Superhero

Chapter 63

Addison arrived at work to see Jeff tending to the misbehaving coffee machine, a frown contorting his face.
"Hey, Jeff," Addison greeted, putting her things down on the table by the window. "That thing stuck again?"
"Yeah," Jeff sighed, closing it with a loud bang. He took a paper cup from the counter and place it in the coffee machine before pressing the button that read white coffee. He sighed and opened it again when nothing came out. Addison silently watched as he rummaged with something inside the machine and slammed it shut again. Again, he placed that cup under the dispenser and pressed the button. A satisfied smile filled his face as white coffee streamed into his cup.
"There we go," Jeff smiled, making his way back to the counter to pay for the coffee. He noticed the Sundeer Cafe cup that Addison was carrying and smirked. "Didn't get enough sleep last night? Hey, I thought you already drink that flask full of coffee already?"
"How did you know it's coffee?" Addison asked, surprised.
"Just a hunch," Jeff shrugged, taking the top off to let his coffee cool. "It is, then?"
"Nope," Addison shook her head, taking a sip of her Hazelnut Latte. "I mean, it isn't now, but I did fill it up with coffee this morning."
Jeff smirked. "And you're advising me not to have coffee?"
Addison sighed. "That's not why I bought this."
"Then?" Jeff asked, puzzled.
"Jordan's acting strange," Addison frowned. "I just got this coffee as an excuse to see him at work."
Jeff nodded slowly. "Strange how?"
"Well, he comes in super late even though his work time is almost the same as mine, then I saw him speeding in the direction of our home the other day, but he didn't even arrive yet. And then this morning, he was acting super grumpy too. It just isn't like him. He's usually disturbing everyone and making stupid jokes."
Jeff frowned thoughtfully.
"And last night, he came in as if he went through a war zone!" Addison added. "The previous night too!"
Jeff nodded again, but this time smirking. "Addie, I've got a hunch but I'm not sure if it's correct."
"What is it?" Addison asked, her mouth forming a smirk too. "That he's the Superhero?"
"Bingo!" Jeff grinned before taking a small sip of his coffee. "What do you think? Hoodie's the Superhero?"
"Well, his hoodie itself points to that," Addison shrugged. "Superhero wears one too."
"Exactly!" Jeff exclaimed. "And it's the same colour too. Bet it's the same one."
Addison shrugged, grabbing a few chicken pies from the food warmer. "I'm honestly not sure. But hey, if that's the case, I'm Superhero's college and housemate! How 'bout that?"
"You stole my spotlight," Jeff sighed, dramatically placing his coffee down. "I could've bragged about being Superhero's college mate if it was Jake."
"But it ain't Jake now, is it?" Addison smirked, putting the pies into the microwave.
Jeff snorted and keyed the chicken pies into the register. "It isn't, but lucky you. You might a be Superhero's bestie!"
Addison snorted, taking her pies out of the microwave. "You wanted to be that too, didn't you?"
"Maybe," Jeff shrugged. Then suddenly, he lit up with a gasp. "Hey, if Hoodie does end up being the Superhero, he's my friend too!"
"Since when did Jordan become your friend?" Addison couldn't help but burst into laughter as she came over to pay. "Oi! You been doing stuff behind my back?"
Jeff snorted and pressed her card against the scanner. "Nah. You brought him here the other day, remember? And then that Moustache guy came in?"
"And then you loudly called him 'Addison's Lecturer'. Yeah, I remember that."
Jeff smirked and lifted his cup again. "Fun times, wasn't it?"
"Fun for you, maybe..." Addison sighed, taking her pie and going over to the table to eat.
Jeff suddenly slapped his hand down on the counter as if he just remembered something. "Hey! Did you give him that chocolate that you got for him for Teacher's Day?"
Addison stopped eating midway. "Uhh... no?"
"What?!" Jeff gasped. "Why not?"
"Because... I... ate it for breakfast?" Addison sheepishly grinned. "Yeah... I was hungry that day. Super hungry..."
Jeff let out an exaggerated sigh, shaking his head as if in great disappointment. "How could you?!"
"I was hungry," Addison shrugged and went on with her pie.
Jeff was still dramatically crying but Addison just ignored it and continued indulging in her pie.
"Mmm, this pie is really good..." Addison suddenly chimed in, cutting him short.
"You're ignoring me?!" Jeff gasped.
Addison ate the last of her pie and started finishing her coffee. Jeff eventually gave up trying to mess with her and sat on his stool, scowling with his arms crossed like a little boy as he finished his coffee.

"Fio!" Addison called as soon as the other girl walked in. "Something's up."
"What is it?" Fiolina asked, puzzled.
"It's Jordan," Addison frowned. "Have you met him lately?"
"Why?" Fiolina asked, concerned. "Is he missing or something? What have you done?!"
Addison backed away from the counter a little. "I swear, I didn't do anything. He just started acting strange all of a sudden. You see, he comes home late every day, sulks around, and is practically a walking zombie!"
"Did something happen in class?" Fiolina asked. "Did your Italian teacher do anything to him?"
"He's just as confused as I am about this," Addison said. "Jake too. We tried asking what was wrong but he wouldn't tell us! Not even to Jake even though they've been friends for years!"
"That Jake guy is his bestie, right?"
"Yeah," Addison nodded. "Can you ask him what's up? I tried to during his work shift but ended up wasting my money on a cup of coffee."
Fiolina nodded thoughtfully. "I'll try getting to him tomorrow."
"Thanks, Fio," Addison sighed in relief. "Please, just ask him what's up. Maybe he needs help but just don't wanna ask."
Fiolina nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah... he isn't exactly the type to talk about problems. I'll try to talk to him."
"Thanks, Fio," Addison heaved a sigh of relief.
"No. I'm just as concerned for him as you are. He hasn't been responding to my texts much lately too."
Addison sighed. "I just hope he's okay... it just isn't like him to be like this. He's usually joking around."
"I know," Fiolina nodded. "I haven't known him for all that long, but I know that something's bugging him too. I'll try to talk to him tomorrow. See him at work or something."

Jake walked in and saw that Addison was waiting for him at the table.
"Hey, Addie, sorry I'm late," Jake apologised as soon as he came in. "I had to run to Speedmart for something and thought I could make it in time."
"No no, it's fine," Addison quickly said. "My shift just ended."
Jake smiled and went over to the bun section to grab a bunch of cheese-flavoured Itchy-Buns before returning to the counter. Fiolina dutifully scanned the things and took his payment before handing him his receipt.
"Thank you," Jake said and pocketed the receipt. "You're Jordan's girlfriend, right?"
"Yeah," Fiolina nodded, not sure why he's asking.
"Can you try and ask him what's going on?" Jake said, much to their surprise. "Dude's acting strange lately. Look, I've known him for years and even I've never seen him this grumpy. Can you try and ask him?"
"I'll try," Fiolina said with a nod. "Addie told me about it too and even tried talking to him during work."
"Yeah, but all I got was a cup of Hazelnut Latte," Addison added. "Mr. Galante is pretty concerned too and even asked him in class just now."
"He asked in front of everyone?" Jake asked in surprise.
"No no, alone while checking his work," Addison quickly said, standing up with her things. "I only heard because I was behind him in line. But he didn't answer and just walked away."
"I'll try asking him instead," Fiolina said. "I'll meet him right before my shift tomorrow."
Addison nodded. "Please do. I don't mind waiting a few minutes after my shift too."
"Thanks," Jake said to Fiolina before turning to Addison. "You ready to go, Addie?"
Addison nodded and followed him out of the shop, waving at Fiolina as she did.