Raela

Chapter 5

Gavin POV

Jay came in and I told him the schedule for today and that I was leaving. Jay is my coworker, but also he is my best friend, my brother. We have known each other since middle school. He is my right hand man. I go to him about everything. I told him not to text or call me today unless there was a serious issue at the shop. He gave me a funny look, but Jay is more than capable of running the shop on his own for the day and I didn’t want to be bothered while I was with Rae. She has been on my mind since yesterday. Her brown eyes, they way she looked afraid. The need I felt to protect her. I don’t know. I am unable to explain it. 

Raela and I head out of the office door and head out of the shop. She looks over to me and smiles. She has such a cute little smile I think to myself as I smile back. 

“You have a really cute smile” I say feeling so nervous after I said it.

What is wrong with me? Why am I talking to her like this? Why am I feeling so nervous like this? I don’t get nervous. I don’t try to talk to girls this way. Sh*t, I barely see girls in public during the day. Why am I doing this I think to myself. 

Raela looks over at me in surprise with red cheeks, “not at all, but thank you though” she says. 

It's cute when she blushes. 

“So where do you want to get coffee from?”

“How ‘bout Luke’s? I love their coffee.” Raela replies

“Okay”

Luke’s is a little diner in town that is owned by this guy Cam. Luke’s was originally his dad, he took it over when his dad died. He has kept almost everything the same. Luke’s is right at the corner so we are almost there. I haven’t been there in a little over a year.

We get there and I open and hold the door for Raela. She blushes again and says thank you staring at the ground. We walk over to a little booth in the back corner and sit on opposite sides.

Raela POV

I have butterflies so bad. I am scared and nervous. We sit in the booth at Luke’s and Gavin asks if I'm hungry too, so I say yes. I grab a menu and start looking it over. I come here with Anna like at least twice a month, but I always look at the menu and still end up getting the same thing. The only thing that changes is my drink. I decide I am going to order my usual, chicken tenders with mozzarella sticks and two cups of sour cream and a sprite and a coffee with sugar milk and vanilla creamer. The server Ashley came over, she’s usually here later in the day on weekends when Anna and I come here. She’s really sweet. She just had a baby a few months ago so I always try to leave a bigger tip. I sometimes babysit for her too. Her baby boy is so cute. Ashley seems a bit more brash today than usual while taking our orders. She asks what we want then just walks away. Gavin looks odd. 

“Are you okay?” I ask Gavin

“Huh? Oh yeah I’m fine.” he replies

“Okay.” 

It’s awkward silence until our food comes. Ashley sits my food in front of me and I give a polite smile and thank you. She then puts Gavin's burger down in front of him, but she kinda slammed it down.

“Hey Ashley, are you good? How is James?” I ask before she can walk away

“He’s fine, Rae. Thanks for asking” Ashley says and walks away

“Who is James?” Gavin asks

“Ashley’s son. He’s so cute. I babysit for her a few times a month.” I explain

“Oh” he says.

We leave it at that. This hanging out is definitely more awkward than I thought it would be. It's not at all like I pictured it. I pull my phone out and send Anna a quick text.

Hey. I’m at Luke’s with Gavin and omg it's so awkward. Kill me now.

I apologize and put my phone away. He asks if everything is okay and I say yes I was just letting my friend know I wasn't home. 

“So is this what you always order to eat?” Gavin asks

“Yes” I laugh, “why?”

“You eat like a toddler” 

“I do not. Chicken tenders are just yummy”

“Okay, I’ll give you that. They are good. But who dips them in sour cream?” he laughs

We finish our food, and Gavin pays even though I offered to pay for my own food. 

"Thank you for hanging out with me today and for buying me food" I say

"No problem. Uh do you need to get home now or can we walk around a bit?" 

"We can walk around" I respond feeling butterflies rise in my stomach. 

I can't believe he wants to spend more time with me. It's awkward but I mean I guess the first time always is. I've thought about this forever. Just never thought it would happen. I've had a crush on him for years. But never thought he would pay me any mind. 

"uh hello…. Earth to Raela?" I hear Gavin say 

"Oh, hi" I laugh "what did I miss?"

"You zoned out there for a minute, you okay?" 

"Yeah just in my head" I explain nervously

"Well, I asked, would you mind going for a walk through the park?"

"As long as you aren't luering me there to murder me, that sounds perfect" I jokingly say

I was expecting him to be thrown off by my sense of humor. But without missing a beat he says 

"Well, I've already been seen with you, so if I murdered you, I would be suspect number one. I'll wait until next time." 

I look at him half surprised, half impressed he was able to respond so fast.

"Don't tease me with a good time" 

"Well, it's not teasing, you will have a good time. Maybe not being murdered, but a good time nonetheless"

I smile inwardly and it feels like my stomach is doing somersaults.

"What's this next time you speak of? Who says I'll agree to a next time?" I ask laughing

"Well I hope there's a next time." Gavin says seriously

I smile at him "Of course" 

We go to the park rather quickly since it's only across the street and down one block.