The Faith Of The Dream.

Chapter 5

"Hey, Rocky, how was your second day of college?"
Jay greeted when Cole appeared at the Ninjago's Cafe. It wasn't packed. Only a few souls were filling the seats. Soft jazz music was playing in the background just like usual.

"Bad," Cole simply replied. He slouched down, and sat by the counter. "I need coffee. With a cute little puppy face and a heart."

"Comin' right up." Jay's hands expertly reached for a cup and placed it under the coffee machine. "You didn't visit yesterday. Was it because of first day of college?"

"I thought your shift ended by the time I finished yesterday's class?"

"Took an extra hour. Morro was on paid vacation yesterday and spent his day off lazing around at our home. You know how I can't get along with him—and he likes to boss me around like he owns the house. I didn't want to spend too much time with him, so I took an extra shift."

"Must be tough, huh?"

"Yeah." Jay rubbed his head. "So, where did you go after class yesterday?"

"Went to the beach to watch sunset." Cole laid his head on the counter. Left cheek was pressed on the cold surface. "With Kai."

"What?"

"He bought me ice cream."

"Wait. You went on a date with this guy just because he bought you ice cream?" Jay's voice was muffled by the machine. The aroma of coffee soon evaporated.

"What? That's not the point!" Cole lifted his head and gave Jay a confused look. "And it wasn't a date!"

"But you were so dreamy like a school girl in love." Jay chuckled as he poured the espresso to another cup.
"I wasn't!"

Jay added some fresh milk into the cup. White foam started to form on the surface. "Look at you. All red to the ears."

"I'm not!" Cole covered his face and groaned. "Stop teasing, Jay!"

"Here!" His best friend shoved the freshly brewed latte to Cole's face. "Coffee with a cute little puppy face and a heart. His name is Steve. My new latte art."

"You overdid yourself, sometimes. I was just saying random things, actually." Cole studied the puppy's face on his cup. It was wearing a pointy hat, smiling with closed eyes, and was drawn perfectly. Jay sure had artistic hands when it came to latte art. The heart near the puppy's ear was even crafted perfectly. "It's a shame I have to ruin this art."

"I can make you more. Just enjoy it."
Cole muttered a thanks before sipping the coffee. Jay's coffee was always his favorite. The recipe was simple and common, just like any recipe used by any barista everywhere. But the coffee made by Jay had a magical feeling. It might be the taste or because it was made by Jay. Cole loved foods and beverages prepared wholeheartedly, just as how Jay had prepared this coffee.

"Where's Pixel?" he asked after gulping down half of the cup's content.

"She'll be here soon." Jay said, looking straight into Cole's brown eyes. "Hey, since you're done with college, how about we hang out for a bit?"

"I want to, but I have to work on the project with Kai." Cole gave his friend an appologetic look. "So sorry."

"Nah, it's fine."

Even though Jay said so, Cole could still hear the disappointment in his voice. "Hey, how about you come along?"

Jay's blue eyes windened. " Are you sure about this? I'm okay with this. I mean, my shift is about to end once Pixel arrives. But what about Kai?"

"I think, the more the merrier." The black-haired young man shrugged.

The bell on the door rang. The two young men instantly turned toward it. Pixel was in the middle of chatting idly with a taller person— Kai!