Solitude ➳ a.i.

2

Another week passed by, nothing different. Ashton had ordered his usual black coffee every day that week. It had rained one more time that week, and Ashton was by my side with the umbrella again. He, once again, didn't say anything. I was starting to get frustrated. Sure, we're strangers. But how the hell is someone going to be so nice to you without saying a single thing? I was confused.

I walked into the shop, the same old stupid bell that I've grown to hate ringing above my head. I proceeded to go behind the counter and put on my apron.

"Hey Liza." Luke said, receiving a small but noticeable wave from me.

I was starting to get tired. Not physically, sleepy tired, but mentally. I was tired of the same old things everyday. Ashton came and changed things up a bit, but then it started feeling like every day was deja vu again. I just want to try different things. I never had the chance to do anything different with my life. Instead I'm stuck here.

I always have these thoughts before and at work. I wanted change. Hell, I probably needed it by now. But I couldn't. I was mentally and financially stuck, between paying rent and school by myself. I was thankful that this small, shitty job pays enough.

Some of the usuals came and went, but Ashton didn't come on time as he usually did.

He usually got here at 10:00 on the dot and left at 10:30. I seem like a complete stalker, but it isn't my fault he's very consistent.

After a while of waiting, I heard the familiar jingle of the door and my head shot up from my sketchbook to see Ashton, the only customer in here, panting as if he was jogging.

He was probably late.

It was 10:05 am. He seriously jogged here because he was 5 fucking minutes late to a lame ass coffee shop.

He walked up to the counter and instead of saying 'black coffee' as he usually does, he breathlessly said, "The usual."

I honestly knew exactly what he wanted, but I decided I needed to hear more than one word from him today.

"I'm sorry but what exactly do you mean by that? My memory isn't all that great." I lied.

"Black coffee... I get it every day." He muttered the last part, becoming annoyed.

"Sorry sir..." I whispered, writing down his order. I was honestly not expecting him to add on to his sentence. He never talks to me this much. He never talks at all this much.

He took out the money and I handed him the coffee, making it quicker than usual.

He didn't stay in and drink his coffee as he always did. Instead, he gathered his things and started walking away.

"But.. your change!" I yelled after him.

And halfway out the door, I heard, "Keep it." and sighed.

Why was he so in a rush? 5 minutes isn't that bad. Why couldn't he just drink faster than usual? So many thoughts raced through my head. Maybe he was OCD? I hate assuming such a thing but he honestly seemed a bit overdramatic about a 5 minute difference.

My break was more boring than usual without Ashton there for me to stare at. So I fell asleep.

Moments later I was woken up when I felt fingers dig in to the sides of my stomach where I was ticklish and I jumped up and slapped whoever it was.

"Eliza! Ow what the fuck!" Luke screeched. I saw him holding his cheek and that's when I lost it.

I began to uncontrollably laugh and not long after Luke joined in. I laughed until I held my stomach and breathed a few times to calm down.