Instead of manually watching Klaus and the younger me walk to the establishment, Death thought it would be better to skip the non-essential parts of the memory and go ahead.
Now, we were standing outside a cafe.
It was probably the prettiest cafe I've ever visited in my short life.
Its exterior was adorned with oversized floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing sunlight to pour into the space and creating a warm and welcoming ambiance. The facade is a tasteful mix of exposed brick and sleek, dark metal, giving it an industrial chic feel.
While the sidewalk seating area was furnished with trendy, mismatched chairs and tables, cozy throw pillows adorn the seats, inviting possible customers to sit back and relax while enjoying the street scene. The wooden lattice partitions offer privacy while maintaining an open-air vibe, making them perfect for people-watching in style.
"Where do you want to dine, inside the cafe or outside?" Klaus asked.
"Outside," I answered promptly.
He nodded, and we sat at a random table in the sidewalk seating area. Soon, a waiter who looked like he had broccoli for a head came to get their orders.
"That's an odd way of describing someone," Death said.
I shrugged. "I just thought that's the best way to put it."
"But what's odder is that you went on a date with someone you just talked to once." He paused dramatically, as if thinking. "Then again, you were the same girl who fell in love with an idiot who couldn't even answer a middle school recitation."
I blushed furiously.
"It's not a date!" I replied defensively. "We just went out to eat lunch, that's all."
"It's called a lunch date for a reason, Evangeline."
I didn't know how to defend myself any longer, so I just pouted and crossed my arms. Death smiled as if he won something valuable.
"So," I drawled, placing my elbow on the table while resting my chin on my hand. "Why are we here?"
"Hm?" Klaus feigned innocence. "What do you mean?
"Why would someone that I barely know suddenly ask me out?" I continued. "Tell me, Santa. What do you need from me?"
Klaus's blue eyes widened, and his mouth was slightly agape as he stifled a gasp. He didn't seem to think he'd be caught red-handed with his plan.
"Whoa!" Death exclaimed. "The badass Evangeline is already out to get him, huh?" Death froze, his eyebrows scrunching together. "Wait, you were aware?"
"Of course, I knew!" I rolled my eyes at Death. "What do you think I am, an idiot?"
"I didn't say that!"
"You implied!"
"No, I implied that you were gullible." Death corrected.
Once again, I rolled my eyes so dramatically that I almost saw my brain. "He wasn't exactly being discreet with his suspicious actions."
Finally, when he overcame his initial shock, Klaus took a deep breath. He cleared his throat and was about to speak when the food arrived. Once it was neatly placed on their table, I eyed the food with obvious hunger. Klaus gestured for me to eat, and so I did.
I devoured my meal, only giving Klaus a glance for a second, but I saw it. I saw his sinister smile.
"You got me, Evangeline." He said. "I do have a hidden agenda."
He casually starts digging in, but elegantly. This person has excellent table manners.
"I knew it!" Death punched the air proudly. "I fucking knew it!"
"I'm trying to recruit you."
"Wait, what?" Death's head snapped in his direction.
"Excuse me?" I shared Death's sentiments.
"Student council," Klaus smiled.
I almost choked on my meal. Klaus immediately poured me a glass of water. I chugged the whole glass down in one sitting, slamming the glass on the table once I was done.
"Excuse me?!" I repeated it, this time with more tenacity.
"Sorry for the suddenness, Evangeline." Klaus bowed his head, his forehead almost touching the table.
"Please raise your head, Santa!" I said nervously, looking around them as people were already staring.
Klaus lifted his head and continued.
"We're shortstaffed this year. We need someone who is responsible and independent enough to do tasks without much supervision. And I believe you fit the bill quite nicely."
I gave a deep frown.
"You got all of that just from helping me earlier?" I asked, though it was more of a rhetorical one than a real question.
No, that's stupid. Klaus didn't strike as the spontaneous type of guy to do as he liked in the heat of the moment. He's too by-the-book. This could only mean...
"Wait a sec," I exclaimed. "Were you watching me ever since the bulletin board fiasco?"
He didn't even bother denying it.
"I don't mean to come off as creepy, Evangeline. But yes."
"But you are," Death said.
"Don't get me wrong!" Klaus blushed brightly. "It's not like I'm a stalker or anything. I just… It was for…"
He tried to form a reason, but his words failed him. Klaus looked down and stared at his place, as if the food there would suddenly stand upright and start dancing if he did.
"Wow."
Klaus looked up at me, and his eyes were watering in embarrassment.
"Don't worry, Santa; I don't think you're the stalker type of guy. I'm honestly amazed by the dedication." I leaned closer, my voice turning lower. "But why me? Do you not know who I am?"
"You're the possible valedictorian of your year," Klaus replied.
"Yes, that's true. But I also kick people's asses in my spare time."
"Oh, yes." Klaus frowned, his hopeful tone changing. "I heard you almost got into a fight with Boss a few weeks ago. Please be careful, Evangeline. Boss isn't a person you should get close with."
Death raised an eyebrow at Klaus's warning.
"So am I, Klaus," I warned him back. "So am I."
"Anyway," Klaus shook his head, completely disregarding my words. "I hope you consider my invitation."
I opened my lips to say something, to argue with him, possibly. But as I attempted to stab my fork into my food, I realized nothing was left.
I looked at Klaus's plate and saw that he was also empty.
"We should hurry, Evangeline," Klaus said, seemingly unaffected that I threatened him. "It's almost time for our next class."
I fished my phone out of my pocket and checked. He was right, and we only had a few remaining minutes left.
"Let's go back?" Klaus smiled.
I hesitantly nodded.