Pedestal

Chapter 7

7 - The Meetup

Anya's POV
A couple days later...

It's almost like we never met. I'm back to being another one of her viewers.

I can't act like I know her at school. She avoids me and so do I, because of the awkwardness.

I mean... I already knew it was going to turn out like this. It just sucks.

I drunk my coca cola as I tapped on Instagram.

She won't notice if I watch one of her lives, right? I've stayed away long enough.

I went to her Instagram profile and was surprised to see that she hadn't gone live.

I tapped on her first post from a few days ago stating that she wouldn't be back for a week.

Are you serious? This is the first time she's done something like this. Is she sick?

My phone went off a moment later as I opened the message thinking it was Jess.

My eyes lit up at the message.

Tomorrow came fast, and I walked into Starbucks.

"What's up?" I smiled as I saw Jess at the cashier.

"Oh, Anya's here." Our manager smiled at me. "The non-troublemaker."

"Anya!" Jess yelled, "I hate being on shift without you! It's your day off, why're you here?"

I chuckled, "I'm meeting with someone today..."

"What can I get you?" My manager asked.

"I'll just take a iced caramel latte." I smiled, and Jess was staring at me like a hawk.

"Who is it? Who's got you smitten?" She asked. "Is it Reese's? You let her get some coody?"

"Can you not be sexual for one second?" I asked and she said, "Nope!"

I shook my head at her as she laughed.

"Here you go. A iced caramel latte." My manager passed to Jess and she handed it to me.

"Have a nice date! I thought I was the only you talked to." She pouted and I shook my head.

I took a seat at a booth and waited.

I heard the door chime shortly after and Nola walked in looking as godly as ever.

Jess gave me a look and I bit my lip as Nola looked around before spotting me.

She stopped over by the cashier and ordered another Americano and told them, "Add a extra shot. And bring it over to where I'm sitting."

Both my manager and Jess continued to stare, intrigued as she walked over to me.

I should've asked to meet someplace else...

"Here." Nola said, pushing a bag towards me as she sat down. "I even washed it."

"Thanks, 'preciate it." I smiled as I picked it up.

"Okay, then. I'm leaving. You can have my coffee." She told me as she stood up.

Dang, just like that?

"Wait!" I blurted out and she let out a sigh.

"What is it?" Nola asked me.

"Why you ain't going live on Instagram for a week? You alright?" I asked.

"Why do I have to tell you that?" She questioned with her brow arched at me.

"Well, I'm just asking... on behalf of all your viewers..." I said, "You didn't give a reason, and they're all wondering..."

"I'm sexually frustrated and it's all because of you..." Was not what Nola was about to say.

"I just needed a break..." She mumbled.

"Why you feel like you need a break?" I asked.

"How about you mind your own damn business?" Nola said suddenly and a moment later Jess popped out of nowhere with her Americano.

"Here you go!" She grinned. "Your drink, brought to your table... even though you're supposed to pick it up at the counter and all..."

I watched Nola force a smile. "Sorry, thanks though."

"And I got you a chocolate croissant... on me. Good luck..." Jess whispered to me with this look on her face and I shooed her away as she laughed.

"What the hell was that?" Nola asked with this disgusted look on her face.

"She's my friend." I told her, "Have you ate yet? You want some of my croissant?"

"No, you eat it." Nola stated, "I'm not hungry."

"Oh, okay." I said as I took a big bite. I was so hungry. I swallowed before telling her, "I was too hyped about meeting you today that I ain't eat."

"I don't know what made you feel the need to take a break... but... as a long-term viewer... maybe I can help you out?" I asked as I smiled at her.

Nola stared at me for a moment with sort of a longing look before answering, "No thanks..."

"Mm..." I responded before taking another bite and this time I felt a string of melted chocolate drip down my lip. "My bad..."

"I'm just so hungry." I apologized before licking where I felt the chocolate drip.

Nola let out a heavy sigh and I looked up at her to see her bothered face.

"Can I come over?" She asked me suddenly, catching me completely off guard.

To be continued...
Published - 6/28/19

two updates because... why not?