Midnight. ☆ [boyxboy]

Vintage bench

I chewed at my lip as we rode silently in Hunter's truck. He hadn't said all but two words to me since before we left, literally. And they were 'Let's go'. I stared out the window, watching as the buildings whizzed by and decided that I would try to make this better and less awkward.

"Why aren't you going into work today?"

Silence.

I turned to look at him "Hunter"

Silence.

I sighed, giving up I reached for the radio and he pushed my hand away. I glared at him, not once did he look at me, but instead he stared straight ahead at the road. I shook my head and turned to stare out the window again, but my vision was obstructed by stupid tears that had welled up in my eyes.

A few moments later he pulled up to the curb in front of Java Jam and idled. He sat, still staring straight ahead.

"Where are you going?"

Almost immediately after I had finished the sentence, he jerked his arm out across my lap and opened my door, which flung open and then he went back to staring ahead.

My heart was beating fast, my body trying to control the anger mixed with shock and.. fear.

"I'll pick you up when you get off work" Is all he said.

I huffed "I don't know what the hell your problem is but you throwing a tantrum and giving me the silent treatment doesn't exactly make any logical sense. And don't worry about coming to pick me up. I'll find a ride with someone who will actually treat me like an adult instead of a fucking child!" I hopped out of his truck and flung the door shut as hard as I could. And I didn't look back as his tires screeched away from the curb, I just stormed into Java Jam.

Irene popped up from beside the stainless steel sink carrying a large container of clean Java Jam cups. "Was that Hunter?"

I nodded and headed towards the back to store my things in my locker. As I slid my Java Jam apron over my head I couldn't help but let the tears fall. I didn't mean to be such a pussy. But, I hated knowing someone was mad at me and I didn't know the reason behind it. I hated having tension with people and quite frankly I cared too much about what people thought of me. I gave too many fucks.

I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself and appear normal as I headed back to the front of the coffee shop.

"Did you clock in?" asked Irene as she passed me, carrying two large bags of sugar.

I nodded again "Thanks for reminding me. Here let me help you with those"

"No, no, I got it. It's alright." She smiled "Thanks though"

I tried to smile.

"Zane, I don't know you that well but I do know what it looks like when someone unhappy tries to smile."

I started wiping down the counters "How?" I asked with genuine curiosity.

"I did it for years. Shit, who hasn't done it at least once in their lifetime." She smiled at me only it looked genuine and understanding. "So you gonna tell me what's bothering ya?"

I stayed silent for a few moments, unsure of how much to tell her, what parts to leave out. "I don't like knowing that people are upset with me. Especially if they won't tell me. It leaves me to assume what they could be mad about. Since, I'm assuming, I could be wrong. So how do I apologize to a person who's upset at me when I don't know what to apologize for"

She smiled as she started filling the coffee into the machines. "Ask them. Of course these things are never easy. But, all you can do is try. Even if they refuse to tell you, you tried"