NATASHA EQUINOX COLDWELL's POV
Everything is not going my way.
"Where am I supposed to find him?" I muttered as a whisper. I should have told him when I was still in Harriet Hills. Up until then, I was having a bad afternoon. Since all classes and organizations are postponed until tomorrow, I decided to do my work shift earlier than usual.
Zeus offered to drive me and Kyn to the coffee shop. I practically threw myself into the car, rolling over to the other seat so Kyn can settle herself, far more elegant than I did. She made no move to talk to me, neither do Zeus, which I was thankful for. Normally, we would comfort each other about our problems. Maybe they're waiting for me patiently to speak up first before they would ask anything to me, and I love them for doing that. I stared at the blurring surroundings on my windows. 'It was probably raining.' I thought. No, it's not raining. Silently, I let the tears fall. Nyx, don't be sensitive.
***
"Ooh, Nyx!" Dalia, my co-worker says, helping me put on my apron as I tie my hair up into a neat bun. "You're here early!" I put on my clear frame eyeglasses, which I wasn't supposed to be using since it's for anti-radiation. But why not? It helps me to cover my swollen eyes. "So you'll go home early too?" I nodded as an answer and thought about the things I should do tomorrow.
"One Cappucino for Renz!" I shouted, loud enough to catch the attention of the said name. I was supposed to be a barista at first, but then I spilled coffee at a lady. Fortunately, she looked like she was in a good mood. She even ordered two more of it, made by me, even if it probably tastes bad.
Now, here I am. Stuck at the coffee counter, receiving orders, shouting all through my shift, and even writing names on cups. Zeus highly suggested that I should put smiley faces or cute drawings beside the names, so here I am practicing doodling happy faces on a notepad.
The customers were few during in the afternoon unlike at night. By continuing drawing faces, I got myself busy. After a couple of hours, a guy with spectacles walked towards me which interrupted my dumbfounded look. I cleared my throat.
"One Americano and an iced latte please." I nodded as I jotted down his orders on my notepad, making sure it's a new piece of paper and not the space I used for drawing. After minutes, the drinks were already made.
"The name?" I asked, remembering that I should only put names when the drinks are in a paper cup. Well, the cold drinks are placed in glasswares.
"River."
No way. A coincidence?
As soon as I heard the name, I lifted my head. I caught the guy's eyes as mine widened. I can't help but feel a weird smile parade across my face. The guy was obviously confused at my act that's why I started writing down River's name on the cup. I looked around, my eyes stop when I saw him with his denim jacket, the bandages were noticeable since they formed an irregular shape on the right side of the jacket. I continued writing and decided to invite him through this cup instead of telling him personally.
"Can you please wait?" I pleaded with the guy customer, likely River's friend. I looked around if there are no customers in line. The guy didn't answer nor nod but he didn't move at all. I went back to my locker to get the invitation. I slid the invitation between the zarf and the cup as I double-checked my note on the cup. I made sure to add a smiley face at the end. My practices are so worth it.
'River, I already have thought of the favor. Please come to my father's birthday party tomorrow. Please. :)'
The guy approached River and sat in front of him. River looked around as he stopped at me, raising his eyebrows. He gave me an 'am-I-really-supposed-to-be-doing-this' look. I nodded and smiled confidently as an answer. His eyes flickered from mine to his friend. I watched them having a conversation as I found myself slowly losing my smile.
"Will he refuse?" I talked to myself in a shaky voice. But before losing hope, his friend walked to me again, bringing River's cup.
"A refill, please." He gave me a grimaced look. My mouth parted when he replied by writing on his cup too. It was neatly written with a pen.
'Okay. But you have to guide me, and when we're there, don't leave me alone. People might talk to me. -R'
After the cup is refilled, I wrote my reply.
'Thanks! You can meet me at the lobby of my condo later at night or tomorrow morning. Clothes and transportation are on me.'
After a while, the guy returned, now annoyed. "Extra sugar please."
'Where we first met? -R'
I wrote my reply.
'Yes.'
The guy came back with the cup once again. This time he didn't speak.
'Later midnight. -R'
Once again, I wrote my reply.
'Midnight it is.'
I watched the guy approaching River, aggressively putting down the cup. Luckily, the coffee didn't spill.
"I am not a mailman. Weirdos."