A/N: :3
I'll try not to bother you with too many author's notes, but something about updates: It will be a bit rocky since I'm juggling two fics at a time. I'll try to update at least once a week.
Until then, enjoy!
-prowessMaster44
Link
Sunday, 7:00 AM
Do you know what really sucks?
High school.
Where I'm not the boss of anyone anymore but myself. Where no one is under me. Where I have to behave to avoid having my head jammed into a toilet by some sophomore.
Pulling myself out of my bed at seven in the morning, I stretch and yawn, knowing that I have to get up now to do all the stuff I want to accomplish before the first day of school tomorrow, and also get to my new job at one PM I got a few weeks ago. Today will be the last day I work there until I have to shorten my hours. Turning freshman tomorrow.
I plod to the bathroom where the sudden invasion of bright light causes me to squint. Once my vision focuses, I stare at myself in the mirror. Tangled and unflattering mangled blond hair, and boring blue eyes. I'm glad no one else is here to see me like this.
After a refreshing splash of water on my face, I feel much more energized and less pathetic as I pull on a decent shirt and jeans which will also be acceptable for work. I have to meet up with my buddies to mourn for the last day of vacation.
Trudging downstairs, my foster mom greets me with a warm smile. I like her, no, I love her as much as I will with my own real mother, though I still feel a part of me is missing. I wonder where my real mom is.
"Going out?" she asks. Even though she is my mom, I find it more comfortable by calling her by her real name, Uli. She doesn't mind.
"Yea," I reply. I scoop up a warm, steaming muffin cooling on a rack and head out the door, tossing back a wave and a smile at Uli and Colin, her real son. They wave back at me.
"Come home safe!" Uli calls.
"I will." I step out into the early autumn weather and breathe in the crisp air. I love autumn. I flick open my hand phone and tap on an all-too-familiar number and bring it to my ear, expecting the recognizable voice to come through any second. He answers on the first ring.
"Hey ya, Link!" Mikau's voice rings through into my ear. I grin at his optimistic tone; no doubt he's been playing his guitar. He loves the thing to death.
"Hey," I reply. "Up for some last day of hanging out for a while since it's going to be robbed by homework starting tomorrow?"
"Totally. Call up Darunia, will ya? He won't be happy if we bail on him, 'specially today."
"Sure thing. See ya at the cafe in ten?"
"Absolutely."
We hang up, and I immediately dial another number, crossing my fingers the big guy would pick up; he's a late sleeper, and getting woken early does not make him a happy man. Sometimes his anger issues could get the best of him.
Fortunately, he does pick up.
"Ah, mornin', Link!" Darunia booms through my speakers. "Ready to rock the last day of summer vacation?"
"Haha, you took the words right out of my mouth."
"Ha! Be ready! I'm ready to punch high school in the gut!"
"You do that, and I'll stay out of detention, thank you very much."
"You know who else I'm gonna slug when I see their face?"
"Gee, I wonder who?"
"People like that idiot Mido!"
My hand tightens around my phone at the sound of his name.
"...and others like Ganondork and Zanty-Panty and…"
Mido…
"that jerk named Ghigaham or whatever his name is and—"
"Okay, I'll see you at the cafe in five, 'kay?"
"Sounds peachy to me!" Darunia and I hang up.
Mido…
I was just forgetting about him.
"Roads are so damn empty in the early morning! Maybe I should start waking up earlier…."
I hear my friends' voices before I see them as I enter my job workplace, newly opened Outlook Cafe.
Since it doesn't open on Sundays (today), no customers are allowed, though I am an employee so I have the keys and everything, and there aren't any rules that says I can't bring friends. The up side of being an employee here is that I get free drinks, plus I was trained to know how to make them, so I can personally serve Darunia and Mikau behind the counter.
"May I take your orders, gentlemen?" I say to announce my arrival, taking out a clipboard and pen. Mikau and Darunia grin widely at me.
"You bet!" Darunia bellows. "I'd like an extra strong Cappuccino today, thanks!"
"Don't listen to him," Mikau says, and leans in to 'whisper' in my ear, "He's already had too much caffeine, as you can obviously tell, even on the phone, am I right?"
"Hey! Three cans of energy drinks aren't that much!"
"Woah, woah," I interject, tucking the pen behind my ear. "How about you lay low, and get a delicious, succulent mug of green tea instead?"
