New Friends

You and Elsie sit there a time. Smiling, happy, enjoying each other's company. You begin to talk. Not of the family drama or the events of the night, just...talking. Something had changed. Everything just felt so right again. A feeling you hadn't felt at least since the big reveal and if you were honest a lot longer than that. It felt like it did when you were young. In fact, it felt even better. No more secrets and lies and hidden feelings.

Your girlfriend...ex-girlfriend...was likely at this moment taking it from your super hung mother and you just didn't care. Honestly, you couldn't remember being happier.

It takes a longer time than usual, especially given how slow business was in the restaraunt, for you to get your plate of nachos. When Felix does finally return with it you notice he is out of his uniform. He now wore a torso hugging slate grey v neck sweater with his dark slacks. The slim fitting style combined with his Latin good looks made it look like he just stepped off of a plane from Europe.

He sets the platter down between you with a bright smile.

"I was just clocking out but I wanted to make sure you guys got your order." He says. You smile at his lie, a transparent excuse to talk to Elsie again. "So, um, Elsie...I was wondering..." He shifts nervously, Elsie shifts nervously. Both of them look at each other...and silence falls.

Ask her dummy! Ask her for her number!

The awkward moment goes on and on, both of them shifting and squirming. A sheen of sweat was suddenly visible on Felix's tan brow. "Uhh...ummm..." He mumbles as he stares at your beautiful sister. He was faltering...bad.

You finally decide to step in. "Hey Felix, why don't you join us? We've got more here than we can eat."

Elsie looks over at you, a bit surprised. You could hear Felix let out a gasp of relief. He looks at you with grateful eyes, as if to say 'thanks bro'.

"You're sure it is no trouble?" He asks. "I'm not interrupting?"

"Nah." You smile. "El and I are having a great night. But a new friend could only make it better." You internally cringe at how corny that sounded, but what the hell...it was true! In this new reality that you and Elsie had agreed upon it was time for you guys not to be so insular. "El, scooch over a bit."

"Oh...yes, of course." El grins and slides to her left. Felix slips in beside her.

"Hey thanks guys." Felix says. "Listen, I didn't take my lunch today. I'll get them to comp this for you."

"Free nachos! Ha, my cunning plan worked!" You quip, and then add with sincerity. "Thanks Felix."

"Yeah, thanks." El echoes.

He waves his hand. "No problem. Uh, I am expecting a friend pretty soon..."

"Sure." You grin. "They can join us when they get here."

He nods.

The three of you begin to chat and nibbling away at the nacho platter. At first you are doing most of the talking. You talking to El, you talking to Felix, you just talking to keep the conversation going. Elsie was jittery, nervous, and overly bashful. She was truly trying her best but after so long as a near shut in your sister had no game. She just hadn't any experience interacting with the opposite sex, but she tried mightily. You were proud of her. She was attracted to Felix now that she really took a look at him, she kept glancing his way when she didn't think he was looking. Surprisingly Felix wasn't much better. He very obviously liked El and she was definitely the reason he was here, but he seemed more at ease talking with you.

After a while though both of them slowly begin to loosen up. You found yourself talking less and less. Before you knew it you were barely talking at all. Both of them were now speaking excitedly about some big open world game that was in development. Elsie's laugh, her twinkling eyes, she looked so alive! It was a joy to behold.

Suddenly you hear a voice behind you. A voice as smooth as liquid honey. The silvery sing-song voice of an angel.

"Felix my dear, who do we have here?"

Felix turns and his face lights up. "Casey!"

You turn in your seat to see...to see...wow! Wow! WOW!

Slender, graceful, she was simply elegance personified. She was tall for a woman, as tall as you were. She was thin but not stilt skinny. Her body had an exquisite flow to it, lithe and shapely. She didn't have the hips or breasts of your family. She was long and lean, the type of woman that would turn heads in a classy evening gown. Her skin was pale, though not sallow or sickly. Pale and flawless.

The most striking thing of all about her was her long sumptuous flowing deep scarlet red hair. It hung to her butt, an undulating cascade of crimson locks. A more perfect head of hair you had never seen. Contrasting this was her wide vibrant green eyes that seemed to positively glow in the bright lights of the restaurant.

She wore luscious red lipstick that almost matched her hair exactly. Nail polish of the same shade. She wore a fern green high collared loose lace blouse, the flowing sleeves coming down to just below her elbows. Her ivory white midi skirt was tied tightly around her narrow waist. A small broach of a red rose and white pumps completes the ensemble.

Felix gets up and hugs his friend. They kiss each other on the cheek.

Felix turns back. "Casey. This is Elsie and Jesse Bailey. And, guys, this is Casey."

"Hello." Elsie smiles and offers a hand. Casey reaches across and they do the weird not quite a handshake thing girls sometimes do.

She then turns and offers you her hand, holding it out like an old fashioned lady might do to a gentleman. You take her long delicate fingers into your hand. You weren't sure whether to kiss it or shake it, you settle for a friendly squeeze and a grin.

She smiles at you, her bright white teeth shining from between her ruby lips. "Nice to meet you Jesse Bailey."

