Page 14 of Kalix
I follow his direction and see Lexie waving at me. I smile and nod. “I’m coming.” I follow him to the table and plop down next to Lexie.
“Girl! You look amazing!” She grabs a handful of my hair and runs her fingers through it. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you without your glasses on or your hair down. I almost didn’t recognize you.”
My face heats with embarrassment. “Yeah. I decided to do something with myself for once.” I shrug awkwardly.
She smiles, “I like this look on you.”
“Me too.” Alex says from across the booth. I glance up at him, and his eyes are hungrily scanning my body.
Maybe wearing a low-cut shirt wasn’t the smartest choice for tonight. I don’t usually like attracting attention, but this outfit makes me feel good. I’m wearing skinny black jeans with holes in the knees, a maroon v-cut form fitting shirt, and a black jacket. I decided to wear contacts for the first time in forever, and I feel somewhat naked. The way Alex is looking at me suggests he wouldn’t mind if I were.
Alex is a good-looking guy, and he’s nice enough, but right now he’s kind of weirding me out again. Maybe I’m just overthinking it because I hate the attention.
I finish the rest of my drink and decide to just stick to the one. I really do not want to get tipsy or drunk tonight. “Have you guys eaten anything yet?” I ask them.
“No! I’m starving, though.” Lexie replies.
We order a few appetizers to share and catch up on each other's lives. Alex asks questions here and there, but Lexie mostly carries the conversation.
Suddenly, I get the chills and slowly scan the bar. There are so many people in here now, which makes it hard for me to see clearly. But I don’t see leather or dark, curly hair anywhere. I really need to chill out.
It’s almost midnight, and I’m starting to feel sleepy. I go to pay my tab, but Alex stops me. “Don’t worry about it. Let me take care of it.” He smirks.
I shake my head and say, “No, it’s okay. I can get it.”
He pulls the receipt from my hand, “I insist.”
I close my eyes and take a deep breath, “Fine. I’ll get yours next time.”
When we make it outside, Lexie pulls me in for a hug. “I’m so glad you came out tonight. I’ve missed you, and we should definitely do this more often.”
I nod in agreement. “I need to learn to take some time for myself.” I glance around before focusing back on them. “I’m going to get out of here. It’s dark, and I hate walking in the dark.”
“I can walk with you.” Alex offers. I immediately regret opening my fat mouth.
My heart begins to race. “Umm… no it’s okay. It’s not that far.”
“No, that’s a good idea. You shouldn’t be walking around by yourself in the dark. I’d offer to walk you, but I’m going the opposite direction.” Lexie says.
I take a deep breath as I bounce my eyes between the two of them, feeling defeated. “Uh—” I worry my lip between my teeth and rub my arm up and down in an attempt to get rid of the chill that’s overcome my body. “Uh… Yeah. Okay, yeah. You’re right.”
They both smile, and Lexie waves goodbye before taking off in the opposite direction.
Alex wraps his arm around my shoulders as we start walking toward my apartment. “I promise I won’t bite.” He jokes.
I chuckle nervously, and we walk in silence for a few minutes before he stops in front of an alleyway. I shrug his arm off my shoulders.
He grabs my hand, “Come on.”
I try to pull my hand away, but he holds on tighter, “Uh, where are you going?” I ask as he nearly drags me down the alley.
“Just right here.” He replies, backing me up against the brick building. He cups my face and leans in for a kiss, but I turn my head, stopping him.
“What are you doing?” I ask him.
His brows bend, “Trying to kiss you.”
I shake my head, “I-I’m sorry, but I can’t?—”
