Teach Me To Know

Chapter 1: Déjà vu

The coffee shop had few patrons in it, some conversing amongst each other while others did independent study. Typing of keyboards rang shallow when the coffee grinders shuffled on and off repeatedly with every new order. For the few in the chairs, it was heavenly bliss.

Eighteen cusped the white mug before her, soothed by the heat that radiated off it. She'd only discovered this shop a few weeks back and had come to find she enjoyed the taste of coffee, so much she visited the shop almost every day. What had the young barista called her? A coffee addict?

"I'm a coffee addict?" Eighteen pushed some blonde hair behind her ear. The barista smiled.

"Yeah, that's what some would consider you. It's alright, though, we're considered coffee addicts, too." He gave a quick laugh as he punched in her usual drink on the touchscreen. A vanilla latte.

Eighteen rubbed her chin in puzzlement. Was this a good thing or a bad thing? The barista studied her as he waited for her to pay for her drink.

"Don't worry, honestly! I was just trying to crack a joke. It was lame."

Eighteen fished for the change. "That's okay, I just have never been told that before." She pushed the cash across the counter.

"Well, you can't say that anymore!" He rang the cash in, a noticeable ding! affirming the completed transaction. Leftover coins found their way back to Eighteen's hand; she dropped them into the tip jar.

The barista said a tiny "thank you" before stopping himself. He tilted his head. "You know, I don't think I've ever caught your name, and you've been coming here for some time." He cleared his throat. "May I ask what it is?"

"Eighteen."

He blinked. "Eighteen?"

The blonde cyborg nodded.

He blinked once more. "Well, Eighteen, it's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Ben." He stuck his hand out for her to shake. She studied the various lines running along his palm before she took it.

"Hi, Ben." She let his hand go and made her way back to her usual seat.

Since then, Ben had conversed with her over time as she became a regular customer. Eighteen would study him as he worked behind the counter. The youthful features of his face would point to him being no older than 20 along with his slender and firm frame. The brown hair on his head was short, a bit unruly. She didn't have to bother getting up for her drink anymore as he would personally deliver it to her table all while bearing a smile. Eventually, she became accustomed to his friendly and warm personality.

Her blue eyes glanced down at her latte, the white of the milk in the noticeable shape of a heart. A touching addition.

She sipped the coffee slowly, not wanting to burn her mouth upon the first contact.

Time slowly inched. Eighteen had already finished her coffee and was enjoying her solitude. The morning patrons had come in a herd and left as one.

The clang of the entrance door opening and then shutting let her know someone new had entered. She showed little interest in who it was. At least, she thought she wasn't interested until a familiar voice drifted into her ears.

It can't be.

Careful to not turn her head too quickly, her eyes fixated on the counter. The short customer had jet-black hair and wore a red shirt with khaki pants. Eighteen stared at the stranger until the realization hit her. Her eyes widened when she connected the dots.

How long had it been since she'd seen him? Months must have passed by, their last meeting on Kami's Tower when he had offered her to join him and his friends.

She had turned him down flat.

But now he was here, same time, same place. She blinked. Was her heart beating faster?

Her head turned away from him, not wanting to be caught like a deer in the headlights. Maybe he wouldn't notice her…

"Eighteen?"

Or maybe not…

Krillin walked over to her table, his face in astonishment. "Eighteen, wow! I can't believe it's you. How-How have you been?" He caught himself. "I'm sorry, if you didn't want to be disturbed I might have just ruined that."

Eighteen shook her head. "No, you're okay. I'm good, how have you been?" She noticed his shoulders fall a bit in relief.

"I'm really glad to hear that. I've been fine myself, thanks for asking." He put his hands in his pockets. "Funny, I don't know if I ever would have thought you a coffee lover."

Eighteen's eyes darted towards the empty mug on the table before they returned to Krillin. "I never thought so either, but here I am."

"Yeah!" He gave her a smile as silence fell between them.

"Krillin here's your drink," a female voice said behind the ex-fighter.

Eighteen watched as a young brunette walked towards them, a coffee in each hand.

What?

"Thanks, Miriam." Krillin took one from her. She smiled sweetly.

"Oh, is she a friend of yours," Miriam inquired. "It's so great to meet you; I'm Miriam." A delicate hand reached out to Eighteen. Eighteen shook it with a firm grip.

"Hi, I'm…" She hesitated. What was she so afraid of all of a sudden? Her mouth blurted a random name. "Emily."

Nice recovery, idiot.

Miriam didn't notice the hiccup.

"Emily! What a lovely name. How do you know Krillin?"

"We go back, way back."

What am I doing?

"Well, we'll all have to catch up sometime, Emily! It'd be so great to get lunch or dinner with you." She looked at Krillin. "I'll go wait in the car so you two can finish up."

Eighteen watched as the beautiful brunette bent down to kiss his cheek.

Déjà vu.

Krillin's face lit up in a shade of red as Miriam walked to the exit.

She's pretty.

Krillin cleared his throat, bringing Eighteen back to earth. "Miriam is, uh, my new girlfriend." The shudder in his voice indicated his nervousness.

"That's great to hear." Eighteen feigned happiness for the sake of not wanting the conversation to turn awkward. "You two have been dating awhile?"

Krillin shook his head. "Only about a month or so." He shifted his weight between his feet. "It was great seeing you again, Eighteen. I...I never thought it'd happen."

"Same, Krillin." She got up, preparing to leave. Krillin stepped back to give her some space.

"Let me at least give you my number in case you ever do want to reconnect." Krillin slid the coffee sleeve off of his cup, setting it down on the table to write on it. He pulled a pen from his pocket and jotted down some numbers. "If you ever need anything, please, don't hesitate to give me a call. I'm still at Kame House with Master Roshi if you ever want to visit, too."

Eighteen memorized the numbers instantly but placed the small brown sleeve in the back pocket of her jeans. Saying his goodbye, Krillin disappeared from her line of sight, the same clang of the entrance door signaling his departure. She remained standing, processing the scene which had taken place. Whatever she thought about Krillin and her now, it all seemed to dissolve before her.

Her fingers gripped the empty white coffee mug as she intended to bus it when walking to the entrance. Stopping by the trash, a flurry of emotions hit her, and the cup cracked under the strength of her hand before she had the chance to drop it into the black bin placed above the opening of the trashcan.

Ceramic pieces lodged into her skin, but she remained unaffected. She relinquished the mug as it dropped with a resounding thud into the abyss.

Thank you for reading! Reviews always appreciated.

Much love!

-AMM