Ditched
Hey guys and gals, I haven't updated this in who knows how long but I really like this story and where it is going. I got caught up in my other stories and exams but finally Voila another chapter.
Caitlin POV
Felicity has always been a good friend, someone to talk to when something doesn't go according to plan, but our social circles had for the most part been separate. I had met her friends before but only for fleeting moments at parties or fundraisers.
So I was relatively surprised when she invited me out for coffee with a few of her friends I was pleasantly surprised. Today was my day off and I didn't have any other plans so coffee seemed like a great idea.
Getting ready was always a chore on my days off. I was so use to curling up on my sofa with a book or ice cream, in front of my television.
Socialising may not be my strongest skill but in everyday life it is good to have a basic understanding of the social normalities. Say hello and goodbye. Please and thank you. Offering to help out your fellow man. All of this was nice and good in theory but practical socialising could be a lot different at times.
Putting on a simple purple top with a black skirt and a pair of heels I prepared for the early morning rush of people trying to get their daily caffeine fix.
Spotting Felicity's friends in the coffee shop was surprisingly easy in a crowded shop. Taking a deep breath I approach the two people I recognise as John Diggle and Thea Queen, friends of Felicity.
"Hi, I was told by Felicity to meet her and her friends here for coffee." I stood at the edge of the four seat booth with my hands clasping around my brown jacket.
"Ah yes, Caitlin right? Felicity is just on the phone right now but feel free to join us, I'm John by the way, my friends call me Diggle though. And this is Thea Queen" Thea gave me a small wave and I politely nodded back.
At that time Felicity suddenly sat down with a huff and a look of frustration and immediately tangled her hands in her golden locks.
"One time I wish he would remember just ONE time I wish he could be on time!" She angrily fixed her glasses and Thea and John just sat in silent agreement.
"Give the kid a break this time, he's not what he use to be. He can't be everywhere at once now. Anyway, we have company." John signalled over to me.
"Oh, Hey Cait. It's been so long I thought we should catch up but really that's not why I asked you here. Before anything, who else wants coffee!" Felicity got up to go to the counter but I put my hand around her forearm.
"Please, let me. Just four cups of the finest Star City coffee?" I placed my jacket down and was ready to wait in the long line of morning commuters.
"Actually can you make that five? We have another friend due here any minute." Felicity held in a grin and all I could do was walk away slowly.
The line was long but it was to be expected at such an early hour. Checking my phone in the mean time was a reoccurring habit recently, I always had to be connected to the larger world, reading articles, keeping up on the science community and searching for any new breakthroughs.
Scrolling through my news sites made the time fly, I ordered the five coffees as someone rolling through the door on a wheelchair caused a ruckus through the tightly packed coffee shop. He bumped into people and ran over their feet, it was a miracle no one dropped their coffee on the man.
Turning back to the Barista I picked up all five beverages and made my way back to the table. As I approached I could spot the same wheelchair bound man now tucked under my friends table, he must be the fourth friend.
"I don't know why we need extra coffee guys... I'm not that obsessed." That's a bit rude, the dark haired man must have suspected I was a member of staff and assumed I was bringing them their coffee.
The man looked as if he had been up all night, the dark bags under his eyes and slightly bloodshot eyes gave that away, but if you didn't look too closely you would think he was a carefree young man as his lips were tugged up in a faint smile.
"It's for our friend here. Barry, meet Dr. Caitlin Snow." Settling into my seat I offer him a polite smile and look back over toward Felicity
"Caitlin this is Barry Allen..." She went on as neither answered. I felt I needed to break the tension.
"So, not to be rude but what was the special occasion for our gathering?" I love Felicity, her heart is always in the right place but most of her activities normally have an alternate motive.
"Yeah, Felicity, Why oh why would you bring us all together on this momentous day?!" Barry leaned in closer to Felicity, leaning his arm on the table and placing his chin in his palm. He stared wide eyed at Felicity, the sarcasm dripping from his voice.
This Barry fellow seemed very interesting, the way he held himself, always looking around. Maybe he was ADHD, couldn't sit still. Or maybe he is use to looking over his shoulder.
"Hey! I just wanted to bring together all my friends. Old and new, is that so bad?" Felicity looked over to her other two friends for support but they seemed to find their window seats very appealing now.
"Okay whatever, John and Thea have to go and join Oliver and I in a Mayoral speech. So, you two chat and get to know each other. C'mon guys. We're late!" Diggle and Thea jumped from their seats and practically ran out the room while snickering to themselves.
