Last 14th of November

14th of November

"Let's get some coffee before we head home," Andy said all of the sudden when we saw Starbucks just across us.

Sia squealed upon hearing her favorite beverage. She half-hugged Sia from the side and whispered, "thank you, girl."

I smiled upon seeing my siblings this happy. Even I'm the youngest, I treasure them so much because I grew up only with them when our parents left us in the province to work in the city.

"You guys sure you're done with everything?" Our eldest brother, Perry, reminded. "All stuff bought already?"

"Yes, brother. We made a list, remember? Everything's checked." I kept everything we bought on track.

The skies were already painted with black and dotted with some twinkling stars when Sia, the birthday girl, said she wanted to have some carbonara when the clock ticks to twelve midnight. And Andy, being the ever-supported sister for us three said "sure," and even presented to pay the bill we have to make.

With some bottles of beer clanking inside the bags we're holding, we strode our way. And through the glass walls of the café, we tried to see if there's still an available seat for four. But to our dismay, there's none.

"We'll settle here for now. We just have to wait for some guys to leave and offer their table to us," Andy laughed.

So within the tables outside, we fixed the bags underneath. Andy and Sia got inside for the orders, and Perry and I stayed there.

"So, Perry..." I started. My brother and I were not really that close. Maybe because of the fifteen-year gap and he had to attend over-seas business while still in college. And he's already living with his own family now in somewhere far, making us hard to see him unless he pays visit sometimes.

And one of those times is just like this.

I tried to sound light when asked, "when will you be back there?"

"Tomorrow, perhaps..." he sounded unsure.

I tried not to look back to him after hearing his answer. So I just smiled the thought away as the cold wind blew against the place. I rolled down my jacket's sleeve that's been folded up to my elbows

And thankfully, even before the awkward silence for me got even bigger, Andy got barging to our side while silently yelling, "get your asses up! There's finally a table for us!"

So we immediately carried the bags then headed inside. But being me and Perry, who are not in so good terms with too cold places, both of us shivered when the guard pulled the door for us.

"Quick!" Andy quietly told us again as we were nearing her then grinned when we already had the seat taken only for us.

"Okay," she breathed. "Perry?"

"Dark mocha. Frappe," he smiled. Andy nodded. "And you?" she turned to me.

"Caramel machiatto, venti, please," I said. "Thank you," then she went back to the line where Sia's been standing.

I watched them as they talked while in line for our order. With Perry in my front, he craned his neck, too, to face his sisters that's behind him.

If only Perry can stay here with us for a longer time, we can always be like this...

As I took as swift glance to my brother, I blinked my mind, too, as I blinked my eyes before focusing them on the cake display fridge that's far from us.

But instead of seeing the tiny cakes behind the glass of the almost-only source of light inside this cafè, my eyes were caught by something else.

Someone, to be exact.

Some random guy who's also in the line, just two persons behind Sia and Andy.

I breathed. Tried not to mind anymore but I just keep finding myself looking at him whenever I try not to.

"You okay, Lise?" my gaze was broken when Perry suddenly called.

"Uh... y-yeah,"

So I busied myself with my phone. Sent a message to my friends that we were here and had a little chat with them until I lifted my head up again.

And I was surprised, big time, that he's the one who's looking at me this time!

Our gazes locked. And I heard some quiet cheer from the other guys around him even I was away from them.

That's when I felt heat running up to my cheeks.

What the hell, Elise? Are you out of your mind? He's nothing but an ordinary human standing there wearing a grey jacket, with white shirt under it. An ordinary human with some pointed nose, chinky eyes, sharp jaw and white skin!

Yeah. An ordinary, beautiful guy. Thank you.

I shook my head. I shouldn't be like this. I mean, I never had a habit of checking guys out, for goodness' sake. This happened just now.

I sighed.

"Dark mocha, and machiatto," Sia smiled as she gave our cups to us. I breathed my thank you and started blowing my hot coffee. Perfect for the temperature here inside.

"You two will share in this, but I'll have mine alone. Since Sia got a cheesecake, though," Andy put a plate of chicken pot pie in front of me and Perry.

"Go for it," I looked at Perry and smiled to him.

But my gaze went through behind him. At the counter where the same guy stood.

Stop it, alright.

I talked to my sisters to finally divert my attention. Until Sia gave me her cake, saying she cannot finish it. So I took it and ate while slightly playing with my fork. I reached for my coffee but before I could bring it to my lips, I froze midway when someone walked behind me.

Is that him?

Then it snapped. It's not.

Because in mere seconds, I can clearly see him across me. Just two—freaking—seats away from me.

My hand stayed still. Still midway before my lips. But I didn't care.

Because seeing him like this near made me forget even the stars at night.

Because even I didn't have my glasses, I still had the chance to see his beautiful face clearer. That only made him more beautiful for me.

I can't help but to smile.

But after hearing him talk, I knew there was something wrong.

Because the way words rolled out his tongue, the way it sounds... it's something that's somehow, more than the girl in me.

And the way he flicked his hands...

God, I don't even know if he's an actually "he," or he—or what!—was more willing if I'd call him "she."

Because to knock all my fantasies out my head, he's girlier—if that's even a word, but more girly than me.

And upon seeing his gestures and hearing the way he spoke, I knew we can't be meant to be.

Because even if the universe will conspire for me, I know he'd like a guy, too, like himself.

_______
Cheers for Christmas! Yey!
Though this chapter hurt me a little. :)