Kendall's Point Of View ~

I look down at my phone once more to make sure I have been reading her text properly. She said for us to meet here at Mr Bean as it's our favourite . . we come here often.

But where is she?

Why isn't she here yet?

The thick crowd doesn't help. It causes me to exhale, and quite loudly at that. My heels lift off the ground without hesitation so my eyes can have some kind of chance to spot her. I look this way and that way, here and there, until from the corner of my eye, an unknown hand is being held up. It's this hand in particular that has achieved, whether it meant to or not, to capture my complete attention. And attached to it is a familiar face - a very familiar face.

It's Alice.

I scurry over. But with so many people in this one place, it's easier said then done. After I express a handful of excuse me's, I finally wrap my arms around her in a warm hug.

 "It's been so long, girl . . ". Alice says. It's true though. It really has been.

As our bums hit the chair, the smell of caffeine hits our nostrils. I look at Alice but words isn't something that is needed from either of us as it's incredibly obvious without. We look around us for any signs of a waitress that may be floating around and thank goodness - over she comes. With a smile, she takes our coffee orders before walking back to the coffee machine that sits largely by the cash register, causing us to no longer have something to desperately desire.

"How's work going? . . "

The question instantly causes my eyes to roll and my head to shake. The mere mention of what I do for a living is right now, nothing more than a living nightmare. I squirm slightly in my chair as I know I can't seem to lie and that I must be honest. I go to speak but I stutter, but no words are heard at all. Instead shrugging my shoulders as if I'm holding my hands up in just plain and utter defeat. Alice follows my lead and says nothing, instead, I see her lip tug at the corner.

"Work gets like that, at times . . right?"

But it's her next question that really makes my heart race more than her previous one.

I laugh slightly but it's purely out of nerves and again, I find myself squirming recklessly in my chair and stuttering like crazy.

". . it's been over a year since your ex . . "

Alice points out. "Two years to be exact . . "

I add on in a whisper. "Dating anyone? Or seeing anyone even? 

Alice asks. "Alice - . . "

My tone is soft, but still stern. I knew she would ask me this question. I was never one to jump into another relationship before I knew I was ready. After something like that ends, I know that I must remain single for as long as I need. At first - it was hard. But I did it. I focused on myself in order for me to eventually heal. Alice isn't really pushing me too much and I know she means well. The arrival of our beloved coffee's halts the conversation but for only a brief moment before I know we will for sure circle back to it. It's silence from us both as we take our first sip. The coffee enters my mouth and the delight it has on my tastebuds is immediate. I look up to see Alice already beating me to it. She stares at me with one that I know means she's still waiting for an answer.

"No. I'm not . . " I tell her, giving in.

The foam that once blanketed my upper lip, now sits on my tongue, rolling down it until I swallow. I knew she wouldn't give up so easy. I know her, she wouldn't. Not until this particular conversation has come to a solid conclusion. And then again, that's only when Alice has made that decision.

"Considered dating apps? . . "

Her stare remains as she asks, but mine shifts away, from the mere mention. I haven't been one for those kinds of things. I never really thought about them much, but then again, my break up wasn't exactly planned out. I sigh slightly, rubbing my forehead with my warm fingers.

"I-I . . I don't know . . "

I reply, sounding somewhat defeated. I'm uneasy about the idea of dating apps from the stigma they have previously brought to others. But in saying that, I'm not completely shutting the idea of them down.I feel ready. Hell, I am ready. I have healed - my mind no longer thinks of my ex and my heart no longer aches for my ex. I don't miss him anymore . . 

I don't want him anymore. 

A smile expresses a rush of excitement that has suddenly run through me as I sit and just think. And it's a that smile that Alice wasn't exactly expecting as she silently states that by the rise of her eyebrows. But Alice is over the moon - saying I deserve this. With her fingertips sitting upon the screen, she slides my phone over to me but it never leaves the table top, edging it more and more closer to me.

"This is your chance, Kenny . . "

" . . so take it . . "

to be continued.