The Comet Cafe

Chapter~26

Blair keeps whispering nonsense to me, but I'm not fully listening. I'm mostly dwelling on the fact that Alex wants me to be his girlfriend. I never thought I'd hear those words come out of his mouth.

And, I guess by knowing he wants me to be his girlfriend, I know he likes me in a more-than-friendly way. This is news to me. I have no clue he would even want to date me.

What do I even say to him now? Do I act like I never heard him say those words? I can't just go up to him and say, "Hey, I heard that you wanted to be my girlfriend, and I just want to tell you I totally agree." Now, that would be weird.

I can't help but hear the conversation on repeat in my mind. I'm so thankful to whoever said that he's "totally into me". I'm not exactly sure what to do with this information, though.

"Julia! Julia." Blair whispers quite loudly to get my out of my daze. It works.

"What?"

"We should probably go in. They might come looking or something." She says and I nod, admiring her smarts.

"But, what do I say?" I mumble the questions, like I'm embarassed. I guess I am. I've never been in this situation before. I've never liked someone as much as I like Alex.

"If you want me to be honest, I have no fucking clue. I meet boys by fucking them at frat parties."

"That is so not how I meet boys."

"I guess just act normal." Blair says it like its a question, but it's the best suggestion I got. She heads into the office before me, and it takes me a minute to get my feet working.

Blair is sitting in an empty chair beside Eric, of course, so the only chair that is open is the one next to Alex. Ten minutes ago I would've been ecstatic to sit next to him, but now that I know how he feels about me,what the hell am I supposed to do?

Blair greets the room while I stay quiet, worried my mouth would spill the information I'm not supposed to know. I sit quietly next to Alex, very aware of the closeness between our bodies. My hands are practically shaking, my mouth is dry, and my legs seem to be unable to stay still. And, it's all thanks to Alex.

Keith goes on talking to Eric and Zeke about whatever. I stare down at my lap, trying to control my shaking limbs. I fear looking at Alex because I think I'd jump him and that would be embarassing.

"Hey, you okay?" Alex whispers in to ear. His breath tickles my ear and neck. My heartbeat gets even faster, which I didn't think was possible.

I will myself to look at his splendid face. His lips are so pink and so close to my face and I could kiss them right here if I wanted to. But, I can't. He doesn't know that I know.

"I-I'm fine." I manage to let the words escape my lips. He gives me a wary look, like he knows I'm not telling the truth. God, he knows me so well. "Really. I'm all good."

I am good. Nervous, but good. Great, actually. I just found out my best friend probably wants to be my boyfriend. I'm fantastic. The moment I've dreamed about is finally here. I never thought he'd actually have feelings for me.

Maybe I should've seen it coming. I mean, he's always been touchy-feely. He's kissed me on the cheek. He's called me beautiful and cute and so many other compliments I can't remember. He's told me his deepest secrets and I've done the same. It's almost like we've been a couple all this time. How could I not have seen the signs?

Now, I'm scared. Scared that I'll never tell him my feelings. I get crazy nervous around him already. Or maybe if I do get the courage to tell him, he'll laugh in my face, saying he never liked me in that way. I might've dreamed it. I pinch my arm underneath the table. Okay, not dreaming.