My Brother's Best Friend

14-James

James' POV

“So, uh…what are your hobbies?” Chloe asked me, right after the waiter had taken our orders. I shrugged. “Well…I play football…and, yeah. That’s pretty much it. What about you?”
She smiled at me, looking right in my eyes. “You’re athletic…that’s great. As for me, I sing, play the guitar; hang out with my friends. Nothing too impressive.” She let out a light laugh, and I smiled, but looked in the direction of Mitch’s table. I was not glad that I had, though, because he and Alicia were already making out.
“Wow,” Chloe said, looking in the same direction, then back at me. “They aren’t being too shy, are they?” I chuckled a little, and nodded. “Nope…I guess not.” I refused to make eye contact with her, though.
Chloe seemed to hate moments of silence, I assumed, because she always had something to say. She seemed to notice my quietness, though. “James…may I ask you something?” I looked at her for the first time in a long time, tonight. “Uh, yeah, sure.”
She stared in my eyes again, and said, “Why won’t you…look at me? You seem really reserved or something. Am I annoying you?” I quickly replied, “No, not at all! I just…I just have a lot on my mind.”
“Are you sure? I mean, it’s like you don’t even want to be here. I keep comparing you to Mr. Loverboy, over there…and you’re nothing alike,” she said.
I chuckled again. “I know…Mitch and I are complete opposites. I’m sorry if I’m, uh, not what you expected…” I didn’t want to tell her that I was forced here against my will, because I knew that might hurt her feelings.
She smiled and nodded. “It’s ok. But this isn’t the first time I have seen a guy act this way. You like another girl, don’t you? And let me guess, Mitch begged you to come with him just so he could be with the other girl? In this case, I mean Alicia.”
I stared at her, absolutely surprised. Before I asked her how she had known, she laughed. “This isn’t the first time this has happened to me, James.” I suddenly felt really bad for her. She was a beautiful girl. Why wouldn’t anyone ask her on a date without needing anyone else to help make the date possible?
Chloe rested her head on her hand. “So, tell me about this girl, of yours.” I smiled, genuinely happy for the first time all night. “Ally…” I said, simply, and I felt myself smile. I didn’t have to think too hard to explain this to Chloe. I just let my feelings do the talking.
“She is the sweetest girl you’ll ever meet. She looks for the best in everyone, even if it’s a horrible person. She is continually helping others, and she has a smile for everyone.” I smiled all the wider as I told this to Chloe.
Chloe was grinning hugely at me. “You are so much different than any other guy I know, James. I can already tell that you aren’t one of those guys that thinks it’s all about the girl’s looks. This girl is so lucky to have such a …a genuine boyfriend.”
I sighed, slightly. “Oh…we aren’t together…she doesn’t even know that I like her. And she probably likes someone else, anyway…like Tyler.” My smile turned into a frown.
Chloe gasped quietly. “She doesn’t know how you feel about her?” She asked in disbelief. “You need to tell her, James.” I shook my head. “No way…I can’t! And if Mitch ever found out, I would be a dead man.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Wait…Mitch? What does he have to do with this?” I swallowed. “A lot, actually. He’s Ally’s older brother.” Chloe nodded slowly, understanding. “Ah, I see…that definitely is a tough one.”
I nodded, agreeing. I had been trying to figure out how it would work if the small possibility that Ally liked me would ever come true.
“All I can say is,” Chloe began. “If you really love Ally, and she likes you, you two won’t care what anyone thinks of you guys, not even her brother. And as for Mitch…if he were really as good a friend as you say he is, then he will be confident in you, and be ok with you dating his sister.
“However, it is natural for older brothers to be protective over their younger sisters…and 90% of them are usually overprotective. Mitch is probably one of the 90%, so he definitely will be hesitant to the idea, at first. But like I said…if he’s really your best friend, then he’ll let his sister date whoever she wants.”
I was staring at the table lantern the entire time, nodding, and listening to Chloe. Everything she had just said was absolutely right, I believed.
I looked right at Chloe, and smiled a little. “You know what? You’re right. Mitch is my best friend. He should take me as whoever I am, and not who he wants me to be. If I like his sister, he is just gonna have to deal with it.”
Chloe giggled at my sudden braveness. “There, you go! Now go, James. Go get your girl.” I beamed at her. “You…you don’t mind?” Chloe closed her eyes and shook her head. “Nah…I’m used to it, by now.”
I got up, walked over to her, and kissed her cheek. “Thank you, Chloe. Really. And I know that you definitely will find your guy, one day. Just keep on being your smart, beautiful self.” Chloe blushed, but hurried me off. “Go, James! Go! Before Mitch notices!” I flashed a grateful smile at her, and then rushed out of the restaurant as quickly as I could.
It was then, though, that I realized that I had no car to reach Ally, with. I looked around me, looking for any source of transportation. I was desperate.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I said out loud, as I stared at what was in front of me. “Oh, well, it’s better than nothing, I guess.” I grimaced as I hopped onto the tiny, pink, girlie bicycle. Any other day, I would have cared, but not today. I was on a mission. A mission to tell Ally that I liked her, finally.