- Café Latte -

- 4 - "Long time no see, buddy"

"Matt..." I started, the nerves kicking in once more. My fingers tapped on the patterned mug as I planned out my wording in my head.

"Yeah?" he replied calmly.

"There's something I need to ask, and I know you're not going to like this, but I need to know. Please tell me the truth - I'm your best friend ... Or at least I was... " I clasped and unclasped my hands as they started to sweat.

"You are my best friend Iyla! Please just tell me, you're worrying me..."

I took in a ragged breath as I spoke before I could back out.

"What really happened to Alice Harper?"

His face dropped at the mention of her name, and his eyes practically dislocated themselves from their sockets. He opened his mouth to speak but his words were interrupted by a sudden hard swallow.

"I- I don't want to talk about it" he struggled.

"Please Matt..."

"I SAID I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!" He threw his fist down on the table, sending a loud echo through the café.

I was completely taken aback by his response. I had never seen this side of Matt before. He must've surprised himself too, because he unclenched his fist and his eyes darted around the room. They shifted back to me, but he couldn't directly look me in the eyes.

"I'm sorry I-" he stuttered.

"It's okay."

Actually it wasn't okay. In a way I had kind of expected him to react like this, but I didn't want to push him. I was going to get it out of him, but I would have to do it in time. It was going to hurt him but I knew that it will turn out better for both of us in the long run.

The other customers in the café had forced themselves to tear their eyes away from the scene of  Matt's outburst , but many were still glancing back at our table.

"I'm going to the bathroom" Matt whispered, embarrassed. I smiled apologetically at him as he darted through the door to the toilets.

Just as I took my phone out of my pocket to occupy myself, someone sat themselves in the seat Matt had just left.

"Sorry that's taken" I lifted my head and met eyes with the person in front of me. I nearly fell off my chair.

"Iyla, isn't it?" Noah's husky voice sent my heart a million miles an hour.

"Erm yeah that's me... Have we met?" I tried to play it off like I wasn't about to collapse into a human puddle at any moment.

"Not properly. I've seen you before though, you're in my music class. It's nice to finally meet you Iyla, I'm Noah King."

He smiled, displaying a row of perfect white teeth. A dimple concaved his right cheek and his dark eyes shone in contrast to his flawless lightly-tanned skin.

My heart leaped in my chest as I replied swiftly, eager to keep the conversation going.

"Oh yes, I thought I recognised you. Wait... Weren't you the boy who was in a rationship with Brooklyn Jones about a year ago?" I quizzed, desperate to keep his attention.

"Oh... Erm, yes..." he stumbled. I thought I would've felt panicked for making him uncomfortable, but something about having this kind of control and dominance over him was exciting.

"Your coffee has gone cold, can I buy you a drink?" He winked, and before I could reply, he was at the counter ordering two coffees.

I smiled to myself as I watched him. He ordered the coffees and leant over the counter, watching the woman work the machines. She placed the mugs on the counter in front of him and he thanked her. He reached into his pocket and pulled something out of it. His back was to me so I couldn't see what it was. He proceeded to stir the coffees and take a few sachets of sugar from the compartments before walking back over to me with a smile on his face.

He placed the coffee in front of me. It smelled amazing. I thanked him and raised the mug to my lips. As it neared my face something odd caught my attention.

"Why is the froth a light blueish colour?"

"It's one of the new limited edition seasonal lattes" he shot back immediately, not taking his eyes from my lips.

His stare made me nervous, so I simply smiled and took a sip.

"It's amazing - what is this latte called?" I looked inquisitively into his eyes.

"Winter Wonderland I believe" there it was again - that heart melting smile.

If I was being entirely honest, the coffee didn't taste any different from usual, I just wanted to get the conversation rolling again.

During my interaction with Noah, I had completely forgotten about Matt. It was only when he grabbed Noah by the collar and dragged him to his feet did I notice his return.

"Matt what are you doing?!" I panicked and tried to make him let go. My attempt was pointless.

"You stay away from her you scumbag, do you hear me? Lay a finger on Iyla and I swear to god you will be wishing you'd never been born, do you understand?!" he spat, anger burning in his eyes.

If it was a show the other customers were looking for, they got it and more.

"Alright I get it lover boy," Noah smirked up, clearly unphased by Matt's action.

"Oh he's not... We're not... " I felt the need to clarify that Matt and I were not dating. I mean, Noah is my crush and all, I want him to know I'm available. Not easy, but available.

Matt shot me a cold look. What's wrong with him.

Just as Matt looked as if he was going to threaten Noah again, Noah's friends strode up to them.

"Matt Greyson, long time no see buddy." One guy raised a pierced eyebrow as he smiled sadistically.

"Oh yeah, I remember him. We used to have a lot of fun with girls if you know what I mean..." They all cracked up - except for Matt.

He began to sweat furiously, and the anger was rising in his face by the moment. Behind that facade, I could see he was petrified.

"Come on Iyla, let's go" he grabbed me by the wrist and practically dragged me out of the shop and all the way down the street.

"Where are we going? How did you know those guys? Why did you threaten Noah? What girls were they talking about?" all the questions spilled out in such a sequence it sounded more like a quiz. I tugged my arm and begged him to answer.

No reaction. No reply.
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Thank you for reading xxx

Word count: 1134