~ On a Wednesday, in a cafe, I watched it begin again ~
Chapter Eight: Lukewarm
"Goodnight," I whispered, leaning up on my tip toes and kissing Max's cheek. Max smiled sweetly, taking my hand in his.
"Goodnight, lovely..." Max murmured, tucking my hair behind my ear. I smiled as he pecked my forehead, bringing me closer in a soft hug. "I'll see you soon," he told me, slowly letting go of my body. I nodded cutely, making Max chuckle as he quickly stole out the front door to my apartment, shutting it quietly after himself as Storm danced around my feet. I slowly giggled, biting my lip and smiling as I pushed my hair from my face.
It'd been a perfect first date. Max had been Max, and everything he did, everything he said, made it nothing less than absolutely perfect. After the movie we'd gone out to eat at some Thai place, and it was fun letting him teach me how to use chop sticks, laughing quietly at the little booth in the corner as I failed miserably, letting him gently guide my hand into the right positions.
I jumped as there was a knock at the door, making me frown slightly as I slowly twisted the knob to see who it was. Max stood there, biting his lip slightly as he stared at me.
"Forget something?" I asked, leaning against the door. Max smiled and nodded, watching me sweetly.
"Yeah," he whispered, slowly taking my face in his hands. "This..."
Max slowly brought his lips to mine, kissing me gently as his hands fell to my hips. Our eyes slipped closed as I kissed back, my hands coming up and falling on his chest, feeling his heart beating quickly against my palms. Max smiled against my lips as butterflies exploded in my stomach, making me giggle slightly, in turn causing Max to chuckle and pull away a little.
"Gosh that's perfect," he whispered, a smile evident in his voice. "I could do that all night..."
I giggled again, biting my lip. "Yeah..." I smiled. "Me too."
Max chuckled and pecked my lips once, slowly easing himself away. "Goodnight, Symphony," he told me again, stepping back into the hallway. I couldn't help but smile, still leaning on the door.
"Goodnight, Max," I responded. Max grinned and slowly turned down the hall, towards the stairs of the building. I closed the door, turning and pressing my back against it as I sank down to the floor, smiling happily as Storm came closer and padded into my lap, mewing softly and begging for attention. I chuckled to myself, slowly scooping him up in my arms and walking into my room, quickly grabbing my phone charger and my keys as I left my apartment and locked the door. Storm meowed unhappily and fidgeted in my arms as I carried him down the hall and up the stairs to Lucas' apartment, using my key to unlock it.
"Honey, I'm home!" I called laughingly, shutting the door after myself and setting Storm down. I heard Lucas laugh from his living room, walking down the short hall and emerging in his presence.
"Hey sweetie," he greeted me, watching as I came around his couch and plopped down beside him where he was flipping through channels, kicking my bare feet up onto his coffee table. "How was your date?"
I grinned, shrugging nonchalantly. "It was fun," I said, vaguely. "We caught a movie and grabbed dinner."
Lucas looked over at me, giving me a look. "Your face has more to tell," he commented. I giggled, shrugging again.
"Maybe he kissed me," I stated, teasingly. "Maybe he didn't..." I smiled. "Care to take a guess on which?"
Lucas laughed. "I'd guess he kissed you," he said.
I threw my hands over my head. "Ding ding ding!" I giggled. "You win, loser!"
Lucas smirked. "Isn't that an oxymoron?"
I swatted his chest, and he grinned. "What's my prize?" he asked. I chuckled.
"Your prize is that I'll spare you the girly descriptions," I smiled, stealing a swig of his lukewarm latte. Lucas laughed, reaching over and ruffling my hair.
"Great," he grinned. "I could always go for less girly descriptions in my day."
I rolled my eyes lovingly, standing and going to his kitchen to grab something to drink. "Make yourself at home, then," he called, teasingly. I winked at him as I came back, sprawling out across his couch.
"I always do," I smiled. Lucas grinned at me for a moment, before shaking his head.
"Maybe Max should take you out more often," he laughed. "You're in such a good mood."
I shrugged, playing with my mother's dog tags absently. "He just makes me happy," I smiled. "Really happy..."
Lucas grinned, playfully punching my leg. "Don't get soft on me," he said, drumming on my thigh with his fingers. "I don't need my best friend to turn all girly."
