𝐂𝐑𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐒 || atsv - miles 42

𝟎𝟓.

𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙨.

Miles' eyes bore into mine - his dark eyes a never-ending abyss, something you catch yourself falling into and unable to climb out of. Our eyes were locked onto each other, neither taking a moment to look elsewhere. I felt as if an invisible electric charge in the air drew us together, the way we couldn't pull away from the other's gaze.

This moment felt like forever until he finally spoke to break the awkward silence; relief washing over me. "No need to teach me anything," he paused, standing up and adjusting the hem of his shirt while staring down at me. "I'll be fine -- as long as your cousin doesn't go batshit crazy on me."

A dry chuckle exited my throat as I watched him walk off to an extended part of the break room; it contained all of our supplies, such as extra coffee beans, our aprons, more cups, and more hiding in all the storage compartments inside the room.

I leaned back in my chair, thinking back to our brief conversation. My head tilted back while my eyes locked onto the ceiling. I kept replaying the moment over and over in my mind until a voice interrupted my thoughts.

"How do I look?" the voice asked, expecting me to avert my gaze from the ceiling — which I soon followed. It was Miles, except he was now wearing a dark coffee-colored apron with a small patch at the top reading "Lava Java" in bright teal writing. I sighed softly as I parted my lips to speak, "Good." I muttered, looking him over swiftly.

His face turned into a confused one as he took small, slow strides towards me. His eyes skimmed over my entire body, slightly lingering on my crossed legs. He bent down and leaned forward so our lips were only an inch away from each other. "What was that, Iris? I couldn't hear you," he said in a low whisper — his tone drowning in sarcasm while having a hint of flirtatiousness to it.

I paused — my body froze, my breathing slowed, and my heart was racing. I soon snapped out of that state and rolled my eyes, playfully slapping his shoulder. "I said you looked good," I spoke confidently, not falling victim to his attempt at flirting. He mumbled quietly and nodded once before standing up and placing his hands on his waist.

"The coffee I make is legendary, for real," Miles said, beginning to walk out of the break room. I immediately got up and grabbed his wrist, not letting him leave. His head turned to face me, an eyebrow raised. An awkward moment of silence passed in the air once again — before I broke it. "You're going to the deli with me," I spoke, shoving my keys into my back pocket and throwing my apron onto the couch.

Miles' eyes lit up when I said those words as if that's what he's been waiting for this entire time. I made sure I had money on me before walking out of the café with him, ignoring Ian yelling our names. The deli wasn't too far, it was across the street — just further down. We didn't talk most of the way, most likely thinking about the awkward moments we shared in the break room.

We arrived at the deli, and the storeowner kindly greeted me; Elias. "What's up, Ice?" he said, his tone a playful one. Elias was a few years older than me, and every time I came here for my lunch break we got closer and closer.
"Hey, Eli," I chuckled, beginning to walk around. Miles turned to me with an eyebrow raised and a slight smirk on his face. "So people do call you Ice," he mumbled, following me as I walked through the store in front of him. I felt his eyes glued to me, looking me up and down; barely paying attention to the food options.

"You gonna get something or just follow me around?" I asked Miles, turning myself around and giving him that same raised eyebrow he gave me earlier. He stared at me for a moment longer before beginning to walk around by himself. I walked over to the refrigerators with the drinks and grabbed a half-and-half Arizona for myself, and a Mucho Mango-flavored Arizona for Ian. Then, I made my way to the chips, clutching a bag of salt and vinegar chips and a bag of blue Doritos for Ian.

Usually, Ian and I would come here to get lunch, but since it's his shift currently, he isn't able to come. Finally, I walked up to the counter and ordered myself a spicy chopped cheese, and a regular ham and cheese sandwich.

"Who's that kid over there?" Elias asked, nodding his head to Miles as he made the sandwiches. "Been staring at you since y'all walked in." I glanced towards Miles, who was in the chip aisle, looking at the chips with furrowed brows. My eyes became glued to Elias wrapping the sandwiches into the foil as I spoke; though his eyes were on me, with a skeptical expression. "He goes to my school, and started working at Java today," I mumbled, attempting not to draw his attention to me. "Name's Miles."

Elias nodded his head, placing the sandwiches on top of the clear glass display. I grabbed them and moved over to the counter, where Miles joined me. I was about to pay when my eyes averted from the card reader and to the cat bed that was placed on the counter; with my favorite deli cat curled up inside of it, Copper. I gasped softly and immediately picked Copper up, cradling her in my arms.

"'Bout time you noticed her," Elias said, his tone a hint playful. "Look inside the bed." I raised an eyebrow at him before leaning over the counter to peek inside the cat bed. Surprisingly, tiny grey kittens were sleeping soundly. I turned around slowly to face Miles, the look of complete awe on my face. He slowly settled next to me and stared at the kittens with a stoic expression.

"Think I'm gonna give 'em away," Elias told us, rubbing his forehead with his fist. He grabbed my card and pressed it against the card reader, completing the transaction. I gave Copper one last pet on her back before placing her back inside the cat bed; still in the curled up position she was once in.

Miles and I soon left the store and began making our way back to the café. "What'd you get?" I asked him, glancing up at him. "Not much — just some chips, a drink, and a club sandwich," Miles replied, his eyebrows furrowing while his eyes locked onto a man sitting on a lawn chair; near the side of the sidewalk. His hand slid around my hips and up to my waist, pulling my body closer to his as we passed the man — who was staring me down with a slight smirk.

Once we got a fair distance away from the man, Miles' hand dropped to his side and we continued to walk down the sidewalk. I looked up at him, but he kept his gaze in front of him; his face stoic. I turned my head back down to the sidewalk, not saying another word to him.

It felt awkward to talk about it, but I can't lie — I wish he would do it again.

-kelpnseaweed
a/n: idk how to feel abt this chapter yall