Coffee Shop Encounters

Small Talk and Confessions

"Hi, welcome to Lucky Clover Cafe. How can I..." He trailed off as he looked to see Ash walk up to the register. "O-oh, hey." Mentally he cursed himself for stuttering- again-. Ash gave him a sly smile, then said, "Didn't think I'd see you here Tyler." Tyler furrowed his brow at that, then said, "But- I literally work here??" The poor boy was extremely confused. Ash chuckled and waved his hand, "I'm just messing with you, man." Tyler shook his head and grabbed a menu, handing it to Ash. He asked what he wanted, and Ash ordered a chocolate muffin and a strawberry smoothie.

Tyler quickly made the order and handed it to him, then watched as Ash took a seat near the window. His heart pumped just a little bit faster as he watched him, feeling the huge urge to go over there and join him. He thought back to what Kai said, about talking to him, so he drew in a breath and marched over there.

"U-um, hey, do you mind if I sit here?" Tyler scratched at his wrist, looking down at the blue-haired boy. Ash smirked and said yes, and Tyler felt like his heart was going to burst. They chatted for a few minutes, all the while Tyler just could not stop thinking about how pretty Ash's smile was when it was directed at him.

"So- um, what do you like to do?" Tyler asked, leaning forward while running his hand through his hair. Ash leaned forward as well, taking a sip of his smoothie, then answered, "That's kind of a tough one. I'm the kinda person who's down to do anything as long as it's fun, y'know?" Tyler nodded, "Okay, then um- what have you done recently then?" Ash smiled. "That's much easier to answer," he hummed, taking another sip of the smoothie, "Last night me and a bunch of friends went to the skate park. drank, smoked... And obviously skated." Ash chuckled, "We also like to explore the sewers a lot." Tyler listened intently as Ash continued to go on about what he's done in the past few days, never looking away.

Eventually, though, Tyler had to get up and continue working. He gave Ash his goodbyes and set back to baking in the kitchen. Liza came in as well, and 'helped' him with baking and whatnot. She nudged his shoulder, "Hey Ty Tyyyy. Why were you talking to that little hottie back there?" He glanced down at her, watching as she put random things into a bowl for a second before responding, "He's just a guy that I've served a couple times. There's nothing really going on between us."

Neither of them said anything else, but the word 'yet' hung in the air. Liza looked down and nodded. Tyler noted that she seemed much more sober now than she did earlier this morning. She began stirring the random ingredients she put together before, and then said, "Yeah, I was asking cuz I know him, actually. He's one of my drinking buddies. I've woken up at his place more than a couple times before." She chuckled to herself, then handed him the bowl of non-bakeable ingredients, "Just be careful Ty Ty. Blue-boy is a little well known for hoeing himself out and being on the..." She paused, scrunching her nose at Tyler a bit, "Dangerous side. He definitely would burn you out way too quick." With that, she gave him a huge smile and walked past him, smacking his ass on the way out.

He jumped, scowling in her direction as he emptied out her bowl. He shook his head. He couldn't ever see Ash being that kind of person. Yeah, sure, he might be a bit on the more wild side, and Tyler could see Ash going drinking with Liza, but being a player? 'Dangerous' as Liza said? Tyler refused to believe it.

He resumed baking, a nagging voice in the back of his head telling him that he should listen to Liza and stay away from Ash. But he couldn't help the feeling that he wanted to get to know Ash better. He felt like there was actually a chance for him. He felt a thrill of excitement as he thought about the possibility of something more between them. He quickly shook himself out of his thoughts and continued with his baking, his mind still swirling with possibilities.

Finally, his shift had ended and he could go home. He set to work cleaning up shop making sure it was spotless, then gave Adam a small wave before heading out to his car. He took the moment to light a cigarette, placing it in his mouth and taking a nice, long drag before checking his phone.