Darunia crosses his arms defiantly, but succumbs. "Alright, fine. Green tea for me."
"Aaaand, you, kind sir?" I say jokingly to Mikau.
The guitarist peers at the posted drink posters and replies in the same manner, "A peppermint mocha sounds lovely, thank you."
"In five minutes!" I call as I rush behind the counter, pulling out bags of instant coffee and whip cream cans.
After just a month and a half on making different kinds of drinks in this cafe, it has become really familiar and simple to do. It's like I prepare the drinks automatically and with relative ease. In fact, sometimes I enjoy it because I sometimes zone out and can daydream a little in the midst of my work hours.
As promised, I nail three drinks in five minutes, and now I head out the door to the only table with residents.
Setting the drink down in front of their respective owners, I set my own glass down beside them, pull out Uli's muffin I took earlier in the morning, and drag another chair over so I can sit with my pals.
"So, since the life of a high schooler officially starts tomorrow, how was your summer vacation?" Mikau starts easily.
"Hm," I say. "Monotonous, I guess. Not a lot of stuff happening, besides this job." I wave my hands around in the air of the cafe to prove my point.
"Well, I've been buffin' up quite a bit," Darunia announces. He flexes his biceps and attempts to emit a tough battle cry.
"Impressive," I compliment while Mikau downs his peppermint mocha to stifle his snickers.
Wiping his mouth, Mikau informs, "Well, I probably spent half my summer vacation just sitting in my room and jammin' with the guitar."
"I'll have to see how much you've improved," I say, genuinely curious.
"Yea, I request a guitar concert," Darunia insists obstinately, slurping down his (decaf) green tea.
I sip on my "Pumpkin Spice Dream Mocha.
"Hey, isn't that drink supposed to be disgusting or something?" Mikau questions casually as he scrapes the last bubbles of whip at the bottom of his glass.
I try to look offended. "Hey, I have unique taste buds. Don't judge me."
Mikau chuckles and shrugs, and he points at my muffin for permission. I nod. He takes it and chows half of it down in one bite.
"So, you guys excited to see anyone tomorrow in the halls, maybe?" Darunia asks us.
"Just Lulu and you guys," Mikau answers through bites of muffin.
"Awww, have you and Lulu gone out a lot in the summer?" I tease. Lulu and Mikau has been going out for as long as I can remember.
Darunia sniffles. "Give me a boulder to punch so I feel manly again."
"Woah, we're not absolutely crazy or anything. I'm no stalker," Mikau jumps in defensively.
"Yea, but what if she is…," I say, smirking.
Mikau semi-glares at me. "You know she's not like that. She's way sweeter and caring than that."
"Well, I'm excited to see good ol' Cousin Darmani," Darunia juts in. "'Course, he's not as buff as I am, but that's not really my fault, isn't it?" He flexes his biceps again.
Mikau and I stare at him. "Actually, it kinda is…"
"Hm, really?" Darunia looks thoughtful. Mikau and I can't contain our snickers.
"Anyway, who're you looking forward to seeing, Link?" Mikau asks me after we both calm down.
That actually kind of caught me by surprise, because now that I think about it, who do I miss?
"Hmmm, I would like to see Sheik again," I respond. "He's pretty cool."
"Yea, I've seen you with him around the halls last year," Darunia comments. "What's he like?"
"Quiet, passive, doesn't get involved with fights."
"He do drugs?"
"Hell no. Goody-two-shoes, that guy."
"Bet he gets straight A's."
"...No, actually. More like straight D's."
"I like him already." Darunia grins.
"You sure you're just excited to see Sheik?" Mikau suddenly pipes up.
I stare at him.
Darunia catches on fairly quickly. "Yeeeaaaa," he drawls, a smirk creeping on his face. "You sure about that?"
I throw up my hands exasperatedly. "Yes, what's up?"
Mikau and Darunia share a grin.
"What about Ilia? Sure you don't miss her?" Darunia makes kissy-noises in the air while Mikau bats his eyelashes at me.
I scoff at them. "Ilia's not my girlfriend. Just a friend."
"Clearly she doesn't feel that way." My dorky friends snicker in their hands. I face-palm, and stare down at my empty drink.
Ilia has stuck to me for several years, ever since she confessed to me in fifth grade. I like her, but not romantically. She's great company, and I love having her around, but her clinginess just gets to me. She thinks that I am "hers" and "hers only" like her property. A lot of people think we're dating and make suggestive comments when we're walking down the hallway, which Ilia responds with a huge smile and clutches my arm tightly.
