PLANS

I didn't expect him to reply so quickly. I stuffed my face into a pillow as my older sister creeped up on me.

"BOO!!!"

"AH! Oh my god Francine, stop that!!" She giggled at the sight of my pale face. I planted my face back into my pillow and as if things couldn't get any worse, she took my phone.

"Who's this new number?? OOOOO IS IT A GUY!? ELIGOR IS IT A NEW CRUS-"

"STOP THAT!!" I tried to snatch the phone back from her but she moved back and dodged my hand. "It's none of your business," I muffled through the pillow.

"Anddddd.. Send!" I jolted awake from her words.

"FRANCINE WHAT DID YO-"

"Your welcome little bro. I just did you a favour!" She threw the phone back to me and blew a kiss as she walked out the door.

I flip open my phone to read the text she sent. 'You're really cute and I was hoping we could grab some coffee later today. Sound good to you?'

"FRANCINE I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!!" My shouting only made her laugh more.

*BEEP*

'Sure! Do you want to meet at Marley's Mocha later at 5 today?'

I don't think I have blushed more in my life. Peeking from the crack of her door was Francine; of course she saw my face turn pink.

"Soooo… I assumed it worked out..?" She had that annoying smirk on her face whenever she knew I had a crush. She leaned over my shoulder and took a look at his reply. "Ohhh.. So it did work out.. Okay.." Francine always found the most joy in teasing me, but in the end she always has good intentions.

"TIME TO GET YOU READY FOR A DATE!!"

"Wha-" I had no time to reply. I was dragged into my room and we began looking for a good outfit. Like she always says, 'Not too fancy, not too casual.'

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"Mom!!" I shouted loud enough for my Aunt to hear, but she didn't respond. I raced down the stairs, my face still red, and called out her name again.

"Yes sweetie? I'm in the kitchen!" I followed her voice and headed to the kitchen to find her cooking lunch.

"Is it alright if I skip lunch for today?"

"Why? Are you going somewhere? Oh!! Is it a girl..?"

"No, just a friend"

"Well tell her that I am very excited to meet her one day."

"They're just a friend, mom. I'm grabbing some coffee with them."

"Okay, fine. Just be home in time for dinner okay?"

"Sure thing! Now, I need to get ready"

5 o'clock rolled around the corner and I was on my way to Marley's Mocha. I repeatedly read our chat on my walk. 'You're really cute and..' always made me smile. I dug my face into my scarf, thinking others would judge my smile and red face. I looked back at the top of my phone reading his number '403-121-0040' and knew that one day I could replace it with his name.

I reached the store and immediately recognized him, I could never forget those dark eyes of his. He noticed me too and waved for me to head over. I placed my jacket on the back of my chair and took a seat across from him.

"Hey," he started. His voice was perfect as always.

"Hello," I sat down and he gave a warm smile. I couldn't tell if the pink on his face was blush or cold from the snow. "Did you take your bike here?"

"No, I hate riding in the snow, even when the road is clear. I just live close to this place. I love coming here whenever I just need time to think so I've come up with a lot of shortcuts."

"Oh I see. I mean, at least you know how to ride a bike. I could only dream of not having to walk to school everyday."

"Well maybe I could teach you one day. It's a lot easier than it seems," he blushed.

"Haha that would be nice. So, why did you want to talk to me?"

"Oh! Uh.. long story short, I just wanted to check up on you."

I could feel my heart racing again. I just met this guy and he already gives me enough butterflies to last a lifetime. "Yeah I'm alright. I think.."

"I've been watching everyone for a while now, especially you. Your friends are people I know, or used to at least. One of them doesn't have a very good reputation with friendships; or relationships for that matter. Don't you just want to end things and stop being friends with them?"

"I do, but I have nowhere else to go after that. They're my only friends at the moment and it wouldn't be right leaving them for no one. I don't think-"

"You could leave them for me," he winked at me. I felt my face burning up. He was a natural flirt and a caring guy. Who wouldn't fall for that?

"U-um I-I mean yeah I g-guess.." I felt embarrassed for fumbling around with my words. How could such a simple thing make me feel so unorganized, yet happy at the same time?

"Haha! So that's what it's like when you're blushing. Cute." Who knew the same laugh I fell in love with would still repeat in my head after that day.

I felt awkward just letting him take over the conversation like that. So I did my best and showed him that 2 can play in that game. "Did you ask me to come all the way over here to talk to me or to flirt with me?" I leaned over the table and moved close enough to his face that we could kiss; and to top it all off, I gave a small smirk that I knew would make him blush.

"Oh shut up!" He lightly pushed me back into my seat and took a sip of his coffee to cover his face.

I leaned on the table with my elbows supporting my head and replied, "Cute." I noticed him choke a little bit with a jolt forward. At that point I told myself to stop while I'm ahead, unless I want to get coffee all over me.

He quickly finished his cup and placed it loudly on the table just to drift away from the comment.

"Are you not going to order anything?" He asked, still completely red.

"I assume we'll be here for a while, so I will." I stood up and took a step towards the counter before stopping myself, "Do you want anything?"

"You," he gave another wink to say 'I'm winning'. Flustered, I headed to the counter to order 2 cups of coffee, knowing the rest of the day was about to be a one hell of a game.