Chapter 1
Bubble Milk Tea
He came here every night like clockwork. Five pm the bell would ring, his quiet steps pattering into the corner booth. Pulling out those ridiculous sized books he carried, he meticulously placed them in an order she never understood.
His order was predictable as he went down the menu each time, tasting every drink and slowly jotting notes. He seemed to have them ranked because on the weekends, he broke that line of taste and chose the same simple drink, bubble milk tea. But it wasn't a weekend, and he wasn't here.
Today would have been the day he actually landed on a milk tea but he wasn't here. Staring at the prepared drink she sighed then at the clock, six pm. He wasn't coming today. "I hope he is alright." she whispered and without a heart to chuck the drink, she kept it in the fridge, hoping patiently.
Eleven fifty she registered as she cleared out the back, she closed every night and this was the first time since he had started coming in that he had not. Clearing out the fridge she eyed the drink, closing the fridge door, there was still time, nine minutes but that should be enough. Right?
Then the door opened, a strong gust of wind followed and she knew, even before her eyes met his - his normally kept hair, wet and clinging to his face, a boyish, teasing smile danced on his ruby lips,
"I'm sorry, I know you close soon but I was hoping…"
"Bubble milk tea and cheesecake to go?" she smiled, her heart finally at rest. He was fine, ruddier than ever.
"Sorry again," he mumbled as he pulled out his wallet to pay.
"On the house." she smiled, her heart tugging at his smile, a small blush powdering her cheeks
"I cannot,"
"I insist. Goodnight!"