Jean gave him a playful pat on his left thigh. A broad hand in green now existed in harmony with the bright oranges and the faded yellows on the twenty-one year old's pants. He really didn't mind though, any time spent with Jean was bright.

'How long has it been? One month now?' The freckly boy thought to himself 'one whole month, is that right…'

Marco thought back to July 1st, 2018 the not-so-eventful day that they had met at the local café. Marco pushed at the door that designed for pull, rolled his eyes and smiled to himself.

"Every time" he thought "I should be used to this by now."

He brushed it off as usual, entered the busy café, stood in line and studied the figures in motion around him. He desperately desired to go back to school to study figures again, but the boy had just graduated a few weeks ago. Marco was a daydreamer. At first he thought something was wrong; he could never focus in school. He never really did exceptionally in academics. He was okay with that, though. All he needed was a pencil, some paper, and someone other than himself to observe.

Marco's feet kept his body moving towards the cashier, unbeknownst to him. Before he knew it the twenty-something person line had made its way forward, pushing Marco out of its stomach into the open.

"Hello, sir, what can I get you today?" The cashier smiled at him.

"Oh, um" Marco stuttered as he tried to push his brain back into reality "I-I'll just get a…a large iced latte, thanks."

"That will be $3.50, please."

Marco sighed as his left hand instinctively went to his pocket. New York was getting to expensive for a kid fresh out of school. A few thumps and pats later, the freckly boy turned tomato red as he realized he had left his wallet on the kitchen counter.

"Ah, sorry. D-do you think you can cancel my order" bringing up a hand to scratch his head "I-I forgot my wallet."

Marco sighed. 'So it's one of those days I see…' his thought was cut short when a hand was placed on his shoulder. Surprised, Marco turned around to see another boy grinning behind his glasses.

"Don't worry man, I got it"

Marco was quite stunned. In his five years in the Big Apple, this is definitely a first occurrence.

"Oh! U-um t-thanks a ton!" Marco sputtered out. This was definitely too much to process after snapping out of a daydream.

"And I'll just have a large iced coffee: black." He pulled out his wallet.

As embarrassed as he was, Marco knew he needed to thank the stranger. Moving out of the line's way, he turned to face the boy.

"Thanks a lot!" Marco offered his hand "My name is Marco Bott"

The stranger gave a wide grin. "Jean Kirschtein, at your service." He winked. The two broke out in a light hearted laugh.

"Are you from here?" Marco inquired "you don't see usual New Yorkers doing much of that."

"No I'm actually from Alabama, just got here a week ago, still living out of a hotel" Jean laughed quietly. Their feet carried them, without command, to the closest table. The brilliant June sun filtered through the glass windows illuminating the space around them.

"From Alabama? That's pretty far off, what are you doing in a city like this?" Marco opened the paper packaging of his straw carefully and started fidgeting with it.

Jean put on his best business man pose. "Masters at Columbia Law, Graduating class of 2019." Jean relaxed his shoulders and let out a laugh. "What about you? You look like a seasoned New Yorker."

Marco took a sip of his coffee. "School of Visual Arts, I graduated last month" He said proudly.

Jean leaned forward and whispered "Does this mean that you can draw me like one of your French girls?" he cracked a smile

Marco blushed "I'll see what I can do, Dr. Kirschtein" he dropped his head in embarrassment and laughed. It was strange laughing this much again. Jean was laughing as well.

A phone rang. As Jean politely excused himself and turned slightly away from the freckly boy, Marco took the time to observe and study Jean. It was just a hobby that Marco liked to do. Jean had a medium build to him. Marco could see that the boy was well toned with a slight olive-toned tan. His hair was something else though. Marco wondered if hair could really grow in two tones like that. Jean's undercut was clean but the top of his head was undone at best.

"Sorry Marco, I have to leave. Thanks for the conversation; you're the first person I've spoken to since I've gotten here!" Jean ruffled his hair "except for the doorman at the hotel, I mean."

Marco stood up out of courtesy and habit.

"Thanks for the coffee, and thanks for the company as well, I don't remember the last time I've laughed this much in such a short conversation" Marco gave a smile.

"Have a good one! Don't leave your wallet around at home, Marco" Jean winked.

Marco sat back down and immediately pulled out a pencil and his sketchbook and from memory Marco made a sketch of Jean. He glanced up after finishing the sketch and saw a napkin with some writing scrawled on it. Out of curiosity Marco picked it up.

"That sly bastard" Marco scoffed. He tucked away the brown napkin in his notebook. He'd forgotten his phone at home as well.