The Comet Cafe

Chapter~20

After I chased down Alex, and surprisingly won, we headed down to this small bistro on one of Meadow Hills' busiest intersections, which is where we are now.

"Doesn't this feel like cheating to you?" Alex asks as we sit down in one of the booths. From the window I could see the sun just starting to go down.

"What do you mean?" I ask, confused. I pick up the menu that was on the table and page through. I already know what I'm going to get, though.

"We're cheating on the Comet Cafe!" Alex says, like it's obvious. I laugh and place down the menu. Alex picks his up. Then, I see the owner come over to our table. He's good friends with my dad so I wave.

"Julia!" He greets me when he gets to the booth. "Haven't seen you in forever! How's it been?"

"I'm good. Things are good." I reply, smiling. "George, meet Alex. Alex, this is George the owner of the Corner Bistro."

"Hello, sir," Alex says politely. I have to stifle a laugh because of how proper he's being.

"Nice to meet you, young man. It's nice to see Julia's finally got a boyfriend." George says and I immediately look down at my lap, feeling my cheeks go red.

"We're not-" I start to say but George continues, ignoring me.

"So, what can I get you two to start off with?" He asks.

"I'll have a lemonade." I speak up, still trying not to make eye contact with Alex.

The thing is that I like the idea of Alex and I together and I love the fact that George assumed we were partners. The more time I spend with Alex just makes me want him more. I've never been this close to a guy like this before and I don't ever want it to end. That's why I haven't said anything. I'm scared of what would happen if I tell my best friend that I care for him in a more than friends way. Although Alex is a nice guy, if he didn't feel the same (which he doesn't), I feel like he'd shut me out for keeping it a secret for so long.

"I'll have the same, I guess," I hear Alex say. George walks off to get our lemonades as I act like my ripped capris are the most interesting things ever. "So, uh, that was weird..."

I laugh nervously and debate whether or not to look up in fear that "I like you" will be plastered on my forehead. I take the chance anyway. "Yeah, I'm sorry. George he's..." I stop talking when I see Alex has a gigantic smile on his face. This surprises me because he never smiles this big. Ever. 

"What?" I ask him thoroughly confused why he is so happy. Nothing super happy just happened.

"Nothing." He shrugs.

"No, what is it?" I ask him, crossing my arms.

He laughs at how persisting I'm being. "It's nothing! Can't a guy smile with his girlfriend?"

My eyes go wide. "I... we're not dating, Alex! George is just- he's.."

"I know that!" He laughs, making me blush again. "Of course we're not dating. I was being funny. God, Jules, take a joke!"

"I can. I mean... whatever!" I explain, flustered beyond belief. Alex should not play with my emotions like that. When he said 'girlfriend', my heart fluttered like crazy.

"I didn't know you hated the idea of us being together like that." He chuckles.

Oh, Alex, it's quite the contrary, I think to myself.

George finally after what felt like forever brings back our lemonades and takes our orders. I get the chicken and cranberry salad, while Alex orders the bacon cheeseburger.