Chapter 1 #2
I’m tempted to go to Facebook and look her up, see if there’s any information there-just so I’m prepared for tonight- but I get a text before I can do anything.
Robs: Breakfast? Ernie’s? 30?
Wes: See you then.
I can’t say no to Ernie’s. Or Robin.
Thirty minutes later, after a quick shower, I’m in our usual booth at Ernie’s- a little cafe that has hosted many study sessions, hangover breakfasts, and celebrations the last few years.
It’s familiar and cozy and Claudia and Ernie -the owners- are the adoptive grandparents I never knew I needed.
They helped me earn money for a guitar and have always supported my music career.
They’re my first fans, and I owe them everything.
While placing our drink order-coffee, black for me––the only kind I’ll drink black is Claudia’s––, and an iced vanilla latte with oat milk for Robin- I hear the bell ding at the door and turn in time to see my clumsy, redheaded best friend trip over the welcome mat, a loud squeak coming from her as she lands and the contents of her bag spill all over the floor.
“Christ Robs, are you okay?” I rush over to her, helping grab the random contents strewn all over the floor.
“Other than a bruised ego and possible bruised knees, I’m good.” She grumbles as she stands and snatches the tampons and pack of gum from my hands.
Claudia rushes over like a mother hen, “Dang nabbit Red, you gotta be more careful! Are you okay, honey? Do you need any ice for your knees?”
Robin’s face flushes at Claudia’s attention. “No, thank you Claudia. I’m alright.”
“Alrighty then. I’ll be at your booth in a minute with your drinks.” Claudia shuffles back to the kitchen.
“Well I know how much you love gossip. I have the perfect thing to take your mind off of it.” I say as we slide into opposite sides of our booth.
Claudia comes with our drinks giving Robs a gentle squeeze on her shoulder. “The usual for you two?”
“Yes, please.” Robs replies sweetly. As soon as Claudia turns away, Robs raises an inquisitive eyebrow in my direction. “Spill, Wessy.”
God I hate when she calls me that, but she does, no matter how many times I tell her to stop.
“Luke’s girlfriend is visiting for a few days. Her sister is moving here, so they’re going on a date toni-”
“The one from summer camp? That’s so exciting! He must be thrilled.” She cuts in. Robin has this thing where she has to say something as soon as she thinks. I’m pretty sure she has undiagnosed ADHD, but she refuses to get tested.
“Yeah, her. That’s not even the best part. I’m going with him, on a semi-date thing, with her sister. As a chaperone or something.”
“Shut up!” Robs blurts out, then at a more normal volume, she continues, “Isn’t-oh, what’s her name? Lizzy?- She’s Mormon right? So her sister probably is too. What’s her sister's name? Why is she moving here? Why didn’t he ask Matt?”
“Izzy is her name, yes, they’re Mormon. He did ask Matt, but he has a work thing. Her name is Elliana. I don’t know why she’s moving here, her Instagram doesn’t give away much, and Luke didn’t provide any additional information.”
Robin nods, taking in the information. Then, a knowing smile spreads across her freckled face, her hazel eyes glimmering with mischief. “So, you’ve already Insta stalked her? Is she pretty?”
I scoff, “It’s not stalking if her profile is public. I just wanted to see who I was going out with. You know what’s weird, though? She has like a six month gap where there are no posts. Suspicious.”
Robs chokes on her drink as she snorts, “Why does that matter? Sometimes people take social media breaks or whatever. You’re being awfully judgy, Westley.”
“I guess that’s true, but she posted pretty regularly before that. I’m not trying to be judgy, I’m just trying to get all the facts.”
“Here you go, kids. Belgian waffles with strawberries and whip cream for Red, biscuits and gravy, eggs over-easy for the rockstar.” Claudia sets down our plates.
“Thanks Claudia.” Robs and I say at the same time.
There’s a comfortable silence while we eat, which is both nice and concerning because Robin usually never stops talking. Maybe she knows I need to process everything so she’s giving me the space to do that?
When I first met her, it was right before my grams died.
We had a ceramics class together junior year, and she was the new kid so she didn’t know my reputation.
Luckily, she never cared about it when she found out.
I immediately fell head over heels for the quirky, boisterous, enthusiastic redhead, and asked her to prom.
She said yes, and during the last slow song I asked if she’d go out with me.
She laughed in my face, thinking I was joking, but when she saw the confused look on my face she apologized and explained that she’s a lesbian. Apparently, she thought I knew.
I had no idea. Which was humiliating. I thought I’d lose her as a friend.
We got over that awkward moment pretty quickly, though and we’ve been best friends ever since. She’s been through some of my lowest of lows with me, and I wouldn’t trade our friendship for anything.
Robs is scrolling on her phone while we eat, which would bother me with anyone else, but she’s a social media manager for an art gallery in San Antonio, so she’s probably just working since there’s a big exhibit coming up. When she sighs and puts her phone down, I give her a puzzled look.
“You avoided my question, so I had to answer it myself. She’s pretty, though not your usual type. How do you think tonight will go?”
“Okay, fine. She’s pretty in a ‘goes to church every Sunday and always looks put together’ way, I guess.
How about I treat you to coffee in the morning and I’ll let you know if we even make it through the date?
” I mumble as I gulp down my now lukewarm coffee and toss a twenty dollar bill on the table.
“I have some errands to run, I’ll see you tomorrow. ”
“Good luck, Wessy boy. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” Robs says, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.
I flip her off as I walk out of the diner.
Now it’s time to mentally prepare for my first date-that-isn’t-really-a-date in two years.