The Comet Cafe

Chapter~14

"Pass the popcorn!"

"Zeke, you're hogging the blanket!"

"Can't we just freaking start?!"

I laugh at the chaos that ensues before we watch a movie. We're at Katie's house for this sleepover and chose to watch The Little Mermaid. I'm thrilled; this is one of my favorite Disney movies. We all took our normal places on Katie's two leather couches. Lucy and Zeke are snuggled up in one corner of the other couch, with April and Katie underneath another blanket at the other end. I'm next to Alex under a soft baby blue blanket. Next to us is Hunter and Eric. They both have their own blanket, claiming they're "real men". But, I've seen them sleeping and they really like to snuggle.

Katie runs over to the TV and starts the movie. I absentmindedly snuggle into Alex. I don't even realize until the sailors sing on Eric's ship that I'm basically resting on Alex's chest and his arm is around me. I freeze. Is he..okay with this? He must've sensed my stiffness and cuddles into me, putting his chin on top of my head. I sigh, happily.

I would call Alex one of my best friends. I only met him a little under two months ago, but he's like a brother to me. The whole band is, really. I couldn't have asked for better friends. They're silly, hilarious, and trustworthy when you want them to be.

I can't believe 2 years ago I was depressed. Now, I'm the happiest I'll ever be and it's thanks to these people, especially the guy I'm laying with. He laughs at Sebastian and I look up towards him. He notices and looks down at me, furrowing his eyebrows. I smile and shake my head, turning my attention back to the movie.

I get bored of the movie eventually. I think I watched it too many times as a kid; it doesn't hold the same value. April spots that I'm not interested in the movie and starts making ugly faces towards me. I join too, distorting my face in impossible positions. We spend a little time doing that until we both get back into the movie.

April's been okay. Although, Logan has not contacted her since he said he needed space. He's in California now on his summer vacation and I cannot believe how smart he is. He breaks up with April so he can hook up with all the Cali girls. It pisses me off.

April now hates him. And she does not hate a lot of people. She always tries to see the good and talk it out, but April can't do that in this situation. Logan's been ignoring her every text, call and email. For all we know, he threw his phone into the ocean already.

Soon enough, the movie ends and Alex lifts up his arm as the lights are turned back on. I curse under my breath. Does he not want everyone else to fully see that we were snuggling? I move away quickly, not daring to look him in the eye.

Why was I so hopeful?

A guy like Alex sees a girl like me to be nothing more than a friend. I'm just another one of the guys, a coworker, some chick. He'd never like me in a million years.

"I'm gonna run to the bathroom," I mumble, walking down the hallway. I close the door and look at myself in the mirror. I can't fight the feelings I have for him. It's too late now. I've gotten to know him. His flaws. His likes. His dislikes. My feelings are so strong that I think I....

No. Oh no no no no no. Julia Louise Moore don't you dare think of what you just thought of. You can't possibly know him that well! The summer isn't even over yet, you couldn't possibly....love him.

I don't even know what love is. I've always thought of it as the way Dad would look at Mom in those old family photos, but I never got the chance to ask Mom. I collapse against the door. Mom. What would she say? I need her guidance now more than anything. I feel tears spring in my eyes, but stop them before they fall. I am not crying over some boy that doesn't even like me the way I do.