invisible string [ joshua bassett ]

seven

" that's three eighty seven, please. " i said with a smile as i handed the lady her tea. yes, tea. who comes to a coffee shop and gets tea? maybe i'm just a hater because i can't drink tea unless it has an ungodly amount of sugar in.

the lady thanked me and moved on with her day. i had been here for just over an hour and i already wanted to leave. it was a monday, so the shop was pretty empty.

" aph, i'm going to get the delivery. i'll be back soon. " lewis, the other guy running the shop with me today, said before he disappeared into the back. i sighed, tightening my pony tail and pretending i was on a beach somewhere.

i didn't want to work in the coffee shop, but to be able to afford my rent and be able to do what i wanted to in new york, i had to. a coffee shop was the easiest thing since i used to work in the one love you parents own back in california.

the bell ringing as the door opened made me snap out of my daze. in came the boy that had been consuming my thoughts for the entire morning. it seemed as though he hadn't noticed me yet, being on his phone as he walked up to the counter.

" hi, what can i get you? " i asked. maybe he had forgotten about me. if he looks up and pretends as though he didn't know me i will be telling lewis i feel sick and going home.

" hello, you. " joshua said, looking up from his phone and turning all of his attention to me. a smile grew on his face as he looked over me.

" i was wondering when i was going to see you again. " his words made me feel like a giddy child. it was pathetic really, how this was only my second time meeting him and i was ready to walk down the isle.

" have you been stalking me? " i teased, raising my eyebrow and the brunette in front of me.

" maybe. i've been trying out a bunch of coffee shops to try and find my favourite, " he told me.

" i think this one wins. " joshua flashed me his award winning smile.

" you've not even tried anything yet. " i told him, crossing my arms and leaning against the counter.

" i don't need to. " his response was quick, like he didn't even have to think about it. i shook my head, hoping to shake off the heat that rose to my cheeks.

" what would you like? " i clicked on the computer screen, ready to put the order into the system. joshua ordered and i listened carefully, not wanting to mess it up.

" how much? " he asked, pulling out his wallet but i shook my head.

" don't be silly. it's on the house. " i told him, a smile on my face. it was the least i could do after he dropped me home yesterday.

" are you sure? " joshua asked as i finished making his order. i reassured him that he didn't need to pay and passed him is coffee.

i watched as he tried it, giving me and approving glance.

" it's just like the one from my favourite coffee shop back home. " he told me. yes. point to aphrodite.

" which one? " i asked, placing the dirty tools i used by the sink for washing up later on.

" rise and grind. " joshua answered and i looked at him shocked.

" my parents own that cafe. i used to work there. " his face matched mine.

" no way. that explains why it tastes the same. " was i in an alternate universe? we're from the same town and his favourite coffee shop was the one my parents own?

" so what are you doing today? " i asked, leaning back against the counter as we spoke. josh opened his mouth to reply but was cut off.

" excuse me? could i get a picture please? i'm a huge fan. " a girl around the same age as me asked josh, looking at him as though he was an alien. how could i forget he was famous.

i turned around whilst josh spoke to the girl, the last thing she probably wanted was a barista staring at her celebrity crush whilst she tried to take a photo with him.

i washed the coffee machine, waiting until i heard the bell ring before i turned around. joshua stood staring at me sheepishly, almost embarrassed.

" sorry about that. " i shrugged. good for him to be in the position that he was.

" i've got to admit, when i clicked on your instagram i wasn't expecting a verified tick to be staring back at me. " i admitted as josh sipped on his coffee.

" well i am full of surprises. " there's not a bone in my body that doubts that he isn't. his phone ringing cut me out of my thoughts. he answered the phone straight away, talking to whoever was on the other side.

" alright, i'll be there in ten. " joshua finally hung up and for a split second i could see some sadness in his eyes as he looked at me.

" i have to get to set. i'll text you? " he asked, beginning to walk backwards towards the exit.

" i'll hold you to that! " he blew me a kiss before leaving the shop. i watched him go. i hope that he will text me.

my shift seemed to drag terribly. i checked my phone every five minutes to see if i had anything from joshua. nothing. he was probably busy, he did say he was going to set and i'm not movie star, who knows how much time you get to yourself. but when the time rolled around to eleven pm i knew that i wasn't getting a text.

if i told you i wasn't bothered, i would be lying. who wouldn't be bothered? a cute actor that can sing and play guitar hasn't text you, you're lying if you said you wouldn't care.

i was tucked up in bed when my phone flashed. i grabbed it embarrassingly quick but frowned when i saw who it was from. atlas. i sighed, looking over the 'can we talk' text before putting my phone back down.

whenever i see his name, his face, hear his voice it just brings back three months of pain. pain that i never want to go back too.

i had just shut my eyes when my phone started ringing again. i groaned and saw imogen's face flash up on the screen. i debated not answering it, texting her in the morning that i was asleep and missed her call. no, that's not what a friend does.

" hello? " i asked once i clicked accept onto the facetime.

" clear your schedule for tomorrow, bitch. we're going to casters birthday party. "