kickthestickz ~ the habit of pursuing happiness

chapter two

PJ's alarm woke him up much too early the next morning, and the warm blankets tried to convince him to stay in bed, but he knew the usual cafe he goes to is typically much busier on Friday mornings.

Quickly getting dressed in the same black suspenders as yesterday, he buttoned up a white shirt and slipped on his red shoes over multicolored zigzag socks before grabbing his empty briefcase and heading out the door.

While he drove down the familiar roads, his thoughts began to wander back to the first time he visited the cafe.

Growing up in a single parent household wasn't easy. PJ remembered having to sacrifice vacations in order to keep the house and the car and insurance. Even though he and his dad had struggled financially, PJ's dad always made money in their tight budget for a new video game PJ wanted or a movie he wanted to see in the cinema. Being able to go to university to study film seemed too good to be true— and it was. Having to drop out of university was one of the hardest things PJ and his dad had to do. PJ left one of the best years of his life behind and move back home. He successfully found like-minded people, and his friends managed to keep in touch for a little while, but when school started again, they were always busy. This cafe was the first place PJ and his dad met up at when PJ returned to Brighton. His dad had ordered him coffee but even after all these years, PJ still preferred tea.

Warm air hits his pink nose and cheeks making him smile, as he stumbles into the small coffee shop on the corner of the block.

A barista around his age with messy brown hair catches his eye and he joins the line, shoving his hands into the deep pockets of his heavy coat. The line seemed to diminish before his eyes and suddenly it was his turn to order.

"And what would a strapping lad such as yourself like to indulge on an early morning such as this?" The young man asked in a deep voice, a dazzling smile playing on his lips. A blush crept up the PJ's cheeks, as he wasn't used to people being so forward.

"Just a cup of hot green tea, thanks," PJ grinned at him.

"Hear that, Janet?!" He yelled over the bustle of people in the cafe. "That'll be one cup of our finest and hottest green tea!" Behind him, a teenager with black hair loosely secured in a ponytail sighed, staring Chris down before continuing her work. Chris returned his attention to PJ. "I've only just started yesterday and she already hates me." He laughed, and PJ felt his stomach skip. "And what is your name? For the cup."

PJ." He replied.

"And is that for here to go?"

PJ frowned. "To go, I suppose, but what's the difference?"

"I was just curious as to how much longer I could see you around here." a smirk appeared on his face as if had mentally complimented himself on being smooth.

"Well then," PJ coughed and glanced down to read the barista's white name tag. "Chris," He noted it was taking a while for Chris to write PJ's name on the cup. He tried to peer over the counter to read it.

"No peeking," Chris grinned, placing the cup on the counter behind him. "Now. That will be two pounds." PJ furrowed his brows in confusion before remembering he meant the cost of the drink. He fished out a 5-pound note from his pocket and handed it to him as Chris purposely brush their hands together before retrieving the money. Chris handed over his change, which PJ promptly dropped into the tips jar with a grin.

"Thanks again!" PJ gave him a wholehearted smile.

"Thank you, kind sir!" Chris placed a hand on his chest and smile to PJ, earning a scoff. "Next?" he sung.

Janet grabbed the cup and, with a scoff, prepared the drink and slid it across the counter a few minutes later. "PJ?" She asked.

"That's me, thanks!" PJ clasped the warm drink between his hands and turned to read what Chris had written.