HAUNTED || chris sturniolo

𝟎𝟏𝟑. relax, rodriguez

CHAPTER 013 -
╰┈➤ ' relax, rodriguez ' ♡₊˚ 🦢・₊✧
「 real life 」

─ real life

THE HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS STRUNG ALONG THE COFFEE SHOP WINDOWS SEEMED OUT OF PLACE IN THE HARSH DAYLIGHT, but adriana didn't care. she pushed open the door, the jingling bell overhead briefly cutting through the sound of indie music and quiet conversation. the smell of coffee hit her immediately, rich and warm, though it did little to improve her mood.

"this place smells like heaven," cecelia said, tugging off her knit hat and running her fingers through her curls.

"it's just coffee," adriana muttered, unwrapping her scarf and stuffing it into her bag.

cecelia shot her a look. "okay, grumpy. someone definitely needs caffeine."

the line wasn't long, and they were at the counter in seconds. zayn leaned lazily against the register, his black hoodie peeking out from under his apron. as soon as he spotted them, his lopsided grin appeared, eyes lighting up with his usual playful energy.

"well, if it isn't my favorite customers," he said, his voice teasing. "let me guess, you're here to rescue adriana from her bad mood?"

cecelia grinned, leaning her elbows on the counter. "you read her like a book."

adriana rolled her eyes. "just get me a cappuccino, extra foam."

"and i'll take a caramel latte," cecelia said, her voice warmer than adriana's had been. she nudged adriana with her elbow. "maybe make hers decaf? she's been snapping all day."

"i could," zayn said, his lips curving into a smirk. "but then she'd probably come back here and fight me, and i don't know if my ego could take it."

"funny," adriana said flatly.

"careful, zayn," cecelia teased, her grin widening. "she's got a mean right hook."

zayn chuckled, his gaze shifting to cecelia. "good thing you've got my back, huh? you wouldn't let her take me down, right?"

cecelia tilted her head, pretending to think about it. "depends. are you making my latte extra sweet?"

"only for you," zayn said, leaning forward slightly.

adriana groaned, crossing her arms. "can you two stop flirting long enough to make the drinks?"

"relax, rodriguez," zayn said, already turning toward the coffee machines. "i'll have your caffeine ready before you start throwing punches."

at the pickup counter, adriana stared blankly at the pastry display while cecelia giggled quietly behind her.

"you know, you could just talk to him," cecelia said, breaking the silence.

adriana's head snapped toward her. "talk to who?"

"chris," cecelia said, her tone soft but steady. "you're obviously still upset about him."

adriana scoffed, her eyes narrowing. "i'm not upset."

"uh-huh," cecelia said, clearly unconvinced. "because avoiding his name totally screams 'i'm over it.'"

"drop it, cece," adriana said, her voice low and clipped, trying to avoid attracting attention.

zayn, who was steaming milk but clearly listening, moved a little closer to the counter, pretending to tidy up.

"come on, adri," cecelia said. "he's been trying—"

"trying what?" adriana snapped, her voice rising slightly. "trying to act like nothing happened? like he didn't just cut me out with zero explanation?"

zayn stilled, his hand hovering over the tongs for the bagels.

"people mess up," cecelia said gently. "you were together for two years, adriana. that has to mean something."

adriana's jaw tightened, her voice barely above a whisper. "you don't just throw two years away, cece. not if you actually care."

the tension between them was thick, the buzz of the coffee shop fading into the background. adriana's face was a mask of frustration, but the glint in her eyes betrayed something else.

zayn cleared his throat loudly, breaking the moment. "large cappuccino, extra foam," he called, placing the drink on the counter.

adriana grabbed the cup without a word, her fingers gripping it tightly as she turned away from him.

"you okay?" zayn asked quietly, leaning toward cecelia as adriana walked toward the door.

"she's just... processing," cecelia said softly, glancing at her friend with a mix of worry and affection.

zayn nodded, his voice dropping. "well, if she ever needs a distraction, tell her this place is always open. you too, by the way."

cecelia blinked, her brow lifting slightly. "me?"

"yeah," zayn said, his grin returning. "but next time, maybe i'll sneak an extra caramel shot into your latte. just for you."

cecelia's smile widened, though she tried to play it cool. "oh, yeah? i'll hold you to that."

"you better," he said, leaning a little closer.

"cece," adriana called sharply from the door.

"coming," cecelia said, giving zayn a quick wave before rushing after her.

zayn watched them leave, his grin fading as he replayed adriana's words in his head. he shook his head, muttering under his breath. "chris, you really screwed this one up."

evie speaks
guys are we ready for some zayn and cecelia romance on the side...