Among The Stars

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen

I wake up early the next morning for work, which is usually a drag. I work for half the day, usually. Eight to three. The rest of the day, I get to myself, but I don't really do much in that time.

I used to meet Justin at the ice cream shop right across the street, but now I couldn't. It's crazy how many things you take for granted in life until they're gone.

At around ten, I'm pleasantly surprised to see Adam walk into the coffeehouse, bright-eyed and bushy tailed as ever.

Some days, his mood was completely different. Today seemed like a good day for him.

"Why hello, Angel," he says cheerfully.

"Why hello, Adam," I sing, "What do you want?"

"How polite of you to ask," he says with a British flare to his tone, "I'll take a regular black coffee on this fine morning. Throw a cranberry muffin in with that, too!"

I laugh and ring it up. "So, why the good mood?"

He sighs dreamily and looks past me towards the chalk illustrated menu.

"Did Danny turn you gay?" I guess sarcastically.

He laughs and shakes his head, "No. I just spent the night with the most beautiful girl I've ever known and I got great sleep last night and life is just working in my favor, you know?"

I blush a little and suddenly become really self conscious about my hair, which was pulled back in an ugly ponytail and tucked underneath my black cap.

"That's great, Adam," I say, "But keep the cheesiness down a little, please."

He laughs and nods, "Yeah. Whatever."

"I really did have fun last night. It kept my mind off of Justin for a while," I admit.

"I swear, if Danny wasn't gay, he would be all over you. He was texting me last night about how hot you were and how you were so sweet and funny," he says, smiling.

"Thanks," I laugh, taking the coffee from my coworker and handing it to Adam.

He smiles and takes it politely, lifting off the lid carefully. He pours in his cream and sugar strategically.

"I haven't seen you around here," I point out, leaning over the counter a bit.

"That's because I'm not downtown very often, but last night, you brought up the fact you worked here, so I decided I'd stop by and keep you company," he explains, stirring his coffee. "Want a sip?"

"Yes, please," I reply excitedly and take a sip of the warm coffee. "Oh, God. Thank you."

He laughs and takes back his drink. "No problem."

I smile and sigh, looking around. "We don't get much business, if you couldn't tell."

The shop was completely vacant besides us and my two coworkers, who were standing in the back conversing. Normally, I didn't talk to the people I worked with because they never really had interesting things to say.

"Oh, I could," he laughs, "But that's good. More time for us to talk."

"About what?" I ask.

"I don't know. Stuff, I guess," he shrugs.

I sigh and look back at the two other girls. Neither of them were exactly considered pretty, no offense. If they took care of themselves they would be, but since they didn't, they were pretty unattractive. One had dark red acne covering her face and the other had short black, red, and yellow hair.

"Do they go to our high school?" he asks, gesturing towards the two girls.

"The one with the crazy hair does. She's a freshman. The other is a sophomore at Westen," I explain.

He nods and scratches behind his left ear.

"I have made this sufficiently awkward, haven't I?" he laughs, shaking his head a little.

"Not really," I shrug.

"I've been really blunt, lately. I think my mom is starting to get pissed at me," he laughs, looking down at his feet and then back up at me quickly, "She'll ask if I want to do something for her and I'll say no and she'll just freak out. And yesterday, I told a girl she was annoying without even knowing it. It's a curse, really."

"That's a little over dramatic, isn't it?" I comment.

He laughs and nods, looking over at one of the tables. "Yeah. I guess it is."

I smile and stand up straight. "I should get back to work. And you probably have something better to do, like hang out with some friends. I get off at three, though, if you want to hang out then?" I suggest.

He nods and cracks a really cute smile. "Yeah. I'd like that. I'll meet you here at three."

"Okay. Three it is," I laugh.