Days Go By | lavashipping

..*..

It was long past seven. Way too long.

“Two lattés, please.”

Of course he shouldn't be on his phone while working. Especially when he needed to pay attention to the stupid machines and all the orders thrown at him. But he was worried and couldn't not check the chat with Cole every other second, only to be met with the stupid 'sent' each and every time.

At first he felt stupid. Getting so bummed just because some person he still doesn't know that well didn't come to get their regular order? Their daily order. The order he gets every single day even when he doesn't go to work, the order that for some reason never fails to make Kai smile.

It was stupid. Come on, getting all warm inside because of dumb coffee he doesn't even get to drink?

Then he decided to just text Cole, see why he didn't come. Maybe it was something trivial. Maybe Kai just forgot Cole told him he won't be there, which resulted in Kai scrolling through the way too long chat only to find no helpful info in the particular case. And he had to hide the smile he got back on after reading the old messages that had the same effect even at the time they were sent.

Ugh, it was so stupid.

So, he sent some new ones. A few Are you okay's to ease his mind but they were never read; they never got a response.

He already burnt himself once due to how distracted he was by this whole situation. But he pulled the phone out again anyway.

sorry if im annoying
im just getting really worried
Sent, 10:49

“Cole the cu–”

“Shhhh!” Kai hissed. “Shut up, Skylor!”

“Who's that?” she asked, pointing at his phone. How come he didn't even notice her standing behind him?

“No one interesting!”

“Oh really? And that's why the contact name says–”

“Hush it!”

“Oh! Is it that large black to go guy?”

“…No.”

“Hm.” He stood there with a hand on her hip, the signature not-happy-with-what-you're-doing look already on her face. He knew what was coming for him. “Could you get back to work now? Flirt when you're on break.”

“I'm not flirting!”

“Whatever, just focus on your job, all right? We can't function when you pay more attention to your phone than the orders. I'm honestly surprised you didn't give someone a wrong one yet.”

“I'm just worried,” Kai muttered, lowering his gaze back to the device. “He didn't show up like he always does… And now he's not responding to my messages…”

“Maybe he got fed up with your poor attempts at hiding the hots you have for this guy.”

“Very funny.”

“Could you now–”

Kai flinched when his phone vibrated, almost sending it up in the air. His reaction made Skylor jolt as well. She then groaned and shook her head.

“Just go take a break, I'll have someone else step in,” he said. “And then you're on cleaning duty.” Kai didn't even give her the sour face he always made when put on cleaning duty. All of his attention was glued to the screen of his phone as he walked away, into the break room.

Sorry, I just woke up
I feel like shit
I called in sick and went back to sleep
Sorry for freaking you out like that, I didnt mean to...

its fine, im just glad to know you're okay!!
well...
considering my anxious thoughts you're alright

Man I would kill for one of your teas right now

oh if i knew where you live i wouldn't hesitate to bring you some
and soup
i know a place that makes awesome garlic soup

Arent you at work?

that could be arranged

Kai...

sorry, i just wanna make you feel better

Not to be sappy or anything...
But im already feeling better just talking to you ;)

WOW alright
guess you wont be needing cheese for the soup
do you want me to bring you something then?
seriously, its not a problem for me
of course if you don't i respect that
its your house, i don't wanna pry or anything...

Hmm...
Garlic soup sounds nice...
But i dont want to get you into trouble

you dont get me into any trouble
i AM trouble

You wanna sound cool so bad

I AM COOL

Will you come then? Ill send you the address

omw!

Convincing Skylor to let them leave for a few hours was... The same as always. She gives him a disapproving look only to give in nevertheless because, despite everything, she has a soft spot for him.

But he's not getting out of the cleaning duty, that's for sure.