Reverse-Harem Cafe!

XXI. Reunion

Uhhh what time is it?

Without fully opening my eyes, I reach my arm towards my night stand and feel around for my phone. I accidentally push it off the night stand and it hits the floor with a crack. I quickly jump out of bed in a panic, and scan the floor for it. I see it with the screen side facing the ground.

Ahh did I crack it?! I slowly reach to flip it over. dun Dun DUN. Oh never mind it's okay, thank you God. I turn it on and nearly faint when I see the time. It's 7:54 AM, WHICH MEANS I LITERALLY HAVE 6 MINUTES TO GET TO THE CAFE.

I quickly brush my teeth and splash some water on my face. I dash through the kitchen and come out with a pop tart, throw on a jacket, and run out out the door. The cool winter breeze tugs at me as I wait at the gate entrance and call Ulrich.

Before I can utter a word of panic,

"Let me guess, you woke up late and you need a ride?" He says in an amused voice.

"Y-yeah."

"And why should I give you one?" Ugh this is no time to be teasing me, I'm gonna get in trouble!

"Because we're friends, and that's what friends do?"

He hesitates to reply but then with a sigh, he says, "Yeah..friends, I'll be there in a second." I guess it must be awkward for him since he just confessed to me yesterday. Hmm...

"Finish your pop tart. I don't want crumbs in the car." He adds before hanging up. I look suspiciously at my pop tart. Damn, he knows me too well.

After a few minutes, I see a familiar blue Camry drive down the street and park next to the curb. I walk over to it and am greeted by a smile. I smile back, open the front door, and take a seat.

"G'morning." He chuckles.

I catch him staring at my blue, Cookie Monster pajamas under my jacket. "Shuddup , I didn't have time to change." I mumble. "But yeah, good morning." I snap on my seatbelt and lean back comfortably in the car seat.

His smile becomes a frown when he sees me still holding a half eaten pop tart.

"Sorry, I didn't finish it."

"Mine." He leans over and eats it right out of my hand. I quickly pull back my arm in surprise.

"That was my breakfast." I whimper.

"Too bad, I warned you." Ulrich grins as he chews.

I cross my arms and pout as he steps on the gas and we make our way to work. Despite my outward appearance, I'm happy internally. I didn't think it would be this easy to go back to 'normal' after he told me that he likes me. I glance sideways at him. I wonder if he's having a difficult time even if he's smiling like that. He just wants us to be friends huh? For some reason, I find that hard to believe. He didn't even want an answer...

+++++++++++++++++++++

We arrive a few minutes late, but earlier than expected. As soon as Ulrich steps into the cafe, Jacob and Toby attack him with a huge group hug, clamping me in the middle. "G-guys..I c-c-can't breath..." I sputter. At the sound of my voice, they slowly back up and apologize. Ervin looks at us with agitation but finally mutters a "welcome back."

"Glad to have you back." Toby says. "But I expect you to be working your ass off."

"Thanks." Ulrich replies with nervous laughter. "I will."

Max sheepishly emerges from the back, "Hey." Uh oh is this going to end awkwardly? I glance away to avoid their confrontation.

"Hey," I hear Ulrich reply, "good to see you, man."

"Yeah," Max laughs in relief, "same to you."

I exhale, letting out all the tension building up inside of me. Wow surprisingly things are really going well today.

I catch Jacob staring at me. Is he undressing me with his eyes or something?!

"Nice pajamas, princess." He smirks, "but I expected something a little more revealing."

I blush and rush to the locker room to get changed and come back out in my work clothes. Ugh I nearly forgot that I wasn't dressed appropriately.

+++++++++++++++++++

Holding a bag of the latest shipment of coffee beans, I carefully refill the coffee machines when I hear the door bell jingle.

"Welcome to Lancast-" I begin to say but stop when I see who it is. "Oh hey, William."

"Good morning peasants." he takes a seat at one of the tables. "So drama queen came back huh?" He smirks at Ulrich before looking in my direction. "Get me a cup of coffee while you're at it, peasant."

I send him a death glare and he looks back confused but then realizes. "I mean M-Mae." He tries to hide his embarrassment as he barely utters my name. I nod in triumph and get to work, making him latte.

"You know, you've been coming in a lot lately and without an obvious purpose. What's the deal?" Ervin interrupts doubtfully.

William glares at Ervin but has an arrogant grin running across his face. "Don't get too nosy, or your chances of getting into your dream University might suddenly dwindle. Besides this is my father's business. I can come in whenever I want."

Ervin looks like he has a witty come back but is led away by the sound of customers coming in.

"Jacob, it's for you." He yells out. Jacob, who is on his phone, looks up and groans. He reluctantly makes his way to the door.

"Who's that?" I ask curiously.

"Oh just Jacob's fan girls." Max replies casually. "They always bring him chocolates or something but he never eats them so I do." He smiles excitedly.

I walk up, closer to the door and watch from my hiding place behind a tree. There are three girls; the one talking to Jacob has beautiful blonde hair and has on a white blouse and black, leather pencil skirt. The other girls behind her are wearing "Team Jacob" fan shirts (not from Twilight). Uhh what has the world come to? I can't help but eavesdrop.

"Jacob, spend time with us today!!"

"Aw ladies, you know I'd love to, but I have work."

Suddenly I feel a chin rest on my shoulder.
"Did he get any food yet?" Max asks as he watches with me.

"Shhh." I shush Max with a finger over my lips.

I refocus my attention on Jacob only to see the girls leaving with their arms crossed and teary eyed. Jacob walks pass me and grins, "Are you interested in spending time with me too? Cuz I might just accept your offer, princess."

I shoot him a look of disgust and so does Max.

"Man, you should've accepted their food first." He mumbles childishly.

"Hey why were they crying?" I ask, unable to contain my curiosity.

"I just told them that I was seeing someone else at the moment." Jacob replies.
"Woah, you had no problem simultaneously dating more than five before." Toby teases. "Needless to say you broke all of their hearts afterwards."

"My record is 8." Jacob beams with pride, "Those girls.....they're just not my type."

"Every type is your type." Ervin rolls his eyes.

"Well maybe I've changed."

We all burst into laughter, thinking the exact same thing. "Changed?! Ahaha, you're kidding right!?"

While everyone is laughing, I swear I see Jacob glance over at me for a split second. There's discomfort in his eyes.

(I'm sorry for writing so many filler chapters T v T I just don't want too much to happen too fast...hope you enjoyed it anyway! Remember to vote if you did! -AwkNaut)