Love, On Read (MxM)

Chapter 4: The Cold Brew Before the Storm

A/N: Hope you enjoy! <3

Ollie's POV

Aside from sheepishly asking Haruto for a refill, I had avoided looking in his direction after he had used that silly word. Cute. I should've been used to his flirts, but for some reason, it felt different from his usual barista banter. Still, I refused to look at him, instead glueing my eyes to the screen and focusing on finishing this assignment.

It had been three hours since Haruto's lunch, and most of the patrons had left already. There was an elderly couple near the window and a couple of college students, but the cafe was normally dead at this time of night.

That was when my phone pinged, forgetting the ringer was on, I picked it up to silence it, only to see that I had a message from Messenger. Mason. Benjamin's fiance.

I had been this close. This close to forgetting about that stupid Facebook post. This close to forgetting how much of a pain it was thinking about those happy idiots.

But of course, nothing ever goes my way. Why did Mason have to try and contact me too? It made no sense. The notification from Messenger was like a slap to the face. I didn't want to open it, but curiosity killed the cat, as they say. I clicked on it, forgetting that he could see if I read it.

Hey, can we talk?

He started typing. Are you still near college town? I'm going to be in that area on Friday if we could talk in person? That would be better.

My phone clattered on the table after reading it. No, why would he be in town? His college was hours away from here. But if Mason really was visiting this area, did that mean Benjamin was coming too?

Oh no. I did not want to see them, did not want to see those silly rings on their fingers, or those boastful smiles.

My heart was racing at the thought of them even seeing me in person. I'd lie and say I was over them and their drama, but just the idea of them approaching me sent in an anxious spiral. My hands were shaking, whether from the message or the coffee, I wasn't sure anymore.

I flipped my phone over if he said anything else before staring at the laptop screen. Everything was blurring as my eyes went cross-eyed, zoning out as the weight of Mason's words were haunting me.

He would be here on Friday, somewhere in the vicinity. There was a chance that if I just ignored him, then maybe he'd forget about it. But I knew Mason. Maybe not that well anymore, but Mason was always a go-getter. Someone who always sets his mind after something, no matter the odds. From his grades, sports, even with his friends, Mason had always been one to seek truth, success, and recognition. And if he wanted to talk to me, he'd do everything in his power to do so.

I'd have to hide again, avoid any chance of being seen by him. Hole myself up at my apartment if I have to. And as much as I'd like to see Haruto on Friday, if Mason remembered my love for small, locally-owned coffee shops, he'd be able to narrow it down and find me.

My heart rate was increasing quickly the more I dreaded the idea of it. I couldn't do this. Closing my laptop, I stood up, quickly packing my things, wanting to calm down in the comforts of my own home. As much as this place was a second home, it was too public for my liking at the moment. I just wanted to get out of here and away from people. It didn't matter that my place was cold and lonely; being alone in a pile of blankets sounded nice right about now.

It felt like that anxiety attack the school nurse had told me I was having during junior year of high school. I couldn't bear the thought of going through another full-blown attack like that again. Although she told me, it affects people differently depending on the scale, removing yourself from that situation often helps, and I think I needed that. The anxiety was building, clawing into me as even the slightest of small talk between the couple or college students amplified, reminded me of the gossips and rumors I faced.