Safe With You

03: Sugarcoat

Killian Dion Gray

To be friends is to let them into your circle and once they're in your circle they can talk and discover more about you. They can do that and you'll forget to learn about them.

You get so invested in them being more present in your life that you seek time with them every other week. You begin to depend on them, miss them, and confide in them.

But what happens when all of that goes downhill? What happens when they begin to stay quiet and stop confiding in you as well? Will they begin building resentment and jealousy? Or will they continue to stay your friend for the benefits?

When people say life, kids, families, and work isn't a reason to stop making time for people I call it shit. Those are all valid reasons to not spend time with a friend. Sure, friendships are a valuable thing to have in life and to make life more enjoyable.

But if you can't pick up where you left off with a friend without seeing them for months ends. Then can you live without a world of people and be alone? Can you survive?

I've always thought having a close friend was too much work. Because if I never met up with them when they wanted, I would become the monster.

Like a parent who says no because you want something.

I find it tiring. I don't know if it's because this is the type of person I am. But I don't need to hang out with someone every second of the day. If being said no to is so hurtful to the soul, then what do they want me to do?

I'm not gonna sugarcoat anything for them, why would I?

I don't have time to sugarcoat everything. I'm a busy man and I have things to do. I don't have time to handle a child or a teen.

I walk inside the coffee shop that's right in the middle of the city, one that is close to the label.

As soon as I stepped inside the aroma of coffee beans, pastries, and sweets filled my senses. The sound of people talking is background noise as I walk up to the counter, spotting the two people I'm meeting in the corner of my eyes, while I order.

"Hi, what can I get you today?"

"I'll take a medium black coffee," I say, tapping my card against the reader. "Please."

I don't look the woman in her eyes as she is intensely trying to make my eyes look up at her face. I eye the receipt as she holds it awkwardly trying her hardest to brush her fingers against mine.

I suppress the urge to groan and I take the receipt and brush fucking fingers with her.

"Thanks," I said walking away. Waiting for my drink.

I grab my drink, make my way toward the table near the window, and take a seat across from the girls.

"Hello, Raine and Astrid," I say, reaching across the table and shaking hands with Astrid. I nod at Raine. "Thanks for meeting with me today."

In front of Raine sits her laptop, a few loose papers, and a coffee cup.

Astrid sits with her hands intertwined in front of her with a cup of tea.

"I work from home today so it was no big deal," Raine said, taking a sip of her coffee. "So, what's going on?" She takes a look at Astrid and then me.

Astrid wears her hair straight, her skin tan with a glow showing her Spanish roots, and gold jewelry decorating her neck and fingers. Her eyes are a shade of light brown and she wears a brown leather jacket with a tan shirt and black jeans.