Chapter 30 The Meet Up

It was a calm Saturday. Elle drove off to MK Mall. She was meeting James around one o'clock in the afternoon. James agreed at the time-changed as Elle messaged him last night before she slept. He wanted to fetch Elle at her house but she refused. She just met James. She never trusted so easily. She told him to just meet at Dale's Pizza.

As soon as Elle got out of her car, she headed straight to Dale's Pizza and she saw James sat on the window-side table. Elle glanced at her watch.

"I'm not late. I'm exact on time." She thought. "Hi James! I'm not late. One o'clock on the dot, I'm here!" Elle said, smiling. "I'm glad you came, Elle. I just arrived few minutes before the time. I just don't want you to wait for me. I know you'll be late for few seconds. But congrats you're on time," James said, smiling back. Elle sat on the opposite side of him. James called the waiter for their pizza orders. He asked Elle's favorite flavor. "Hawaiian Pizza," Elle replied. "How about the drinks?" James asked, smiling. "Iced Tea," she replied, smiling. James told the waiter about their orders. They waited for few minutes. "I wanna know more about you, Elle," James said. "What to know about me, James?" Elle asked teasingly. "Everything about you," James said, leaning forward. "I'm on a hot seat now!" Elle blurted out, laughing. "I wanna know you too, James. Well yeah you've always seen me with Andrew every summer. Not expecting we could start a friendship like this. All my life, I always hang out with Andrew. I have other friends like girls but Andrew is really my bestfriend. So how about you, James? Are you that friendly like having so much groups?" Elle asked, smiling. "Only few guy friends in Ridgeland but I'm more like an introvert one. Yes I really see that how very close you are with Andrew. I hope I can be close to you too, Elle." James said in a serious voice. "It's like I'm more reserved person. But I know how to deal with others," Elle replied. "I want us to hang out together too like this, Elle." James said. "Sure no problem if I'm not busy and only in daytime, James or else if night time, Andrew will surely come along with us." Elle said, teasing. "He's really, really protective of you. I hope I can do the same too. I like you, Elle." James said seriously after he sipped his iced tea. "Whoah James! Let's just enjoy the friendship we are having right now." Elle said, smiling. "Of course, Elle. It always starts in friendship. Just don't ignore me now that I finally said I like you after long time, Elle. From the very first day I saw you in Stanley, I was mesmerized by your beauty, your personality even though I didn't know you by conversation that time. And the next summer came, I saw you again. And recently, I already met you and thanks to Andrew for initiating that conversation before you left for Dale." James finally revealed. "I just didn't know how to approach you those times because I worked there every summer and you're the Stanley's loyal customer." He added. "I'm speechless, James!" Elle said, covering her face. She was kinda blushing 'though they were inside an air conditioned room. "I wanna say that let's enjoy the friendship we have." Elle finally said. "You're my boss, Elle, okay," James said with a smiling face. She smiled back and finished her last bite of pizza. She took the last sip of her iced tea and said with a laugh, " we're almost two hours here and my curfew is 5pm." "Let's stroll around, Elle," James said, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "Sure James, I like that," Elle replied, smiling. Before they went out of the restaurant, James waited for the bill. "Divide the bill into two, James," Elle commanded. "No Elle. I'll be the one to pay." James said as he took the money from his wallet. He put the exact amount directly on the money tray. "Whoah I got nothing to do! Thank you, James." Elle said, smiling sweetly. "You're always welcome, Elle." James smiled back. They got out of the restaurant and strolled around. It was quarter to 5pm when Elle bid goodbye to James. "Drive safely, Elle. Text me when you finally reach home. Okay!" James instructed her. "Sure, James!" Elle said, smiling. She drove off to McVille with James' words on her mind. "No Elle! James is just your friend. Falling in love is not important. And one thing, you just met him." Elle scolded herself on her thoughts.