Sparks fly!

You weren't sure if it was just you but...again...WOW!

You shift over in your seat to give Casey a spot. She slides in beside you, her movements controlled and graceful as a ballerina. She had a warm welcoming aroma of rose petals, incense, and a sensual concoction of other smells. Like femininity itself had been distilled down into a fragrance. It was...she was...intoxicating.

"Sorry Casey, we didn't leave much for you." Elsie apologizes, pointing at the near empty platter between you all.

Casey was far more interested in you and El than the food however. "That's okay Elsie, I'm not hungry. I'm just here to pick up my guy. I have to know, how did you manage to get my shy Felix out of his shell?"

Felix laughs. "I'm not that shy. So Jesse here said I was cute and, well, we all just kind of hit it off." Felix offers.

"Did he? Did he really?" Casey asks, perking up with seeming interest. Christ...that voice!

You blush, Casey's striking emerald eyes take note of that and she smiles. You mumble. "It wasn't quite like that...it uh, I was just pointing it out to my sister."

"Well, you're not wrong. Felix is my sexy boy, he just needs a bit of confidence and he would be a heart breaker."

You raise your eyebrows. "Your sexy boy? Oh, are you and he...together?"

There is a moment of silence before they both burst out laughing. Casey's laughter, that clear smooth voice of hers, was like music. "Me and....him!? Ha ha ha! No, no, no. God. That would be like dating my brother. That would be like you and Elsie dating. YEESH!"

It was Elsie's turn to blush.

Felix chimes in. "We did go on one date...but...ha ha ha! Let's just say it didn't go well."

"Too weird. No, I love the guy but not like that." Casey says.

Some part of you is deeply relieved...and not for Elsie's sake. Fuck, you hadn't even officially broken it off with Allison and you were already checking out the field? But...Allie never...it just wasn't like this with Allie. There was just something about Casey.

The conversation soon settles back into a friendly easy rhythm. At first it is all four of you talking, laughing, joking and...eventually...flirting. El and Felix are soon once more lost in a conversation all their own which left you talking to Casey. Which was just fine for you.

You discover she goes to the same college as you but her classes were mostly in different buildings from yours. You learn her mother is an actor and her father a director, both for the stage. They were currently in London for a play her father was directing. You learn that Casey was well traveled. She had tales of adventure from Europe, Japan, and Australia. You mention how your grandparents retired as beach bums in Vietnam. She mentions her desire to visit that tropical and hospitable country and says your grandparents chose a wonderful retirement destination.

You talk about many things but it is the unspoken communication that conveyed the most. Casey was so...at ease, so comfortable with herself and with you. At no point do the pair of you actually touch but the desire is always there. There are glances, little stares that linger too long, smiles and giggles at things that weren't really that funny, small movements where physical contact is almost made. The chemistry between you is undeniable.

You barely notice, but from what you can tell Elsie is having as good a time as you are.

It is with regret you hear Felix stretch and say. "Well, we should really get going. Early morning tomorrow. El..." El, not Elsie, you note. "...can I have your number?" She eagerly agrees. The pair of them do so.

You turn to Casey and smile, you motion toward the pair across the table. Casey, for the first time this evening, looks worried.

"Um...Jesse...I need to tell you..." She begins uncertainly. Your heart sinks. Did she not want to exchange numbers? Ohhhh shit. She had a boyfriend. That must be it. Of course she would! She was fucking perfect! Of course she would. GAH! She takes a deep breath, fortifying herself for what she was about to say.

Before she can get it out a quartet of loud half drunk business men come bursting through the doors. They are loud, boisterous, and obnoxious. Their raucous merriment fills the diner with an unwelcome noise. The few other customers glare over toward the men breaking the quiet mood of the place.

The waitress, the woman who had taken over from Felix, leads them over and sits them in the booth right next to yours. Felix glares at his coworker as she passes by. "Thanks a lot!"

The men make a few remarks about your group. Some lewd and not really appropriate for public airing.

This all flusters Casey even more. She glances over her shoulder at the boorish men with annoyance. The moment, the mood, the opportunity to say what she wanted to say evaporated.

She instead swaps numbers with you. "Call me Jesse, we'll talk later."

"Uh..yeah." You grin as you enter her contact info. "I will."

She smiles back, a light pink blush coloring her cheeks, and says with soft sincerity. "I hope you do."

Your heart skips a beat as that emerald gaze holds yours.

"Call her Jesse! Fuckin booty callllll!" One of the drunks having heard the exchange bellows. Once more the moment is shattered.

"Fuck off!" You growl at him. This just sends the four men into a fit of hysterics.

The four of you gather your things and make your way out of the restaurant. Hugs are given at the doorway. You all say how wonderful it was to meet the others and promises are made to meet up again. You chat a short time more and then split off toward your separate cars.

You and Elsie get into your car. Once more the pair of you sit in silence, like you had in front of the house earlier that night. This time however the emotions were much different. Joy, excitement, and a warm sibling togetherness filled the inside of your car. You finally look at each other and you both let out an uncontrollable laugh of happiness.

"Well...that was nice!" Elsie says.