State Of Mind

3

Laughter filled the streets as my friends and I approach our favorite Cafe, four of us sitting on our own rickety metal chairs as Jess goes up to the window to let them know we had sat down. Every Sunday we had come to this little diner, filling up on brunch and mimosas until we were just slightly over tipsy when we'd finally leave to hit all the shops on the way back home. It's the most habitual thing about us. Normally, when we finally do make our way back to the apartment that Stella, Elloise and I share, we more than likely just sit around and watch some of our comfort shows until we order dinner. Zoey and Jess leave sometime after dinner to get back home and rest before they work the next day, and the other two girls and I fall asleep cuddled together in one of each other's beds or on the couch in the living room. Sunday's are my favorite day, and they hold some of my most fond and prevalent memories. Today, at Addie's Cafe, I sit with my back facing the door of the Cafe where Jess currently is, While Stella and Elloise sit directly across from me. Zoey is next to me, at the head of the table with her back against the windows of the Cafe, facing the street beside me. Jess came back moments later, taking her seat on my left with menus and a tray already filled with our drink orders. A pitcher of water, cups of juice, and a bottle of champagne.

"Fuck, I love these mimosas. It's been too long"

"Ellie, it's been a week. We literally come here every week" Ellie was already reaching for her small glass of juice and handing the bottle to me to pop, impatient as she waited.

"I don't care"

We all fell in line with Elloise, crafting our own personal mimosas with the varieties of juices and our desired amount of champagne. We ordered a pair of appetizers before each placing our brunch order a few minutes later. Conversation took off after we did so, and the five of us laughed along to a story from the other night that Stella was telling us.

"I'm telling you, this girl was absolutely obliterated and her boyfriend literally started proposing to her - I mean he was just as drunk - but he had a ring and everything. And she obviously started crying and jumping up and down, but then, suddenly, she was peeing and-"

Through my laughter, my eyes drifted next to her to see Elloise who sits across from me, also laughing along, except she was silently signaling for my attention. Instantly, my eyes dropped to her hands as I watched her discretely form a single word - "incoming"

I didn't even have time to groan before I heard my name.

"Good morning, Olivera." he greets, paying no attention to my friends. He never does.

"Hi, Hunter" I smile politely.

"Convenient that we'd see each other this morning! I-"

"We see each other here every Sunday, Hunter. You walk right past us" Stella interrupts. She sneers up at him and he doesn't do anything to try to hide the distaste on his features as he's forced to acknowledge the group I'm with. I don't know how he thinks he can slip through conversation pretending they're not here. With my back turned the way he came from, the only way he would have known that I'm sitting here is through the recognition of my friends.

"Stella. Hi, ladies." Nobody responds. "Right, well, yes, I do go jogging on the weekends and I do run right through here. It's a nice little trail, very beautiful" his focus is back on me. "Vera, I'm certain you'd love the sights. Maybe you could join me sometime"

My smile is grim as I look up from my drink up to him. "I'd love to, but I have a standing date at this time every Sunday... always conflicts with your run" I give him the same excuse I give every week. "I'll see you tomorrow at work though, alright? It was great seeing you" I offer politely. Every week we do this, and every week, I try my hardest to make the interaction as quick as possible. Hunter is a coworker, a nurse at the hospital I work at, and for some reason, he is incredibly fond of me. I'm not sure when his infatuation with me bloomed, or how deep it goes. But something about him just... puts me off. I've never felt unsafe, just uncomfortable. And he's very persistent. His expression is slightly defeated when he nods and gives a sad wave, passing by our table and proceeding on his run. I watch over Elloise's shoulder as he jogs off.