I chuckled. "Never, loser," I promised. "I'll always be your horror movie and video game buddy."
Lucas smirked. "You'd better," he told me. Lucas watched me for a moment, before he sighed. "I don't know, Symphony..." He began. "Sometimes I just get scared you'll find a guy who'll love you and take care of you and just leave me in the dust."
I looked at Lucas for a moment, before shooting him an assuring smile. "I would never do that to you," I promised him softly. "You've been there for me through my darkest times, Lucas. That's not something I'll ever forget."
Lucas laughed sweetly. "Yeah..." he said, quietly. "I know that," he stated. "You've just been my rock for so long, I'm not sure how well I'd function without you."
I reached over and held his hand. "Don't worry about it, Lucas," I murmured. "You won't have to function without me," I promised. "I love you like you were my older brother; bound by everything but blood."
Lucas smiled, squeezing my hand. "Bound by everything but blood," he agreed, flicking his dark hair from his face. "Right. Thanks, Simmy. I love you too."
I chuckled, slowly retracting my hand as he began flipping through the channels again. And just like that, my best friend's moment of insecurity had passed.
"When are you seeing him again?" Lucas asked, referring to Max. I shrugged a little, watching as Storm jumped up onto the couch and curled into my side.
"Don't know yet," I answered. "Soon," I said.
Lucas nodded, sighing as he gave up on his channel surfing, instead putting the TV on input and turning on his Xbox, switching the discs and grabbing a couple of controllers, setting one of them on the coffee table in case I wanted to join him at some point. He started up one of the Assassin's Creed games, falling into usual conversation with me.
"What movie did y'all see?" Lucas asked absently, scaling a tower. I gave a small chuckle, feeling my phone vibrate in my pocket.
"That new chick flick," I told him. "We spent most if the movie throwing popcorn and gummy bears at the people in the theater."
Lucas looked over at me suddenly. "Like you and your mom used to do?"
I nodded, biting my lip slightly. "I told him Mom and Dad were separated," I told Lucas. "It isn't technically a lie," I stated. My best friend slowly nodded, reaching over and squeezing my knee.
"Just be careful, sweetie," he stated. "I get not wanting to tell Max just yet, but just watch that you don't outright lie to him."
I nodded. "I'm trying my best," I assured. Lucas smiled and nodded, leaning over and pressing a brotherly kiss to my forehead. I sighed lightly.
"So how come your here and not out with a girl?" I asked. Lucas shrugged a little, watching the TV screen again.
"Didn't feel like it," he stated. "I don't know... I've been kind of bored lately."
I gave an overdramatic gasp. "Lucas Anthony Foster, bored with sex?!" I tsked and shook my head. "Never thought I'd see the day."
Lucas gave a short, sarcastic laugh. "Ha ha..." he smiled. "I don't know... I've just been thinking lately that maybe I want something with more substance in my life."
I chuckled a little, laying back with my head beside his thigh, letting Storm rest on my chest. "I knew you'd come to think that at some point," I assured him. "I think it's about time, actually."
Lucas laughed. "I'm just kind of ready to ease myself out of my old ways."
I grinned happily. "Good for you, loser," I said, reaching up and patting his chest. "Good for you."
Lucas nodded at the controller sitting on the coffee table, after cursing at himself for dying. "Grab that," he said. "We can play something."
I nodded, reaching for the controller and watching him jump up to change the discs.
There were an infinite number of reasons I loved my best friend, but one of them was this: our friendship was effortless, and we could flow between really serious topics and everyday conversation without so much as missing a single beat.
Hours later I found myself in my apartment again, Storm accompanying me, though it was only because I couldn't sleep and wanted to play piano.
"Symphony?"
I sighed, slowly ceasing my playing and looking over at the door to my music room. Lucas smiled sleepily at me where he leaned against the doorframe, watching me play piano. I waved a little in greeting, making him chuckle.
"It's two in the morning, sweetie," he stated, slowly making his way over to where I sat. I shrugged, looking up at him as he sat down on the bench beside me.
"How come you're awake?" I asked. Lucas laughed tiredly, patting my head lovingly.
"I got up to pee and you weren't passed out on my couch," he said. "You never leave like that unless you're coming down here to play."
