Under The Mask

Chapter four: Café

Cross got a taxi to drive him to his work. He hated being even a moment late to work. He took a cough drop and drank some water before croaking out the words, "Please, please hurry. . . "

"You'll have to pay more, okay?" Cross nodded weakly. "Alright, where to?"

"Downtown Coffee, please." The cabbie nodded and sped off. They got there swiftly. Thankfully, they weren't pulled over by the cops. Coss got out of the car and went around to the passenger seat window. He threw in some money that was previously stolen from XGaster. He then scurried inside the small shop and went to catch his breath.

"Hey, Cross! You're early." He looked up to see a coworker, Dave.

Cross waved, panting heavily. It hurt due to his sore throat. He was incredibly quiet at work and barely spoke other than occasional grunts and swears when he accidently cut himself on the glass cups. Whenever that happened, he'd immediately cover the wound and would always look slightly horrified and ashamed, which is a lot for someone who barely shows emotions. No one knew why.

He ran into the staff room to get a notepad, pen, and apron. He looked in the mirror and noticed his hair was a mess. His other coworker came in. Her name was Shelly and she had a hairbrush. He motioned towards it and at his hair. She got the message. "Oh, hey Cross! Did you want to use this?" Cross nodded, somewhat embarrassed. She smiled and said, "Catch."

Shelly underhand tossed the hairbrush. Cross successfully caught it and did his best to  act out a thank you before fixing his hair. He gave it back and waved goodbye. He stepped outside the room and sighed. He began to go around and take orders.

...

More guests were coming in. Some employees were sick, so the cafe needed an extra pair of hands. He was currently scrubbing the counter when Dave rushed over. "Cross! I'm so sorry to put you through this, but can you serve this guy at table 13? He gives me the creeps!"

Cross raised an eyebrow. Dave scared of a customer? The creeps? Kinda rude if you ask Cross. He shrugged and sighed. He silently walked over to table 13, wondering what the customer looked like. It was in the darker side of the cafe, too. Dang, Dave must watch a lot of horror movies.He looked over at the person inside the booth and was shocked with who he saw.

Cross' eyes widened as he saw his 'fellow' classmate, Nightmare. He couldn't help but stutter. "Ni- Night- N-" Dave was serving table 12. You could guess how his face looked when he saw the quiet guy actually speaking to someone. Even someone who scared him!

Nightmare looked at Cross and his eyes widened as well. "Cross? You work here?" Cross shut his mouth to prevent any more stutters and cut noises from escaping his mouth. He looked away and nodded. He looked down at the small notepad and pointed at it. "My order, I presume?"

The boy nodded again. "Well, I want a- well- uh-" Nightmare looked back down at the menu. He wasn't completely sure. "Uh, can you help me? I can't choose between a milkshake or dark coffee!"

He looked at the menu. Milkshake was $2.99 while the coffee was $5.99. He pointed at the dark coffee option. "Ah, thanks. I guess I'll take that one." Cross backed away and scribbled it down on the notepad. Nightmare looked at his hand as he was writing. He was shocked to see his hand bandaged. It hadn't been like that when he called Cross after school. What had happened?

Cross went to leave but Nightmare quickly snatched his wrist. "Hold on!" Cross looked back confused. "Uh, I know it's my place to ask, but what happened?" Cross looked horrified before he realized that Nightmare was staring at him. He quickly scribbled down a lie and showed Nightmare the notepad. "You dropped a glass when you got home?" Cross nodded. He felt horrible lying to someone other than XGaster, but at least he wasn't actually speaking.