Chapter 2
Lex stood inside the empty Shockwave Video store for about twenty full minutes trying to not forget what the kiss had felt like. A text message from Chloe broke his trance.
Lo Lo: Where the hell R U?
Lex: I’m on my way. I got held up. Are my fries cold?
Lo Lo: No. Well they are now being digested by me and Jack.
Lex: Please order me a new plate I’m on my way!
Lex drove the long strip downtown, remembering to stop at the bank, and pulled his gun metal grey Buick Skylark into a space way too big for it in the back of the 24 diner that he and his friends went to almost every night of the week.
Hardly’s was an old mom and pop style diner left over from the 50’s that had been converted into a modern age place that now served liquor past eleven at night. It was dimly lit but had a really comfortable feel, like how a living room feels the night before Christmas with the only light being from the tiny bulbs on the tree. Lex enjoyed the laid back atmosphere and that pretty much everyone knew him.
Chloe was waving to him from the booth at the back of the restaurant area. This was their booth and it seemed that everyone knew that because no one but them ever sat there. It was pressed against the last window so you could see the people outside smoking and talking. Lex liked this because one of his main hobbies was people watching. Chloe was sitting next to Jack and across from Rachel.
Jack and Rachel are married and that astounds Lex to the enth degree. Lex was a groomsman in their wedding but still pretends that he has no idea they are married. Jack is about six foot tall and wears the same style of outfit every day. A black t shirt with various designs, the same blue jeans, black classic high top chucks, and a hat to cover his balding head. He is twenty – eight and works at Shockwave as well. Rachel is the same age and works in a bookstore a few blocks away from Hardly’s. She reads constantly and doesn’t really talk unless it’s important. Lex tells strangers that she is mute so that she doesn’t have to talk. She always smiles and nods a “thank you’” to him when he does this. Lex likes her because she always giggles at his terribly bad jokes. Jack is really laid back and just likes to talk about movies.
“Lexy, bout freaking time you got here. You’re lucky I was just about to devour my second plate of fries and charge them to you” said Chloe as Lex plopped down next to Rachel. Rachel looked up from the book her nose was buried in to say “hello” with her eyes. Lex pulled his plate of fries in front of him and dumped half a bottle of ketchup on top of them and jumped right in.
“As I was saying, I think Nick Cage can play any role and it would be Oscar worthy” said Jack to Chloe.
“So you think Nick Cage can play God then?” asked Chloe.
“Why not? I’d pray to him” said Jack taking a drink from his beer.
“Like I said, let’s keep Nick Cage out of this. We were talking about best actors of our generation and he does not fit that bill, no matter how hard you plead his case” said Chloe
“Ok, well who the hell is your vote for best actor of our generation then?” asked Jack.
“DiCaprio” interrupted Lex. “But I have to agree with Jack though, Nick Cage is part of our generation of actors but he is awful so I negate his argument”
“DiCaprio? What did he ever do that was so great, except for die at the hands of the Titanic?” said Jack.
“Have you not seen “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape”?” asked Lex incredulously.
“No” said Jack flatly. This caused both Chloe and Lex to erupt in a blast of noises without words but all were negatively directed at Jack.
“How the hell did you get your job at the store” asked Lex.
“I am pretty sure this is a fireable offense. I think I might have to submit an HR claim to Mr. Hughes” said Chloe honestly.
“I second that!” added Lex.
Rachel giggled from behind her book. Jack tried to argue but Lex and Chloe just kept cutting him off before he could even get two words out. This went on for awhile before Jack just gave up and conceded his argument. Lex finished his fries and ordered another Coke from his favorite waitress. Her name was Florence and she had been working at Hardly’s for about a hundred years. She was sweet and flabby like a grandma should be. Seeing as how Lex never knew his grandparents on either side he adopted Flo as his. He always made sure to tell her how beautiful she looked and she always made sure to not charge him for his drinks. It was a pretty sweet deal Lex thought.
“So what was the real reason for your lateness tonight Lex?” asked Chloe surveying him closely. Lex turned an uncomfortable shade of red.
“I told you Lo Lo, I got held up. A customer came in right at midnight and I had to help, you know me, always ready to work!” said Lex turning to look out the window and not into Chloe’s eyes.
“Lex, drop the bullshit. I have seen you turn away customers because you were too lazy to get up off the floor. What really happened?” asked Chloe again.
“I’m telling the truth. Maybe a little bit of your work ethic is finally rubbing off on me” said Lex.