I smiled a little, loving how well my best friend knew me. "Well..." I said slowly. "Max and I started texting after you went to bed at eleven, and we didn't stop until about thirty minutes ago... Well, my mind wouldn't slow down after that, so I came down here to play."
Lucas teasingly rolled his eyes. "He's got you staying awake at night," he laughed. "Must be fate."
I scoffed, lightly smacking his chest. Lucas laughed again as I yawned, leaning against him, finally feeling tired. My best friend slid his arm around my waist, squeezing my hip.
"C'mon, Simmy," he said. "Let's get you into bed."
I slowly nodded, letting Lucas guide me into my room, letting me lay down in bed. "Sleep tight, bestie," he laughed, tucking me in. I smiled, curling into my blankets.
"Night, Lucas."
"Goodnight, Symphony."
* * * * *
I tiredly looked over at Lucas, watching him get up and move to make himself a cup of coffee. He noticed me watching, smiling slightly. "Want something?" he asked, gently. I nodded a little, checking the time.
"You know how I like it," I said, smiling my thanks. "And put an extra shot of expresso please?" I asked. "I'm gonna need the kick to get through the night."
Lucas frowned. "Are you sure you'll be alright here by yourself?" he asked, referring to the late shift at the shop. "Why don't you knock off with me and you can go home and sleep?"
I shook my head, smiling sleepily. "There's no sense in that," I promised. "I'm fine."
Lucas sighed. "If you're sure," he stated. He set my hot cup of coffee down beside me, ruffling my hair. "I'll see you tomorrow, alright?"
I nodded, watching him pull his coat on. "Love you," I called, returning to my book.
"Love you too," he responded, before slipping out the back door into the cold Chicago air. I chuckled lightly to myself after he left, pushing my hair from my face as I looked around the nearly empty shop. There was only an older couple, sitting at a table by the window, talking idly between themselves and eating a few fruit tarts they'd ordered.
My phone vibrated, pulling me from my thoughts. I slowly pulled it from my apron, seeing Max's name lit up on my phone, with a text:
'Max: Hey there cutie ;-) What'cha up to?'
I laughed lightly to myself, responding quickly:
'Hey :-) nothing much, just working actually.'
I went back to my book for a few minutes, before Max responded:
'Max: Really now? Interesting. You working with Lucas?'
I swiftly replied:
'Nope! Just me for the next three hours.'
I slowly stood as the older couple came over to pay. I smiled sweetly at them, watching as a couple of teenage girls came in, all giggly, pushing together a couple of the smaller tables and sitting down for a moment.
"Have a goodnight, guys," I smiled at the couple as they waved, another incoming customer holding the door open for them. I grinned at the warm brown eyes I met, brushing my hair behind my ear as he came in and took his jacket off, hanging it on the hook by the door. Max smiled at me, and his smile was followed by lots of girlish giggles from the table of teenagers in the middle of the shop.
Max began making his way towards me, a grey beanie still on his head, before he was intercepted by two of the teenage girls. Max frowned slightly, before quickly replacing it again with a small smile. "Anything I can do for you ladies?" he asked, his tone polite. The two girls smiled silkily, glancing back at their fiends and biting their lips.
"Not exactly," one spoke, a tall blonde one with a shirt that came down further than should be legally allowed.
"But we can do something for you," the other girl, a smaller brunette, smiled suggestively. "Why don't you let us buy you coffee, and we can talk about it?"
Max was trying to hold in a laugh, I could tell, but the girls made my skin boil. Max shook his head at the two, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"No thanks," he said politely. The two girls pouted, sticking out their full lips as Max breezed past them, walking over to me. He grinned cutely, his eyes lighting up as he watched a slow smile spread across my face.
"Hi," I spoke quietly, noting the shocked expressions of the teens behind Max. Max laughed, taking my face in his hands and pulling me to lean over the counter, molding his lips to mine for a moment. Our kiss caused audible gasps to explode through the air, making me hold back a laugh as Max slowly pulled away.
"Hi lovely," he greeted me gently, running his fingers across my cheeks. "You smell good."
I laughed lightly, shrugging. "I smell like coffee."
Max grinned. "And I love it," he chuckled, poking my nose. I playfully rolled my eyes as he released me, sitting down in the barstool across from where I stood. I leaned onto the counter, watching him situate.
"How come you're here?" I asked, watching him softly as he rested his cheek in his hand. Max laughed sweetly, running his fingers along the back of my hand where it rested on the counter.
