Chapter 8 - Luke

I'm ready.

Just two words, but I understood immediately.

I texted back.

Where do you want to meet?

Meet me on Third Street. By the Apple Store, she wrote back.

See you there at 10?

Deal.

It was 8.26 A.M. That gave me about an hour to get ready. I took a shower, then put on a clean white t-shirt and khaki shorts. I then styled my hair a bit. By the time I was done, it was 9.04 A.M.

Since I had a little time left, I went to the kitchen and made myself some breakfast.

My mother was already there. "Where are you going, sweetie?"

"I'm going to meet a friend," I answered.

"Oh. Does he have a name?" my mom asked.

"She is called Alexia," I told her.

"You're meeting a girl?" she asked astonished.

"Why do you look so surprised?"

"Because… well… uhm…" she stammered.

"While you come up with an answer, I got to go," I joked.

"Ha-ha. See you later."

"Bye." And I left.

I got there at 9.51, but Alexia was already waiting. She was sitting on a bench, reading. She was so adorable that I stood there, just for a moment, looking at her.

Then she turned around suddenly. "Why are you just standing there?"

"Nothing," I answered quickly. "So," I continued, "Do you want to talk here or-"

"No, let's walk," she declared.

We took off, walking slowly. I had my hands in my pockets, playing with some coins I had left there. We didn't speak for a while.

"Sorry, it's taking me so long," Alexia said, "I'm thinking about what to say."

"Don't worry. Take as much time as you need," I said. After a short pause, I asked, "Do you want some coffee?"

Alexia turned and saw the Starbucks I was pointing at. "Sure."

We were heading towards it, but I stopped her. "I'll go in. So you'll have time to think."

"Oh, okay. Thanks," she said, looking down.

"What would you like?"

"A Latte. Small please," she told me.

I nodded, then walked in. Luckily, there weren't many people ordering. I walked up to the cashier and asked for two small Latte's. Five minutes later, I was outside with Alexia, sipping coffee.

Suddenly, Alexia broke the silence. "I want to be popular."

"What?" I asked surprised.

She sighed. "That's why I'm always with Vanessa. I want to be popular," she admitted, "Well, not exactly like her, I don't want to be a bitch to everyone."

I smiled at her joke.

"But I just want to be known as someone…" she continued "Someone. I want to be someone. I don't want to be recognized as Vanessa's butler, but as a person who goes to school. Like everyone else." She looked up at me. "That's my big secret."

I didn't really know what to say. I couldn't say "Okay". I couldn't not say anything. So I improvised. "Look, I know that it's the oldest advice in the book, but just be yourself. Don't run after Vanessa anymore. You have to find your own way to become someone. You can't just use somebody else's path. You have to build your own." I paused. "Even if you don't become popular if you stand up to Vanessa, you'll be known as "the girl who rebelled against Vanessa". It even has a good ring to it," I added, smiling. "I'm just saying to ditch Vanessa, and do something you're happy with."

I'll admit, I surprised myself. That speech wasn't bad, and I didn't even have to rehearse it. I'm not the "open your mouth and say some stuff" kind of guy, but… well, this time I was.

Apparently, Alexia was surprised too.

"Wow, that was…inspiring," she said.

"I know right! I was just thinking that!" I exclaimed. Then frowned. "Wait. Were you being sarcastic?"

"No! I'm honestly inspired. You're right. I have to ditch Vanessa and whack her upside the head. I want to find my own path," she declared.

She looked up at me and, without hesitation, hugged me tightly. "Thank you," she whispered in my ear.

She was hugging me. She was actually hugging me. Me! The biggest nerd there was! She was so close I could smell her banana scented shampoo. But then, much to my disappointment, she broke the hug.

"You're welcome," I said a little dazed.

"So," Alexia said, "You want to go back?"

"Okay, let's go."

We walked all the way to the end of Third Street, and then back. We talked, and I shared my experiences in New York. It was fun.

But it ended at lunch.

"I have to go," Alexia told me. "My mother wants me home by one P.M."

"Oh, yeah. Don't worry. See you Monday," I said.

"See ya."

When I got home, my mother was in the kitchen, cooking lunch.

"So," she said as I entered the door. "How was your date?"

"Mom!" I exclaimed "It was not a date! We're just friends," I insisted.

"Uh-huh," my mom said with a smirk on her face.

"Shut up," I told her, half laughing.

She chuckled.

The rest of the day was nice. I cleaned my room, but after that, I was free to do whatever I wanted.

I read, I watched some TV, wrote a couple of pages (I enjoy writing. It's weird, I know, but I can't help it), all the while I was not thinking of Alexia. Okay, maybe I was.

I just couldn't get her out of my head. I tried to distract myself, but after a while she would pop up in my head again. It was annoying and distracting and amazing at the same time.

I had to admit it to myself. I had to convince myself that it was true.

I had a crush on Alexia.