It was half past eleven in the morning - it wasn't my idea to be out in the middle of town at this time of morning, especially after last nights escapade anyhow; but Tim (my best friend, I had known him since… well, since I can remember really.) insisted that I grab a coffee with him. And so, after barely four hours of sleep I managed to somehow arrive outside Starbucks to meet him.
“You look like shit.” He said, looking up from his paper.
“Nice to meet you too!” I said sarcastically.
“Oh please. You cant fool me.” He laughed, folding the paper and pushing open the door for me.
“Thats what you think…”
We walked inside and made our way to the counter. It was relatively empty for a friday morning.
“So, whats troubling you young padawan?” He asked with a sideways glance.
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“How long have I known you now? I know when something is up. C’mon, spit it out.”
“Can that wait until you have ordered?” the lady behind the counter squawked, looking mildly annoyed.
“Oh, im so sorry!” Tim said, faking sincerity. I chuckled to myself. “I’ll have… a Caffé Americano, and my lady friend here wants…”
“Ill just have a regular espresso, please.” I said, reaching for my purse.
“Dont worry, im paying.” He said, wallet already in hand.
I hesitated, I mean i'm more than capable of buying my own coffee, but this was Tim. He always bought me things… tickets to movies was the usual, but he had at times offered to buy me dinner. The dinner I always politely declined - I didn't want him getting any ideas, I honestly didn't think I was his type and I didn't want to hurt him, he was basically the one friend that had stuck with me when I needed him the most...
“Would you like that to go?” Starbucks lady asked.
“Yeah.” We said in chorus.
“Well…” I started.
“Well is never good!” He said with a scowl.
“Shut up and let me finish will you?” I said, matching his glare. “Ok, so to save a whole bunch of time, basically I met this guy… and i'm absolutely crazy about him even though we haven't started dating yet.”
“You seem pretty confident he would want to date you!” He said dryly.
“Pfft, no one can resist my charms!” I laughed.
“You are right about that…” He said under his breath.
“What?”
“Nothing. Shall we?” He said, handing me my coffee.
I shook my head and we left the store. The clouds had apparently all vanished and the sun lit everything in its incandescent glow. We walked a little way to a nearby green and perched ourselves on a bench to resume our talk.
“So, you like this guy then? Does he have a name?” He said.
“His name is Lewis. And like him? I told you i'm crazy about him! Can you keep a secret? I already told Mel.”
“You told Mel before me? Now I feel hurt.”
“You are still as childish as I remember dude.” I said with a smile. “Fine. The other night… I fantasized about him, in a way I have never even dreamt I could before.”
“Oh.” He said simply.
“Oh? Is that it?”
“Its more the fact that that isn't really an image I want in my head.” He said as he buried his face in his palm.
I opened my mouth to retort about his clawing enthusiasm to pry the information from me earlier but was interrupted by the unmistakable sound of the TARDIS materialising - my ring tone.
“Lewis?” Tim said quietly.
“Yeah. Im sorry - I kinda need to take this.” I said sincerely.
He waved his hand and turned his attention back to his paper. His face had dropped of course, and he drank his coffee in silence.
“Hey you.” Came Lewis’ voice.
“Good afternoon Lewis.” I said, barely able to contain my excitement at talking with him.
“How are you doing? I have some things to ask but if now isn't a good time…”
“Im fine. Been treated to coffee with a friend, catching up with him after not seeing him for months. Don't worry, now is great!”
“Okay. Right… I think i'll just say it, save prolonging it. How would you like to join me for a date sometime next week? A picnic perhaps? Weather should be nice…”
I sat frozen on the bench, almost to the point that I dropped my coffee. My heart felt like it was beating in my mouth and my jaw was somewhere by my feet. Tim looked over to check if I was alright and sighed.
“Yes. Oh god yes!” I squeaked.
“...Are you alright?” Lewis asked.
“I will be! Its just… Uh. Nevermind.”
“If you say so.” He said. “Listen, i'm going to have to call you back. Boss just pulled me back into the office.”
“I look forward to it.” I said, grinning like a buffoon.
“Talk to you soon, hot stuff.” Were his last words before hanging up.
I necked the rest of my coffee, not caring how hot it still was and tossed the paper cup into the trash. I felt light headed. I folded my hands around my phone and cradled it to my chest. I was fully expecting to be the one who had to make the first move, this threw me entirely off balance.
“So…?” Tim asked carefully.
“So? We are having our first date next week. He invited me out for a picnic!”
“Wonderful.” He said, stone faced.
“What's up with you?” I asked, putting a hand on his shoulder.
“Nothing. Dont worry about it.” He shrugged my hand away and tucked the paper back under his arm. “It was nice seeing you again.”
“What, are you leaving already?” I asked. “We haven't really said much!”
“I just… I dont know. I have stuff I need to do.” He said peering into the distance. “Im sorry.”
We stood and I hugged him - he didn't return the embrace and merely stood there awkwardly. He genuinely looked confused about something…
“Well… I’ll see you around.” He mumbled before turning and leaving.
“Yeah…” I said, more to myself than anything.
I sat myself back on the bench and thumbed my phone for a few moments, lost in thought. Then it hit me. Tim liked me. Tim had feelings for me. I slapped my hand over my mouth, the realisation hitting me just as hard as the feelings had when Lewis had asked me out, except these directly conflicted. I had no idea what to do.
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