That's not true. I'm not dating anyone.
I'm single.
Because of this, sometimes I'm teased and been labeled "gay" a few times, the rumors all fueled from a bastard named Mido. Been with him for nine years, hated him for nine years, and still hate him. Maybe even more so. I know I'm not gay because I sometimes find myself ogling at some hot girls who I know I will never end up with. And the thought of doing anything sexual with another male doesn't arouse me in any way.
The simple truth is that I just haven't met the perfect girl yet.
"Alright, alright, let's talk 'bout something else," Mikau suggests as he notices my downcast face.
"Or," I suddenly speak up. "How about you two duds go out now and let me get ready for my job now?" Which is true, because it is almost one in the afternoon.
"Aw man. Alright, fine," Darunia protests but picks himself up and scoops up all our empty glasses. "At least let me wash these to make it up to ya."
I stop him by tugging the cups out of his beefy hands. "Don't worry about it. It's fine." I send him an assuring grin.
He slaps me on the back (one glass would've cracked if Mikau wasn't there to catch it) and heads out the double doors leaving behind a, "See ya tomorrow in the deepest hell of high school!" with Mikau waving back.
"Yea, sea ya!" I call. The doors swing shut.
I head back behind the counter and place the cups in the sink. I'm alone for two seconds before a blonde-haired girl rips through the doors and launches herself in my arms. I'm relieved I had put away the cups in time.
"LINK!" she squeals as she constricts me in a restrictive hug.
"I-Ilia," I muster, trying to scavenge back all the air that had left me for a second.
"How're you doing, Link Tink?" She smiles widely at me as she finally gets off me.
"Fine," I say, finding my nametag in my pocket and clipping it on my chest for work. Ilia does the same.
I had managed to find this job six weeks ago, and I remember Uli had grinned and smiled so big for me. It wasn't long until Ilia discovered this and snagged a position as well.
I notice that Ilia already has her green plaid shirt on and is already setting up the glasses and preparing the coffee machines.
Do I love her? I stare at the blonde girl. Have we kissed?
Yes. That is a fact.
But it's also a fact that I didn't know how I felt back then. I couldn't identify if I was truly in love with her. And a final fact is that the kiss didn't feel special. Of course, Ilia was in utter elation for a couple weeks and was even clingier, but who can blame her?
Ilia notices me staring at her. She straightens up and faces me, and primps her hair.
"You should start getting ready, Link," she says sweetly. "Boss's going to be here shortly."
"Yes, alright," I say. I go dig in the fridge for cream and whip.
Telma comes a few minutes later. "How're my wonderful helpers doing?" she asks with a smile, cradling a basket which I see is filled with fruit powder and coffee bags.
"Fine, boss! Just getting ready to open the shop!" Ilia announces cheerily.
"Good day," I say formally, taking the basket from Telma's hands. "I'll prepare these as soon as possible."
She winks at me. "Alright, you do that. I will go set up the tables and open the cafe."
It's pretty slow in the afternoon, considering the cafe opens at one o'clock due to its low income, but it's even slower in the evening. In fact, it is so slow that literally no one comes in from five until eight, when the cafe closes. So I usually spend the last three hours chatting with my friends over the phone or with Ilia, and the time usually passes quite quickly. Besides, it's not like Ilia and I can skimp out on our job and escape early, because that'll surely disappoint Telma.
I yawn. It's only six, and I still got two hours left, but gosh, I feel awfully tired. It doesn't help that school starts tomorrow either. Especially when it's high school.
I catch Ilia out of the corner of my eye wiping the counters, but that's when I notice someone coming in.
At six. In the evening. Right now.
Who would come for coffee at this hour? I think, bewildered.
But then I see who it is.
Not anyone I know, but still.
I don't know what makes me do it, but I don't think I regret it. Maybe it's the way she looks so curious, and the way she appeared so graceful even when staring out the window at the awesome fall scenery.
And she is undeniably cute.
A hot girl before the first day of high school. Go figure.
So I gather up my (meager) courage and step out to serve her. She looks even more attractive at this angle, the soft curve of her jaw and the few wisps of her eyelashes pointing out the window.
I stare at her for longer than she might think before I remember I'm here to take her order. That's the whole point of my job anyway.
