The New Kid

Chapter 20

It's finally the weekend again. Christian and I...we haven't been the best at being straightforward since we kissed the first time, then again before lunch hour a few times. I think we've both been thinking a lot and have been busying ourselves with homework and stuff. I can't stop thinking about what that means, though. We have to talk about it at some point, right? What's going on between us, that is. I don't think Christian's the kind of guy to leave loose ends hanging.

The things I know about Christian are that he used to date Clara in eighth grade and then she went berserk and became controlling. He's loyal to his friends, he's a peacemaker, he's got the most gorgeous green eyes I've ever seen. He says he's changed a lot since junior high - which I still want to ask him about - and that he's always been friendly and kind to me, except for that day when Brock was getting on his case, and that just made sense. Who would be in a good mood after getting a black eye?

I was still in bed thinking about it all since it was Saturday morning and my family hadn't planned much except a pancake breakfast and a chill morning in our PJ's. I rubbed my eyes. Was I dreaming? All I knew was that Christian kissed me back, and then he kissed me again in the hall. And I can't stop thinking about how it felt. I replay the feeling in my mind and smile to myself.

I never saw Christian being my type. I mean, a football player? He was well-liked, a people-person, he had his head on straight. I had nothing against sporty people or popular people, at least the ones who weren't egotistical about their talents, but I just never thought that I'd be in their league. Stereotypically-speaking, Christian was supposed to end up with one of the cheerleaders or an equally-athletic girl. Maybe even, and I hated to say think it, someone like Clara. 

Maybe, opposites do attract? Maybe, we're not as different as I think? Maybe, I'm not looking deep enough. This love stuff is confusing.

I go downstairs, smelling the waft of bacon float up to the second floor. I get to the kitchen and mom's got the pancakes going and dad's frying the tasty-looking bacon. "Good morning mom, dad," I say sleepily. "Morning honey," Mom says. "Will you set the table?" Reagan's in the living-room, looking wide awake, playing with his race-car track. "Sure."

We all sit down for breakfast and I can't wait to have a sip of my piping hot coffee, I add a shot of caramel creamer. "Do you work today?" Dad asks me. My eyes widen, oh shoot! "Ohmygoodness, what time is it dad?" He chuckles at me, and points to the clock on the microwave. "It's almost 9 and I have to be there at 9am. So much for our quiet family morning. "I'm so sorry, I have to go. I am going to be SO late." I shove a piece of bacon into my mouth and start sliding in my socks across our wooden kitchen floor to head upstairs to get ready. Mom calls out behind me, "Maybe you could post a schedule of your shifts on the fridge soon?!" 

..............................

I'm at work. Finally. And only five minutes late to my surprise. But it's still enough to earn me a look from the assistant manager. I look at Cody apologetically as I tie my apron on and clip on my name-tag. I love it - it's got a coffee bean border on it and my name in bold black cursive. It's a busy Saturday morning and we've got a line of people and seven orders pending. I grab a handful of plates and start loading them up with a variety of scones and buns while Meghanm one of my co-workers, works on making the cappuchinos, cortados, and lattes.

"How was your week?" Cody asks as he pours some medium-roast house-brew into three mugs. Ah, I love all the aromas of the coffee shop. "It had it's ups and downs," I say, smiling at the entertaining week I'd had. Cody smiles as if he knows my secrets, "It seems it had more ups than downs." I shrug, loading a cranberry-orange muffin onto a plate, "Well, you're not wrong." 

..............................

I only worked 'til noon today but I still got about a ten-minute break after the breakfast and brunch rush. I sat there finally getting a sip of coffee in. But my calm moment was interrupted when I remembered. 

Monty.

Even if Christian had talked to him, I needed to face him myself. I think I owed him an explanation. Plus, I never gave him an answer on going to the Fall Ball, but I assumed that offer was retracted. I still wouldn't be able to tell him what Christian and I were, exactly - but I could at least admit there was chemistry between us and I wanted to see where it would go. I hoped Monty would understand - I didn't want to lose his friendship, but maybe it was too late in the game to salvage.