Alex

Alex and Joe

     I sat in the office not sure what to do. Beyond that door was Joe, AND Alex. Not only meeting but meeting and acting as if they'd known each other before. How? I put my head in my hands just as Katie opened the door, appearing in front of me. "Mia, are you okay?" she came up to me and sat down at the other computer. I looked up at her, fighting back tears. "How do they know each other?" I asked her, waiting for an answer. "I have no idea. I told them to stay out there for now. I'm not sure what's going on Mia, what do you want me to do. I'll do whatever you need me too." she said to me, her voice soft and concerned. I know she was being a good friend but her sweetness was making me want to cry. "What's up girls?" Chris walked through the office door now and I spun around, turning my head away from him. "Everything okay?" Chris asked hesitantly. 

     "Uhm yeah, we're great." Katie covered. "Good, get off the clock then. I've got it from here." Chris said, tapping my shoulder. I quickly wiped my eyes and stood up from the chair. "Have a good night." I nodded to Chris and rushed past him and Katie to the office door. I walked through it and straight for the front door, past Alex and Joe still catching up in the lobby. "Mia!" Katie rushed after me, following me into the parking lot. "Katie! Mia!" I heard Alex now, his footstep following me to my bug. "What's going on Mia?" he stopped me from opening my door, Katie in the background. I could see Joe jogging out of the shop towards us. "Nothing, I just have to go. I'll explain later okay, then you can tell me how you know Joe. Bye." I patted Alex's cheek and gave him a faint kiss before getting into my bug and driving off as fast as I could. I watched as he and Joe disappeared in my rear view.

     I was sitting on my bed Indian style, staring at my phone when Alex's name popped up, my phone buzzing. "Hello?" I picked up after the second buzz. "Mia? What's going on?" Alex's voice was concerned and I closed my eyes. "Honestly I have no idea, maybe you can help me. How do you know Joe?" I lifted my head to the ceiling. "I used to work with him at The Runway, actually he, Josh, Mike, and Rex kind of found me and got me a job there." "Wait...you know Rex and Mike, Josh?" what the fuck was going on? "Yes Mia, remember when I told you I knew a Rex. Well I guess it was the same guy. He literally came into The Bean right after you left. Listen I'm not sure what's going on but I'm sorry if I upset you." "No, it's not you Alex. I just...neither of us knew we knew the same people, it just came as a shock is all." "Mia, what happened with you and Joe?" "It...it really doesn't matter now. There was something and now there isn't, he left. And I found you." the line was silent for a moment and I could feel my heart trying to stop again. "Alex?" "Mia, I just don't want you to hold anything against Joe." "Seriously? Alex..." I sighed, trying to contain my frustration. "Whether or not I hold something against him is my business Alex. Look, I don't want to talk about this anymore. What was with me and Joe no longer is, okay?" "Okay Mia, fine. I'm sorry...are you still hanging with Katie and Rex tonight?" "I don't know, I need to call her back. Can I text you later?" I asked, holding my breath. "Of course, I'll be patiently waiting. Bye Mia." "Bye." I said and hung up the phone, calling Katie.

     "Mia! Where have you been?" "Katie don't be mad at me!" "I'm not mad, you disappeared for three hours! I'm worried!" "I'm fine okay? I just had to get out of there." it was quiet for a moment. "Okay..I get that." "Everything's fine...are you and Rex still down to hang out?" "Yes, of course...are you sure you're okay?" "Katie, don't worry. I'm good, everything's good. Can we just meet at The Bean? I'm not exactly hungry but a Frap sounds perfect right now." "Yeah that's fine. Meet you there in ten?" "See you then, thanks Katie." I said and hung up the phone, sitting in silence for a moment before getting up.