Call me Nya [Complete]

Week 2

Week 2

Friday afternoon

Today,  Jason arrives about forty minutes before closing time, holding a  steaming paper cup in his hand. Lloyd, who is curled up on one of the  sofas, excitedly drops the book he is reading and jumps up.

"Jayyy."  The short boy happily bounces towards the auburn-haired young man and  wraps his arms around his waist. I am surprised at this display. Lloyd  seems to be such a smart kid, what does he see in this jerk?

"Easy,  kid." Jason laughs, balancing the paper cup in one hand and  affectionately ruffling the boys hair with his free hand. "Lemme talk to  Miss Nya first, then I'll have some time for you, okay?"

"Oh, you mean Miss Antonia? Okay." Lloyd agrees, sounding a bit disappointed. "She is over there."

When  Jason arrives at the checkout, I already have found his stupid comic  book, just so I can get rid of it and of him as fast as possible.

"Hi Nya." He smiles at me.

"Good  evening Jason." I give him a forced smile back and slide the book over  the counter towards him. "Here is your new edition of Starfarers. Enjoy."

"Thanks."  He picks up the book. "Uhm, listen." He looks down and suddenly appears  a lot less cocky. "I-I wanted to apologise for last week. I got stuck  in a massive traffic jam on the way here so I was running late and a bit  stressed. And... I might have come over a bit rude."

I want to  give a harsh answer, but when I see the crestfallen look on his face, I  give him a genuine little smile instead. "It's okay. Yes, you were quite rude, but we're fine now." I reply. "And I was quite exhausted myself and not really at my best either I guess."

"I  noticed that you looked quite tired last week." He hands me the cup.  "Starting a new job is always exhausting. That's why I brought you this,  also as kind of apology. Hope you like cappuccino."

"Thank you, Jason." I take a sip. "And yes, I like it."

"But it's not your favourite, right?"

"Why do you think that?"

"Just  from the way you said it." He explains. "Growing up with a lot of  actors around you, you learn to spot when someone really means something  and when they don't..."

I blush. "You are right. It wouldn't have been my first choice, but I still like it and I appreciate the gesture."

"Now, that's finally  an honest reply." Just when I am starting to revise my opinion about  him, he falls back to his previous arrogant behaviour. "So, what is your favourite coffee?"

This is my turn to smirk. "If you really want to know, you'll have to figure it out yourself." I state.

"Challenge  accepted."He grins confidently, not knowing that it's going to take him  five weeks and five more coffees before he will finally get the right  one. "But you'll have to excuse me for now, Miss Nya. I have an  appointment with young Master Lloyd over there."

He sits down on  the sofa next to the boy and pulls a bag of jellies from his pocket.  They open the bag and start munching them, while enthusiastically  chatting about something. I don't understand what they are talking  about, probably something comic book related, but it's quite cute  watching them.

When Misako comes to collect her son a few minutes  later, Jason gets up as well. He gives Lloyd a quick hug. "Bye, little  buddy."

"Bye, Jay. And I am not little." The boy pouts.

"No, you are right, big boy." Jason laughs.

"Bye, Nya." He then calls to me, before he leaves. "See you next week."

"Bye, Jason." I call back. "Bye, Lloyd. I'll see you on Monday."

"Bye, Miss Nya." Lloyd echoes. "Have a good weekend."

I guess I'll have to get used to that name...