Just Following Orders

5 - Playful

"Are you the youngest or middle child?"

"Middle child." He answers me. He's quick to look in the rear view mirror. "Damn it," He grumbles.

"What?" I quickly ask, looking over at one of the mirrors.

"Missed the turn." Alex huffs. He makes a U-turn. "You're distracting." He glances over at me.

I smile. "You know, that's not the first time I've heard that." I laugh.

"I completely believe that."

I just laugh, not taking that as an insult. I watch him pull into the parking lot of the restaurant. "Hopefully I can look you in the eyes after this." I sigh as I get out of the car.

"I'm sure you will." Mr. Reyes mutters as he follows me. The door gets opened for us when we walk in. I lead the way to the counter where a woman stands.

"Good evening. Table for two?" She asks us.

I shake my head, fiddling with my own hand. "No, um..we're apart of a party?" I awkwardly tell her. "David." I quietly add.

"I'm sorry, what was the name?" The woman asks.

"David." Alex tells her for me which I quietly thank him for.

The woman nods and opens a note book. She scans through it before smiling and closing the book. "All right, if you'll just follow me." She grabs two menus and and leads the way.

"Who knew you were so awkward." Mr. Reyes causally hums as we follow her.

I give him a side glare. "That's mean." He just rolls his eyes at me.

"Aaliyah," Mom smiles at us when we make it to the table. The woman sets our menus down on the table. Alex pulls my chair out for me which surprises me just a little. I sit and he pushes it back in then sits down next to me.

The woman takes Alex and I's drink orders before she leaves. "Hi," I greet Mom and Dad. "Where's Auntie?" I ask.

"Oh, she'll be here soon." Mom waves me off. I glance at Dad who seems to be studying Mr. Reyes.

"Oh, um..okay. So, this is—" I cut myself off before I call him Mr. Reyes. "Alex." I awkwardly introduce him. "Alex, this is my mom, Angela, and my dad, David." I introduce them.

"Pleasure to meet you." Alex nods at them. I can't help but smile a little. He kind of acts like this is a work meeting or something.

Mom looks curious, like I knew she would be. "How'd you two meet again?" She tilts her head slightly.

Ohhh, crap. What story did I give her?

"Grocery store." I blurt. Alex looks at me, giving me a 'Are you stupid' look. I give a little shrug.

"Grocery store?" Mom scratches her head. She laughs. "I'm sorry, I don't remember that story. Tell it again?" She requests.

"Uh..well, there's not much of a story." I awkwardly say, attempting to come up with a lie as I go.

"She wasn't watching where she was going and just completely ran into my cart." Alex chimes in. I look over at him, scowling because he made me sound like an idiot.