Try Again Later

Crying in the Club

You fear, that you'll lay alone forever now.
It ain't true, ain't true, ain't true, no.

14th October.
Mockingbird Cafe.
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Closing time was in twenty minutes. But I couldn't get myself to move. I also couldn't get myself to stop crying.
If only the boy I had a crush on would stop making out with his girlfriend, in my direct line of sight.

"Another coffee, Eloise?"

My name is not Eloise. It's Ella Lewis. But it's a standard joke that if you say it really swiftly multiple times, you tend to drop the middle syllable and it sounds like Eloise.
I didn't get what was so fascinating about that.

"Or maybe I should offer you a drink," Lee added.

I looked at him after discreetly weeping my cheeks. "No, I'm done here. I'll just pay and leave."

He pulled out the chair next to mine and sat down. "I'll add it to your tab. You can pay later." Then after a pause, "Why him?"

I wanted to pretend I didn't know who he was talking about, but I knew I hadn't been very subtle at openly gawking James.

I shrugged, "Why not him?"

"He obviously doesn't like you back."

Obviously.

"Gee, thanks for trying to cheer me up, Lee."

"Find someone who is worth your time, babe."

"Don't call me babe," I said, out of reflex, more than anything.

"You can do so much better than that chump."

"You know, you say that, but I don't see anyone better around." I gestured to the room.

"That's because you never make the peak hours."

"Ha ha, yes, joke about things that seriously concern me." I said, in a monotone.

"It's called 'being facetious'," He enunciated.

"I know what it means. Do you know what 'lonely' means?"

He sighed. "You are not lonely. You have your friends. You have Quinn. You have Harper and me."

"Can I make out with any of you?"

"Oh, so you're horny, not lonely."

"I'm not horny!" I exclaimed, then immediately checked my volume. A couple of people looked over, but I ignored them.

Lee gave me a look.

"Okay, fine." I threw my hands up. "But I'm not just horny. I want someone who is exclusively mine. Someone who makes me happy."

"Contrary to popular belief, you don't get copyrights to anyone you date. And hey! I thought I made you happy." Lee gave me a mock hurt look.

"You're not making me happy now." I muttered.

"Oh relax, Eloise," he leaned back against the chair and stretched his legs out. "You're young, you're still a student. You've got plenty of time. Plus if anything they show on Grey's Anatomy is true, you will want to save all your good lovin' for the sexy attendings you'll meet during your internship."