Silent Connection

xv.

I was walking down the street, following the path my GPS laid out for me. I was meeting Masami for a late lunch at a little café and bakery not too far from my house. I was feeling a little nervous, but mostly I was excited. I followed along the cobblestone walkway, my black converse softly tapping against the bricks. The GPS on my phone flashed with a notification, letting me know I had made it to my destination.

I looked in front of me to see the cutest little shop I had ever seen. It wasn't very big, but that didn't matter. It had large windows that rose from the floor to the ceiling on either side of the door. There were potted hanging plants that cascaded down in front of the windows. Baby blue awnings were above the entrance, ones with thick yellow stripes running down the middle.

I opened the door and walked in; the inside was just as cute. There was a counter set up to the right with a chalkboard hanging on the wall behind it. The menu items were listed along with some drawings. Beside the counter, there was a glass display case with different types of pastries. There were tall tables set up along the middle and smaller ones along the walls. Each table had a different flower sitting in a pastel vase. The whole place smelled like heaven. I don't think it could be any warmer if it tried.

"(Y/n)!" Someone shouted for me. I smiled as I saw Masami waving at me from a table in the back. She looked like a crazy person. I blushed when the other customers turned to look and see who she was waving at. I quickly made my way to the table, hoping to avoid the stares.

I sat down at the table, giving her a wave and smile.

"Did you find the place okay?" I nodded and showed her my phone, it was still open to the GPS app.

"You want to order something? I figured I'd wait until you got here"

I nodded again, happy that she had waited for me. She pushed out her chair and stood up, linking her arm with mine. She pulled me along up to the counter, smiling down at me. We were looking at the menu behind the counter when the barista came out from the back.

"I'm sorry for the wait, I had to deal with some things in the back. What can I get ya?" He smiled at us, his shaggy auburn hair flopping down into his eyes.

"Let's see...I'd like a caramel frappe with cinnamon." Masami said with a smile. He typed the order into the machine in front of him. When he was done, he turned to face me.

"And what can I get you?" He gave me a cheeky grin.

This was the part that always made me nervous. The part where I had to fumble around with my phone and wait for the person to stare at me before understanding that I was trying to speak to them through a robot. I took in a deep breath, preparing myself.

I typed in my phone, holding it up for him to see.

Iced matcha latte, please.

He looked at the phone I had outstretched towards him, reading the words. As he finished reading the words he continued to smile at me, I don't think it ever left his face. Was it wrong that I was confused by his lack of reaction?

"Anything else for you ladies? We have some freshly baked pastries to choose from." He looked at each of us, then pointed to the display case to his left. Masami walked over to the case, figuring out if she was going to get anything. She looked back over to me and smiled.

"You want one (Y/n)?" She asked, pointing at the case.

I shook my head. I didn't want anything, just a drink for now. I was still a little anxious, so I figured I could get something later when my nerves calmed down.

"Well, do you mind if I get something?"

I gave her a thumbs up and she smiled back at me.

I looked back at the cashier. He was still smiling at me. I gave him what probably looked like a very awkward smile in return. He seemed like a genuinely nice person; I just didn't do well with strangers. He started motioning at me with his hands, his fingers bending and moving with each gesture. I tilted my head to the side, confused. He gave a small chuckle in return.