Muffins

Chapter 3

Bella's POV

"Chloe, can you pay attention for two minutes!? I'm having a mid-mid life crisis here. What do you wear to a rendezvous with a mysterious stranger?" 

Chloe and I were at my house. She insisted to come over and help me get ready after I told her about the note. I didn't want to go in the first place, but Chloe has an iron will...

*15 minutes ago*

" I don't think I'm going," I said reading over the note again. "I don't even know him. This seems a bit dangerous, like, what if he's a child predator and he kidnaps me and makes me live in his creepy basement and he tortures me and then eventually murders me because I won't do what he says because I would rather die... *takes a breath*...than do anything against my will and I will never see my family again and-and,"

"Hold up. Are we talking about the same guy that I saw you talking to at Tim's this morning?  He looked about our age, how could he be a child predator? And from what I saw this morning, he was totally into you, and you were just as much into him," Chloe reasoned.

 "I'll tell you what. Why don't I come with you, but like, undercover. I can sit a couple tables away and keep an eye on you. If something is wrong, just text me and I will come to your rescue."

"I don't know-" I was cut off by a thoroughly annoyed Chloe.

" You don't have a choice. He obviously has your phone. Now man up and get your butt in the car, we're going to your house to prepare...stop staring at me like I'm speaking Chinese! Do you want your phone back or not?" Chloe snapped. 

Dang, cranky much?

*Present*

"Just wear what you're already wearing. It's not like it's a date." Chloe shrugged while scrolling through her phone. Says the girl who rushed me back to my house to get me ready. 

I can't help but wonder... Is it a date? 

"C'mon, lets go. It's almost 8:00." She got up from my bed, which she had previously been laying down on, and grabbed my hand to pull me towards the door. 

Wow. I guess this is really happening.

Chick's was nearly deserted when we arrived. To some people, it would have seemed completely empty, but I knew better.

"Are you ready for this?" I heard Chloe ask behind me. I turned around to face her.

"Chloe?" I asked, confused but amused all the same.

"Yeah?" She responded, seemingly oblivious.

"Why are you wearing a mustache?" I pointed to the mess of fuzz glued to her upper lip.

"Oh, that. I need a disguise so he won't recognize me as that hot chick who dragged you out of your staring contest. The attention should be completely on you. Just trust me." Is this really necessary?

"Okay, if you say so." I answer sarcastically, which Chloe doesn't realize.

"Good. I'll be at that table in the corner. If you need me, just shoot me a text. Now, go get your muffin man!" She pushed me forward and lightly smacked my behind. I swear, that girl needs a mental hospital...

As Chloe retreated to the table in the corner, I searched for the mystery guy. I almost gave up, when I spotted a hooded figure in the very back seated in a booth, just like he said he would be.

 I walked up to the booth and sat down. That guy was so absorbed in that phone that he didn't hear me.

 I decided to take the risk that he was a kidnapper, (only because he was kinda capital H—HOT), and be spontaneous. I got up from my seat, went behind him, and placed my hands over his eyes. I could feel him jump a little, which made me giggle. "Guess who." I could feel him start to smile.

"Bella, you came. I didn't think you would come." I walked around him and sat down across from him. My belly was immediately filled with butterflies.

"And why would you ever think that. I'm assuming you have my phone?" I held out my hand, expecting him to hand my phone over to me.

"Alright, fine." He took something out of his pocket. It turned out to be my phone. He held it out to me, not placing it in my hand, but expecting me to reach out and take it. 

I reached for it, but before I could grasp it, he pulled it away. I frowned and reached for it again. Again, he pulled it away, and this time he put it back in his pocket.

"Nuh, uh, uh. If you want it, you're gonna have to earn it." 

Who does this boy think he is?

"Um, I don't even know you," I said with my arms crossed over my chest.

"Well, we'll have to fix that won't we. Let's play 21 questions."

"If we do, will I get my phone back?" I raised an eyebrow.

"You'll have to find out." He raised an eyebrow right back at me.

I hesitated for a few moments, but I finally gave in. "Fine. Me first. What's your name?"

"Alex." Alex. That's a name I could get used to.

****

By the time our game was finished, I learned that Alex was 16, he's from New York and he is visiting New Jersey for a week. His favorite color is blue, he plays the guitar, and his favorite food is chocolate cake, but muffins came as a close second. 

After our game, Alex finally gave my phone back and we decided to talk a little longer before we went our separate ways. He spoke to me like I was an old friend, which was kinda weird, but as the night progressed, I started to feel like I was. 

After Chloe texted me numerous times about Riverdale being on or whatever, I decided it was time that I left.

"Bye Alex. I'll see you around." I got up to leave and Chloe did the same, still in her mustache. As we walked out together, I could feel Alex's gaze on us. He's probably all like, 'Why is that dude following her outside?' My cheeks burn as I imagine him laughing at me. 

Instead, I only hear his sweet melodic voice.

"Goodnight, Bella."

****

Wow, tonight was amazing. I hope that I will see him again. I smile to myself. 

SHOOT! I (mentally) yelled at myself as I realized that... I didn't get his number. 

My heart dropped to the floor, and I began to feel disappointed. Oh, well, he's only here for a week anyways. It's not like a lot can happen in a week.

I said these things only to make myself feel better, but to no avail. I picked up my phone and stared at it, as if his number would magically fall from the sky. 

Wait, what's that? I removed my phone case to see a note placed in it. I unfolded it and smiled to myself like a fool.

555-2810

Call me

~ Alex