T's & C's (don't) Apply

5. Key To My (neighbours) Place

I didn't go out much and it wasn't because humans generally annoyed me but being out was expensive. I was a bit of a homebody from my teen years, and I supposed it became so normal to me that I never craved much of a social life.

However, there was a cafe that I frequented, and my only friend owned it. The Hideout was an aesthetic cafe on a busy road near a university. I liked it because mostly students visited, and they were too busy or absorbed in their lives to mingle with strangers. The coffee and food were good too.

Ethan Jansen was the only real friend I'd made in my twenty-three years. We met in Primary school and despite his popularity, he was always kind to me. His Nan treated him with chocolate every Friday when he was a kid and without fail, he always split it with me. I was always touched when he gave me the slightly bigger piece.

I supposed he was my best friend but as we grew, we didn't spend as much time together. He went to culinary school and eventually opened a cafe in London. At the age of twenty-three, he was quite successful.

The Hideout theme was exactly what the name said. It was a place for people to unwind and disappear from the hectic world. The aesthetic was very calming and a little unorthodox. There were tables and chairs like any old cafe but there were more sofas and coffee tables. The place was decorated with plants and lanterns hanging from the ceiling, giving off the feeling of a hidden gem in a secret forest.

Ethan came up with a few drinks on the menu that were a hit. He also made the best sandwiches I'd ever had. He was the only person who got a genuine smile out of me.

After an eventful week and more so Saturday night, I needed an escape, so I found myself seated at The Hideout. The place was busy as usual, but I managed to find a little couch in the corner of the cafe.

After I ordered a warm drink, I sat and looked out the large window. Lots of young people, around my age walked by. It was a university hot spot and seeing the students around kind of filled the void I had of not being one.

The could've been me if my situation allowed it.

"I knew it was you!"

A husky but friendly voice startled me out of my thoughts. I looked away from the window and was greeted by a smiling Evan. He had a smile that could've brightened the dullest room. His bright, honey-colored eyes matched his smile too. He was around six foot tall with chocolate brown hair and olive skin.

I grinned and he sat down next to me. He wore a creme sweater and dark jeans with boots. The second he sat down; I was enveloped by his musky cologne scent that I quite liked.

"Damn, I was trying to avoid you," I teased.

"Unlucky for you, I spotted you as soon as you ordered your usual. I'm a bit disappointed you didn't order anything to eat. There's a new halloumi sandwich with –"

"I'm not really hungry."

"Rubbish, everyone is hungry when it comes to my food," Ethan waved me off. "I'll get it packed to go and don't worry, it's not officially on the menu so it's on the house."

"Ethan, I –"

"Yes, yes, I know," Ethan cut me off. "Your tummy doesn't do well with regular bread but rest assured, it's sourdough. I made the starter, myself."

I looked at him gratefully and it warmed my heart. Ethan probably knew me the best and he knew I struggled with IBS. I was always uncomfortable after eating so I tended to not eat much. Other than Evan, no one else really cared about my bad eating habits.

"I'm going to pay for it," I stated. "And I don't want any arguments."

"How are you going to pay for something without a price tag, genius?"