Free Effortless With You by Lizzy Charles

booth.
    In front of everyone.
    I lightly press my hand to his chest. “Zach.” He moves in closer, kissing me farther into the corner. I pretend to laugh. “Zach, not here.” I push my hand against his chest a bit harder. I don’t want to be that couple . He tries kissing me again but I duck away.
    “Fine,” he says, pulling away from me. “So?”
    “Can we just talk a bit?”
    He shrugs. “If that’s what you want.” His hand moves back to the salt shaker. He starts pouring salt out in a little mountain on the table.
     “It’s not that I don’t like kissing you. You’re really good at it.” I nudge him. He gives me his crooked smile. “I just want to tell you about the hospital.”
     “The hospital? What happened?” The salt mountain grows larger. I scoot closer and interlace my fingers in his salt-shaker free hand. I tell him about the fainting and the emergency room. The salt shaker is almost empty so I skip everything about my parents. When I get to the nurse’s part, his eyes drift toward the billiards room. I have to admit, he isn’t the best listener. I change topics mid-sentence, trying to reel him back in.
    “So then I guess I punched Justin. He’s got a big black eye,” I exaggerate.
    Zach's attention returns. “That’s my girl. I knew I liked you for a reason.”
    I knew I liked you for a reason. Was he trying to remember this whole time why he liked me?
    “Listen, how about we go play pool? I’m amazing. You can be on my team.” He stands up and holds out his hand.
    I hold in a sigh. That’s the last thing I want to do. I know guys aren’t like characters in the movies that sweep you off your feet, but it’d be nice if he had a bit more patience for my story. But there’s no use forcing someone to listen. I reach out, allowing him to lead me to the other room.
    Marissa yanks me aside when we arrive. “What’s wrong with you? I just saw you completely smothered by Zach at the table—”
    “I know. I made him stop so people wouldn’t get uncomfortable.”
    “No. That’s not what I mean. Why do you look so depressed? You just kissed a super hot guy. Smile or you’ll lose him.” I take a deep breath. Sometimes Marissa can be too pushy. But there’s no way I can confront her here. Not now. She’s always apologetic when I point it out to her in private. She doesn’t do well with confrontation in public. So, I give her my best smile.
    “Good,” she whispers.
    Drama avoided.
    “Who’s up for a new game? Teams?” Zach announces. “So Lucy and I versus Matt and Miguel?” I scan the room, looking for a way out. I suck at pool. I spot a familiar bushy head of hair. Alex smiles and waves at me.
    “Actually, Zach, I need to go take care of something.” I nod toward Alex waving at the other end of the room.
    “Oh, is that one of your new painting geeks?”
    “Something like that.” I want to say that he is actually nice but the look on Zach’s face makes me stop. He glares at Alex, obviously not a fan.
    “Suit yourself. I’m not really into hanging out with kids.”
    “Want to win a game with me?” Marissa asks Zach.
    I bite the inside of my cheek. This is so wrong. I don’t need to watch Marissa fake flirt anymore, especially if it involves Zach. I’d rather hang out with kids.
    Alex’s smile grows as I walk over. At least someone likes me.
    “Lucy, you’re alive!” He gives me a quick hug.
    “Yup.” I hug him back.
    Alex turns and taps a cute freckled girl on the shoulder. “Sally, this is Lucy. Lucy, this is my girlfriend Sally.” I smile back. Her rich red hair is fixed in a cute, chopped bob, which her flowing tank dress and Converse shoes only accentuate. She has that 1950’s glamorous build to her in cute, punk clothing.
    “Your boyfriend tried to save my butt the other day,” I explain. “He’s a smart guy.” Alex beams and Sally looks up at him with green doe eyes. I wonder if that’s how Zach and I look together.
    “Smart? Are you sure