--THEO--

The lengths I go for a good Americano.

You see, today wasn't a particularly pleasant or unpleasant day. It was just, one of those days I suppose. Let me tell you, I have tried the Americano from every remotely coffee-related shop in the city. Sure, our city isn't the biggest but that's besides the point. The point is, I've gone everywhere and every shop has proven to be —

Just an utter disappointment.

It honestly shouldn't be this hard. It's a decent espresso with a massive dose of water. Of course, when I put it that way it sounds rather easy and I shouldn't be complaining. Which is fair, but I've been spoiled for far too long by Jes's godsend of an Americano. I'm not even a true coffee lover, but something about the way Jes makes the Americano is pure bliss. Heck, I've even tried her other coffee creations and haven't hated them. Yet.

Anyways, back to what I was saying. I've wandered all over the city, using up so many of my precious gap year days just to find something remotely close to Jes's and found nothing.

I'm walking around, alone, on this average sort of day. The sun is out and shining down on the cracked sidewalk and blinding me as it hits that stop sign, but it's cold, like unnecessarily cold. The hoodie I yanked on this morning is not nearly enough and I've since pulled the hood up and tucked my hands into its pockets. I'm pretty sure the elderly population believes I'm up to no good with my cap, hood up, black mask combo. I have proof of this mind you.

I jogged past a park a few blocks back and waved at a little girl. She was sitting on the swings and giggling. When she spotted me she obviously waved back because she's a friendly child, obviously. Her grandma who was on the bench a few meters away immediately frowned in my direction and called the little girl away from the swings. Like, c'mon. I'm not gonna rob a penniless child. I've got more brains than that. I'd obviously rob the grandma.

. . .

Kidding I promise. I'm not a robber. Yet. That university debt hasn't attacked so far, so I'm fine. Anyways, that grandma and little girl left the park right after. The grandma was constantly glancing back at me as if I was going to stalk them. Psh.

So, I'm *still* looking for my anti-depresso espresso, elderly people deem me a hazard to society and I think that's a paint stain on my jeans. I don't talk very much mind you, but since you seem to want to read about my life I suppose I have to. I've jumped around quite a bit so let me bring you back to the present.

I'm standing at a crosswalk, waiting for the light change. Behind me is a cute flower shop, which, now that I think about it, usually leads to a quaint little —

Oh my god.

It's a bloody hole in the wall, cottage core decorated, cozy little COFFEE SHOP.

Of all the odds. It has one of those covering thingies that has the name of the shop on the flap. Coffee N' Sweets in gold calligraphy. The front of the shop is 90% window and instead of those neon open signs it has one of those chalkboard stands with "open" flourished across the top. There's a wooden bench off to the side and some lil plants.

Oh! Light change.

I take a little hop off the sidewalk and start walking along the white line to reach the other side, cuz I am definitely going into that shop. Cuz why not? I have time and it looks almost too good to be true.

BUT

As I near the other side, the sudden roar of a motorcycle engine comes from down the street. I look back and immediately leap the extra metre onto the sidewalk because someone speeding on their frickin' motorcycle comes barreling around the corner almost running all 5 metres and 4 inches of me into the pavement. They disappear around the corner and it's not like I can do anything about it so whatever. Standing up again has led me to discover more paint stains running up my left thigh and wow, doesn't that say something about me. Laundry day? Washing clothes? Nope, I suppose I just haven't washed these yet cuz I was working with pastel colours a week ago.

I finally make it into the café and spot the sad little hiring sign dangling in the corner. Odd. Anyway, I meander over to the counter and luckily there is no one in line. I pull my hood down and tug my cap off for a quick hair fix, too many bits getting in my eyes jeez.

"Hello there! What can I get you?"

"Americano please."

The barista behind the counter smiles and punches in the order.

"Can I interest you in one of our pastries? They're just fresh out of the oven!"

I open my mouth to refuse politely when my stomach decides to remind me that breakfast was damn near 6 hours ago. She giggles, and I guess she hasn't dealt with too many dumbasses today since she offers a recommended pastry at half off.

"Sure, thanks."

She adds the pastry to my order and reads out the total. I hand her the cash and she makes a quick look behind me before going to grab my order. Damn, a seat opened up and I want it. I look for the barista again and when she makes eye contact I do a half-wave and gesture kind of awkwardly at the table. She nods in understanding and gives a quick thumbs up. I nod my head in thanks and scoot over.

After sitting down I scope out the place and find that there weren't too many people paying attention to that weird exchange thank gosh. I pull out my phone and check for a Wi-Fi connection.

Score! Free Wi-Fi, nice.

I snap a picture of the sad hiring sign and send it to Jes.

