unbreak the broken ✘ shawn hunter (BMW)

F O U R T E E N

I can officially say that Pennsylvania is cold.

I woke up this morning feeling like my feet were in ice blocks. There has been a draft in my room for a couple years now, I never wanted to ask Keith to fix it though.

It's Saturday and I have work in an hour. I put on thicker tights under my uniform, throw on black boots and leave my room.

The coffee machine seems to have already been turned on, so I go and make myself a cup.

Keith comes out of his room dressed in a suit and tie; something that I had no idea he had. It kind of looks like the one he wore to Mom's funeral.

He grabs a cup and clears his throat, "I may be getting a promotion at work."

I had no idea that he still had a job, but good for him.

"That's great, maybe we can celebrate? Pizza for dinner?" I ask. I'm not sure how to approach talking to my father yet, but I'm working on it. I can't help but still walk on eggshells around him.

"That sounds great, are you working today?" He looks at my shirt, "I see you are, what time do you finish?"

"Um, today I think I'm there until 4 today, so I'll be home around 4:30," I finish off my coffee and get ready to leave.

"Cool, I will see you later then," Keith half smiles and pays his attention back to a newspaper that I honestly didn't realize was there.

I drive the trip to campus and park in the closest spot to the building. There's a lot of people here right now, so I already know the line is going to be horrendous.

I unlock the doors and in no time, I'm standing behind the counter taking orders.

I share small talk with some people, I guess I'm more approachable than I was before I hung out with Topanga and the others.

About an hour passes when I finally see a familiar face, but it doesn't seem to be too happy.

"Hey, Eric. Want a latte? I'll make it special just for you," I tease playfully.

"Yeah, that's fine. How much?" Eric asks with a tone that would make me think I disrespected him in front of his friends.

"I'll tell you if you smile," I sing-song.

Eric rubs his face with his hand and replies, "Can you just tell me what I owe?"

My body reacts to this with a wave going from head to toe, something that used to happen when approaching the big drop of a rollercoaster. "Okay, 2.50."

Eric opens his wallet and finds the change before throwing it down and walking away. I go to the coffee machine and start to make his latte, "Is something wrong? You're acting strange."

"I'm fine" is all he says.

I look up and see his face filled with an emotion I've never seen on Eric Matthews.

"Are you sure?"

Eric slams a hand on the counter between us and seethes, "I just said I was fine. Can you give me my coffee, stop being annoying, and stop asking such stupid fucking questions?

In complete shock, I put the coffee between us. Eric grabs it and storms out the door without saying another word.

He's never raised his voice at me, nor has he ever told me I was annoying before.

I shake it off, knowing it's going to stay in the back of my mind until I talk to Eric again, and take the next persons order.

After I finish theirs, Angela comes up to the counter, "Is everything okay with you guys? I just saw what happened. I've never seen Eric like that before."

I shake my head, "I honestly have no idea what that was. I haven't really spoken to him since Halloween but I assumed we were fine."

"Maybe it wasn't you, he wouldn't lash out for no reason. It could be something else bothering him," Angela offers sympathetically.

I smile sadly, "That worries me even more. He doesn't share much, so I don't know what to do to help him. Anyway, what can I get you?"

Angela orders and follows me to the other side of the counter after paying.

"So, I talked to Shawn," Angela tells me. I bit my lip, my back facing her. Why did I think they wouldn't talk after breaking up? "Oh, yeah?"

I continue mixing her drink and put the lid on.

"I think things are heading in a good direction with us," Angela says happily.

I say through an aching heart that knows I can't compete with Angela, she will always win. "I'm happy for you."

"Are you?"

The pins and needles come back. She can't know, can she? I can't be stupid, of course she knows something otherwise she wouldn't have said that.

"Of course, everyone knows you guys are a beautiful couple," I hand her drink to her and offer her a smile.

She smiles back, "I'll see you in class, Ophelia."

What the fuck is up with today?

I definitely have to call Eric later.