"Didn't you get my text?" he asked. I slowly shook my head, pulling my phone from my apron where I'd put it when I got up to ring the older couple up. He was right, I'd missed a text:
'Max: Oh yeah? I'll be there in about two minutes to keep you company :-)'
I laughed. "Oh," I smiled. "That explains it."
Max chuckled, watching me set my phone down on the counter as I grabbed my pen and pad, deciding I'd prolonged it enough. I told Max I'd be right back, before slowly making my way over to the table of girls. They all shot me death glares that made my stomach sink as I approached, but I wouldn't let it show, smiling sweetly at them as I stood at the end of the table.
"What can I get you girls?" I asked politely. I noticed out of the corner of my eye Max's head turned towards us, listening carefully as the six girls gave me some of the most complicated orders I've ever gotten, except one, who hadn't been glaring at me and had rather been smiling apologetically. I decided I wouldn't mentally spit in her coffee.
"You want your usual, darling?" I asked Max as I passed on my way back around the counter. I loved the way he grinned at what I called him, the way he watched me like he'd never seen anything like me. He nodded slightly, laughing.
"Please, baby," he responded easily, and my stomach flipped. I took my time with the coffee, at first making Max's and the uncomplicated girl's order, taking it to them before beginning to work on the other five. Max and I talked idly between, laughing lightly as I made coffee, slowly distributing it to everyone.
"By the way," Max whispered, low enough the girls wouldn't be able to hear. "You're cute when you're jealous."
I rolled my eyes playfully, swatting his arm lightly as he laughed, taking my hand and intertwining out fingers. He chuckled as he kissed the back of my palm, watching my face turn a soft shade of red.
"Whatever," I mumbled defeatedly. He smiled as he watched me, drawing patterns on my hand.
"Don't worry," he stated, gently. "You have nothing to worry about," he assured me. "They've got nothing on your cute freckles, beautiful eyes, and stunning personality."
I blushed harder, not meeting his brown eyes. His finger slowly guided my chin to look at him, smiling again as we made eye contact. "And how can they possibly even begin to compete with that perfect shade of red you turn when I'm giving you a compliment."
I grinned and buried my head in my arms. "Stop it," I mumbled. "If you keep it up, my skin might actually tint this color permanently."
Max laughed, kissing my long, straight, red hair. "I wouldn't mind," he assured.
"Ahem!" I sighed as a rude voice called for my attention, slowly getting up as Max looked over at where the tall blonde sat, snapping her fingers. "Excuse me," she stated.
I dragged myself from around the counter, slowly moving to the end of their table. "Yes?" I stated, watching everyone but the quiet, polite girl in the corner take the lids off their coffee.
"There's something wrong with our coffees," the brunette from earlier stated. I raised my eyebrows, shifting my weight, bored.
I wasn't that way for long.
Suddenly I was soaked with lukewarm coffee, all the way through my clothes and my hair.
I sputtered slightly, wiping my eyes as I looked and saw five of the six girls smirking, empty cups in their hands. The blonde smiled triumphantly, winking in a sickly sweet way.
"Never mind," she assured. "I think we fixed the problem."
Everything seemed to slow down. Internally I felt anger cloud my vision, embarrassment claw it's way up my throat, and somewhere all I wanted to do was just break down at cry. I couldn't cry though; I hadn't cried in public like that in years. I mentally tried to figure out how exactly to react, before Max was suddenly in front if me, holding me behind him protectively.
"Are you shitting me right now?" Max's voice cut through the silence, pushing me out of my slight trance. Max radiated red hot anger, his hands on my waist pressing me against his body, keeping me safe, not even caring he was getting wet in the process.
The girls were silent, their mouths dropped at Max's outburst. "That is undoubtedly one of the singular most downright cruel and mean things I've ever seen in my twenty-one years of life," he spat at them. "It's people like you that are the cause of most of the world's issues. I'm going to have to ask you to get the hell out."
The blonde pursed her lips. "You can't make us do that," she told him. "You don't have the right."
Max's jaw clenched, his voice lower and more menacing. "But she does," he told them. "She owns this shop," he informed them. "And if you don't vacate within the next minute I will not hesitate to call the cops for trespassing," he threatened. "Leave," he growled. "Now."
