CHAPTER NINE: ELICIA

The next day was bit doom and gloomy because I was scared that he did not like me and he would say good riddance once I stopped showing interest.

As the day progressed I was no longer gloomy, because he was sparing a few glances my way as we were working and he was taking orders that were near my tables.

As lunch approached all the others went for lunch but l didn't, l stayed behind.

I took my journal out and sat in the changing room all by myself.

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Journal entry 220

Dear Best Friend

Jeremy

I miss you.

Remember the first day we met, l was 9 and you were 11 and l was at your parent's barbecue when l nearly fell into the pool and you came as my knight in shining armor and held my hand.

I was very pleased, although we ended up falling into the pool together but you were my hero.

And since then, you became my brother from another mother, my best friend.

You always looked out for me.

I should have drove us that day. But l didn't and l am sorry.

Maybe if l did we would still have been together today.

God, I miss you so much it hurts.

I have been seeing someone to help me with going through it and l must say, she is really good at her job.

It's becoming easier to let go of the pain.

I can even talk about you without tearing.

Oh, l remember you didn't like Jason.

I found someone else, his name is Treadway.

Not that I am dating him but I like him.

You usually made fun of other people's names, I am sure you would have made fun of his name as well.

I have a feeling you would have liked him.

I----

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"You are not going for lunch?" Treadway's voice breaks my concentration, startling me.

"Yeah, why?" I ask.

"I was thinking of buying you lunch today since you have been buying all the times we had lunch together." He says and I freeze from excitement that I don't even reply.

"You don't have to, if you don't want to." He quickly says right after his attempt to ask me out for lunch.

"I want to, of course I want to; yes. Yes!!!!" I exclaim and as soon as I do, I remember l am supposed to act sophisticated; Lydia's words not mine.

"I mean yeah. Whatever." I say nonchalantly and he smiles.

We go out for lunch together.

I enjoy the meal, we had to share the strawberry and chocolate milkshake because it came with two straws.

I would have sworn that he was not going to drink the milkshake but he did.

He was always full of surprises.

I was all smiles and so was he when we got back to the cafe.

As soon as my shift was over l hurriedly drove my car to see Lydia.

"See, l told you he likes you too. He's just scared." That's the first thing she says as soon as l get in her office.

"Is it really that visible." I ask her as l throw myself on the couch near the window, my usual spot.

"I can read you like an open book El, my second nature."

As the session proceeded Lydia was pleased that I was getting a bit better from the way we conversed she said that I was no longer centering my life more on him because we could actually hold a conversation about me and my mom without me mentioning Treadway in any way.

After my session with Lydia I went home and the week proceeded well with me and him getting along way better.

Time flies when one is having a good time, soon was Friday and we were given two weeks off for Christmas break and new year.

We all finished up at work and Treadway asked to see me before I went home and I agreed.

"Wanna go for ice-cream tomorrow since we aren't coming to work?" He asks.

"On one condition." I say and he asks the condition.

"You get to spend Christmas and new year with me and my mom." I say pushing my luck hoping he would consider it because he won't have anywhere else to sleep since the café will be closed. 

"I am spending Christmas with Michaela and Vee so maybe next year. I could come over at least once though." He says unsure and I just nod.

"Ice-cream?" he asks again and I smile.

"You don't have to ask; lets meet by the park at 12. " I say and he nods.

"Can I walk you home?" He asks and as much as I want to mom was coming to pick me up.

"We are going out with mom so she is picking me up here." I say and he smiles nodding.

"See you tomorrow then." He says and l nod.

Ice-cream day was a blast and I enjoyed spending time with him.

From the look of things, he also enjoyed spending time with me.

Day after Christmas as we were shopping with mom, l bump into him with Michaela and Vee. Apparently we were both walking in the same isle alone.

"El?" he greets me and I greet back.

He asks how my Christmas was, I told him it was a blast.

"Are you free this Friday?" he asks.

"Yeah, why?" I ask him back.

"There is a carnival starting Thursday through Saturday and I was hoping we could go together, if you want? " He asks a bit unsure.

"Of course I want."

"Great, I will come pick you up Friday afternoon." He says and gets back to Mick and Vee.

Friday came in a buzz and here I was in my bedroom with Isa fixing my make-up.

"Won't he notice that I put too much effort. I want it to be natural." I say as I stare at my dolled-up reflection in my mirror.

"Fine, fine. Let me go for a more natural look." Isa says as I wash my face for the umpteenth time.

After she worked her magic one more time I looked at myself in the mirror, the blue dress paired with black sandals was great but my face was somehow not doing it for me.

"Why do I feel so exposed, I look plain, Isa." I say groaning.

"Baby, you look pretty. Don't worry about it. He probably likes you with or without make up." My mom says standing by the door.

"I have been telling her the same thing. She is just freaking out over nothing." Isa says as she works her magic once more in styling my hair.

They both shower me with compliments as I wait for Treadway to show up.

A knock is heard in the kitchen and I instantly shoot up and head for the door.

"Hey," Treadway says as soon as I open the door.

He was dressed in black jeans, a black t-shirt, a black denim jacket and black boots and I could not take my eyes off of him.

"Shouldn't one be subtle when checking one out." He says and I covered my face with my two hands.

He takes one hand of mine and leads me back inside the house, I guide him to where mom and Isa were sitting, in the launch watching tv.

"Good afternoon Mrs Rae, Isa." He greets both my mom and Isa.

"Hello to you too, make sure you don't stay out too late." My mom tries the intimidating mom voice but fails miserably and I chuckle lightly.

"Yes mam. We are taking our leave." He informs my mom and I bid my farewells to mom and Isa.

Treadway leads me to his jeep, opens the passenger seat door for me and I get in.

I pinch my cheek to check if l am dreaming but it responds with a sharp pain and I smile.

It is definitely happening, he gets in the car and starts to drive.