Shai Soi

Chapter 17

Café LaFleur was your classic dark-windowed café with cluttered fluffy booths, corners reserved just for two, and a whole wall made of windows and sliding doors. It was kind of like Panera, but here they had waiters that would take your order at the crowded tables.

Not many people were here. A family of four ate and talked together up front. Along the walls sat some others staring at their phones or typing on their laptops. Many college kids stayed outside on the patio. The sun was high and the concrete porch sizzled with heat. They didn't mind, they put up the umbrellas to chatter in the shade. It didn't feel hot in here, but a cozy warm. The kind of warm that accompanied stores during winter. I led Derek to my regular sofa-like booth in the corner. It swallowed us. We sank into the fluffy cushions, shoulders touching from the motion.

Don't read this the wrong way. We were just friends. Derek was more like a big, annoying, nerdy brother than anything else. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the close proximity. A new waitress I didn't recognize weaved through the maze of tables to ours. With her nose nearly to her notepad, she asked what we wanted. With the angle I sat at, it looked like she was intentionally trying to hide her face. I knew that, because I did that with my textbooks, and I know for a fact that it doesn't work.

I've never been one to start a conversation, it was only the fact that Derek got my name wrong that I talked to him in the first place. But I cleared my throat, and to everyone's surprise, (and mine), I said, "Hiding like that won't work. I've tried it before, and it only attracts people towards you."

The waitress peered from over her pad, blue eyes wide and shining. Café LaFluer wasn't a stressful place, but her hands visibly shook. Thinking I'd break her if I said anything else, I lowered my gaze and muttered my order. Just like that, my confidence simmered to a close. The waitress became a little more comfortable with the change into her protocol, because she whisked off with our orders.

Derek nudged me. "Look who's getting brave."

I attempted a smile. "Sure, if that's what you want to call it. So, how was your school year?"

He beamed.

Here we go...

"The 3-D printer is amazing! I printed my first figure a few weeks ago; it was a space dog. It took 12 hours, but dang it's awesome..." I tried listening, I really did. But, like I said I tried. I blanked out even faster than usual. I didn't even try looking like I was listening. Because when he listed off the other nerdy things he's printed, he mentioned a lion, and I was off.

Oh my gosh. What time is it? How has the day gone by so quickly? I can't believe I have to change form in front of so many people. Wait, did Momma say how many people would be there? I don't remember. Maybe it's not that much. Is it? Am I being paranoid? Why are my hands so sweaty? Am I growing whiskers? 'Now that was an interesting date.' I swear Momma, if you gave that to me... Why is my hearing so loud? I thought when our shy waitress set down my coffee in front of me before scurrying away. I wish I could hide like her. But no, I will have to shift in front of people! What if I fail and they laugh at me? What if I've been dreaming this whole time? That's really cruel. What if-

Everything came back into focus, almost like someone flicked me in between the eyes. It was as clear as a snap in front of the face, but no one did anything. Derek was still ranting about school, and the few customers in the café hadn't moved.

Boom, boom. Boom, boom.

That's all I heard. My heart beating really fast. Blood pounded in my ears. Despite the uncomfortable mugginess in my hoodie, I wasn't sweating. Every pore burned like my face was on fire but no sweat accompanied it. The coffee was too hot. I couldn't make my hand let go.

I stood so quickly, the table flipped over. But I didn't see that. I whipped around, desperate to get out for some fresh air. I was turning so quickly, I didn't register the customer behind me until it was too late. I braced for impact... but it didn't come.

Someone gripped my wrist; it was strong. It almost hurt.

"Be careful, there, or you might hurt someone." His green eyes glowed in the cafe's dim light. Nathaniel's side-smile sparked a flare of annoyance in my chest.

I yanked my hand away. "I don't think hurting you will affect anything- other than lifting my mood."

"Excuse me?" I flinched at Sadie's sharp voice. Sadie's brown eyes blazed behind thick glasses. Nathaniel had the nerve to smile, but I didn't. The look that she gave sent chills down my spine. Did Sadie remember me? Didn't look like it.

"I'm s-sorry. I didn't mean-"

"The heck you did!" She snapped.

"I- I..."

"It's okay, Bec. Sadie's just being over dramatic."

The flare in Sadie's eyes dimmed. Her perfect eyebrows furrowed. "Oh you're... Rej-Rebecca, right?" My stomach somersaulted. Sadie almost called me 'Reject'. I could deal with the regular jerks calling me that, but to have Nathaniel's girlfriend know about that made me uneasy. I told Derek about that one time, and he had argued otherwise. He must've picked up on that, because he was at my side in a second. He put his hand comfortingly on my back.

"Oh, this is Derek. Derek, this is Sadie and Nathaniel."

Silence. The hum of the café seemed to fade. I didn't know what I just did. Both boys tensed. A muscle in Derek's jaw twitched. It felt like a lion and a hyena were just placed on opposite sides of a meaty carcass.

Sadie seemed to sense it too, but she only stood and stared at Nathaniel. Nathaniel's hands clenched when I'd said Derek's name, but he put on a smile. It didn't reach his eyes. Putting his hand out, he said, "Nice to meet you. I'm Nathan-"

"I know who you are." I jumped at the coldness of Derek's tone. His face was a mask of anger. His stare was so icy, it was a wonder the temperature didn't drop. I usually teased him about being nerdy, but he had a sturdy chest, and he was an inch taller than Nathaniel. He was nothing more than intimidating. He knew it too. He made sure to look down his nose while pulling me away by my waist. Nathaniel's gaze flickered to the movement.

Sadie shifted, slipping her hand through his arm. "Well, nice meeting you. Nathaniel and I were just leaving."

Thank you, Sadie.

"Okay. See you," I had to pull Derek down into the seat. He wouldn't move at first so he ended up falling on my lap. I laughed, bringing his smile back on his face.

"So tell me more about that spacedog."

I could have sworn Nathaniel froze when I'd pulled Derek away.