august 13, 1983
his cup consists of a hot (well, i couldn't call it hot anymore. humid?) chocolate. it's only half drunk, but it seems like he's forgotten about it. i chose a latte. honestly, would i have picked that normally? no. but under the pressure of ordering something with kirk standing politely next to me, it didn't seem worth it to evaluate the menu, nor the endless selection of which type of coffee i may have wanted. latte seemed like the safest option. or maybe a boring one. or maybe i was thinking too much into it. i dont think he really cares.
he picks up his mug, his hand wrapping tightly around the handle and the other clasping the body of the ceramic mug. he brings it up to his lips, patting slightly, then glances out the window, taking note of all the passer-bys, until he looks back up at me. he sets his mug down, though his hand is still cradling it. he grins slightly, and tilts his head.
"brandon's certainly a character." i take a sip of my drink, stifling my giggle.
"that's one way to put it," i set my mug down. "i really appreciate you coming to meet him. he's never gonna get over it."
it's not a lie. i really did appreciate it- yeah, it's not like they're a huge band, but he takes his music very seriously, and i know what such may be a simple gesture of kindness for kirk, meant worlds to him.
he shrugs it off. "it's nothing," he grins with his crooked teeth, then becomes more serious. he doesn't seem as enthusiastic as he was in the store with the rest of the band, instead, he seems more passionate. more real. he leans his head on his hand. "i'm, i'm really glad you liked the show," he ruffles his hair slightly with his free hand, looking embarrassed. "i was worried it wouldn't be...uh, good?"
his words shocked me. these doubts of his weren't obvious when he was playing- he did seem shy, but that just seemed like his sort of thing. i would've never thought of him to feel like this. so, insecure? of his music. i felt the need to reassure him.
"i loved it," i reassure, then acting shocked with a grin. "and this band, right, coolest guitarist ever. i thought i accidentally bought tickets for a van halen show."
he takes in my words for a moment, then immediately grins widely. "oh, that guitarist had nothing on eddie." i giggle when he carries on the joke, catching on that the guitarist i've described is him. he emphasises that he has nothing on the van halen god, but i can make out a slight pink tint on his cheeks.
we relish in the silence for a minute, then i look out the window. the sky is setting into a comfortable warm hue, mirroring reflections of glistening sunlight onto local buildings. opposite the café resides my apartment building. the sun looks extra pretty painting the windows a rose tint. i smile slightly at a group of teenagers, looking excited as they hold vinyls. i wondered if they happened to have a run in with the rest of the band members in the store, for i knew brandon wouldn't have let them leave just yet.
i rest my head on my arms, staring out the window in awe. "isn't it so pretty?" i question.
he stumbles on his words, seemingly pulled back into reality. "huh, oh, yeah. really pretty." he's not looking out the window.
✾
around an hour later, i'm closing up the store. we spoke for a little more about anything and everything, his personality shining through as he ranted on about horror movies we found out we shared a mutual interest in, until we we're interrupted by harsh knocks on the window. startling not only us, but the rest of the cafés residents. i gave out apologetic looks, and kirk glared up at james through the window. he seemed, maybe, disappointed? like our time was cut short. though we said our goodbyes, and i gave james a little wave.
i enter the store, and realise immediately an energetic presence is missing. scotty's slouched on the leather couch, his eyes holding a slight red tint. i set my bag down, rummaging around the cash register in an attempt to turn it off. i murmer, "where's brandon?"
"left early," i look at him, and he's grinning lazily. "you were sweet for doing that."
"i didn't know they were gonna actually come." i ruffle my hair, and smile slightly at the memory of kirk. he raises his brow.
"he's cute." i look at him sceptically.
"you think?" i turn back to the register, successfully closing it. the desk is pretty messy, but ill deal with that tomorrow. "i haven't even known him that long." i brush it off.
"alright." he doesn't sound very convinced.
"we're friends," i say, giving him that look. he grins widely with teeth, wiggling his brows. i raise my middle finger, giggling. "ah, fuck you!" i join him on the couch and he scoots up to make space for me. "we're only friends."
sorry this is just a filler chapter lol i promise i'll get back in my zone soon
