Switching Places

15. Promise

   I never used to go to this coffee shop, I thought to myself as I took a seat in the familiar booth in the back corner. And now I come here all the time, thanks to Chloe. I have to say, I don't hate the place. It always has a nice vibe. As if whenever you come here, you're problems don't matter, and everyone is happy. The place is inviting as well. I never really took the time to notice the deep burgundy walls and comfortable lounge on the other end of the store, but sitting here waiting for Alec to show up again, I took the time to pay attention for once. 

   And I noticed a lot of things.

   For one, everyone sitting on the other end of the store in the lounge was either sipping a latte and talking to someone, or on their mac books. And everyone on my side, sitting in the booths, were eating lunch.

   I had just coached Chloe on how to throw her own party, before making an excuse to Jody to come to the coffee shop. I figured since it's such a popular place, that Alec would show up here and get a coffee or something, and then when he leaves, I will follow him, and see what he gets up to. For all I know, he could be heading to Chloe's party.

   "Hey Chloe!." A bright and happy voice said, breaking me out of my thoughts. I turned my head to see David, smiling down at me.

   "David, hey. What are you doing here?"

   "I work here." He laughed.

   "Right, of course you do." I said.

   "So, what can I get for you?" He said, taking out a note pad to write down my order.

   I searched my brain, trying to think of something Chloe would eat that I would like as well.

   "I guess I will have a small coffee and a muffin." I said slowly, watching Davids face to see if he would do anything to make me feel like i ordered wrong.

   "So the usual? I'll be right back with it." He laughed and walked off. 

   While I waited for my order to get to my table, I looked around the shop again. It really did have a homey feel to it. Pictures of the owners were hung on the wall, as well as then and now pictures of the shop, and old pictures of the town. I noticed some art hanging on the wall that looked to be from a local artist. This place really was cool. When all this is over with Chloe and we found our birth parents, I'm going to make my old friends come here to hang out. I know they would love the lounge area.

   "Here you go, enjoy." David said as he set my coffee, muffin, cream and sugar on the table in front of me. "I would stay and chat like we normally do, but we're pretty busy today, sorry."

   "That's fine. I'll see you at school Monday." I told him, pouring one cream into my coffee and giving it a stir.

   "Sure thing, see you later." I dug into my muffin and watched as David tended to other customers. I wonder how he's doing with soccer? After that first game I stopped attending. I guess I should have kept going to support my 'friend' and also because Alec was on the team, but I figured there was noting interesting he could do at a soccer game that would have anything to do with me and Chloe.

   Speaking of Alec, he chose that moment to walk into the shop, and up to the takeout counter. A girl working there took his order, and didn't forget to flirt with him. I rolled my eyes at that. I quickly finished my muffin and chugged the rest of my coffee. Just as I was standing up from my booth, he received his order and was walking out of the store.

   I hurried after him, but was careful to make it look like I wasn't following him. Just as I walked out of the building, I saw Alec turn the corner. I jogged after him, so I could keep track of him better, and not loose him in the crowd of people. I managed to keep track of him, despite the fact that he was walking fast, as if he was late for something. It was only 8:30pm, so unless where ever he was going started in five minutes, then I'm pretty sure we would be okay.