9. Coffee Shop

Chapter 9 - Coffee Shop

   Maybe it’s the way I matured over the years or the experiences I’ve gone through, but I know that Alex had a great deal of what I am today. It takes great will power to change someone’s life dramatically. Most people have the desire to be known by the whole world and that can be done so easily. But it’s different when you’ve changed someone’s life, which is a lifetime sort of thing that can’t be handed to you on your doorsteps.  It’s an opportunity that no one sees until the aftermath.  

I just wish I knew to stop from what was happening between him and I before it was so late.

   When I arrived home the next day, I walked into the kitchen to find my dad pacing around in panic with the phone against his ear. My brother was sitting with his head down on the kitchen counter. I stopped at the entrance, waiting for their wrath once they notice me.

   "If you find her or have any more suggestions to look, you know my number, Jason." He hung up the phone and turned around. When his eyes lay on mine, his face and shoulders loosen in relief.

   "Laila," He breathed as he charged towards me. He embraced me if it was like our last hug with one hand holding my head and the other arm wrapped around my shoulders. "don't you ever dare do that again."

    "Sorry." I whispered into this shoulder even though I wasn't. That was the last time that, I, Laila Rose ever apologized for something that I wasn't truly sorry for.

    Derek stood behind my dad and I with his arms crossed. "So what's her punishment, huh?"

My dad let go of me and sighed, "Nothing."

Derek gasped with his jaw hung, "Nothing? If I did that I'd be grounded for the rest of my life! You even called mom! And -"

My dad harshly cut him off. "Enough!

    "Wait you got mom into this?" I felt extreme guilt rising in me. My dad hadn’t made contact with my mom ever since she left as far as I knew.

  "Laila, go upstairs to your bedroom," My dad ordered me, pinching the bridge of his nose with his eyes screwed shut.

   "Wait," Derek gripped onto my elbow, stopping me from leaving. "Whose clothes are those?"

      I look down at myself – He was referring to Alex's clothes that he let me borrow last night.

 "Who else would it be?" I deviously raised my eyebrow as I stared into his eyes. He automatically knew who I was talking about and just by the look of his eyes; I could see the fire of anger boiling inside of him. That would teach him not to grab my elbow like that ever again.

I yanked out of his tight grip and hurried myself to my room.

   Hearing them argue left me to put in my ear-buds, I didn't care to listen to what they have to say. I blasted Maroon 5's recent album - Songs About Jane

   The title of the album got me thinking, I'd be overly angry if someone were to write songs about me then gain money and fame for it. Never date a lead singer was what it came down to.

    All of this led me to think of Alex. All the arguing down stairs made me to start second guessing if it was all worth it. Was he worth it? We were just merely friends and yet dad and Derek were hysteric to the fact we are acquaintance. Were Alex and I friends? Of course, not any relationship, but maybe a friendship? Maybe Derek and dad have their reasons but I simple just didn’t see them or understand. They haven't even met him. Perhaps having Alex over would make them realize that he was good.

My phone buzzed, causing me to forget what I was even thinking about.

   Flipping it open, I discovered a new text message from a new number. This reminded me that I had given Alex my number. I would say it was probably the boldest thing I’ve done lately, but then again, running out my house came in first place. What exactly gotten into me? I didn't know.

 "Does the sound of a coffee shop please your interest?" I read the text out loud with a grin. I didn’t even like coffee but I took up the offer anyways.

   Switching out my clothes, I wore simple skinny jeans and a sweater due to Baltimore becoming quite chilly over the past days.

    Before I opened my door, I skimmed my eyes over my room. They landed on the pile of text books and papers that were all due next week. Was going to see Alex a good idea with all of my homework that needed to be completed?

   I quickly picked up my papers and essentials, Alex would just have to get over me taking my homework if he complained.

   Quietly and without being loud, I sneakily tip-toed down stairs, they didn’t even notice me walking out the door from being too busy arguing.

    The fresh morning air was still in the atmosphere as the Sun brightly shined in my eyes. I happily waved to my neighbor who was watering their flowers; she waved back with a returning smile.

My pace picked up as I walk down the road, wanting not to be late on Alex’s time.  I arrived after a short distance of walking. Cars after cars pass me as I waited outside of the local store – This seems to be coming into a ritual. A small smile pulled on my lips after finally I got time to think deeper. I was excited to spend more time with him, whether my family disapproved or not.

After standing for fifteen minutes, I became worried as to where he could possibly be. Sweat formed on the palms of my hands as I thought about the worst case scenario.

    Why did he want to hang out with me in the first place? It was only just yesterday that he was grumpy as could be.  Now he was all jolly? His mood swings were going to be the death of me.

 Finally, his black car drove up to me, pulling the door open – I can already see his disapproving look from the sight of my homework.

