Shooting Star

Greg felt stuck. Four years and had gotten nowhere with Clover. She seemed to see him as just a friend. He didn’t want to be just her friend. Sadly, he didn’t seem to know how to get that across to her. Today, he sat in the Sunny Plum Café, staring out into space. Tucker and Annie watched him the counter.

“How long is he going to be sitting like that?” Annie whispered.

“I don’t know,” her husband said back.

“Well, do something about it,” she whispered. “If he’s not going to order anything, get him out of here.”

“We can’t just throw him out,” Tucker said.

“He can’t stay here either,” Annie whispered. “Do something about it.” Her husband dropped his shoulders.

“Alright,” he mumbled. The café owner walked over to the young man sitting at the table.

“Greg,” he said. “Excuse me, Greg.” Tucker tapped him on the shoulder. The young man quickly turned around.

“Huh?” he asked. “Oh. Hi, Mr. Anderson.” Tucker took a seat in front of him.

“What’s on your mind, son?” he asked. The younger man sighed.

“How do I get a girl to like me?” he asked. Tucker gave him a puzzled look.

“Are you talking about Clover?” he asked. Greg sat back with a stunned look on his face.

“How did you know?” he asked. The older man laughed.

“You are just that easy to read,” Tucker said, slapping him on the back. Greg mouthed “ow” as he shuddered.

“So what is the problem?” the older man asked. The young man pushed his brown-blonde hair from his eyes.

“I really fancy her and I want to go out with her,” Greg said. “But she sees me as just a friend.”

“Nightmare,” he said. The younger man sighed and looked up at the ceiling. “I don’t know what to do here.” Greg turned to Tucker for help. The café owner gave him a blank stare.

“Uh…” he said.

Ding-ding!

Greg, Tucker, and Annie looked up to see Muriel, Lewis, Clyde, and Aisha walking into the café. Annie held her breath as she mentally braced herself for more headaches.

“Good morning,” Aisha greeted everyone inside. “I see we are early today.” Annie forced herself her to smile while resisting the urge to scream.

“Hey there, Greg,” Muriel said. “What brings you by here this earlier?” The young man pressed his lips together in a nervous smile. Tucker smacked him on the back.

“Greg here is having girl troubles!” he said aloud. The young man lowered his head with a bright red face.

“Wit Clover?” Clyde asked. Aisha smacked her in the back of her head with her purse.

“Ow!” the dirty old biddy shouted.

“What seems to be the problem?” the leader asked. Greg pressed his lips together and nervously looked away.

“Clover sees me as just as friend,” he mumbled.

“And you want to be more than friends?” Lewis asked. The young man nodded.

“How does she feel?” Annie asked. Greg turned his head.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I can’t seem to get close to her.” He rubbed his forehead and groaned.

“And you really fancy her?” Muriel asked.

“Yes,” the young man said. He clenched his fists under the table. “I just… I want to get through to her and not have her block out any hints of a relationship with her.” From the counter, Annie shook her head. If I left that boy in their hands, he’s going to end up chasing Clover away, she thought. As much as she didn’t enjoy taking this upon herself, it looked like Annie didn’t have much of a choice. She put down her rag and walked over to the table.

“Alright, you lot!” Annie shouted. “Break it up!” She turned to her husband.

“Tucker! Get in the kitchen!” the woman yelled. “And you!” She whipped around to the old biddies.

“Either order something or get out of the Sunny Plum!” Annie barked. The four old biddies sat down at a table next to Greg’s. Tucker put up his hands and walked back to the kitchen. The young man looked at Mrs. Anderson with the eyes with big puppy eyes.

“What about me?” Greg asked. Annie clicked her tongue and shook her head.

“You, come with me!” she said. The café owner marched out the house part of the Sunny Plum. Greg turned the old biddies and gulped. Lewis, Muriel, Clyde, and Aisha said nothing and shook their heads.

“Are you coming?!” Annie shouted. Greg quickly leapt to his feet.

“Yes!” he yelled. The young man quickly raced out the door to catch up with the café owner. The old biddies and Tucker watched as he disappeared out the door. Something told them that she was going to make it worse for that boy. Right now, they could only hope that he would survive this before the summer was over.

They hoped…

Lost in Love