Strangers

coffee to promises

   It was a cloudy Saturday evening when I finally settled in to my new apartment. After my argument with Gianna, we didn't speak to each other. There were no means, we just were civilized enough to not spit more insults that could further damage this destructed friendship.

   My apartment was less close to my work which was a big con, but it was closer to a plaza. I had Starbucks, Panera, Panda Express, Costco, and Subway which was pretty cool. Much less to say, I resided to Starbucks after a long move in day.

   I ordered a java chip frap, which was my favorite, while I sat down to enjoy it.

   "Vienna?" I turn up and see Jace with a frap in hand. As silly as it was I turned away and tried to look like I didn't notice him. I was in a Pink jogging suit, bright pink tang top, and a messy bun. I did not look attractive at all. The only makeup I had was mascara so I was definitely a mess.

  "Vienna?" He said again, his sweet accent making me look up with a shy smile.

   "Hi." I managed to put out. I blushed when he smiled at me, deciding whether or not to sit. "Sit." I commanded. I mentally slapped myself. How authoritative can you be?! If you didn't notice Vienna, he isn't one of your middle school students.

  "Thank you." He sipped his coffee a bit. "I guess we're having that promised coffee date." He says warmly. I was going to protest that it wasn't really a date but I didn't want to kill his humor.

   "I suppose so." I smiled back. I continued sipping my drink as I stared at him.

   "Are you doing anything for your winter break?" He asks shyly, his light green eyes doing things in my stomach. He's so hot.
 
   I thought about it. I wasn't going back home. Since the incident with Gianna, I guess I'm spending it alone this year. "No." I sipped my coffee again, feeling a little awkward. I can't believe I lost my best friend...

   "I was wondering if maybe you'd like to spend New Years Eve with me. I'm hosting a party in my cruise ship. It'd be really fun." He smiled, looking at my expression to see if I gave anything away.

  Did he say cruise ship??

  Vienna, you'd be stupid if you didn't go. You've always wanted to experience that. You literally dream about it! Holy moly say yes!

   "New Years Eve?" I thought back to New York. Joshua and I... I...

   Your sentiment is your downfall, your attachment to things. You always go back to Josh, or go do some other thing to make you forget about him, which frankly, makes you weak.

   Well shit, Gianna was right.

   "That sounds so fun." I smile, feeling as if I'm going to enter a fairytale.

   "Is that a yes?" He laughs lightly, his eyes on me again. Those eyes are beautiful enough to having you squirming at their demise.

    I giggle. "Yes." Jace puts his cold hand in mine, his smile cheeky.

    "I'm glad I saw you, but I'm going to have to get going. I have to get back to my class." He chuckles, releasing my hand to stand up.

  "I'm glad I saw you too, Jace." I really meant it. Gianna, Harry, and Joshua were gone. I was going insane without genuine human contact. Staring at a comatose body, and speaking to it, was driving me a little crazy.

   He simply bashed me a Colgate smile worth to be in those commercials. My heart fluttered a bit, as I looked away and started drinking what's left of my drink.

• • •

   My mind was whirling so fast I hadn't even thought about Christmas or New Years. My brain had a tendency to preoccupy on things and forget on others. December was going too fast for my liking. It's almost going to be a full month at the sixth of January that Harry hasn't woken up.

   I was staring at the white room, the same one for the last couple of weeks. Harry's breathing was regulated through the breathing monitor, through a plug that depended for his life. A heart rate monitor that has been the same, it hasn't increased or dropped.

  "I've been hopeful that you're going to wake up. I've been hopeful that someone would come up that knows you, and visits you. No family has visited you." I whisper to him, kinda feeling bad that no family hasn't. Like don't his parents worry their son is like this? They were notified, but no one came. It's just been me. The irony? The fuck buddy visits while blood relatives don't even give a shit, which is quite awful.

  "I wish you'd wake up from whatever you're dreaming. It's almost Christmas. I don't have anyone to spend it with, so I guess I'll reside here and spend it with you. I'm going to bring some fruit cake and some eggnog. I wonder if you like that," I breathe heavily, "I never was interested in what you liked." I shrugged, we were fuck buddies, we weren't anything romantic so there was no use.

   "I'm sorry, Harry. I'm sorry I didn't listen to myself and brought you sooner here. I have that weight on my shoulders every damn day. Maybe if I didn't oblige to your stupidity and immense stubbornness, then you'd probably would be here in all five senses." I always apologize, even if he doesn't reply. I mean, he's in a coma he can't really reply. "If you wake up Harry, I'm going to make sure you get the help you need. You're going to be healthy again, I'll promise you that." I frowned, staring at him made my stomach twist in guilt. I grabbed his hand. It was cold.

   "As stupid as it sounds, I kinda miss you. Even if we weren't anything. I miss drinking with you, having our cigarettes." I kinda miss your warmth your arms always gave me, even if I pushed them away a lot. I hate you a lot. You always made me mad, but I mean even if you were just a fuck buddy, just a stranger, you have been a better lover than what Joshua has ever been. I want to thank you for being what I needed when I needed it most; making me feel capable of being a woman.

   "You need to wake up. You can't be in bed forever, lazy butt." I caressed his hand and stood up. "You still need to take me on that burger place you once told me about. I've been dying for a burger." I gave his hand a squeeze and left.

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