Jessie J 😘: ( Oo! Where? )

Teddster 😎: ( Across from that flower shop )

( Dey got noice coloured roses btw )

Jessie J 😘: ( Actually? Ive been looking for them!! )

Teddster 😎: ( Why'd'ya think I mention 'em? )

Jessie J 😘: ( Rude )

( Anyways, coffee shop? Any good? )

Teddster 😎: ( Dunno, haven't eaten yet )

Jessie J 😘: ( Address address address )

Teddster 😎: ( Hang on hang on )

I look up at the window I'm sitting next to and thank every deity that the address is on the window I'm sitting next to. I shoot Jes the address and get a heart in reply. I grin and tuck my phone back into my jeans just as the barista comes walking up. I smile and give a quick thanks as she places my coffee and oo, it's matcha, slice of cake thing in front of me.

I go to dig in but she places one more plate in front of me. I blink down at the sandwich then blink up at her.

"It's for you getting almost run over by a motorcycle."

This time I look confused. She was clearly in the shop when that happened so she couldn't possibly be the one who almost ran me over. I open my mouth to question her, but she walks off. I am not yelling across a coffee shop no thank you, so I put my cap on the table and walk over with the sandwich.

She sees me and holds a hand up to stop me from speaking.

"Eat. If I see the jerk who almost ran you over I'll make them pay double the price. It's just not nice to do that to people and not stop to check on them."

I blink. "Thanks, that's really nice of you." I give her a 10 and walk back to my seat. I snap another picture, circle the sandwich and send it to Jes.

Teddster 😎: ( Hehe free food )

Jessie J😘: ( Oho, and what happened? )

I hit send on my reply before remembering the consequences.

Teddster 😎: ( Almost got run over by a motorcycle barista saw it )

Jessie J 😘: ( You almost WHAT )

Oops.

Teddster 😎: ( I'm fine Jes nuthin wrong )

Jessie J 😘: ( Theodore Kingston Tan u almost got RUN OVER by a MOTORCYCLE )

( U dont get to tell me ur fine )

( I will come over there right now )

Teddster 😎: ( You're havin lunch w ur sister who just got back from who knows

where )

( Dont even try that )

( Srsly I'm fine )

( Not a scratch see? )

I take the quickest most awkward selfie with a simple V sign and send it to her. She's clearly not happy, by the way her speech bubble pops up and disappears 100 times I swear. I finally get a "fine," and breathe a sigh of relief. I grab my sandwich and pause.

No.

I gotta try the coffee first. I put the sandwich down and pick up the coffee. No hopes left really, so I give it a quick blow and take a sip.

Average. Exceptionally average. It's much better than any of the places I've been to, but still pretty average. I'm not being stingy, I swear.

I put the cup back down and grab my sandwich again. It's pretty good, and hey! They put bacon in here! That sandwich didn't stand a chance, and it's gone before I really realize it. By now my coffee's pretty cool, I take a few gulps and pull the dessert towards me. It's adorable, no I'm not ashamed of admitting it. Even if the little fruits and mint leaves weren't decorated on top the little pastry cake thing would still be cute.

I make sure to eat it slowly this time, because honestly, it's giving me a high-up noble, tea time dessert vibes. If that makes any sense.

I'm just about through with the dessert when my phone decides to ring. I check the caller ID before picking it up.

"Hey, Jes. Wassup?"

"Don't you 'hey Jes' me mister."

"I already showed you proof. What more do you want?"

"I want...I...I don't remember what I wanted. Damn it!"

I smirk. "Bruh, you called me, can't help you there."

"I know I know gimmie a second."

While Jes is racking her brain, the barista comes back with a pot and— Oh! They do refills. I grin up at her and she gives me a smile in return. She gestures at my half-empty cup, and I nod, mouthing a "thank you" at her. She mouths back a "you're welcome" and wanders off.

"I remember!" Jes practically screams and I yank the phone away from my ear. I give my head a quick shake before carefully bringing the phone back.

"You remember? Quieter?"

"Oh! Right. Mirasaidsheboughtusoutfitsandsheneedsyou."

I nod, "Really? How cool are they? When?"

"She wants you for her photoshoot this weekend. You're free obviously, I'll come get you at 10, then we'll go get lunch. Chinese. You want Chinese? No. We had Chinese last time. How about Korean? There's a new place that just opened, and I've been craving bibimbap."

"Sure, Korean sounds good. They also have barbeque? What time's the shoot? How much is it this time?" I sip my coffee.

"Yeah! I think they have samgyupsal so that's good for you. Bit more than last time. Shoot, then lunch, then coffee shop so I can apply."

"Alright, sounds good. We matching?"

"No," I hear her pout before she continues, "I'm not allowed to match with you until the line launches and that's in two weeks."

"K, you wanna come over tonight? The fosters move back into the floor below tomorrow and we're having a team dinner type thing."

"Of course! I'll bring the snacks for the movie night!"

"K, see ya later."

"Bye bye!"

"Ciao."

