Café Anomalies

Meet

This one is slightly longer. Sort of. I tried. 

Didn't edit this at all either. It's that thing called laziness. Picture on the right is a banner thing I made. Yeah.

I take requests for anyone that's interested. It's fun.

Enjoy.

___

meet : /mēt/

1.   come into the presence or company of (someone) by chance or arrangement.

2.   make the acquaintance of (someone) for the first time.

Erik sat at the bar, holding his bag close to his chest as he watched Ziven prepare for the day.

Ziven didn't want to admit it, but he felt rather uncomfortable with Erik's unblinking stare.

"I heard you came from an asylum." He tried to start a conversation- something to distract him from that unnerving gaze.

"Something like that," Erik murmured, "Try mental hospital."

"What for?"

"I tried to kill myself."

"..."

"I was an alcoholic, too," he added with a rueful smile.

"Was?" Ziven thought back to the beer cans that littered Erik's living room.

"I've been trying to stop."

Ziven didn't look convinced.

"Really, I have," Erik insisted.

"Right."

"Really."

"I believe you."

A small pout came onto Erik's lips as he slouched into his seat. "What about you?" he asked curiously after a while.

"What about me?"

"Where are you from?"

"New York."

Erik's mouth fell open into a small 'o'. "The city?"

"Yes."

He gasped loudly and leaned forward. "Wow! It must have been great living there!"

Ziven looked at Erik. He didn't like the expression on his face. The auburn's eyes were too wide with excitement and is expression over all was far too amazed. "Not really."

Erik grinned, "I'm from Maine so there isn't really anything as exciting as New york."

"It's cold up there in Maine."

"It is," Erik gave a firm nod, "But what a life! New York must have a great place."

Ziven merely shrugged in response.

"Why did you move here?" he then asked eagerly.

"Why did you move here?"

At that, Erik's happy smile faltered and his body leaned back, slumping to its former position. "Oh, um... I wanted to get away from... some people.”

Ziven thought back to his family and the complications that ran through the household. Without thinking, he said, “I understand.” As soon as the words left his mouth, he knew he was going to regret it.

“You do?”

And he did. Erik looked so genuinely hopeful that Ziven knew he’d feel guilty if he’d said ‘no’. So, he answered, “Yes.”

That did it. The college teen’s face resembled one of an underfed puppy that had just gotten a magnificent treat. Ziven’s single word seemed to open up a whole new gateway for Erik as he began speaking, “I knew you were sort of like me—I just knew it!”

Ziven, wholeheartedly regretting his decision, interrupted Erik before he could say anything more, “Don’t you have to leave? I’m sure your college classes will start soon.”

Erik pouted, though his expression was still far too happy and excited. “I’ll come visit you after class,” he promised.

And he most definitely kept his promise because just as he said, Erik walked into the shop panting and red-faced as if he’d run all the way from the campus to the shop.

Erik took a seat at the counter, right beside Rose.

Luckily for the two of them, the shop was fairly empty. They were the only customers at present. With little work to do, Ziven had been leaning against the counter across from Rose, idly chatting with her. When Erik sat down, Rose stopped mid-sentence and openly stared. Erik took no mind.

“Hi, Ziven,” Erik smiled shyly and then glanced at Rose. “Hi.”

“So you’re Erik,” Rose stated, resting her cheek against her palm. She took one good look at Erik and then looked at Ziven. In all seriousness, she said, “I see why you like him. He’s cute.”

Erik’s mouth fell open and in a voice just barely above a whisper, he asked, “You like me?”

Ziven narrowed his eyes, “No.”

The teen fell back, as if expecting such an answer, “Oh.”

Rose tossed her hair behind her shoulder and crossed her legs. “You have a good face, Ziven. But your personality is horrible.”

“That’s not true at all!” Erik defended.

Rose looked just as surprised as Ziven.

“H-He’s kind and helpful.. and he-he’s honest and…” Erik trailed off as if suddenly becoming aware of the staring eyes. The teen squirmed in his chair under the scrutinizing eyes.

Rose was the first to say something. “I don’t know what illusion he’s gotten you under but that thing is not nice or helpful,” she said loudly, pointing an accusing finger as Ziven.

“At least I don’t look like I just got back from a strip club,” he scoffed, eyeing her bright pink tube top and overly short shorts.

At this, Rose looked highly confused. “But, I did.”

A small laugh interrupted Ziven’s next incoming retort on Rose’s intelligence. The two looked at Erik to see his shoulders shaking slightly as he laughed, his face one of pure happiness yet at the same time, forlorn.

“I’m sorry,” he apologized, still laughing a bit.

Rose broke out into a smile, "Don't apologize."

After a while, Erik settled down and requested for a small cup of coffee- one that Ziven eagerly complied to get away from the teen. He was proving to be too much for the café owner. Sooner or later, he will be completely submerged in his crazy, crazy world if this kept up. 

"Does Ziven really not like me at all?"

"I don't know. It's hard to say."

"...oh."