How to choose the one

Confused and then some

When I wake up in the morning, for the briefest of moments,  I think only about the small kiss I shared with Bayne last night. How soft his lips were on mine, how perfectly they moulded to my own, the warmth that lit my body on fire from such a small, insignificant touch. Like a tiny flame, burning small but exquisite. Kissing him, being kissed by him, it's nothing like I thought it would be. And it was barely anything. But god, It's so much. I feel my cheeks blush at just the thought of it. But then the confusion creeps back in and I can't think clearly anymore. The flame is extinguished before it even had time to thrive.

What exactly was that? Did we actually kiss? He kissed me, just. Sort of. But then he asked me to keep meeting with him a secret and then he just... left.

What even was that? Who does that shit?! How am
I now supposed to respond to that? What the hell does any of this even mean? Fuck.

See. This is why I avoid relationships. Things like this get very messy, very quickly. Guys like him are messy. Reckless with behaviour and hearts. Nothing but trouble. But so hot. Ahhhh. Shit.

I need a coffee.

And I know where I need to get it from.

I flip my legs over the edge of the bed and check my phone for the time. 7.00. Training starts today, but that's this afternoon. All I have this morning is a mandatory gym session at 9.00. Skin folds and basic agility testing. The fun stuff. I have plenty of time to get to Joe's and back before the torture begins.

I throw on a sports bra and tight shorts and pick out one of my cheer team training tops. I match it with my pink Nike's, a messy up do, some toothpaste, a splash of deodorant and I'm out.

I decide to Uber back and forth again until I'm familiar with the trip, then I might run there.
As my ride pulls up, I recognise the lady from last night.

"Making this a regular thing I see?" She questions with a slight laugh as I smile and get in.

"Looks like it." I say, not feeling in the mood for a chat.

"You and the boy both." She says again, only this time, she has my full attention.

"Oh, you dropped my friend to the cafe too?" I ask, trying to act all cool but literally dying on the inside.

Get a grip Ellis. You loser.

"Just now." She says with a small chortle. Is she laughing at me?! The nerve!

We arrive at Joe's and I thank her and exit the car. Safe to say I'll be ordering another ride or finding an alternative method of transport back, no further judgment needed for me today. I'm already judging myself. Hard.

I tentatively take a step toward the red door, trying to scope out the scene from the outside but my efforts are futile. The windows are too dark to see anything other than the odd shape or shadow.

I swallow the weird feeling that has overtaken me and swing the red door open. Nothing is stopping me from getting a cup of glorious coffee to go this morning, not even an awkward Bayne moment.

I try to be all stealth, I'm cool, I'm just casually ordering a latte and definitely not looking around. Absolutely not looking around at all. Because if I was, I would have spotted Bayne at the same table we were at just last night, with some girl, laughing, flirting.

Lucky I'm not looking then.

I feel a sinking feeling start to settle in my stomach where my breakfast isn't. But why? It's not like anything has happened. Well, it has but not really. Shit. Is this what Lexi meant by don't get involved? Is this even something to worry over?