I tuck my phone away and stack the plates. The clock on the wall says 2:30. Alright, not bad. I can still get the other stuff for the hotpot tonight. I stand, gulp down the rest of my coffee and then take the dishes over to the return-it counter on the side.

The barista looks surprised to see me.

"I do it wrong?" I ask, looking around.

"No, no!" she's waving her hands around and I look back at her. "No one usually brings it back is all."

Oh.

I blink. "I'll just. Leave these here then?"

She nods vigorously and I nod too. I put them down and thank her once more before turning to leave.

"I like your hat!"

I grin. "Thanks!"

The hat in question is pretty simple really. A black snap-back with one of those chubby little frogs holding a leaf. I brush my hair back and pull the cap back on. Then the mask. Then I wander back outside, tip my head up and just, ya know, bask in the sunlight that hits my face like a cat. Sunlight smells nice, so does rain and before rain.

If you know you know.

I turn back to the sidewalk and start walking.

-We can have hotpot.-

I cross the road.

-The market by the apartment has some sales on veggies when I checked this morning.-

I walk back past the flower shop.

-Presents! Flowers would be easiest.-

I stop.

They've got a huge selection, with a whole whack of colours, that's cool. Aha, I knew reading that flower book would come in handy. Not to mention that Alicia loves studying flowers and their meanings.

I've got a mission now. I am literally stalking the red flower section.

Finally, I find the peonies and pull a nice unbloomed batch. Next, to the white flower section. I've never successfully come in at the right time to find these, but today I must've been doused in luck cuz I found the best batch of white periwinkles. I throw in some Sakuras because, yes, and then wander over to the counter.

With a smile, I lay the flowers on the counter and stick my hand into my pocket for my wallet. The cashier seems done with the day already and barely acknowledges my existence. I spy the torn up sheets and coffee cup in the trash just as she rings in the final batch of flowers. She then pushes the card reader towards me.

"$28.50."

I nod and pull out the cash. She looks at it with barely concealed disgust and reluctantly takes the bills and coins from me. She counts it out much slower than needed but I don't tell her that. Finally, she tucks the money into the register and practically shoves the flowers at me.

"Thanks, hope your day gets better," I tell her and pick up the flowers. She blinks at me startled before I exit the shop.

Glancing at my watch again I mentally face-palm. Dude, you've got time.

I cross the street once again and enter the coffee shop. The barista sees me again and gives a wave.

"Back already?" she grins.

"Couldn't get enough," I smile.

I place a quick to-go order and wander over to the side where the sugars and other add-ons are. Thankfully this hoodie has one of the small baggies I made as a gag gift that Jes loved for some reason. I pull it out and drop a few packets of sugar inside, a handful of creams and two stir sticks. I quickly seal it up with the sticker and turn back to the counter.

The barista waves me over instead of yelling and I trot over. She pushes the cup towards me.

"Thanks. Weird question, you have a sticky-note and sharpie by any chance?"

She tips her head and then just shrugs. "Yeah, hold on a second."

She disappears around the corner and comes back a minute later with a small stack of big sticky-notes and a blue sharpie.

She hands it to me, and I glance behind to see if anyone has come in yet. Nope, I'm good. I bend down and scribble out a few words before taking the sticky-note. Handing the supplies back, I thank her again before grabbing the coffee and leaving.

I cross the road one more time and peek into the flower shop. The girl is not there, she must have gone into the back. I slip into the shop quickly, stick the note to the cup, place it next to the register with the baggie and make a swift exit.

————————————————————————

The apartment is set up now, pot is ready, food that can be out, is out, meats in the fridge. I clap for myself cuz no one is there to judge me. Blinking up at the clock, the time reads 4:30. Their practice should be over by now.

I grab a jacket this time and step into my sneakers. Smacking my pockets to make sure I have what I need, I step out the door. Closing it behind me, I jog over to the stairs and make my way down.

Making my way downtown,

Walking fast

Faces pass and I'm schoolbound.

Doo doo doo do do do doo

I'm humming this mind you, lyrics in my head. I ain't about to sing on a busy sidewalk, no thank you.

Ba da da bum bum bum bum

And I need you

Ba da da bum bum bum bum

And I miss you

Ba da da bum bum bum bum

And now I won—derrrr

There's the school.

I weave through the parking lot and up onto the sidewalk. Rounding the front of the school I walk towards the gym and wave. Because lo' and behold, they're out before me. The triplets with widely varying personalities stand with their respective friends and the one a year younger plays hopscotch within their eyesight. I'm so proud. They've grown so much from when they came a year ago.

Corvus spots me first and sprints from his game, backpack threatening to fall off with the sheer speed of his take off. I brace for impact with my arms open wide. He crashes into me and I smile, squeezing him just as tightly. The triplets turn in unison to scold him, but they spot me and just grin.

The trio wave their goodbyes and run over as well. They each get their own hug and we turn to head home.

The roar of a motorcycle stops us.