Repression ▶ M•C ▶ 2/3

Chapter 59

"Are you sure you're alright?" Cat took her eyes off the road as we were driving down a dark street, with only a few lampposts and the car's headlights lighting the way. I sat quietly in the corner of the passenger seat staring out into the darkness. "Yeah, I'm fine" I flashed a timid smile over at her before she carried on looking at the road. "I heard about what happened earlier and I would totally understand if you didn't want to be here, my friends are very outgoing and I don't want you to feel uncomfortable" She said comfortingly. "No I'm glad I'm here, I just want to get out the house for a while" I shook my head and scoffed. She pulled up beside a small coffee shop in the main part of town, cutting the engine and looking out through the shop window to see if anyone was in there. "He's not here yet, I guess we'll have to wait for him" She rolled her eyes and got out the car. I opened the door and stepped onto the pavement, the evening air was cooling against my skin. "Come on then" She laughed, before pushing the door open and walking across the room to the counter. I sighed and followed, entering the warm shop which smelt heavenly to me. I studied the tables and chairs dotted around the room, no costumers were inside at all. Cat was at the counter, her elbow leaning against the polished brown wood, talking happily to a guy opposite her. They were very relaxed, as if they knew each other; he had a wide grin and this kind of gleam in his eyes. I approached them slowly; the guy glanced over in my direction and widened his smile even more.

"What's with the late night coffee then?" He smirked, turning away and grabbing a cloth from behind him. He was taller than both of us, quite muscular but not in like a body builder way, just enough so he didn't seem weak. He had dark brown hair, slightly messy, but in a way that suited his whole barista look. "We're meeting Brad but he's late as usual" She rolled her eyes and ordered her coffee. "What about you, I haven't seen you around here before" He was too busy working the coffee machine to look at me, but in his voice I could sense judgement and curiosity. I blinked a few times and was unsure to say anything at all, but I managed to open my mouth and stutter out a few words. "I had nothing better to do" I looked at Cat for reassurance and she nodded. "She's having a rough time and I thought she could use some of your cappuccino skills" She smiled as he handed her a cup of coffee. "Well you've come to the right place, my cappuccinos are legendary" He winked at me before turning back around again. "I'm going to sit down" I leaned across and said quietly into Cat's ear. She nodded and smiled, agreeing to bring my coffee over once it was ready.

I went and sat at a table in the corner, not drawing any attention on myself and pulling out my phone. It was soon approaching eleven and I hadn't received any messages from Michael at all. I knew that deep down when I would come home he wouldn't be there, and our last moments together were violent and traumatic. I looked up and noticed Cat and the coffee guy staring at me. I felt extremely uncomfortable and pretended to be texting someone so I wouldn't have to watch them watch me awkwardly. Cat came over with the drinks a few minutes later, still laughing at whatever they were talking about. She placed my drink in front of me and grinned. "That's Ben by the way, I like to make a habit of making friends with attractive baristas so I can get free coffee" She scoffed, blowing cool air onto her steaming drink. "I think he likes you" She added, and I spat out the contents of my mouth onto the table in front of us. We both started laughing and trying to wipe it up the few napkins provided. "I'm not even thinking about other people right now" I sighed, sipping my drink again. "Well why not? I mean, you're technically single, looking fine as hell, any guy would be lucky to have you and Michael is an asshole for not realising that" She pushed my shoulder with her hand playfully. "Thanks" I smiled weakly.

The shop door opens and a slim tanned guy comes stepping inside. "Brad" Cat and Ben both seemed pleased to see him, Cat getting out of her seat and rushing over to him, throwing her arms around his neck. "Hi sweetie" He replied calmly, pulling her off him and ordering some drink I had never heard off. He pulled his scarf off his neck and noticed me sitting on my own. "You must be Georgie, I heard you were the one with awesome hair" I stood up and extended my arm for a handshake. "Gosh don't be so formal, come here" He opened his arms and pulled my in for a hug. He smelt fresh and clean, which made me feel a little be more comfortable in his presence. "Nice to meet you" I smiled, walking with him back into the centre of the room where everyone else had gathered. "Now, are you going to shut this shop so we can get this party started or what?" He asked Ben, and he nodded and untied his apron. He walked out from behind the counter and brushed past me subtly on his way to the door. He turned over the open sign so it read closed and locked the door with a set of keys in his pocket. He flicked the light switch off and the others squealed with excitement. Cat ran into the back room and started bringing out candles whist Brad took out a bottle of vodka from his bag on the table. "What's going on?" I looked at Ben as he unbuttoned the top button of his white shirt. He smirked and took my hand suddenly, dragging me to the counter with Cat and Brad. "It's a lock-in"