《Wrightworth/Narumitsu》 ▪One Shots + Other Stories▪

the cafe PT.2

Phoenix's POV

Miles had become a regular at my cafe. He came about twice a week or when he could. He came right after I finished working. I had to clean up the place and do some maintenance. I stayed about 45 minutes after I closed up. Miles would always sit at the same table. It was one closest to the register. We would talk a bit and then walk together since my apartment building was close to Miles' university.

It's been around 3 weeks since I met Miles. He's a really nice person and a good listener. When I'm stressed after working he helps me calm down. Sometimes he suprises me when I'm working. I don't expect to see him everyday since he really wants to pass his classes. I know he has the potential. He's a smart guy.

"Phoenix?"
"Hm? Ah. Miles, hey! You're here early!"
"Is thirty minutes before closing early?"
"For me it is I guess.. I'm lucky, it's not busy right now."
"I finished all my work so I came here. I got bored."
"I see. I'm happy you're here! I really wanted to show you something."
"Hm?"
"Take a look at this."
I walked into the storage room where I kept my things. I grabbed my bag, walked back out, and sat in front of Miles.
"Okay," I grabbed my sketchbook out of a large pocket, "so there's this contest and I really want to enter. I'm just not sure I can win."
"Nonsense. Tell me, what's this contest about?"
"Well it's a drawing contest. Participants have to draw something that means alot to them.."
"Okay, what are you planning on drawing?"
"W-well.. I have two ideas.."
"Okay and..?"
"It's either the shop.. or.. y-you.."

