The Faith Of The Dream.

Chapter 14

"Cole!"
His eyes went up, focusing on Jay's figure who was running frantically around the counter. His friend quickly reached his place at the doorway. Both hands were gripping his arms tightly.

"Hey, what happened?" he asked, panicking. "Did something happen? Tell me, Cole!"

Cole tried to find his voice and words, but his mind was a mess. He couldn't even remember how he got to the Ninjago's Cafe uninjured.

"You didn't reply to my texts and didn't answer the phone for a whole day!" Jay was checking him left and right. "I was so worried! What happened? C'mon, just tell me!"

"I..." His brain finally worked. "I fought with my dad. Again."

"Oh, man." Jay let him go and took a step back. "How's the situation now?"

Cole blinked. "Kai helped me talk to my dad. He was able to slap some thought to him."

"What? How?" Jay's mouth was a perfect O.

"They were talking. And then... everything was... sorted out."

"But why are you like this? You should be happy, right?"

"Kai told me. 'Don't fall in love with me'."

"What?" Jay  snickered. Then, he dragged his friend by the hand and led him into a stool by the counter. "Sit down. I'll make you some drinks."

He did as he was told. As Jay was busy making something, he checked on his phone to see if Kai had replied to his text. There wasn't anything from him.

"Hey, tell me about it." Jay returned with a glass of iced-tea—a quick drink to whip up. "Why did Kai say that?"

"I don't... know?" Cole held the cold glass, feeling the chill transferred to his palm. His eyes were fixed on the ice cubes and a tiny mint leaf floating in the tea.

"Did you say anything to him before that?"

"I hadn't told him anything." The black-haired young man stirred his tea with a steel straw. "It was as if he could read my mind."

"The heck is wrong with him?" The barista rubbed his head in confusion. "Have you tried contacting him?"

Cole nodded. "But no reply."

"Damn! What the hell happened to him?! Speaking gibberish like that. If he was here right now, I would have punched the shit out of him! That guy always makes me annoyed. Doesn't he know that he is the luckiest bastard ever that you like him? I mean, I would even trade the world to be in his shoes—ahem! I mean, he shouldn't have said something like that."

Cole slumped on the counter. His cheek was against the cold surface, eyes at his drink. "Maybe he was just tired? Like, he had a lot on his mind and he was exhausted from campus and stuff, so his mind was playing a trick on him. Words were jumbled and no coherent meaning."

"Whatever the reason is, he's nuts and I'm still going to kick his balls and punch his face flat. Please forgive me for the person I'll become when we meet." Jay's voice was clear with anger and frustration.

"I'll wait here for him. He always visits, doesn't he? If you don't mind."

"Sure, no prob. But don't you have classes today?"

"I'm still on sick leave. I lied, of course."

"Well, if you need anything, just tell me."
Cole hummed an agreement.

For the umpteenth time, Cole checked on his phone. Still no reply. His message was sent, but it wasn't read. He didn't know Kai's friend, so he couldn't ask. And it snapped him out. Even after about a month of knowing this guy and declaring that he had fallen in love with him, Cole still didn't know much about Kai. Where he lives, what campus he goes to, his favorite football club, or his siblings. He only knows the Kai that appears in front of him and falls in love with the Kai that he believes him to be.

He felt like a liar now.

Maybe, just maybe, when they meet again, he can ask all of those questions. He wants answers.

He looked at the clock on his phone. It was almost lunchtime, but Kai hadn't shown up. Did he decide to be absent today of all day?

"How is it?" Jay asked from behind the counter, holding a plate.

Cole shook his head. "Not a single reply, and he hasn't shown up."

"I'm taking a lunch break. Gotta eat before lunchtime. It's gonna be real packed. You wanna come with me? We have some leftovers in the kitchen."

"No."

Jay looked pained, but nodded. "Alright, then. I'll be quick."

His friend left to the kitchen which was located behind the counter. Another person, who was dressed as a cook, took his place— Cole didn't know him since he only ever communicate with Jay and Pixel. He ignored the man's confused stare, still perched on his stool. His iced-tea was now just ordinary tea.

Jay returned in ten minutes, bringing a bottle of mineral water. He shouted to the cook, "Hey, I'm done. I'm returning to my post."

The cook gave him a thumb up, and left to the kitchen.
"Pixel said, she wouldn't be able to afford another worker for the morning shift," Jay explained as he shoved the bottle into the lower counter.

"So I and the cook have to change places when one of us is having lunch. Other workers will arrive at three for the evening shift."

"I understand."

"Are you hungry? I'll whip something up if you want."

"Not hungry."

"What if Kai doesn't come today? Are you still going to wait for him?" There was a serious tone in his voice. As if Jay was too worried about Cole's wellbeing to even care about Kai coming or not. Cole realized, they weren't very good friends. Only acquaintances. Jay even showed his dislike to Kai for whatever reasons.

"Maybe," he answered, confused. "If he doesn't show up until three, I'm going home."

"Cole," Jay called, "I'm worried about you."

Cole decided that he didn't need to look at his friend's eyes. So, he looked down and bit his lower lip.

"But if you think that this is the best, then I'll go with it. I'll stay with you no matter what."
Cole felt a warmth enveloping his free hand. He looked at it, finding Jay's hand on top of it. It was a simple, yet tender movement but it was enough to comfort him.

"Thanks." He smiled a little.

People came and left the cafe in five hours. Every time someone arrived, Cole would look directly at the door and be disappointed that he couldn't find Kai there. More people came, more people left. Jay was busy with orders that he barely had time to check on Cole. Though when he did, he flashed him a sad smile.

Kai didn't show up even until past three. No sign of him. Nothing. As if he had disappeared from the face of the earth. And it left a deep hole in Cole's heart.

"Cole, let's go home." Jay wasn't wearing his uniform now. He was already wearing his jacket and carrying a bag. "My shift is over. Others will take my place and I don't think you can stay here longer."

His eyes were hot and teary. Cole slid down the stool, and gave Jay a tired smile. "Ok. Let's go home."

"I'll walk you home."

For once, he felt like he really needed Jay's company so bad that he almost hugged him. He didn't, though. He only let him hold his hand and lead him out of the cafe.