Matt, hang in there, sweetie... also, Germany on a coffee run and concerned Spain...

What? No, this can NOT be happening...

I couldn't believe it. Alfred started talking to her... smiling and looking completely at ease, as though he'd known her forever. She laughed shyly at something he said, and he grinned at her.

Matt, you are such a loser. God... look at this. You've been trying to talk to her for the past six months but because you're such a dork, you missed your opportunity. Alfred got there first, now you have to watch him with her...

"Um, excuse me," a voice woke me up from my thoughts. I blinked. That guy that runs the gym (Ludwig or something like that) was standing in front of me with three cups of coffee in one of those cardboard trays and a box of donuts. Oops, I was blocking his way and he looked a little annoyed.

"Sorry," I mumbled, quickly jumping out of the way. He hurried on, grumbling something in what sounded like German.

Meanwhile, Alfred continued chatting with her, working the old Alfred charm... everyone always noticed Alfred. I sighed. You shouldn't be surprised, Matt. It's just business as usual. Then, suddenly, a thought came into my mind.

That jerk! I told him I liked her. I told him all about it. And now, he's over there... uuuuugggghhhh.

I got so mad I couldn't think. My vision blurred and I could feel my hands clenching into fists. I felt a little dizzy, so I dropped into the nearest empty chair.

"Hey, you okay? You don't look so good." It was that Antonio guy that owns the plant nursery, sitting at the next table. He looked worried. "You been sick or something?"

"Nah, I'm fine," I mumbled. I looked at my hands and realized that I had marks on them where the edges of my fingernails had been digging into my palms.

"You sure? You really don't look good, amigo," he continued. I wondered what he meant, then I caught sight of my reflection again. Wow, I really didn't look good. My face was pale except for my cheeks which were bright red. My eyes had a weird glassy look to them... I didn't even look like me.

"I'll be all right," I told Antonio, who looked like he didn't quite believe me.

"All right, amigo. Just take it easy, okay?"

"Right." I turned away from him and sat with my head resting on my hands. My fingers hurt from clenching them so tightly and my headache had come roaring back with a vengeance.

Alfred, how could you? I always trusted you... I always told you everything. I always thought you had my back... so what? Was that so you could stab me in it?

Ding! My phone buzzed in my pocket. I ignored it.

Ding! It buzzed again.

Then it rang. I ignored it.

Ding! A voicemail. Not now, not now...

I looked up. Alfred was still sitting there with her, but now he was texting someone. She was sitting there, drinking her coffee and looking out the window.

Ding! Another text.

"What?" I growled, yanking the phone from my pocket.

3 New Messages 1 Missed Call 1 New Voice Mail

The newest:

Alfred: Matty where r u rite now?