Third Person POV

Miles took a moment to process what his friend had just said. Phoenix looked down and tensed his shoulders.
"M-me?"
"If.. you're okay with it.."
"I'm.. important to you.?"
"Well yeah," Phoenix looked up slightly, "I haven't had a friend in.. forever. I was so happy when we first met."
"I.. see.."
"Would it be okay i-if I drew you..?"
Miles turned his head slightly so he couldn't see phoenix.
"I.. suppose that's okay."
"R-really?" Phoenix quickly stood up. The chair squeaked as the legs scraped the floor. Phoenix put his things in his bag.
"Where are you going..?"
"I just need to check something real quick. I'll be right back."
"Alright.."
Phoenix walked back into the storage room. Miles' face became hot. He put his head in his hands and exhaled. He chuckled to himself before regaining his composure. Phoenix made his way back behind the counter.
"Could you show me some of your work sometime?"
"Sure! I'll show you when we leave. I still gotta clean up back here."
"You sure do alot of work.."
"Well I gotta make my father proud! He passed down the shop to me, after all."
"Speaking of, you never told me the story behind this place."
"I guess I didn't, huh? Well wanna hear the story then?"
"Sure. I've nothing better to do and I sure you don't either."
"Yep. You're right. So.. when I was.. thirteen? Maybe fourteen. My father was diagnosed with cancer."
"Ah. I'm sorry."
"No no! He's doing much better now!"
"That's good."
"So I said that i'd take care of the shop. He really cares about this place. I didn't want him working in his condition. So I took up the role and I've been running this place ever since!"
"Wow. You really seem like a productive person."
"Well when I'm not here I'm at my apartment laying in bed."
Miles chuckled at Phoenix's comment.
"Want anything?"
"No thanks, I don't have my wallet on me."
"Oh no, I'll pay for it."
"You don't have to."
"Eh it's alright I'm kinda hungry, we could go in halves!"
"O-okay."
Phoenix paid for a croissant and sat in front of Miles.
"Here."
Phoenix gave Miles the half he ripped off.
"No need to pay me back either. Think of it as a gift."
"O-okay."
"These are my favorite, actually."
"Do you make these?"
"Sometimes I get help, but yes. I make most of the things here."
"Wow.. help? From who?"
"Ah. I don't think I ever told you, I have two sisters."
"Ah, I see now."
"They help out sometimes here in the morning. Maybe one day you can meet them!"
"Mhm."
Phoenix finished his half of the pasty fairly quickly. Miles on the other hand didn't finish it as fast.
"Okay I just gotta pack some stuff up, and we can get going."
"Got it."
Phoenix smiled as he worked. Miles would peak at Phoenix's face. He would always seem so happy. Miles was glad he had Phoenix to talk to. He knew Phoenix's smiles were genuine. How does he handle all the stress..? I'm so stressed at school.. plus my parents.. how do I live up to that..? Miles almost got lost in his thoughts.
"Miles~" Phoenix stretched the "e" out when he said Miles' name.
"Huh? Oh, yes?"
"Ready?"
"Ah. Yeah I am."
Miles stood up and grabbed his backpack. Phoenix walked to grab his things and called out to Miles,
"Hey could you help me with something Miles?"
"Sure."
Suddenly the sound of falling boxes came from the storage room. Miles rushed in to see Phoenix on the ground, half buried in empty cardboard boxes.
"Whoops!"
"What.."
"I was reaching for my bag on top of the rack.. I may have missed.."
Miles couldn't help but laugh at his friends clumsiness.
"Quit it! I fell!"
"S-sorry. I couldn't help myself. Why is your bag even up there?"
"I like tossing it up there so people can't steal it.. turns out I can't get it either!" Phoenix pushed a box off his legs and stood up. Miles stepped forward and started picking up a few boxes.
"Where would you like these?"
"Just put 'em on the shelf, please."
"Got it."
Miles placed the boxes down as Phoenix picked up the rest that were there and put them where they were, before they fell.
"I should recycle some of these.."
"I agree. There are quite a few."
"Maybe tomorrow! Today was packed in the morning and I wanna lay down at home."
"Mhm. I see.."
"Okay! How about we get going?"
"Sure."
Phoenix picked up his bag and threw it over his shoulder. He walked out of the storage room and Miles followed.
"Now all I gotta do is lock up and I'll be good!"
Phoenix grabbed his keys out of his pocket and quickly found the silver one that locked the doors to the cafe.
"Okay! Now we can go."
"Okay."
They walked along the sidewalk. Phoenix quickly took his bag and grabbed his sketchbook.
"Take a look!"
"Ah. I forgot I asked to see your art."
"Well I didn't! Just don't rip the pages."
"I would never!"
Phoenix giggled.
"I know I know! I'm just messing with you."
Phoenix placed the book in Miles' hands. Miles started looking through the pages as they walked.
"Usually I don't let people look through my sketches. That's just because their costumers.. I draw in it when I'm working."
"Where'd you learn to draw like this..?
"Lots of practice... And I mean alot. I had free time alot during school too. I didn't have many friends.."
"Ah.. you're really good!"
"Thanks! I like getting support. It motivates me to do even better."
"Just don't over work yourself, okay?"
"What do you mean by that..?"
"Don't do better because people tell you to. Do better because you want to."
"O-okay. I will. How are you doing with school?"
"Pretty good actually. I've been working hard lately."
"You should work so hard either! Stress isnt good for you."
"I know. I just.. I really want to get all my work done."
"Pacing yourself is important."
"Got it."
Miles flipped through the pages, admiring the drawings.
"Where do you find inspiration?"
"I draw people I see when I'm working."
"So these are all people you've seen?"
"Yep! I like seeing all the diversity."
Phoenix stopped walking and Miles almost didn't.
"Welp I gotta go."
Pheonix looked up at the building next to him. It was his apartment building.
"Oh. I didn't notice we were already here."
"I almost walked past here once. I probably would've got lost."
Miles chuckled a bit.
"I'll see you later."
"Hey Phoenix?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm.. free spring break. Would you like to hang out then?"
"Y-you don't have any family to go with..?"
"I.. I'd rather not talk about it."
"O-oh.. Sure. I'd love to."
"What about your father though?"
"He's spending it with my mother. They said they wanted to go on a trip together. Plus my sister's said they were just going out with some friends."
"Great. Well not great.. but you know what I mean."
"Alright! Text me when you get the chance."
"I will."
Phoenix ran up to the door, looked back, and waved goodbye to Miles.
Miles waved back as Phoenix walked through the door and up the stairs.
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OMG I'm so sorry for not writing anything! I've been busy with school plus I'm working on multiple pieces at once. Please please please be patient with me as I don't have all the time in the world also I hit a mega writing block so sorry if this was a bit boring I still tried to write though