ACES (CH-3)

"WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT DID YOU DO TO-----?"

It's been a few weeks since I started going to NYU and each day is amazing. Everything that I thought about, it is actually happening. Alex and I have grown closer in the past couple of weeks. She is the best friend anyone can ever ask for. When she told me that she is an introvert on the first day, I am totally okay with it as I myself is a lone wolf but it was good to have someone, I can talk to about anything.

But what I saw in the past couple of weeks that just because she is quite and does not talk to anyone that much, that does not give anyone the right to say mean things behind her back or treat her differently. I guess some people does not change. I told Alex to stand up for herself and do not let anybody stumble her back and that I am always with her no matter what. And let me say after I said that to her, she is changing a lot and I am so happy for her.

Not only Alex but every girl should be strong and should stand up for herself. As Alex and I were becoming BFF Goals, I encounter with Charles a few times after our fight. We don't really speak to each other at all but you can sense a lot of unspoken words between us, if there is a thing like that. Any way things have been going smooth and today me and Alex are going to a coffee shop to hangout.

By the time I reach Alex was sitting on a table near the window, she was checking her phone. I went towards the table and sat in front of her.

"Hey. How long have you been here?"

"Not long. I ordered for both of us" Alex said and kept the phone on the table. Our orders arrive shortly.

"So, what's up? It's been so long that we have talked" I said to her and took a sip from my cup.

"We literally talked like an hour ago Em" she said and laugh softly.

"I know, I know but it's an interesting way to start a conversation you know"

"Girl you are crazy!"

"But you still love me"

"That I do"

Both of us laugh. We talk like it's been ages since we saw each other. We talked for an hour or so, about our classes, what's been going on with each other and the best, our weekend plan. We have been talking about this for so long but still we haven't decided where should we go. We have round up three places and now we are debating about it.

"You know we can maybe open a YouTube channel?" I suggested.

"We can actually. But what will be our theme?" Alex asked.

As I was about to reply, the coffee shop doorbell rang indicating someone came. And I think you can guess who it is? He came towards our table and stand looking at both of us.

"Out of all the places you decided to came in this particular shop?" I asked him.

"Scoot over Shortie" Charles said and sat next to me.

"What are you doing here? No, no why are you here?" I asked him.

"Whoa their hot shoot. I just came here for a cup of coffee with my two- favourite person"

"Excuse me, you know what, just get out of here"

"And here we go again, is it the continuation of the fight from the first day" Alex asked.

"No and what I said is true, I just came here to have coffee and talk with you guys"

"Again, with all the lies. Is there anything you are actually good at?" I asked him and crossed my arms. Despite me being taunting him, he ordered a coffee for himself.

"Charles why are you here? For real, I mean you don't even talk to us" Alex asked him.

"I came here to talk to Em" Charles replied.

"It's Ember for you"

"Okay Ember, the thing is I have notice from a few weeks that Alex has changed a lot. Don't get me wrong, she is more confident now, thanks to you"

"So, you came all the way here to tell this, then my answer is thank you. Anything else"

"Em is right I mean what is up with you today?" Alex asked.

"I realised that my so-called friends are just a bunch of bastards. They just hang out with me because of drinks, for going places for free etc"

As Charles said that Alex and I looked at each other, is the hot head Charles is actually confessing to us. What in the world is going on today? Three of us didn't say a word. A waitress brought Charles order; he mumble thanks to her. He was looking at his cup and fiddling with his fingers, perhaps I was a little to harsh on him. Alex gives me a sign to talk to him. I put my hand in his shoulder and said

"Char, can I call you Char?"

He nod his head. But didn't say a word.

"Look I am really sorry about the way I react. I had no idea what was going on with you"

"I am sorry too Char. What's going on? Are you okay?" Alex asked.

"Yeah, I fine. It's just when I see you both I can see what true friendship looks like"

"Wow, Who Are You And What Did You Do To Charles?" I tried to lighten up the mood.

"Man, I like this girl so much"

"I know right I got the best" Alex said.

"Well, what can you say I am really the best" I said and flip my hair.

Both of them laugh at my response. And then we just talked. Actually, three of us have a lot in common. I don't know why Char acted like a stupid fellow when I first meet him. To be honest he is really sweet. Three of us ordered coffee again, as the list of things we were talking was going on-and-on. It felt like we are lost friends that are united after a very long period of time.

Alex asked Char to join us in the weekend, is he can and to be surprised he said yes. Again, when we were having difficulty to decide where should we go, Char said that he has a plan and it's his treat and it's a surprise. Well, this should be interesting. I can't wait for the weekend.

After a few hours, we decided to head back. It was almost evening, so I suggested we can go to Central Park. Both of them agree to me.

We reach the park after a short while. Central Park is just a beautiful. Three of us sat under a tree and enjoyed the beautiful view. The park is just so serene and the beautiful sunset, it felt just great.

"Well today was really surprising" I said to both of them.

"Yeah, it totally was" Alex said and smile at me.

"Who knew that an angry hot head 1, 2 and a quite girl was destined to be friends?" Char said

" 'Destined to be friends' really Char. Smooth and who are you calling a hot head? Have you looked at yourself?" I said and softly hit his arm.

"Well, what can you say I am very handsome"

"In your dreams" Alex and I said simultaneously.

All of us burst into laughter. I thought for a second what Char said, maybe we were destined to be friends. Only time can answer that. We sat there for a few minutes talking about the plan for weekend. I am so happy that I found a friend in the face of a hot head and a best friend as a sister.

On the way back, we stopped at Pizza Hut. We ordered two large pepperoni pizza and three choco lava cake. Don't judge us, we were really hungry. When we were done with the first pizza, Char suggested something which both Alex and I agreed too. He said,

"Guys let's do one thing. Why don't we make this as our thing? Like in a week or so we come here, order two large pepperoni pizza and three choco lava cake and discuss all the interesting things going on with us. So, what do you say?"

"It's a really great idea. We should totally do this. Em you in?"

"Like you have to ask. Hell yeah I am in"

We raise our cold drinks which was sprite by the way and toast to our new friendship. Me and Alex are no longer a duo, we are a trio now.