Holidays - Conan Gray

Chapter Two - Coffee

I feel the warm sunlight on my face as my mind starts to wake up, the world around me starting to move again. I open my eyes slightly and take a deep breath. Reaching over to my dresser, I pick up my phone and the screen lights up. I see that I have two notifications, so I open my phone to check them. As I scroll up, I see a message from an unknown number.

hey, its conan :)

My heart flutters at the name, my fingers shaking a little as I type a reply. "Hi" was too much...I don't wanna seem desperate. "hey, its ivy" well that just sounds like I'm repeating what he said...I don't want him to think I don't care. Maybe..."hi :)" yeah that sounds good. 

hi :)

its ivy

I drop my phone after I send it, unsure why to be honest. I see a bubble appear, a reply. Wow he was quick.

how are you?

I pick my phone back up to reply, once again overthinking and rereading my message at least five times.

im good, how are you?

im good

Phew. I hope I don't come off as weird. Just then I feel my phone buzz in my hands and my eyes immediately gaze at the screen.

are you free today?

This leaves my mind spiraling. Maybe he's just asking because he's wondering! He's not necessarily asking me out...or is he?

yep! im not really doing anything

would you want to get coffee?

Oh my gosh. He IS asking me out. Well, as friends...but still. 

sounds great!

I reply in a rush, my fingers almost shaking at the thought of him.

great! I'll pick you up around 11:00?

sure! let me send you the address

alright!

I send him the address to my apartment and door number, and we say our goodbyes. As close out my messages I walk across the room and grab a towel. I choose an outfit from my closet and start my shower. I turn on my playlist and get in.

After showering, I dry off and put on my clothes, a sage green sweater with brown long skirt. I pair this with my converse and a gold necklace with gold leaf accents that says my name in cursive letters. I spray on some perfume and grab my tote, hearing a knocking at the door. "Come in!" I say as I finish up. I hear the door open and then close, then some footsteps into my living room. "So sorry, just give me one second!" I say. "Alright!" he chimes back, his voice sending sparks down my spine.

I walk out into the living room and feel his eyes on me as a stands up, a warm smile on his face. "Wow, you look beautiful" he says in awe. I feel myself blush. "Thanks...you too" I say, returning the smile. He reaches a hand towards mine and I take it as he guides me out the door and into his car. As he starts driving, I hear music playing in the background. The tune is light and slow, yet unfamiliar. I listen closely, trying to make out the lyrics.

"I've never heard this one" I gesture towards the song. He just nods, a smile on his face. Too embarrassed to ask who sings it or the song name, I just sit back and listen to the music. I try to focus on the lyrics, hoping I can remember them to listen to later.

When the sun goes missing, aren't the flowers just as pretty?

Aren't the oceans just as deep, the trees as green?

It was very beautifully written, the melody and the lyrics. I glance over at him as he changes the song. His eyes are focused on the road, his face turned towards it. He glances over at me and I quickly look away, avoiding his gaze. He continues to drive, the music playing quietly in the background.

                                                                       ★

As we pull into the parking lot he gets out to open the car door for me. Giving me his hand, he helps me out and walks to the door. As we walk towards the counter, I notice my hand is still in his. I feel butterflies in my stomach. He looks up at the menu, then at the cashier. "Just a plain black coffee please" he says politely. "And for you miss?" she asks, looking towards me. 

"Um...uh...I-" I stutter, feeling a sudden rush of anxiety. He turns his head towards me slightly, then whispers in my ear, "What do you want? I'll order for you" I turn towards him and reply, "A white mocha please". He nods, then looks back at the cashier. "She'll have a white mocha" 

As I go to reach into my tote he pulls out his card and pays for both drinks. "You didn't have to do that!" I say as we walk towards a table. "Oh, but I did" he says in a sarcastic British accent. Before I can protest anymore, he pulls us into a booth, me sitting next to him rather than across from him. Our hands are still intertwined as he looks down at them. He pulls back, embarrassed. "Oh, I...sorry" he says, putting a hand on his neck and looking shy.

"Oh, it's alright" I reply lightly, giving him a warm smile. He returns the gesture as the waitress brings our coffees over to the table. "Thank you" Conan says to her. We both grab our coffees and take a sip of the warm liquid. It was so cold outside, and this felt so nice. As I take a sip, I turn towards him. 

"So, you're kind of mysterious...I don't know much about you. What do you do for work?" I question, taking another sip. He looks a bit taken aback, setting his coffee down almost abruptly. Then, calmer, he says, "Oh uh...I sing"

I set my coffee down too, looking towards him. "Cool! You'll have to sing for me sometime. Just like, small shops and places or...?" I question. He looks a bit worried before replying. "Yeah...something like that" Clearly wanting to move on from the subject he shifts a little uncomfortably in his seat.

"Well...thats nice. Maybe you can sing for me later?" I say, and I see a smile appear on his face. "Maybe" he says through it. I sip at my coffee some more, until I feel his hand around mine again. He's not looking at me, he's looking outside of the window, his leg shaking. He looks anxious. I take his hand ever so willingly as I turn to him. "You okay?" I ask, gently squeezing his hand.

"Yeah, yeah...just a bit worried" he replies. He smiles, but his eyes look anxious. "Do you wanna talk about it? Or no?" I say, trying to be comforting. "No, no, it's alright. Thank you though" he says, looking back out the window. I just hold his hand, hoping that would make things better.

From his eyes, it seemed to help. He took a deep breath and laid his head back against the booth as he closed his eyes. He was clearly deep in thought. I didn't know if it was too awkward, but I decided I didn't care...I just wanted to be there for him.

I lightly laid my head on his shoulder, feeling his weight shift next to me. Then, I feel him lean against me, his head on mine. "Thank you" he says softly. "Of course" I reply, feeling my stomach whirling. After a bit, our coffees were both empty, but we continued to sit at the table, just enjoying each other's company.