"Excuse me," I say, but that still doesn't catch her attention. I crack a grin, and I clear my throat. That got her.
She turns her head around and peers up innocently at me.
"What would you like to sip on today?" I ask.
To my mild confusion, she doesn't reply and continues to stare at me, my clothes, and my face. And then suddenly, she dives into the contents of her purse. I hear "to get" and "wallet" coming from her mouth.
After a moment, she comes out.
"What would you like?" I repeat. It's a bigger surprise that she asks for the 'disgusting' (rolls eyes at the person who said that) Pumpkin Spice Dream Mocha, and an (embarrassing) automatic laugh comes out of me.
She must think I'm a weirdo.
"I'm sorry," I apologize, and explain as graciously as I could for laughing in her face. "But the funny thing is, it's my favorite," I blabber. Gee, I won't stop blabbering will I?
But she accepts the drink and I escape behind the doors to the coffee making place, and come face to face with Ilia.
"What have we said?" she says unhappily. "I serve females, and you serve the males."
"Oh, sorry. It's just that you were wiping the counters and I didn't want to trouble you."
She perks after that. "How thoughtful, Link!" she chirps and continues to wipe the counters. Then she goes behind another door to the kitchen to wash the dishes.
Now's my chance. Wait, what does that mean?
But I hurriedly make the drink and come out to serve it to her. I surprise her by sitting across from her (her confused expression was so adorable) with the same drink and quickly explain to her why.
We hit it off fairly well. We're actually having a real conversation. I feel whip staining my lip and I quickly wipe it off with a napkin, hoping my heating face didn't show. Man, what a fool I'm making myself.
As we're conversing, I can't help but take in her features. Her eyes are such a deep and dark blue, like the stormy sea, unlike my boring pale blue ones. Her dark hair looks so smooth and soft, and I have to tamp down the urge to stroke it. And don't get me started on her lips. They look so smooth and perfect and—
Woah, woah, what the hell am I thinking? I hope she doesn't think I'm a creeper.
We talk some more, and then she is suddenly staring at my nose. I continue talking as normally as I could manage, but I'm thinking something else. Shit, what if there's whip on my nose? Oh my goddesses, this is humiliating and degrading.
"Something on my nose?" I ask, heat springing to my face once again.
She looks flustered, though I know it's not as much as I am. "No, sorry!" she apologizes, though I have to make absolute sure that's true.
I pick up my glass and peer at my vague reflection. Phew, no whip.
We talk some more, and I feel especially surprised when she said she starts high school tomorrow as well! Maybe I do have a chance...shut up, Link. You're probably just going to see her this one time.
I check my watch. Damn, I was enjoying myself.
After exchanging some Good night's and Good luck's, she's about to leave, and I cross my fingers, hoping she would forget about something I hope she forgets.
She doesn't.
"Oh! May I ask how much was that drink?" She pulls out her wallet.
Aw, shucks. In my haste, I touch her wrist to stop her from paying.
"Free," I hear myself sputter. "Free for the person who entertained me during the boring hours of the evening." Oh goddesses, that was cheesy.
Then I notice my hands on her wrist.
I whip around, sputtering an apology, my face turning beet red. No way can she see me in this state.
So I foolishly leave, throwing back hasty farewells. Dammit, I am so freaking rude.
She probably hates me now.
Escaping into the backs of the cafe, I lean against the door and let out a long and hard breath. I regret my whole life for the last two minutes. Man, that was so stupid of me. Now she's definitely not coming back.
And then Ilia's in front of me. "What the hell were you thinking sitting with some unknown girl?" she hisses.
Before I can reply, she plows on. "You belong to me, and I belong to you. Not some ugly stranger."
Her angry eyes meet mine. "So, since you've been gossiping with her for the past half hour, tell me, what's her name?"
I open my mouth, and then the heavy realization hits me. "I...don't know."
"Bullshit! What is it?"
"I really don't know!" I shout. "I never asked her name!" I don't tell her that I regret that, too.
"Ugh, I'm leaving!" With that, Ilia scoops up her bag and storms out the cafe.
I sigh. Nothing beats her stubbornness.
I step out to wipe the tables, and get it done fairly quickly. Until I reach the table where I and the girl were sitting at.
A lone five dollar bill sits on the surface.
A small smirk creeps on my lips.
You're not getting away with this.
