MORNING STAR, a STARGAZING series the 1st

Chapter 2, Drinking Coffee was Always a Good Help, but Not That Day

I ordered an iced vanilla latte, bet my obsession for vanilla is worrying my mother. For someone like Allan, I could never understand how on earth he would enjoy black coffee. Don't get me wrong, he just too cinnamon roll for something bitter like black coffee. I checked on my wristwatch, it was 10.00 am, I still had much time before dinner.

"how was everything?" Asked Allan as he sipped his black coffee. "I haven't seen you since you went to college until today" he continued. That words could be translated into "I miss you, brat" but it would be sounded so cheesy for both of us.

"I've been in a really busy," I said. "we had a report every week. College life looked so much fun in a TV show, I should have known everything was a complete lie," I said as I remembered the TV show I used to watch when I had free time, "and the worst part is that I don't have time for birdwatching"

Allan giggled, "you're worrying the birds too much.".

"because the birds don't talk as much as people do," I replied.

Birdwatching was the only thing to connect me with my father, that's all I know. When I was four, my Mom gave me this binocular, it was my father's. There were the sculpture of a dove and the letter "Z.H" on it, mom said that he loved to birdwatching, it's just the little thing I know about him.

My mood was dropped a bit, the air around us were getting heavier. "sorry..," said Allan realizing it. "worry nothing," I said, "how was your college life? Marine science wasn't too rough for you?" I asked to change the topic.

"well it doesn't for now," he said. "we just had this common course, it's all the basic before we had the real marine science course," Said Allan as he sipped another. I nodded, honestly I didn't understand about what he said just now.

"stating if it was too rough for me, you really did underestimate me, didn't you?".

I choked, knowing that this cinnamon looking friend of mine studied marine science is shocked me at first. I didn't know Allan could swim. "we've been underestimating each other this whole time, why does it matter now?" that's my excuse. Allan lost his words and I felt win. Our friendship was a constant roasting friendship, I'm afraid I was the one who gave him a bad influence.

There was a long awkward silence between us, I didn't know what happened. Just by seeing him, I could tell that Allan had something to talk, and he's waiting for the perfect momentum.

"I was wondering, why did you pass out back then?" he asked, "did something happened?". I always hate being asked the same question for twice or more, "me too," I looked for the proper words so they wouldn't be too harsh, "I'm as clueless as you..,"

"I see," he said.

"no worries, Allan. It's just a pass out" my aim was to ensure him that everything was going to be just fine. "just a pass out. Don't make it sounds like it's nothing." He argued.

"well isn't it?" he was playing with his wristwatch when I said that it always bothered me when he did that. "you know, I've been friend with you for a long time, and when you did that," I pointed out his hands "you must be overthinking."

Allan stared me in disbelief, I thought he was about to yell but he held back. Hi sighed, "you're right.. I was just worried as much as your mother.."

"wha— my Mom? How did she know?" I was surprised and screamed that the whole people starred at us.  Allan's hands were put before me, telling me to calm down.

"of course I told her—"

"you did what?" I checked my phone, there were about sixty missed calls from Mom and chats, crap I should have set my phone on vibrate mode and not on silent mode.

"I told her once I heard you collapsed..,"

Weird things happened. I hoped that it wouldn't get any weirder, but I was wrong. Allan shut his mouth up, the air around us was getting more thicker and thicker that it was hard to breathe. I bet he could read the whole question written in my face, how?

How did you know?

".... I was at the right time and the right place..." Allan answered nervously. Somebody needs to tell him that he was always bad at lying.

The light was flickering from on to off and back again. The place was black out for a moment, and then the light returned seconds after.

"By, for a time like this please remain calm.," Allan suggested.

"I am perfectly calm right now," I told him the truth, but I needed an explanation.

"He was right, The Morningstar must remain calm.." we were shocked by the strange voice. It came out of nowhere, the voice was deep and giving me a shiver. I knew this voice. Both I and Allan turned to the voice source.

It was him again, the man with gold eyes. He was staring at me, I could see him properly now, he was covered in a black suit, complete with its red butterfly tie. For a moment, I thought he was working for the government, but I realized that it was Saturday back then.

"Sir..." said Allan, his voice vibrated, "do you need something?" he asked just to be kind, I knew Allan wasn't offering anything.

The man turned to Allan, "yes, I need this something, but I don't have any business with yo—" his gold eyes widened as he looked at Allan.

He grinned, something must've pleased him. It was all written in his face.

"interesting.." he continued, my heart skipped a beat for each second. I looked around to realize that everything was moving in slow motion, again. I trembled.

"my Master would love to hear this." The man moved his hand as he was about to reach Allan, my body was shaking. Allan as well, couldn't move his body. We were both terrified.

Right before the man's hand touch Allan. the lamps exploded. I meant, they just exploded. Bam. Followed by the glass shattered. The whole coffee shop was screaming in panic. Somehow, to hear the people screaming relief me a little. It was a blackout, my body was still shaking, but I knew the man wasn't there anymore.

"Byan!" Allan called out my name, "we have to go." He grabbed my hand, his palm was cold and sweaty.

To go was the best option I had that time.