The Improbable Clause of Missing You

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

08: Make some noise

09:29, Sebastian; Wanna hang out later?

10:01, Hayley; Why are you texting in school? I can't, sorry. I have work.

10:02, Sebastian; Where's that?

10:03, Sebastian; Never mind, see you J

The next time I saw him was at the café. In other words, when he forcefully yanked the earpiece from an oblivious me, who was busy wiping down the tables.

Technically, it was a book store with a mini café, but my job entailed stacking books and wiping down tables. I tried to be a barista once, but that didn't end up very well. I worked a Tuesday shift, after school. It was literally the most random of days, but it was pretty decent because, hey, no one really wanted to meet up on a Tuesday.

Anyway, back to the rude boy that had just interrupted my music.

"I'll take what I want from your heart and I'll keep it," Sebastian raised an eyebrow as the music pounded through the earpiece, the unfortunate lyrics pouring out.

"Interesting music, Sanders. Didn't take you for a MCR fan."

"In a bag, in a box, put an X on the floor," I sang along silently in my head, turning back to the table. Lean, wipe a three hundred degrees from the outside in. Move to the next table. Repeat. Except I couldn't move, because he was still holding onto my earpiece. Eventually, I realised the only way to make him let go was to reply. It was obvious he wasn't used to being ignored, though, and that was pretty funny.

"Could you let go? I have work to do," I said, tugging the limp earpiece from his hand and turning to the next table. I noted that he remained standing behind me. Wait. Was he staring at my butt? Disgruntled, I turned to him.

"Sorry, please go to the counter to place your order," I said, voice dripping with mock sweetness. He rolled his eyes, following as I weaved between tables. There was no one else at the café; save for a single barista and a man on his laptop. Probably using the wireless.

"You can't pull that shit with me," he muttered playfully, pulling on my arm and spinning me around.

I laughed. "Hey, Sebastian."

"Hello, Hayley."

"You can't just ambush a girl while she's working," I retorted. "How did you even find me? That's a little creepy."

"I pass by on my way home," he said defensively. I raised my eyebrows as if to say uh huh, go on, I believe you.

"Whatever. Want to go to the park or something? Nice weather today."

"I'm working!"

"Come on, live a little," Sebastian goaded. "It'll be fun, but I guess you wouldn't know, huh?"

My mind caught on the challenging tone and I couldn't help but grin.

"Excuse me? It's a shame that you're such a bigot or I would go."

"And you're a prude, but I'm making an exception," he said, smirking.

Our eyes caught with silent laughter.

"Well, what's in it for me?"

"Ice cream, maybe, and a walk to the park."

My shift was ending already, and my parents weren't home, either. Might as well, but perhaps I could tease him a little.