Without a word being said, I got in and clicked in my seatbelt. Later down the road was when he finally said something.

“Why did you bring your school work?” He glanced at me and then at what I had in my lap.

   “Well, I, for one, have to have decent grades and a father to please.” I reminded him, looking through all the papers I brought with me. “Don’t you have parents to make happy as well?”

   I didn’t expect his answer to come so late. He awkwardly shifted in his seat, placing his elbow on the door.

“Yeah, something like that.” He grumbled.

   There was a gut feeling in me just by Alex’s body language that the topic of his parents wasn’t a topic to be brought up so easily. I dropped it instantly, not wanting to make him upset.

  For the rest of the car ride, the soft humming of the radio tuned out an awkward silence. It was until we were at the small and cozy coffee shop when we spoke again.

“What would you like?” Alex asked me.

   I pointed towards a muffin that was on the display that looked delicious along with the other dozen of them.

“You just want a muffin?” He raised his eyebrows. “Don’t you like coffee or something?”

   I shook my head, although I did happen to like the smell of it.

  “Great, I took a girl to a coffee shop when she doesn’t even like coffee.” He shook his head as he grabbed his wallet from the back pocket of his skinny jeans.

The lady over the counter rolled her eyes and let out a loud huff, most likely annoyed by us taking forever to decide.

“A blue berry muffin, two bagels, and black coffee.” He finally ordered.

“And will that be all?” She dully said, sending daggers with her eyes at Alex.

Alex gave a slim nod, and then we waited for our order. Once we received our food and drinks, we sat in the back of the coffee shop that was isolated from the rest of the shop. Music played through the speakers and the fresh coffee scent was in the air. The atmosphere (and being away from the other customers) gave me the boost to speak.

   “Thank you for paying,” I said as I pick up my muffin. “you didn’t need to.”

     “But I wanted to.” His lips curl into a small smile as he spread cream onto his bagel.

   I gently smile back as rested deeper in my seat, letting myself ease. I needed to start reminding myself that I could at least be relaxed a little while I was around him, especially when he was at ease too.

“Hmm this is my jam.” He pointed in the air with his mouth full with bagel, referring to the song that was playing through the speakers. I started to listen but couldn’t make out what song it was.

  The guitar riff was calming along with the bass. Just by how Alex was portraying the song you can tell he thought the same.

"I can't confront youI never could doThat which might hurt youSo try and be coolWhen I sayThis way is a waterslide away from meThat takes you further every daySo be cool " The speaker played throughout the whole shop.

"Say it ain't so

Your drug is a heartbreaker

Say it ain't so

My love is a life taker” 

Alex sang along with his fingers pretending to play the guitar. His goofy posture cracked me a smile as I watched him. He wasn’t afraid to be himself in front of me, and that was one of the things I liked.

“What song is this?” I dared to interrupt his singing that I’ve found myself to be fond of.

He gasped loudly with his eyes bulging out. “You don’t know what song this is? This is like the story of my life!”

I pouted my lips, shaking my head.

“Say It Ain’t So by Weezer.” He informed me. “I’m going to have to create a mix tape for you to listen to if you’re going to be hanging around me.”

“And who said that I’d be hanging around you more often, Alexander?” I teased.

For the first time, I saw him blush. Honestly, it was a grand sight to see.

   But the best thing about that day was that we ended up going to that small coffee shop for the next two weeks. I began to tell a small lie to my father, telling him that I was at the library every time I went out with him.

Everything had been good between Alex and me, until the last time we’d ever visit the coffee shop again.

   It all started out to be the regular and normal like always that day. We ordered our typical and sat down at the same table and enjoyed ourselves.

That was when things turned for the worst. Alex dunked his head low to the table and merely whispered to me. “Laila, whatever you do, just don’t look up.”

“What why?” I searched through the coffee shop, and that was when my eyes met a familiar face.

"Fuck, Laila. What did I just told you?"

He comes charging at us, his eyes locked on mine, and an evil grin plastered on his face. “Well, well, well, look what we have here?”

“Beat it.” Alex grimly snarled at the man, his anger already boiling.

_____

A.N

Listen up! The ship name for Laila and Alex is Lailex! I love it so much! :)

Also! Say it Ain't So by Weezer is on the side (or above the chapter if you have the new update on the phone.) It's such a good freaking song, please go listen to it! Any song that I put into the book means I've gotten inspiration from it and explains or deals with Alex(or Laila) in some way. Like Creep by Radiohead as well.

This chapter is dedicated to Sarika (chocolatelover2000)(She's also a good friend from school) She has a really cool fanfiction as well.

I'm going to be dedicating future chapters for the ones who vote, comment, and etc. It will be fun and chosen randomly. :)

-Kc Jun.15.2014