The blonde stared at Max sharply for a minute, her gaze then faltering to me where I stood looking around his strong, protectively-stanced body. He held me closer as all the girls simultaneously grabbed their things and moved to leave, the one sweet girl slowly trailing behind, doing her best to send me apologetic smiles as she carried her fully intact coffee cup with her.
As soon as they were gone Max let out a breath, slowly turning and burying my wet body against his. I finally let a couple of tears spill, listening to Max quietly console me as he pulled his fingers through my now damp and nasty hair. "I'm so sorry, Symphony," he whispered. "Are you alright?"
I slowly nodded, pulling myself from Max. "I don't wanna get you wet," I spoke quietly, moving my sticky hair from my face. Max shook his head and held me again, resting his chin on the top of my head.
"Don't worry about that, baby," he murmured. "Why don't you close up early and let me drive you home?" he suggested. "Let you get cleaned up..."
I shook my head. "I'll take the subway," I stated. "I don't wanna ruin your car seats."
Max looked at me for a moment, before slowly laughing. "You're a trip, you know that, lovely?" he spoke sweetly. "Now c'mon... Don't argue. Just lock up real quick so I can get you home."
I sighed, realizing there was no point in arguing. I let Max help me lock everything up, turning off almost all the lights as he grabbed his jacket. "Here," he whispered, coming behind me and guiding me into his red leather jacket. "You'll be freezing when we get outside."
I thanked him quietly, stuffing my phone in the pocket and letting him pull my hair out of the jacket. "There," he smiled, his hand sliding into mine. "C'mon now. Let's get you home."
I nodded, almost silently following him towards the back exit, letting him tug me under his arm as he opened the door and guided me outside. I shivered almost instantly, the cold wind biting at my damp hair and clothes, making me cringe closer to Max's warm body. He rubbed my arm up and down, soothing me gently, moving more quickly as he guided me to his car.
Once we were inside, he cranked the heat, trying his best to help my chilled body. The short walk from the back door of the shop to his car was enough to numb my little fingers, making me shake quietly as I curled into a right ball. Max reached over and rested his hand on my leg, smiling apologetically.
"I wish I could've stopped that," Max murmured. I smiled at him slightly, shaking my head.
"You couldn't have possibly known they were psycho enough to throw their coffee all over me," I told him, my voice faltering from the cold. Max frowned, sighing.
"That doesn't mean I don't wish I could've stopped it," he said. "I came to keep you company and to see your smile, not cause a bunch of snotty teenagers to toss their coffee on you and make you frown."
I chuckled lightly. "It was worth it to see your protective side."
Max couldn't help but smile a little at that. "Sorry," he apologized sheepishly. "I get that way when it comes to people I really care about... I'm more protective of you than I've ever been of anyone else."
I smiled slightly, falling silent as he pulled into the parking lot. I let Max open the door for me and guide me towards the building and up to my apartment.
"Let me grab a set of clothes for you before I get in the shower," I said, walking Max back towards my bedroom. "Lucas has some spare clothes here I'm sure would fit you."
Max smiled. "Okay," he agreed. "You want me to call him and let him know what happened?"
I shook my head. "No," I said, fishing out a pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt of Lucas' for Max to wear. "I don't wanna worry him," I said. "Plus, if you tell him, he'll probably come down here to check on me, and I'd kind of rather spend the time with you."
Max grinned. "I won't argue with you there," he murmured, taking the clothes from my outstretched hand. "Thank you... Now go shower, so we can spend that time together. I'll see about having hot cocoa ready for you when you get out."
I smiled. "You're amazing," I told him, leaning up and kissing his cheek. Max laughed lightly, blushing cutely.
"Thank you," he murmured. "I'll see you in a minute."
I nodded, slowly disappearing into the bathroom.
________________________________________________
It feels damn good to update on time.
ONE! :-)
Y'all world history makes me hungry
TWO! :3
SOMEONE GIVE ME VIRTUAL COOKIES FOR HAVING THIS UP WHOOOOOO IM PROUD AS HELL
THREE! :D
So next week is fall break, which means either an early update or a late update, one or the other.
FOUR! :P
I know the story isn't very good right now, but as soon as some time passes it'll get much better, I promise.
Lord I'm struggling
Alright then, I'm done for now.
Enjoy, loves :-)
-Casey