stars (phan)

chapter 2

**re-written**

it wasnt exactly raining but it wasnt exactly snowing, the liquid drifting down in the wind and wetting the pavement.

i walked, not really knowing what to do with my hands, my fingertips slowly getting numb.

cars rolled past lazily in the early morning, headlights still on and drowsy eyes scanning the road in front of them. a dog barked somewhere at a cat who scampered off, bits of white fur clinging together from the rain.

"Dan!" a cheery voice sounded behind me and i turned, it was Becky.

"Hey," i said quietly through chattering teeth as she hugged me briefly,

"I redecorated the whole cafe last night and it looks super cool- dan why are you not wearing a jacket? youre going to to freeze in weather like this!"

she pulled me further along the road, the snow/rain falling a little harder now and raindrops would sometimes fall down my neck.

we reached the cafe where becky unlocked it, the click sounding in the cold and she shoved open the door, warm air wrapping around me and pulling me in.

"here!" she said, flicking on the light and i was greeted with a whole different cafe.

there was an 'L' shaped couch in the corner with a large coffee table, there were tables with seats that ranged from 2-4 chairs and along the windows at the front there were stools and long tables so you could see outside and eat. succulents hung from pots around the room and the counter was still neatly placed in the right corner.

"becky it looks amazing how did you do this all in one night?"

she laughed, the noise loud and crisp that showed obvious happiness.

"i had a few friends that helped me out, i mean i wouldve gotten you to come down too but with your parents and all i figured it wouldve been a little hard." her voice trailed off in pity, big green eyes staring up into mine as she then smiled, "I have a jacket for you if you want! its never been worn so dont worry,"

she turned in a flurry and walked to the back door, setting her bag down behind the counter.

my fingertips dances across the edges of the wall, the rough brick prickling me every so often as i walked slowly to the counter in a sleepy daze.

"Here," Becky came up behind me, pushing a black jacket into my chest, "I don't want you to get sick, especially since now you have to move out."

i sighed, releasing all oxygen in my lungs and grabbed the warm coat and placed it gently next to my bag i left here the night before.

"We should start," she said, walking swiftly to behind the counter and pulling on her apron that had the café's logo on it, i did the same, fiddling with the strings at the back, "Theyre going to be here in a few minutes."

my eyes darted to the clock neatly hooked on the wall opposite us and it read 6:57am and i barely had time to switch on all the machines and heaters before the sweet little bell rang at our door and an elderly man stepped in, shaking off the bits of snow that clung to his jacket and beanie.

"The usual." he said in a kind tone to Becky and sat at one of the tables, taking in his new surroundings.

"Cold day, hey?" she asked, making conversation as she grabbed one of the white mugs,

"Theres bound to be a snow storm later on, you should be careful on public transport, the roads are slippery."

"Everyone'll be fine," she laughed, "and hows the misses?"

"ah, shes well, shes started sewing dresses to sell, theyre lovely little things."

"oh thats cute, heres your coffee Mr. Douglas."

he stood up, chair scraping slightly on the wood and he gently took the mug, placing the appropriate money on the counter.

"Thank you Beck, oh hello Dan i didnt see you there, it seems my eyesight is getting worse by the minute! How are you my lad?"

i blinked suddenly at the quick attention that was averted to me and i tried to comprehend what Mr. Douglas had just said.

"oh, im um good, hi, how are you today?"

as the day went on costumers came in and out, making light conversation with us under the hammering of the heavy rain on the roof.

it now was about 10am.

a slender figure quickly walked through the door, shivering with ice and water dripping off his clothes as he gazed around the room, thankful for the heat.

then his eyes met mine.

blue.

bright, icy blue that shot holes through my solid frame and made my insides twist in the most awkward manner and i felt as if tiny blue butterflies, the same colour as his eyes were exploding out from me and filling the room.

he strode over to the counter, shaky breaths leaving his pale pink lips and he skimmed his fingertips on the laminated wooden counter, looking up at the chalk board menu that was arrayed behind us. i shuffled awkwardly to him, daring not to get lost in his eyes again as he tapped lightly. he was a little smaller than me and he had ebony hair that shone in the lights that hung above but the colour of his eyebrows told me that black was not his natural colour. he skimmed his tongue quickly over his lips before looking at me in the eyes, a small smile playing at his lips.

"A coffee please," ive never fallen in love with a voice before but those three words that he uttered seemed like the best thing that has happened in all of forever and his voice seemed as if it could melt in your hands at a gentle touch.

i nodded, feeling a little dumb and out of place and as if he was ripping me up into 12 hundred pieces and stuffing me into his pocket as i turned to the coffee machine,

"um... white or uh black?" i asked him, looking up at him again and feeling his blue eyes on mine.

"white thank you." he then smiled more, content with something before telling me he was going to be seated by the window.

making the coffee as best as i could i glanced up at the clock, 10:54am, 6 minutes until my break so i finished the coffee, taking it carefully up to the boy and setting it gently in front of him, the steam billowing up in small transparent clouds.

"thank you!" he beamed, and he reminded me of a small child receiving the best thing they could imagine, "im um phil by the way," and he took a careful sip of his coffee, his eyes still on mine as i stood there awkwardly, a little intrigued by the new stranger who goes by 'Phil'

"dan" i said, smiling shyly down at him as rain drops started to hammer more harshly in the window next to him. i took a quick look at the clock, 10:58am, i guess i could talk to him more.

"you make the best coffee dan oh gosh" he complimented suddenly, taking another shy sip from the creamy white cup.

"oh thanks, i guess its nothing special though"

wow way to go dan.

"coffee is important to be good at making"