Warm hands, warm hearts. A Heartstopper Cofeeshop AU.

Part 2. Missed you.

Charlie

The door chimes and my ears perk up. It's been two days since Nick Nelson was here and yet every time someone walks in my heart catches, skips a beat.

It's another middle-aged mom, kids in tow. I make their drinks in a bit of a haze. The whole day has gone by so slow and yet so fast. Everything is creeping.

In fact everything has felt like that since he was here. It's what happens every time- whenever there's a break in the monotony.
Especially when it's caused by a cute boy.

And that's all it is, a cute boy who smiled at me. Remembered my name. Or maybe it's just that I got to see someone familiar, from Truham. Everyone else is just gone and ever since it's been so empty here.

That's all it is.

"All right, Charlie?" James asks, and I realize I've been elsewhere, scrubbing at a syrup pump in the sink for far too long, not noticing the orders he'd placed on the counter for me to make. I do like the routine here. I feel good at it. Steaming the milk just right, pouring the espresso at the perfect pace, remembering how much syrup goes in what drink. I can break it all down into steps and when I'm there, in the dance of drink-making, I can sort of forget everything else.

Nick Nelson Nick Nelson Nick Nelson.

Well, almost everything else.

When my shift ends I stick around and curl back into the armchair. Not usual for me but maybe, just maybe he'll come back in, and how typical would it be of my life if he happened to show up right after I left. Outside, the world passes by the tiny cafe. Cars drive down the street, slowing at the speed bumps. People walk their dogs. Hold hands.

Eventually I peel myself out of the worn leather, wave goodbye to the closers and trek slowly out into the world. There's no ducks in the pond today, and there's really nothing for me at home either. I decide to take the long way. Actually, the completely-out-of-the-way way. A little trip down memory lane. I tell my feet to go and they carry me, and that's one thing I like about my body, how it moves me forward when I ask.

When I get there, I take a picture of the Truham entrance and text it to the group. The familiar walkways and buildings sprawl out ahead of me. It's a school day and only half past one, so there's the buzz of life inside. Students on the field, figures moving in the windows.

Am I too young to feel so nostalgic?

Am I stupid to miss this?

School was miserable for me sometimes, but at least I was doing something. Being something. A person with a plan and deadlines and friends and people to speak to.

My phone buzzes and it's Tao- but our own chat, outside of the group.

"You ok? Why r u at Truham?"

I don't know, I want to say. It was something to do.

"I think I just miss you guys"

"Oh Charlie. Ur a dork." He texts, and then;

"Maybe I can swing a film night tonight, virtual style? U can pick the movie. No marvel."

That sounds nice. Something to look forward to. I take one last look at Truham and spend the walk home thinking of what to watch.

Nick

I've never slept this much in my life.

Mum checks in on me periodically. I've barely left my room. It's not that I'm... sad.
I just missed it. I'm comfortable. I'm not in a rush here, not overwhelmed, not... the version of me that I was there.

I venture downstairs for meals, for a movie on the couch with mum, a walk with Nellie and Henry. But otherwise I've been here the last few days, tucked into bed and drifting in and out of sleep.

My Uni friends have all been texting me. My dorm mate. Emails from my teachers. The messages all the same.

"Where are you?"

I don't respond. I don't think I owe anyone any explanation. Besides, I don't have one.

By the time I feel up to facing the day, it's past three. I pull on a pair of joggers, comb through my hair with my fingers, smooth out the shirt I slept in. I need somewhere to go today, but where? All my friends are at school, the cinema seems too lonely by myself, I can't play rugby.

Maybe... the cafe? I could take my laptop, sit at a table, catch up on what I'm missing at school...

See if Charlie's there.

Just because it would be nice to have a friend here, for however long I am here. Maybe we'd get along, keep each other company.

That would be nice.

Mum will be home from work in an hour or so,
so it's an excuse to grab her something too. Another little thank you gift- maybe a pastry this time. Soon, I'm out the door, laptop bag slung over my shoulder, breathing in fresh air.
Feeling perhaps a little hopeful.

My hearts hammering a bit in my chest as the awning comes into view- a calming sage green and cream stripes. There's a painted picture of a steaming teacup on the window, a chalk sign placed outside that says "I love you a LATTE" in bubble letters. I feel the corners of my mouth twitch into a smile.

I'm at the door now.

Deep breath.

I walk in, scan the room. He's not there.

That's okay that's okay.

I order an earl grey for here and they serve it to me in a bright blue mug, a picture of sparrows perched on a branch embossed onto it. The armchair in the corner is free, the one where Charlie was sitting, and I settle in.

Something about it feels like a hug- the fabric molds to me, shifts just right. I pull out my laptop, sign into my email, scan the messages and questions and overdue assignment reminders and wonder what I was thinking.
I'm not ready to tackle this.

"Mr Nelson, this is your third consecutive absence from lecture and your eighth overall this semester. You are bright, talented, and full of so much potential. I would have to see it wasted.
I cannot tolerate many more absences."

Potential. I hate that word.

"Overdue notice: Your copy of "White Horse- Alex Adam's is 5 days overdue. Please return it to the student library at your earliest convenience."

It's hundreds of miles away.

There's a text then, from my dorm-mate, letting me know that since I've "ghosted" him he's taken the liberty of pushing our two twin beds together so him and his girlfriend can have a queen. I'll have to wash my sheets throughly if I go back.

If if if if if if.

When.

An hour goes by and no Charlie. No anything, really. I grab a danish for mum and just go home.