SimonxBaz - COFFEE SHOP/COLLEGE AU

THE BEGINNING

Coffee wasn't Baz's usual style, but he had pulled an all-nighter the night before to finish a paper (procrastination at it's finest) and decided needed something stronger than tea if he was going to get through the day. Lucky for him, there was a coffee shop on campus close to where his first class was. He pushed open the door, which was covered in quirky stickers that said things like "save the whales!" and "yay! artists!" A bell dinged and the scent of coffee beans and distasteful incense overwhelmed him and he wrinkled his nose. This place had always been too "hippy" for his liking. The art on the walls was too bright and the music played was usually trashy alternative. Not his style, as he prefered trashy rock, but there's not much of a difference these days, Baz thought. He took his place in line behind a young girl with blonde hair, scrolling on his phone anxiously, thoughts nagging him about how much shit he was about to get for the last-minute essay. When the girl in front of him was finished, he stepped forward and ordered without looking up.

"Dark mocha latte with a double shot of espresso."

"Will that be all?"

Baz glanced up and found himself staring at the boy in front of him. The barista's windy bronze curls were pushed up under a cheesy uniform visor and stars of silver and gold were scattered on the universe of his face. His lips were the color of ripe peaches on a summer day. But that didn't even matter. No, the boy's big, big, blue eyes were what made Baz's breath catch. They weren't sea blue, not turquoise, not even periwinkle. Just blue. But the kind of blue that called for adventure. They were eyes that swelled with orchestral music and shone with possibility.

And he was in love with them.

Baz was startled suddenly by this thought. He'd never been in love before. It had been so long that he had started to doubt that love even existed. And how, Baz wondered, could somebody fall in love on sight? It was logically impossible. And yet, he couldn't tear his eyes away from the boy in front of him.

The boy's eyebrows furrowed together. Baz realized he had been staring, and shook his head to break the trance.

"Yes, that's all."

The boy's eyes held on to Baz's for just a second longer than strangers' usually do. Just a few seconds, but it felt like forever. Baz felt drunk on the water in those eyes. Was this normal?

"3.27 is your total" The boy said in a liquid voice. Baz nodded and swiped a card, keeping his eyes on the barista. He made his way to the pick up counter and waited, scrolling through his phone but not paying attention. When his drink was ready, he scooped it up, terrified to look up and left the shop in a hurry. What had happened to him in there? Was he losing it? When he got to the lecture hall he swung his messenger bag over the back of his chair and balanced his coffee on his knee, thankful that he hadn't been late.

"Oohhh, what's that on your cup?" said Candice, who slid his chair closer and snatched the cup. Candice was Baz's closest and only friend. They were both outcasts, Baz an unapproachable football (soccer) player and Candice being a theatre major who didn't care for Wicked. Baz opened his mouth in protest, but before he could say anything:

"Oh. My. God. Baz." Candice's face snapped up in astonishment. "Who's number is this?"

Baz's brow furrowed. "Number? I don't-"

"Right here, look!" exclaimed Candice, pointing to the number scrawled on the cup in quick handwriting. He gave him a knowing look.

Baz sighed and reluctantly said: "There was this boy at the coffee shop-"

"Stop! Okay, save it for tonight, I'm sleeping over. You're going to tell me everything then."

Baz frowned, annoyed that he had basically invited himself over and thinking that they were a bit too old for sleepovers, but decided to drop it because, once Candice sets his mind on something, there's no point trying to stop him. He shook his head, knowing what a mess he was about to get himself into. He tried to focus, but couldn't help but daydream about the boy, his wind blown hair and peachy coloured lips, stars for freckles and musical eyes, hoping that he would see him again.

AUTHORS NOTE: Hey guys! I'd really love some feedback, so please leave a comment about what you think! Should I continue this? I enjoy writing, so I hope you're enjoying it! Let me know ;P

-@snowbazzz