There she is. She's sitting next to the window. Alone. Thank god. Maybe they decided not to show up after all. Maybe this. Could work out after all. I just have to ask her to go somewhere else, in case they change their minds . I speed up a bit. I can feel a smile appear on my face. I-... I see them. Clara and Gavin. Both with a coffee in their hands. Clara has two. She puts one down in front of Ellie. She looks up from her thoughts and smiles. I stoped walking. I'm just staring. I'm too late. This is going to be a disaster!
Clara looks up and sees me. She waves enthusiastically and looks friendly. She screams my name in order for me to notice them. I turn red and my hate for them grows. Ellie sees me and her smile makes me calm down. I walk up to them and take a seat.
'We ordered already. Sorry, we couldn't wait', Clara smiles.
'It's nice to meet some if Anna's other friends', Gavin lies to Ellie.
'I was thinking the same thing!', Ellie replies.
She looks at me and her smile makes me smile. I feel safe, yet vulnerable.
Clara and Gavin continue talking to Ellie like they're my friends. I hate it. She doesn't seem to notice their lies.
After an hour, that felt like an eternity, Ellie gets up and says:' I think I should go. Anna, you walk me out?'
I nod. This is my only chance at getting some alone time with Ellie tonight. Clara immediately stands up and says:' We should all go. Together.'
No. They've ruined this evening. They've told Ellie every embarrassing thing about me. They've ruined our friendship. I'm not letting them ruin our alone time aswell.
'No. Don't you think you've ruined enough already?', I brutally shout at Clara.
'Excuse me?', Clara asks on a defending tone.
'I think you heard me just fine', I reply while staring straight into her eyes.
I turn around, grab Ellie's arm and walk her out, leaving Gavin and Clara behind.
'They're not actually your friends, are they?', Ellie asks.
'No, not really... Listen, I'm so sorry about all of this and I completely understand if you never want to hang out again. I-'
'Are you joking!? I love hanging out with you. If anything, tonight I learned a lot about you.'
'Really?'
'Yeah. If those idiots ever bother you again, just come look me up, okay?'
She shoves a little card in my hands, gives me a hug and walks away. I go the other way and walk home. Once I arrive in my room, I look at the card. A business card with her adres and phone number on it. I let my body fall on my bed and I stare at my LA-poster. Is this what real friendship feels like? Or is this... more?