The Comet Cafe

Chapter~19

April steps between Logan and Chad, separating them from each other. Logan is pushed to the ground. Chad adjusts himself as he stands.

"What do you think you're doing?" April demands, looking at both of the guys. She turns to Chad, putting a hand in his shoulder. Logan's face turns smug.

"Of course you're worried about him," Logan brushes himself off as he stands. His eyes are locked onto Aprils' hand. She notices and drops it.

"What is your problem, buddy?" Chad says, touching his cheek. He had a cut directly below his eye.

"Did Logan punch you?" I hear myself saying. My legs move forward towards Chad. Did I really just do that? I guess Alex changed me this summer. I'm not that scared of the opposite gender anymore.

"He might've gotten one in." Chad admits.

"Explain yourself now, Logan." April says, referring to his odd behavior. I know I've never seen him act like this. He was always the perfect, polite prep. "I have no idea what your problem is."

"My problem?" Logan looks taken aback. "My problem is that you went behind my back and cheated with this scum." He gestures to Chad. Both April and Chad furrow their eyebrows in confusion. No one knows what the hell he's talking about.

Although the crowd has dispersed, April speaks in a hushed tone. "Cheated? Logan, I would never cheat on you. I love you."

Didn't know they were already dropping the L-Bomb.

"April's great and all, but she's taken." Chad says. "I don't break up relationships, man." He winces in pain and puts his hand over his cheekbone again.

"Maybe we should go to the nurse, Chad," I suggest and he nods. I place my hand on his shoulder and guide him to the nurses office. I turn to him and see that he's staring at me. "Your, uh, your cut is bleeding pretty bad."

He shrugs. "I've been hurt worse." Chad pauses. "You know, Julia, we haven't talked in forever."

I laugh slightly and turn left, towards the administration offices. "We haven't."

"We should." He bumps his shoulder into mine and I'm confused by his odd behavior. Chad used to never give me a second glance. I've always been that kind of girl. Why does he suddenly seem interested?

We arrive at Nurse Healy's office and she notices us right away. "Chad, what happened?"

"Some jealous guy punched me for no reason." He explains and I laugh at his explanation.

"Let me get some alcohol then." She fishes through a cabinet and I feel it's inappropriate for me to be standing here.

"I'm gonna go. Classes are starting soon." I say. Chad looks to me as the nurse applies the liquid to his face. He scowls before replying.

"Wait, are you coming to the first football game on Saturday?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe." I respond.

He gives me an award-winning smile. "You should come. If you do, come find me after, okay?"

"Um, okay." I say, hesitantly. "Bye, Chad."

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"How do you feel about football games?" I ask Alex during our shift after school.

"Terrible waste of time." Lucy pipes up, popping a French fry into her mouth. She showed up with Petey not too long ago.

"I wasn't asking you," I act mad and Luce sticks her tongue. "Alex?" He turns around quickly, surprised I was asking him.