She did it again. Unintentionally.
"I'm late.... I'm late I'm late..."
The feeling of regret glitched in her brain and down her spine as she ran down the busy sidewalk that after noon.
"I'm sure he won't mind, I mean it's only been 20 minutes. "Jett kept trying to convince herself.
I should have been more cautious.
That was a semi-usual day in Jett Square's life, more towards the weekends at least. She was a part time programmer [and college student]and on Saturdays like these she'd often meet up with her friends at Sippie Café. The programming was how she'd manage to pay for most of college costs, in addition to what her parents would send her monthly.
And today she was late.
It took a good 2-3 minutes of frantic running before she actually arrived at the café. Shoving through the entrance she glimpsed around and felt at peace when she saw Neon seated at the far end of the usually busy Sippie's café, - his laptop already open.
She walked over and stood near the table next to him, waiting for him to notice her.
"Heyy... buddy..."She started.
"Don't hey buddy me. You're almost 30 minutes late."
She stammered. "I know, I know I'm sorry. I l-lost track of time."
Neon let out a sigh, then savagely proceeded to type some code into the computer.
"Neon I said I was sorry come on. I ran here so fast you don't even want to know."
He looked up at her, surprised by the change in the tone of voice, from slightly rude to brutally apologetic. "It's FINE really. "He grinned. "I'm just finishing up something here, have a seat."
They sat there in silence for a while, the ambience of the café harboring her. The whole place smelt welcoming, like warm cinnamon buns served in the spring. Blurred out voices of a few other customers toned out the cars outside the busy street. Every once in a while, the wooden door to the entrance chimed indicating the entrance and exit of each customer.
"So, what we working on? "Jett finally asked. They both coded for the same company, [THE TECH COMPANY]and were assigned to work on something together which enforced their meet up.
"Uh I'm kinda hungry actually, let's order something."
"You've been here all this time, and you didn't order?"
"Well yeah I was working, plus I didn't want eat alone."
"Ohh."
"What do you want to have? "He asked.
Jett grinned. "You'll pay?"
"Yeah, yeah I'll pay. "He laughed.
She hesitated before politely demanding a peppermint milkshake.
He planned to order coffee which was his favorite it synchronized with the cool weather they were having.
Neon looked around the Acacia, blue-themed café and waved to the nearest waiter who happened to be a man. He staggered by a few seconds later looking dead. His eyes were tired and watery, their rims implanted with eye bags and his posture getting weaker by the second. He looked straight at them and then turned around to let out a cough. No one really paid attention to this leaving Jett and her friend to deal with the weirdness.
After a few "kkggmms " to the throat, he turned around and spoke.
"W-what you like to order? "He pulled the pen and notepad over his chest.
They stared at him before speaking. The projects they did made them regulars, so they knew almost all the employees. But for some reason they didn't recognize him.
To give him a quick description. He had turquoise eyes, dark kinky hair and good jawline. He was average height and wore the usual café work clothes, blue jeans and the grey t-shirts that had Sippie's café poorly embroidered in the middle.
Neon spoke.
"I'll have a coffee with milk and a large...do you want a large, small or medium one Jett? "He diverted.
"Medium please. "Jett responded.
"Okay a large coffee for me and a medium peppermint milkshake for her."
"Okay. That coffee will have milk y-ou said?"
"Yeah."
"10 minutes."
Jett waited for him to walk away before speaking. "Wow he really didn't look good...."
"I know right. And come to think of it. I've never even seen him work here before. Is he new? "Neon asked.
"I don't think he's new. And I've never seen before too. What do you think is wrong with him?"
"Maybe he's just tired."
"Hmmm yeah maybe."
She took out her laptop from her black bag that rested on the seat near her. When everything was set up, they compared each other's code. Ten minutes later, he came by and placed their orders carefully onto the table.
" Uhh...Thank you very much. "Neon said slowly.
The waiter gave a weak smirk before responding. "You're welcome. Would you like anything else?"
"No that will be all."
[#2hours later.....#]
Glitter orange rays spread throughout the café as the sun set that evening. It was getting late and most of the people had already left. They had been there for about 2 hours and figured it was about time they called quits as they both had to get to their homes before dark.
Maya, [an employee who worked there] was pretty much closing up the place as the two friends realized this. When everything was locked up, she walked over to Jett and Neon and kindly told them they had to leave.
"Kids it's getting late, won't mommy and daddy be worried? "Her face was cutely pouting, like an adult would do to a baby.
Maya and them pretty were much good friends since they visited so often. She often treated them like kids-even though they weren't.
"Hahah very funny. "Jett laughed rolling her eyes.
Neon just stood there 100% unphased. "We are literally university stu-."
"Seriously though you guys have to leave. I need to lock up. "Maya said ignoring Neon.
Jett already had her bag pulled over her shoulder. "We're going. Don't worry. "Jett said. "I just have a question though."
"Yeah wassup?"
"Have you gotten any new workers, recently? "Jett asked.
"Hmmm,hold on. "Why don't we talk as we walk because this place is supposed to be closed up now and I REALLY don't want to be fired. Come on out you go."
Someone loves their job. Jett couldn't help but think.
A cold gust of wind slapped them all in the face as soon as they stepped outside. Although it was only six, sun still in the process of "going to bed"[setting] it was freezing, and the air was humid.
Maya locked up and the three just stood in front of the store.
"We're all walking in opposite directions. "Neon pointed out.
"Okay okay. Well yeah, we've gotten a new worker. His name is Joshua.
"Well, the weirdest thing happened today. While we were getting our orders taken. Neon tell her."
She shoved him in front of her without warning. He was slightly startled but spoke about the whole him looking dead incident without hesitation.
Maya stayed quite for a while. "Well, I'm not surprised. It's been happening a lot of late.
"That's it? Bro looked like he'd just woke up and came to work."
"Don't worry about it guys. I'll speak to the manager about it. "She said it so reassuringly that they didn't even bother arguing.
"Okay if you say so."
"It's really late I have to get going."
Maya started running across the street, trying to get a cab that was waiting by the traffic lights "Thanks for letting me know, okay?"
"YES BYEE!"
The two walked together in silence up until the point where they had to split up.
"Text me that you made it home safe, okay? "Neon said
"Yes, yes I won't worry bye."
"Take care."