The door bell jingled as the door clanged open. The coffee shop was, otherwise, quite in the early morning sunlight.
A boy, around my age, red hair and eyes like fire, entered the Cafe. A regular customer!
"Strawberry milkshake, is it ?", I asked him, knowing well it was. He smiled.
"You know me too well", he replied.
I got him the first bill of the day and handed him over the best strawberry milkshake I could possibly make.
It was always the same. Every morning, before his school, he would stop by and get a milkshake. Strawberry milkshake! The moment I realised this, I would come early and handle our family cafe. I never thought why. But I didn't care as long as he came to the shop everyday. My mom has been surprised too, but was far too happy that I was helping her out than to care about the reason. Maybe she knew...
"Do I have to request you to come again tomorrow", I jested. I had never warmed up to anyone this easily before.
"Ofcoarse! Or I won't come," he liked teasing his friends.
"Please, come again tomorrow, Karma-kun", he smirked. Maybe, he knew I would say that.
"I knew you liked me," he whispered softly, leaning on the counter, smirking all the while.
That caught me offguard. I had never thought about that. We were friends, yes! But...
"Aren't you getting late for school ?", I desperately tried to change the subject, while he just enjoyed himself. He chuckled lightly.
"Think it over, then," he waved his goodbye, smiled and left the cafe in the morning silence.
Now that I thought about it, he had a sweet smile. He reminded me of... strawberry milkshakes! Do I like him?...
The door bell jingled again, waking me up from my dilemma. It was mom, which meant it was time for school.
After the club activities, I started for home. It was late in the evening, around 6 o'clock. As I turned around the corner, I spotted a couple walking and chatting, backs turned against me. The boy had red hair, while the girl had blue. I had the craziest feeling that he was Karma. My heart fell. Why am I feeling this? Maybe he was someone else.
He turned slightly to reveal half his face. My throat went dry upon the realization. He was with another girl, so what? I had known he was popular, anyway. Still I could feel my eyes go wet as I heard his laugh. He looked so happy. My lips quivered and my legs trembled. I could not hold it anymore. I darted towards my home.
Why was my heart hurting so much ? Maybe... The memoirs of Karma flashed before my eyes.
I knew you liked me", he had whispered with that familiar old teasing smile.
Maybe I do... But it didn't matter now. He was with someone else and he looked so happy.
The next day, I lacked the courage to drag myself to the shop. I found myself contradicting my own thoughts. I wanted to see Karma as much as I didn't want to.
I was getting ready for school when my mom called me. She looked pleased and directed me to handle the shop, that someone was waiting for me. For me? I wondered who it could be.
My legs froze as my eyes met the fiery rubies greeting me.
"One strawberry milkshake, please ?," he ordered while smiling.
"You could have asked my mom," I complained and handed him the bill and milkshake, dryly.
"It tastes good when you serve it," he smiled which pierced my heart. It hurt!
"How would you know ?", I replied. My throat felt dry as the memories of the blue-haired girl and him floated before my eyes.
He looked confused. Why was I being so rude to him ? He did nothing wrong, nor that girl.
I turned to leave but he held my wrist and pulled me to his side, looking straight into my eyes, intensely.
"What happened ?", he whispered slightly. The corners of my eyes turned wet and I struggled to push him back. His lips touched mine for a split second. My eyes widened and passion gleamed in his.
Words refused to come out. Suddenly, I remembered something.
"Who was that girl you were with the other day", I explained everything. I was ready to hear the truth, sweet or bitter... atleast that's what I believed.
He chuckled and soon started laughing his head out. I felt dumb.
"He was Nagisa, a friend of mine", he laughter even harder that tears started to form in the corner of his eyes. I felt even more dumb and apologized.
He pecked my cheeks and smiled, "Is it a hint of jealousy, I see there", he teased.
Before I could retort my mom called out, "You will get late for school."
"Okay," I replied, "By the way, what did you tell my mom?", I turned to Karma.
"That you liked me", and went out of the coffee shop, leaving me in the awkward silence.
"WHAT ?"
【A/N: Hope you liked it! Please review!】