Twilight Java

Chapter 5

After a couple minutes of telling her what has happened this past week, we hung up. I didn't tell her anything about my cafe adventures, as I didn't like telling her too much. It felt like she was trying to overly indulge herself in my life these past couple years, but it just pushed me away and made me want to hide more from her, the same way she tried hiding things from me.

Madeline surprisingly responded quickly, and she told me about how college isn't like the movies so far. I laughed at her text, telling her I felt the same way.

After a couple minutes of just messing around in my dorm, Veronica eventually came inside. She noticed me immediately and gave me a meek smile, her eyes instantly averting from my gaze.

"Hey," she said softly.

"Hey," I tried sounding happy to ease the tension, Veronica seemed nervous.

"Thank you so much for the carrot cake, it was so good."

"No problem, I'm glad you liked it." I replied honestly. I watched Veronica as she walked over to her bed and lied down without saying a word. She noticed my gaze and faced me.

"What?" She asked quizzically, but behind it she sounded like she knew what I was thinking.

"Are you okay?" I blurted out. It wasn't supposed to come off too direct, but I couldn't help it.

She hesitated, adjusting herself on her bed. "Yeah, sorry for yesterday."

"Don't be, I was just worried about you," I then walked over to my bed and lied down, parallel to Veronica. "You didn't seem like your usual self."

"Yeah it's... Sort of personal. I don't mean this against you, but it's just not something I would probably share with you right now," she gave me a weak smile as an apology. "Maybe another time."

"I understand," And I truly did. We often see ourselves as the main characters to our own story, which is true, but we forget that all of the side characters are also their own main characters. They have their own battles, their own journeys, problems and secrets. Whatever Veronica had hidden would be up to her to reveal, and regardless of whether or not she wanted to tell me, I wouldn't force her. I knew I wouldn't want someone else doing the same to me, so I'd be a hypocrite if I did it to someone else.

I might have been over-analyzing the situation, but that could go as both a vice and a virtue.

• • •

The rest of the week went by quickly. I got to know Charlie more, and we texted occasionally. He sort of felt like the brother that I never had, but a good one. The more I talked to him, the more I felt Madeline would like him. I had never tried matchmaking, but who knew, maybe one day I could bring them together.

Waking up on Saturday, I felt refreshed and excited. It was my so called, "appointment" with Ellis and I was hoping that he would be my ticket to get on the ride to my future career. And hopefully, this would be something to help him as well.

At around 4 I began to get ready even though our scheduled time was at 6. I wanted extra time so I don't mess up while getting there and I also wanted to be early. I dressed casually, but not the sort of "I just got out of bed" casual, but the "I'm made of money" casual. So for me, this technically wasn't casual but it worked. I applied more makeup than I usually would have, applying some shades of brown to my eyelids and subtle eyeliner wings. I finished off my lips with a deep burgundy lip- a lipstick that I had gotten as a gift and otherwise wouldn't have afforded- and combed through my hair. I decided to wear high waisted deep blue jeans with an amethyst colored loose crop top, but I felt exposed so I finished the look with a long, ash colored cardigan that reached my knees. I was pretty impressed with the look, but it still felt like me. But I was even more impressed with the fact that I had gotten my entire outfit from thrift shops.

I stuffed my mini backpack with the usual necessities plus my camera and a journal that I had written my questions down. I was going to record everything on my phone anyway, but this was to have my questions at all times. Eagerness and nervousness flowed through me, though I wasn't sure why. Maybe it's because I wasn't expecting this much to happen in my first week of college, or maybe I'm subconsciously into Ellis because of his beautiful voice so my body is reacting to those feelings, or maybe because I'm just socially anxious. Or maybe even all of those, but I still felt a tingle of nervousness after convincing myself this wouldn't be a big deal.

Arriving this time was a breeze, as I had remembered the route from last time. Brushing past crowds, I didn't want to be late since I didn't want Ellis to think I'm unprofessional and flakey. I got occasional glances up and down my body from mostly men, and I began to regret my choice of wardrobe. It was too late to change now, so I had to just deal with my bold choice of clothes and makeup. Eventually I spotted the events and specials chalkboard outside of the cafe and felt relieved to be close, out of the scrutinizing gaze of others.

I pushed the door open and was met with a smiling barista, his smile directed at me. I noticed the burgundy stubble around his face that gave him a more mature look, accompanied by pierced ears and grown out deep red hair. A tattoo crept up his neck through his t-shirt. Except this smile wasn't so much one of happiness, but one of mischief. He seemed to do that often.

"You're here early," A smooth and deep voice that I recognized as Ellis's said. My head turned to the left where I heard it coming from. There was Ellis, lounging in the armchairs and looking too comfortable. He stared at me with a smirk that I wanted to wipe off. "We've still got fifteen minutes until we were supposed to meet up."

I walked towards him and sat on the edge of the chair across from him. "Well first of all, I could say the same about you," I said softly, averting my gaze from him. "Second, I hate being late and I don't want you to think I'm unprofessional."

He folded his hands over his stomach. "You care what I think?"

"As a person who will help me with what I need, yes."

"So you're using me?"

"Essentially yes, but so are you." My voice held a playful edge that I got as a result of his intrusiveness.

"And how am I using you, Callisto?" He asked, feigning innocence.

"For publicity of course."

"Hm, I guess you're right," He pushed himself forward off the chair so that his face was closer to mine. "In that case, I'm the one being unprofessional, and professionals should always introduce themselves. I'm Ellis LeBlanc." He stuck his hand out to me, his deep hazel eyes hanging on to mine with an unwavering gaze. I grabbed it and shook it firmly.

"Callisto Arona."

"Pleased to meet you, Callisto."

"As to you, Ellis."