~ Close as Strangers ~ // Cashton Fanfiction

2.

„Can I have a second chance?
Can I have another dance?
Can I start another life with you?"

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„And please remember that this assignment has to be turned in by next Monday." With my head resting on my left hand, I scribbled the rest of my notes on my piece of paper and yawned. Today was one of those days I only slept a few hours. By now it was almost 4pm and I yawned again when I thought about the fact that I still had a four hour shift of work to do. "Why don't you just cancel your work today?" asked Luke, who was hanging over his book next to me and tossing through the tasks. I don't know how he managed to keep so calm and never felt stressed. Well, Luke didn't have to throw another part-time job during college and come up with his share of the rent. He got everything sponsored by Mom and Dad. He didn't even have to pay the semester fees himself. So he should be calm.

"I can't cancel, unlike you I have to earn my own money Luke." I replied lazily, trying to sit up straight. When our teacher finally said goodbye to us, I packed my things and put my backpack on my back. "Take it positive Calum, you get to know a lot of people and can shoot into yourself with as much coffee as you want." The older one laughed and I shook my head. "Only you think that, I have a maximum of 2 free drinks per shift and that doesn't even help my tiredness a bit."

Luke stood up and padded me lightly on my shoulder. "You can do it, it's only 4 hours. If you're at home, we can still have a beer after work." "Beer on Wednesday evening? You already know that we have to be fit tomorrow." I raised an eyebrow and gave him an amusing look. "We won't get a hangover from one beer." The blonde grinned and we left the room together.

From a distance I could see another door in the hallway opening and a few more students leaving their class. "Hey Luke, Calum, how are you? Long time no see." A voice I knew only too well. She belonged to a very messy but funny guy that Luke and I had known since high school. He approached us as he came out of the room and spotted us at the end of the hallway. He had his girlfriend with him, who was walking next to him and was tying her long hair into a ponytail. His hair hung slightly in his face and this time seemed to be spared any coloring. In the past, it felt like you could count on a different hair color every day.

His name was Michael. "Hey Mike, yeah we kind of rarely have classes together since the new semester started. Hello Crystal." Luke now also greeted Michael's girlfriend, who had finished tying her hair and smiled at us. She was a lot shorter than Michael. "Yes, that's probably true, I didn't feel like spending another semester with Mrs. Shoester." "I can't understand it at all." I answered with a sarcastic undertone. "Where did you leave your sweetheart?" Michael asked, addressing Luke again. "She'll finally be back home next week, she was in a semester abroad. We want to throw a welcome party for her, would you like to come?" I looked at the slightly taller one and frowned, a little confused. "WE want to throw a party? Since when?" I asked. Luke started to laugh. "Oh yes, I must have forgotten to talk to you. The party would be next Friday."

Of course it would. I knew perfectly well that he hadn't forgotten to talk to me. Luke knew I hated parties. Especially when they take place in your own home.

"We'll talk about it again tonight, Mr. Hemmings. I have to go now, otherwise I'll be late and I can't afford that." I grumbled and then said goodbye to Michael and Crystal and made my way to the café where I worked. It was a nice little café on the outskirts of town and I couldn't really complain. The work was actually quite easy and there were fewer customers, apart from the regulars, even during the week. A small bell at the entrance rang when I entered the café and my colleague who was standing behind the counter looked up. "Calum, nice that you're here!" She smiled with closed eyes and dried off the freshly washed cups. Her long brown hair was tied up in a bun.

"Hello Jenny." I greeted her as well and walked behind the counter. "Are you okay?" "Fine, thanks for asking... the espresso machine is broken again, could you take a look when you're ready?" I sighed, this dirty machine felt like it was broken every other day. It annoyed me that our boss still hadn't ordered a new one. "I'll take care of it, give me a few minutes." I answered the older one and then ran to the back of our lounge. There I opened my closet and stowed away my school bag. I've been working here for almost a year now and I've never had any problems, either with customers or with colleagues. Still, I hoped that I would get a raise soon.

I took my white work shirt out of my closet and changed. Then I tied my apron around my waist and tied it to my back with a double knot. On the other hand, it would keep slipping down on me since I was rather thin in stature. I checked my hairstyle again in the mirror on the inside of my closet. In the meantime, my hair was so long again that slight curls developed. It was time to see the hairdresser again. With a simple hand movement, I closed the closet door and turned the lock. The café was well frequented. After I somehow managed to get the espresso machine running again, Jenny was able to take care of other orders again. Meanwhile I started cleaning the counter.

The front door bell rang and I saw Jenny turn to the cash register out of the corner of my eye. "Welcome to our little sweet café, what can I do for you?" Her voice was as lovely and friendly as ever, just as she was naturally. I've been thinking for a long time about asking her out on a date. "I'd like a large latte to drink here, please." I looked up to see a young man, maybe about my own age. He was quite tall and had slightly longer brown hair. He wore a red, slightly open shirt, black pants and brown boots. He had his backpack on his back, which hung casually over just one shoulder.

He wasn't looking at Jenny, his gaze fixed on the menu on the wall behind her where she had written everything by hand with chalk the day before. I had just finished cleaning the counter and replaced the various trays of cakes, cookies and other pastries. The typing of the cashier's keyboard echoed through the room. "Would you like something else?" "No, thank you very much." He answered and then let his eyes wander around the room. He paid and then took a vacant window seat.
"Oh my god, did you see that?" I heard Jenny squeak as she turned on the coffee maker. The machine clicked softly and then the latte macchiato ran with a loud whoosh into the white cup underneath. I looked over at her with a slight smile. "What do you mean?" „This man looks incredibly good, have you seen him here before?" I turned around again, saw the guy take his laptop out of his backpack and open it. He was probably also a student and was working on a term paper.

"Well then...get him." I grinned, a little forced. Of course I didn't want her to get his number. After all, I wanted to go out with her. "You're crazy, I can't do that." She laughed and blushed slightly. "Can you bring him the coffee? I think I'm too nervous and don't want to drop the cup." "You're exaggerating." I rolled my eyes and took the cup to the tablet. "But alright, don't throw that over his nice red shirt." I winked and then walked over to the boy.

"There you are, latte macchiato, sir." I said and put the cup on his table, along with two small sugar sachets and a spoon. The guy looked up and eyed me for a moment. It seemed like he was literally analyzing me with his gaze, making me uncomfortable. Then he smiled briefly. "Thank you very much." I nodded and walked back over to the counter. The guy was weird.

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