Felicity soon followed, giving Barry a small kiss on his cheek as she in turn ran away with her coffee. I wonder what that small kiss was about, Felicity is with Oliver, and maybe they were old flames? Or just close friends.
"So Barry, were you lied to about today as well?" I tried to break him out of his gobsmacked thought with a little small talk.
I had nothing better to do and I felt slightly bad for Barry, coming down here to get ditched with a stranger. I can always enjoy the rest of my coffee and by then I can find an excuse to leave.
"Wha-? Oh yeah, I was just coming down to catch up with them, not to be left alone." He sipped his coffee after flashing a small smile.
"Oh sorry, if you want to leave that's fine. You don't need to stay for me." I was ready to pick up my jacket and leave, embarrassed about thinking he wanted to stay.
"No, please stay. I don't want to go back to my box ridden apartment just yet." He seemed really genuine, so I settled back down, ready for a conversation with a disabled stranger, just out of courteously, no other reason.
"Oh, are you moving out of town or just to another place in Star?" It would be a shame if this man was leaving town so soon after I met him.
"No, the opposite actually. I moved here recently from Central City. The boxes are just because I finished unpacking and I was in a rush to get here so I didn't trash the boxes yet." He adjusted himself in his, what seemed to be high tech, wheelchair.
"Why did you leave Central? Star City isn't really the safest place right now, especially if you're... well... you know..." Ugh so stupid! I shouldn't have brought up the wheelchair, people can be overly sensitive.
"The wheelchair? It's okay, I won't get mad that you noticed it, you have eyes so it would be worse if you didn't see it! Anyway, Central wasn't any better, Flash disappeared and that man with blue lightning was wreaking havoc. At least here I could use my job to do something!" This topic seemed to be a bit personal, so I think it would be best to change the topic.
"Oh really? What is it you do then, Barry?" I was surprisingly drawn into the conversation, hanging on to every word this emerald eyed man said.
"Well I had a job in the CCPD as the head CSI but I haven't applied for the local police precinct yet. What about you Caitlin? Felicity introduced you as a Doctor when you first came over." He had barely touched his coffee, I was under his gaze the whole time, and nothing distracted him.
"Well I work in Felicity's research and development department at Palmer Tech. I have a degree in bio engineering and have known Felicity for quite a while. How did you two meet? And what was with that kiss?" I wasn't interested in his dating life, I couldn't care less, I was just making conversation.
"Felicity? No, I met her while I was on a case for the CCPD, we hit it off, we were somewhat of a thing but we were into other people, I will not cross Oliver, I can still feel the Arrows in my back!" He reached his arm round to rub his back.
"Wait, Oliver Queen shot you in the back with arrows like that green vigilante?" I was surprised, I thought Oliver was intimidating but around Felicity he was as harmful as a kitten, maybe whatever Barry had with Felicity made him want to shoot someone.
"Ah, no! Don't be silly! I meant figuratively, yeah! He shot arrows with his glare. Not real arrows, which would be crazy!" Barry seemed to fidget a bit but it made a lot more sense than real arrows
"Well, that's a relief. Have you got anywhere you need to be Barry? I'm not keeping you am I?" I was having a nice time with Barry but the coffee shops morning rush had ended and there was almost no one, meaning we have been talking for quite a while.
"No, the only thing I have planned is getting all those boxes in the trash and honestly, I pulled an all-nighter and the last thing I want to see are those boxes again!" He illustrated his point by wiping some yellow sleep dust out of his eyes.
"Well, if you want, I have nothing planned, maybe we can grab some more coffee and I can help you with your box infestation!" I stood up and grabbed my jacket. Signalling I'm ready to go.
"Why so hasty to get into my apartment Doctor Snow? What if I am a serial killer?" I knew this move was very forward but I am sick of playing it safe.
"You're a friend of Felicity's and a CSI. Plus, let's just call this my good deed for the day, helping rid someone's apartment of the evil box menace!" I went to get a couple more cups of coffee when I felt a firm but gentle grip on my wrist, a safe hold but I could pull out at any time.
"I have much better coffee at my place, if you insist on saving my apartment." He started for the double doors at a slow, casual pace.
"Lead on Mr Allen, this better be really good coffee, I can't live with only one cup in the morning!"
And just like that, in a couple of hours I met a guy and was already going back to his place. I only wanted to help a disabled man, not spend more time with this strappingly handsome, smart, interesting, young man. Yeah just to help. Not cause I like him...
Crap...
