Friendship is unnecessary,
like philosophy, like art..
It has no survival values;
rather it is one of those things
which gives value to survival.
- C.S. Lewis
After spending a couple of hours with our parents, talking about nothing and everything, we left to have lunch.
"So, what do you want to eat?" Nate asked once we were near the cafe I work in.
"A burger maybe and some fries," I said giving him my card to pay.
"When will you let me work so I can pay for us too?" Nate asked groaning.
I patted his head "When you turn 18 maybe. No. After you're done with your college. Yeah, you can work as much as you want once you're done with your studies."
"That's not fair. I wanna help you." Nate said pouting.
"You do. You being here with me is more than enough baby brother. Just focus on your studies and I'll handle the rest. Okay?" He nodded in return.
"I'll order the food. You go choose a table." Nate said motioning me towards the empty side of the cafe.
"Order whatever you want. I don't want you to eat less just because you think I'll have to work hard." I said giving him my hardest glare.
Mom and Dad used to laugh at my glare saying I look like an angry kitten.
Which is not true. I can be mad too if I want to.
I picked the table in the corner but not too far from everyone. It's quiet and nice.
While I was waiting for Nate. I looked around there were families, young people, too, and a few girls and boys sitting alone in the corner.
The bell at the door chimed and two tall men in black suits entered and sat on the table to my right and sat on the seats adjacent to me.
Looks like they're waiting for someone.
Just like me. Where is Nate? I'm hungry!
The bell chimed again but before I can see who entered Nate came back without our food!?
"What took you so long? I'm starving?" I whisper shouted.
"I was just ordering." I raised an eyebrow.
"The person who took my order was cute, okay." I giggled.
"You were talking to her. How did you embarrass yourself this time?" I asked Nate.
"Hey! That's mean. I don't embarrass myself. She was really cute and thinks I'm funny."
"She thinks you're funny? Nate, she was clearly lying." Nate glared at me.
"Shut up. We go to the same school but I didn't know that before, and now my main mission tomorrow is finding her during lunch."
"She must be really cute. You're ready to skip eating just to find her. Wow. I'm impressed." I received a playful glare this time.
"How long before our food?"
"Someone will come to serve our food within five minutes." I nodded.
While looking around and looking at the group of men in black a new person was sitting with them.
That person is grey eyes! Xander!
Just as I noticed him, he turned his face and his eyes met mine.
He looked shocked too. A little.
I gave him a smile and waved at him in greeting.
His face was expressionless but he just took his hand waved it at me without waving. He just showed me his hand that's it.
I smiled then he noticed Nate and gave him a hard glare.
Huh?
Nobody glares at my brother except me. This made me scowl. Does he know Nate? Why is he glaring at him?
Soon he looked away without glancing at me.
Our food came and we talked for a bit. Nate was done with his food so he said that he's gonna talk to the girl again. Which I forced him to because he didn't want to leave at first. So I'm eating alone now.
The men in black left too but Xander was still there. He was talking to someone on his phone. Must feel nice.
I only had three contacts. My mom, dad, and Nate. But now I have only one.
While I was eating my burger Xander noticed me again. Staring at him. Oh no. I should look away but instead, I gave him a sheepish grin.
His expressions turned soft for just a second. He ended the call and just sat there before looking around searching for someone.
He called a waitress and said something to her and within a minute the same waitress came and placed a packet of 10 cookies on my table.
Huh?
What? I didn't order these. But I should've. They look delicious as ever.
I looked around to see if Nate ordered them but he was busy talking to the girl.
Then I noticed Xander and looked at the cookies again.
Xander.
Cookies.
10 cookies!
My eyes widen and I looked at Xander.
"D-did you or-order these?" I asked him.
Why am I stuttering? I never stuttered in front of Xander.
He frowned at me. "Did you?" I asked again. He nodded in return.
"But I didn't bump into you today. I'm not taking these." I said picking up the cookies and setting them on his table. His frown deepened.
He stood up and Woah, he is really tall. He adjusted his suit. Took the cookies and placed them on my table again.
"I already sai-" He cut me off by giving me a hard look.
I cower down a little and shook my head in a no. "I can't take them."
"May I?" Xander said and I looked up to see him motioning towards the chair in front of me, where Nate was sitting a few minutes ago.
I looked for Nate, since he's busy he won't mind Xander sitting on his chair and it would be rude to say no so I nodded my head yes.
He sat down and slid the cookies closer to me. I slid them back. He slid them right back but didn't remove his hand so I couldn't slide them back.
Meanie.
I frowned again. "I can't eat them."
"Why?"
He is really a man of few words.
"Because." He raised an eyebrow.
I sighed. "Because I didn't buy these and they are a lot and they are yours and I didn't bump into you so they're not because you want to say sorry and I just can't."
"Eat them."
"No."
"I'll share."
That I can do. I really wanna eat them. They look so yummy.
"Then eat."
Huh? Did I say that out loud?
"Yes." I facepalmed myself. Literally. I should've done that mentally.
He looks amused and took a cookie and gestured for me to take one too.
"Thank you," I said lightly.
Before I can say anything else Nate came back beaming like he won a lottery.
"Li, look what I go-" He cut himself off noticing Xander just now.
How can you miss someone that big?
