The next day, the only reason that made Nico stand in front of The Oracle again that afternoon was that he needed a cup of coffee. He denied that there was any other reason than that.
He stepped into the coffee shop and walked straight to the counter, and greeted by Leo.
"Hey," the curly-haired barista greeted him with a grin, showing his white teeth. "Nico, right? Will's new neighbor?"
For a split second, Nico's brows shot up. But then he nodded. "Yeah. And you are… Leo?"
The grin on Leo's lips got slightly wider at Nico's acknowledgment. "Yep! That's me. So, what can I get you today?"
"Uh… A medium peppermint mocha, please?"
As Leo punching in his order on the register, Nico stole a glance to the area behind the counter. There was another guy with black hair who was talking quite animatedly with a girl that had some green highlight on her hair. But no blond hair was in sight.
Nico paid for his order then quickly sat in the chair where he sat last night.
He fiddled with his phone as he waited for his order. Every two minutes, he stole another glance at the counter. But still, no Will.
Well, not that Nico was looking for him anyway.
"Medium peppermint mocha!"
Nico stood up and walked to the counter.
"Here you go," Leo said as he placed the cup and pushed it towards Nico.
Nico muttered his thank you as he grabbed his drink, his eyes on the cup.
"Oh, and Nico?"
Nico lifted his head up.
"Just so you know, Will's shift here is on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 4 to 8," Leo said, and ended it with a wink.
Nico stood still, too stunned to say anything as a response. But it looked like Leo didn't want any response anyway, as he already turned around. He whistled as he walked away from Nico.
It took two full seconds for Nico to gather himself together. He took a deep breath and let it out in a long sigh. He walked away from the counter with his order in his hand, and stepped out of the coffee shop.
-o0o-
He still had half of his drink when he stood in front of the library. He was not even sure himself why he ended up here instead of going back to his apartment from The Oracle.
Well, he could check whether any of his professors posted something on The Blackboard by using one of the computers in this library. Or he could review his notes. It was not like he could not do any studying stuff in his apartment. It was just… Oh, yeah. In his apartment, his bed was too much of a distraction. Yep. That's why.
Besides, who knew that maybe-
Nico huffed and shook his head, pushing the thought off his mind. He walked to the door, pulled it open and stepped in.
Nico walked slowly, gazed around at the students who were using the computers. There were some vacant ones, and Nico was thinking that maybe he could go to the quiet study area in the second or third floor when his eyes caught the sight of a tall blonde that was walking towards him.
Nico hated the eyes-meet-across-the-room cliché.
But to be honest, it was what happening to him now.
And to be even more completely honest, it was something that made his heart skipped a beat.
Will's eyebrows raised up in recognition as his lips curled up into a wide smile.
Nico stopped, pretending like he was sipping his drink as Will walked closer towards him.
"Hey, you're here!"
Will's smile was bright and it light up his whole face and Nico just could not help it to smile back at him.
"Uh… Yeah," he said.
"You just got here? From The Oracle?"
Nico arched an eyebrow. "It's not the only coffee shop around campus, Will."
Will laughed lightly, and gestured with his chin to the light-blue cup that Nico was holding.
"Nope, it's not. But it's the only one who had that cup."
Nico could barely hold himself from choking. "Uh. Yeah. You're right."
Will smiled softly at him.
"So… Uh… You.. You also just got here?" Nico asked, desperately trying to find something to say, something that could keep the conversation goes longer.
"Well, actually," Will said, scratching the back of his ear. "I… I just about to go back to the apartment. I think I am done for the day."
"Oh, cool. We can walk together, then!" Nico blurted out.
Will gave him a strange look. "I… thought you just got here?"
Well, shit.
"Uh… Yeah… But I…" Nico chewed his lower lip as he could feel his cheek got warmer. "I just remember I… forgot something. My notes," Nico said. He cleared his throat before he continued. "I forgot my notes. And I… I don't think I can do my homework without it."
For a second, Will stared at him, still with that strange look. Like he did not really believe in what Nico said.
But to be fair, maybe he had the right to not believe in Nico. Because it was not like Nico was saying the truth anyway.
First of all, Nico did not plan to do his homework in the library. And The Oracle was almost like, right in the middle between the library and their apartment complex. It was indeed, a bit hard to believe that Nico just made the trip from the Oracle to the library, only to go back to his apartment when he just got there.
But then the soft smile returned to Will's lips as he nodded.
"Yeah," Will said. He ran his fingers through his hair. "Sure. We can walk together."
Nico wished he could have a better control of himself and stopped himself from grinning.
Too late.
Nico was already grinning as he tucked in a flock of his hair behind his ear. But when he noticed the soft pink blush dusting Will's cheeks, Nico didn't really regret it.
"Anyway," Will said as they walked side by side to the door. "I was right, huh?"
Nico's brows furrowed down. Will pushed the door and held it for him as he stepped out from the library. "About what?"
"Well, you know…" Will said as he started walking next to Nico. He glanced down at Nico and there was a small, almost teasing smile playing on his lips. "That there will be a next time. Of walking together."
Nico's heart stopped beating just for a second.
Oh.
Nico cleared his throat. "Uh. Yeah."
He stole a glance at Will, and caught the taller guy was staring at him. Will quickly looked away, holding his eyes straight ahead.
Nico's heart fluttered.
"So," he said, playing with the strap of his backpack. "Uh. I met Leo earlier. In The Oracle?"
"Oh, yeah. It's his shift today."
"You… I mean, how long have you worked there?" Nico asked, risking a glance at Will.
Will shrugged his shoulder. "Since last year," he said, and continued talking about how he started working there.
Maybe it was just Nico's imagination. But the street light along the street that they passed seemed to be a bit brighter than usual tonight.
-o0o-
It was a little bit past 11.30 when Nico noticed a notification icon from Facebook showed up on his screen. Still chewing the last pieces of his Cheetos, Nico unlocked his phone and checked it.
A friend request from Will Solace.
Nico didn't even bother to erase the grin off his face as he tapped the 'confirm' button.