Since now."
Alex laughed with her. The two spent the rest of the couple hours they had together gossiping while old Disney movies played in the background.

~~~

Alex paced his small dorm, impatiently waiting for 4:30 to roll around. It was quarter after four, and Alex was trying to think of ways to distract himself.
Needless to say, he wasn't very successful and ended up pacing in front of his couch for the remaining ten minutes, giving himself five minutes to get to the coffee shop.
After a relatively short, awkward taxi ride, Alex finally arrived at the Starbucks and was greeted by a smiling John in the corner of the building. Alex smiled in return and went to order a coffee before joining his new friend.