"Who are you? What are you doing in my seat?" He said looking at Xander then he turned to me "Li is he bothering you? Do I have to beat him for you?" I couldn't help but giggle.
"He's Xander, he's my friend. I told him to sit there. No, he's not bothering me. And stop it you're my younger brother not older. I will protect you not the other way around."
"Still. You're my sister and it's my job to protect and annoy you. So you tell me if he's bothering you okay?" I nodded.
I looked at Xander who looked really confused.
"Xander this is my little brother, Nathaniel. He thinks he has to protect me all the time and sorry for him being dramatic."
He took his hand out for Nate to shake. "Alexander King."
Nate looked impressed "Nathaniel Miller." he tried to sound intimidating.
"A firm handshake. Dad would've been impressed. But he would also have made you run for your life by now but I'm nothing less so don't think I'm not watching you." Nate shook his hand gesturing him with the 'I got my eyes on you' with a glare.
Xander raised his eyebrow at him.
Nate then like a switch turned his personality and came and sat beside me. Like he said nothing at all.
"What you got here? So many cookies! We didn't order them Li." Nate said looking confused.
"Xander bought them for me and I made him share them."
Nate gasped.
"What? You're sharing the love of your life with Alexander? You make me do so many things for the cookies and you're sharing them here just like that?"
I rolled my eyes. "He bought them so they are his cookies, not mine. He's sharing them with me not the other way around. And stop being dramatic I always share these precious cookies with you."
"You're forgetting the hard work I have to do for that."
I dismissed him with a wave of the hand.
He looked at Xander before asking "Can I have one too?" He looked like a little kid wanting a candy, his eyes wide and a small unnoticeable pout, Nate can be cute too sometimes. But that doesn't change the fact that he's super annoying.
Xander just shrugged in return and slid the cookies in between me and Nate before standing up.
"I have to leave," Xander announced.
This soon?
"Yes, I'm sorry, but I have a meeting to attend."
"I said that out loud again?" He nodded in return.
"Okay, but the cookies? You didn't eat your share. You just had one."
"It's okay."
Nate stood up. "We should get going too sis, you said we'll spend the whole day with mom and dad. Let's go then." he said to me before turning to Xander "It was nice meeting you, sir. And thank you for the cookies. My sister loves them and she sure talks a lot in front of you." He said wiggling his eyebrows at me. "I'm glad to know she already found a friend here and is comfortable around you. But don't forget I'm watching you."
He said shaking his hand with Xander and took the packet of cookies and said that he'll wait outside before leaving the cafe.
"I'm sorry my brother can be annoying sometimes. And I'm sorry I called you my friend in front of him without asking you if you want to be my friend. I just didn't want him to think that you're a stranger because you're not, that doesn't mean we know each other but still, you're nice and he's a bit too dramatic so um. yeah, I'm sorry about that aga-"
"It's okay, Angel."
It's okay? He doesn't mind being my friend?
Oh my god. He's the best.
"So, you'll be my friend?" I asked him trying really hard not to smile that big but I couldn't help it. He's ready to be my friend. My first friend other than my family.
He nodded in return.
I couldn't help but jump a little being over-excited.
"Oh my god. You're my first friend." And Angel? Is that my nickname? "You called me Angel?" He nodded again.
"My dad used to call me that. It's my favorite nickname." I mumbled.
Wait!
A nickname from someone other than my family?
Who is also my friend?
I got a friend and a nickname from a friend!
Please tell me this isn't a dream.
"Aw thank you so much, Xander. You're such a cutie. I've always wanted a nickname from a friend." I said squishing his cheeks before realizing what I'm doing.
"I'm sorry," I said stepping back.
I touched him without his permission.
"You have that meeting you said about earlier. We should leave." He nodded and stepped aside and motioned me to go first.
Once we were outside, I looked for Nate and he was sitting in the car.
I turned to look at Xander again. "Thank you for the cookies again. And for being my friend. I promise I'll be the best friend you've ever had."
I won't disappoint him and make him leave me just like others.
I can't wait to tell mom and dad about Xander. My new friend.
"I'll try my best too." He said in return.
"Phone," Xander said showing his hand for me to give him my phone. I raised an eyebrow but still gave him my phone.
He typed something on my phone. And gave it back to me.
I raised a brow asking him.
"My number."
OH MY GOD!!!!
I couldn't hold back the grin that took over my face.
I made a friend!
I got a nickname!
And I got a new contact on my phone list!
I'm glad he didn't say anything about not having any other numbers in it.
His expressions turned soft.
"I'll see you around. Use my number if you need anything, okay?" I nodded vigorously.
"I'll call you so you'll have my number too and you can use it too if you need anything," I said before waving at him and turning around to get to my car.
I looked back and he was still standing there. I waved again. And he waved back, without waving. He just showed me his hand again. And turned around and left.
I turned and skipped over to my car and told Nate everything about my new friend. He looked really happy too.
We then left to meet our parents again.
We spend the whole day talking about nothing and everything.
I told them about Xander and Nate told them about the girl from the cafe, Sophia.
We stayed there till 6 in the evening before leaving.
This Sunday turned out to be the best day of the week.
---✿---
Hi, guys. I'm sorry for updating a little late.
I hope you like it.
And I hope everyone is doing okay.
Stay safe and hydrated bestie.
Take care, Ily.