“Lex, look at me” demanded Chloe. Lex just stared out the window keeping his head completely still. He stood his ground until he felt a warm hand grab the front of his mouth and physically turn his face. Chloe was impressively strong, Lex stood no chance. His eyes met hers and she knew instantly.
“You made out with someone!” shouted Chloe.
“Wha? I did nothing of the sort, who would I makeout with any way?” said Lex trying to pull his face out of her hand but she just squeezed tighter.
“I have no clue but I know you well enough to know the symptoms” said Chloe releasing her grip and letting Lex slide back into his side of the booth. “Spill it Lexy” demanded Chloe again this time meaning business.
“Ok, Ok, Ok… It was the girl who won the rental contest” said Lex.
“Slut” said Chloe. Lex didn’t know if she was referring to him or Sara. Jack put up his hand for a high five but Chloe stopped this in mid swing.
“Don’t reward him for bad behavior Jack! How the hell will he ever learn to not makeout with strangers who win rental contests? Where’s my spray bottle” said Chloe digging in her bag comically.
“It was just a kiss Lo Lo” said Lex.
“So what? You just freaking met her! You probably can’t even tell me her last name” said Chloe getting more heated than Lex was used to. Lex tried hard but she was right, he couldn’t remember it.
“What the hell does that have to do with the kissing capacity of someone and you know I am terrible with people’s names. I don’t even know Jack’s last name” said Lex pleadingly.
“Connors…” said Jack just louder than a whisper.
“See! I honestly didn’t know that!” said Lex honestly. Lex really didn’t know Jacks last name so he felt like his argument was good enough.
“Quit being an ass. I need deets. How did you end up sucking face?” asked Chloe.
“A gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell my dear” answered Lex in a mock British accent.
“I’m going to find out somehow so you might as well just tell me. It’s probably better than me spreading it around that she is really a dude” said Chloe threateningly.
“Fine!” said Lex “She just kissed me, that’s really all the happened. I was locking the door as she left and she just kissed me and said “you’ll do” and then left” explained Lex.
“What? Really? What an effin slut!” said Chloe.
“Why does kissing me make her a slut? You don’t know anything about her” defended Lex.
“You don’t even know her either” argued Chloe.
“So” said Lex knowing that this was a weakest argument he could have used. “She’s nice and funny. It was nice Chloe. Why are you getting all bent out of shape about this?” asked Lex trying to shift the conversation her way.
“It doesn’t matter. Kiss whoever the hell you want” said Chloe getting up from the table and leaving not even looking back. Lex turned and looked as Jack and Rachel sat awkwardly staring at him.
“What was that all about?” asked Lex perplexed.
“Are you serious?” asked Jack.
“Yes, I’m serious! I have no clue what just happened” said Lex.
“If you can’t see what just happened you are thicker than I originally thought” said Jack. Rachel put down her book and nodded.
“I hate you guys, you know that right?” said Lex. They both shook their heads and dropped it. Lex and Jack talked about work for about an hour before they decided to call it a night.
Lex walked into his apartment and dropped his keys in the normal spot, right on the floor as soon as you walk in, and went straight to his bedroom. He disrobed and slipped on the shorts he sleeps in every night and fell on the bed with a giant thump. But just as he was about to drift off to sleep he could hear the familiar buzz of his cell phone getting a text message. He growled out loud and ripped himself from the comfortable bed to check and see who texted him. He had a feeling it was Chloe. He hoped she would explain her actions from earlier.
Unknown: Really?
Lex: who is this?
Unknown: Really? A Bill Pullman movie?
Lex: Sara?
Unknown: Yeah, now explain.
Lex took a second and added her information to his contact list.
Lex: It’s a test. You passed stage one.
Sara: Well that’s good. Did I wake you?
Lex: No, I am still asleep and yes I am that good.
Sara: You were pretty good earlier if that is what you are referring to…
Lex stared at screen not knowing what to say to that and this was new to him; he usually had a comeback to anything. He just texted the first thing that came to his mind:
Lex: What’s your last name?
Sara: Plain and Tall. What’s yours?
Lex: The Great.
Sara: I like you.
Lex: You don’t even know me.
Sara: Doesn’t stop me. You’re cute and a good kisser. What’s not to like. Amiright…
Lex: I guess so…
Sara: Don’t worry about kiddo, I’m harmless.
Lex: I will be the judge of that, thank you. Watch your movie, I’m going to remain sleeping and far far away from you’re craziness
Sara: Lake Placid here I come!
Lex plugged his phone into the wall and fell back into the same position on the bed thinking about Sara and their first kiss. He lifted his head just enough to mutter “Today was a good day”.