Fate's Call ✓

chapter five

     GOOGLE SEARCHING FOR girl advice is not something I thought I'd ever do. Let alone on what's supposed to be a relaxing Saturday evening. The search term, 'how to impress a girl,' is embarrassingly springing out at me on my phone. And needless to say, none of the advice is helping.

     Should I bring her flowers? Is that too much?

     Would I look too desperate if I was early? Does she like a punctual type of guy?

     Then the most horrific thought approaches me. What if she doesn't like me back? Even as just a friend? I try to tell myself that it's an impossible circumstance. But I can't shake the thought from invading the deep crevices of my mind.

     It's the only thought in my head as I drive. The only thought I think while I almost drive through a red-light. I can only thank the heavens that Roma's is nearby. Less of a chance for me to run something over. No flowers, arrive on time. That was my final decision.

     Alyssa has already found a booth when I arrive. She looks distracted. And only notices my arrival once I'm right in front of her. She gives me a smile I can only describe as practiced. An instinctual kind that she forces whenever she meets anybody, just to be polite. Because that's all I am to her, merely any other person.

     She's sipping on an orange liquid. Much different to the milky brown of her osmanthus milk tea last time. "What's that?" I ask.

     Alyssa shrugs, "Forgot." But quickly says, "Wait," she turns her cup around to read the label, "fruit tea."

     She takes another sip and says, "You gonna order something? Roma could use it. I think she's been having trouble lately."

     My answer was no, and it would have stayed a no. But why the hell did she have to add the last part in. I think she notices that she's changed my mind and her lips curl into a sly smile.

     "Yeah, of course," I say. I call a waiter over, while still being highly conscious of Alyssa's stare. "I'll have a ginger ale."

     "Never tried that before," Alyssa comments.

     "Want to take a sip?" I offer her. "It tastes pretty much like carbonated water with a hint of ginger."

     Alyssa declines. "It's fine, I've got my own."

     I nod, "Right."

     "You know," Alyssa starts, "Lexia was right about you. You're not as cocky as I thought you were."

     "Yeah," I say. "She sees the best in people."

     Alyssa nods. "It's a good thing. But sometimes it's hard for her to stand against people who aren't so polite."

     Nick. My blood boils just thinking about it. "I'd recently witnessed it happening," I say. "I'm sorry about some of my friends."

     "There's no need for you to apologize. If anything, you should ask them to leave Lexia alone," she says jaggedly.

     I quieten. Mainly because I can't do what she asks. As much as I'd like to, my friends are the only thing keeping me afloat in school. Without remarkable grades, I have nothing to earn but popularity. Alyssa continues to wait for my answer, but I think she already has an idea of what I'll say. Finally, I respond, "I'll try my best. But they're really not that bad if you get to know them."

     She sighs. "Perhaps," Alyssa replies, "but I'll leave that optimism to Lex."

     I'm not surprised that she has no interest in meeting my friends. I've barely seen her at school with Lexia. But I hate how bitter it's turned the atmosphere of our conversation. So I stand up, holding a hand out to her, prompting, "Let's go somewhere."