Friendship and Romance

Awkward Alex

Alex was. . . different from the group and yet she fit in perfectly. She was the one to come up with activities and plans, sometimes crazy, sometimes simple but she was the glue that kept everyone together. She wasn't as meticulous as Jennifer, she wasn't outwardly nice either like Annalise either, but she was fun to be around. And she had a unique way of comforting everyone around her.

Her long legs crossed on the table causing Lorrel to stare at her pointedly. Although there was no expression on her face, a frown still made its way up to Alex's forehead.

"Hey, come on, my feet don't smell," Alex protested.

Lorrel maintained the stare though, she wasn't a supporter of bad habits.

"Phill?"

"Phill," Alex called with a cautious stare fixed on Lorrel.

"Hold your girl, she looks like she's hungry."

Lorrel ran out of patience and smacked Alex's feet off the table.

"F*cking hell, that hurt. I told you it doesn't smell, see?" Alex raised her feet back up again this time past the table and up to Lorel's nose, her toes wiggling around.

"Okay okay, that's enough. It's a cafe Alex," Phill finally reacted when he saw Lorel about to blow her top.

"Of course, you'll take your girl's side. That reminds me, where's my buddy Liam? I didn't see him at school today."

Alex produced a pack of gum from her purse, took one out, and threw the rest at Lorel.

"He accepted a job from Mr. Hunter, his Mom's meds again." Phil sighed.

The group suddenly went quiet, a despondent air hanging around the atmosphere.

"Why does he keep doing that?" Alex had a serious frown on her face.

Liam.

He wasn't the oddest of the group, Alex was, and next to her would be Phil, Jennifer, then Annaliese. Lorrel and Liam were more. . . Normal.

He was the most stubborn though. His family situation was the worst of them all. His father had been in a coma since he was ten, his older brother followed their father's footsteps and enlisted in the military leaving Liam to take care of their ailing mother. She was suffering from cardiomyopathy, basically weak heart muscles. She needed special care to prevent her condition from deteriorating or she'd be needing a new heart.

"Doing what? Working to take care of his mother?" Lorel retorted sharply.

"Hey, shut it. Anna can cover the costs of all that. Hell, the girl could give the poor woman a new heart too. Just some black market business." Alex shrugged.

"You know how Liam is," Phill shook his head, a sigh escaping his lips as he subconsciously reached towards his pocket only to find it empty.

"Gum?" Lorel offered with her brows raised and a stern expression.

"Thanks." Phill accepted, hiding behind an embarrassed smile.

Phil.

He was. . . business oriented. School for him was boring which made him a lousy leader but everyone in the group looked up to him.

He was a problem solver. While Jennifer was meticulous and caring, Phil was more acting. He wasn't one to validate their feelings or help them process emotions, but he was the one to call when they scratched someone's car and the person wouldn't let them go.

He was a mix between a thug and a lawyer. It was a shame he wanted to be a chef, he'd make a crooked lawyer. To Alex, he was a stay-out-of-jail-free card. Not that she had ever been in, but he was her insurance in case.

Phil's Cafe was a favorite joint for the students of Valor High. On Tuesdays, everyone flocked here to see the game. It was a big deal around here, or bigger than a big deal depending on how much one hated fanaticism.

"Hey, speaking of addiction," Alex coughed awkwardly, stealing a glance at Phil and then focusing on Lorrel.

"What about your brother?" She asked with an ambiguous smile.

"Listen, let it go. I'm not introducing you to him, all he cares about is wine and politics." Lorrel shot back, her expression pained.

"Settle down, I'm only asking how long he will be around. I can handle my business myself."

Phil couldn't help but speak up at this moment. "Alex, she doesn't get to see him often," He reminded her.

Alex realized she was being a little insensitive so she coughed awkwardly. "Alright, listen. I got these tickets from Anna to Taylor Swift live on Saturday. She could only get two so I can only take one person?"

She spoke generously as if the tickets were originally hers.

Although Phil knew that Alex was trying to make things up to Lorrel, he still reached out and snatched one ticket from Alex as soon as she produced it.

Lorrel's eyes widened, she was just about to protest to Alex when she noticed Alex's daring glare. Quickly turning to Phil, a pout appeared on her lips as she looked up into his eyes with a pitiful expression.

Alex picked her juice packet from the table and drew noisily from the straw as she watched Phil struggle internally. She didn't mind who she'd go with as long she was included. As for getting involved with this lovey dovey couple? Forget it.

Phil and Lorrel.

They had been the closest to each other since they were kids. That bond developed and they confirmed their relationship when Lorrel hit 16, two years in and they were still going strong. They weren't the irritatingly romantic duo, but their feelings for each other was evident in everything they did. They showed extreme considerations for their partner.

"Fine, but you'll be mascot for a day." Phil reluctantly handed the ticket over to Lorrel.

A smile blossomed on her lips but she didn't forget to retort.

"What mascot? Why do you even care about a Taylor Swift concert, be a bit more like Liam, study and masculine" she rolled her eyes.

Alex shrugged hearing those words. To any busybody relationship advisor, this would be the textbook example of toxicity. But anyone who thought that way knew nothing about Phil and Lorrel.

"Okay then, Saturday. We'll meet at Anna's place, I plan to take one of her cars." Alex tapped the table twice and rose from her seat.

"You're not waiting for Anna and Jen?" Phill asked.

"Nope, Anna will be mad at me and Jennifer won't defend me. Besides, I still have to report to the hospital, can't have my patient getting there before me" Alex replied as she gathered her purse and the half empty juice box on the table. She considered for a minute before taking another.

Lorrel was suspicious about Alex's words and she gave her outfit another look, still got up and opened her arms for a hug, which Alex quickly reciprocated.

"Take care"

"You too, see you Saturday."

"See you later, Phil." She waved as she walked out the exit.

"Alex!"

Just as she reached out to wave down a cab, she heard a voice call out her name.

"Alex"

She turned around and saw a familiar figure jogging towards her. A beautiful warm smile blossomed on her face, her smile was concerned and relieved at the same time as he watched him.

"What happened to you Liam, we were starting to get worried." She scolded when he reached her.

"Hmm? I told Anna I won't be going to school today" Liam frowned.

"Why didn't you call me?" Alex scowled.

Her eyes roamed over the dust on his body and her frown deepened further.

"What kind of work were you doing anyways?"

"Don't even get me started" Liam frowned and waved his hands. He suddenly paused his actions and looked Alex through.

"Stop doing that or I'll be forced to think you have a thing for me" Alex teased him to hide her embarrassment. She was in a formal female suit and yet somehow she still managed to squeeze some swag in the way she wore it. Her collar was wide open which would have added some charm to her tomboyish nature if it wasn't for her full chest which now stood out revealing some cleavage.

This would be normal if he'd seen Lorrel dressed like this but Alex was different.

"Where are you going dressed like that?" Liam was forced to ask.

"Don't ask. My father organized this fundraiser thing, he's running for Governor and he wants me to be there as a show of support." Alex sighed.

Liam's expression turned serious and the frivolousness disappeared from his face. Alex was usually quite cheerful, her father's campaign must have affected her a lot if she was sighing.

"How about I come with you and you get me a car as payment?" He suddenly asked.

Alex eyes brightened as she looked up in excitement. But her eyes quickly narrowed in suspicion.