Misunderstood

Chapter 2

                 Alex was back at work and it had been another quiet day. Lexi, her co-worker, had said it was probably because people were making the most of the sun and getting out of London to hit the beaches. She then proceeded to moan for ten minutes about how jealous she was. Alex didn't mind much though. She wasn't a big fan of beaches because Alex hated the thought of wearing a bikini or any type of clothing that exposed herself. She had been scarred by some bitchy comments in the past so now avoided all chances of showing off her body.

"Alex? Are you even listening to me?" Lexi asked.

"Mm? Oh, yeah, sorry. I zoned out. What did you say?"

"I said we can go to the beach one time if you want. Although, knowing our luck, it'd rain."

Alex smiled and gave a small nod. Despite the whole the bikini palaver and her fear of the sea, Alex did like to sunbathe. And the idea of going with Lexi would have made the day ten times better – even if she was fine doing things alone, Alex always enjoyed herself more with good company. But she tried not to bother Lexi too much, particularly as she was her only friend in London so far. It was okay, though. Alex was fine with only hanging out with her sometimes, but then going home to have some peace.

Alex grabbed a cloth to go and wipe some tables down when her eyes landed on a familiar man standing outside the café. She immediately let go of the cloth, her entire attention instead on the mysterious man who was becoming a part of Alex's routine.

Alex had first seen him two weeks ago. He was stood on the opposite side of the road outside Milkshake, always stopping in front and staring at the café. He had done this every day since, and each day he was on a phone call – or, at least, he pretended to be on a phone call. Alex wasn't sure why, but she could tell he was faking it. Call it intuition, but she was almost certain that no one was on the other end of the call.

He was tall and slim with brunette hair, and his arms and hands were littered with tattoos. Alex had already made up an entire movie with him as the main character just from watching him for two weeks.

Alex wasn't aware of Milkshake or of Lexi anymore. She was only focused on the stranger in front of the shop. She watched the way his hands flapped about, as if he was talking animatedly, and giggled at the sight.

"Why are you giggling?" Lexi asked, watching Alex. "Enjoying the view or something?"

"Hm?" Alex mumbled, looking over to Lexi and being taken aback by how much Lexi was staring at her. "Blimey, Lex. Stop being such a creep!" Alex knew she was being a hypocrite considering she'd been staring at a stranger for the past two weeks.

"I'm only looking at you because you're giggling for no reason!"

"Not for no reason. Have you noticed that guy?"

"What guy? Who?" Lexi asked, confused. She spent most of her time at work scrolling through social media, so it was no surprise she had no idea that the mystery guy existed.

"That one over there. I don't think he's noticed me," Alex said, nodding towards him. Lexi followed the direction of the nod and frowned as she noticed the boy on the phone.

"He just looks like a normal guy?"

"No, he's not! He's been doing the same thing for weeks now."

Lexi looked at him once more, the frown still etched on her face. "Really? I've never noticed him."

Alex rolled her eyes. "Well, of course, you haven't. You're always on your bloody phone," she said with a laugh.