I Like Me Better when I'm With You (COMPLETED)

You don't know what's real until you feel the little things you find

Author Notes: Chapter title is from Things I'd Do for You by Astronomyy

***

The next day, the only reason that made Nico stand in front of The Oracle again that afternoon was that he needed a cup of coffee. He denied that there was any other reason than that.

He stepped into the coffee shop and walked straight to the counter, and greeted by Leo.

"Hey," the curly-haired barista greeted him with a grin, showing his white teeth. "Nico, right? Will's new neighbor?"

For a split second, Nico's brows shot up. But then he nodded. "Yeah. And you are... Leo?"

The grin on Leo's lips got slightly wider at Nico's acknowledgment. "Yep! That's me. So, what can I get you today?"

"Uh... A medium peppermint mocha, please?"

As Leo punching in his order on the register, Nico stole a glance at the area behind the counter. There was another guy with black hair who was talking quite animatedly with a girl that had some green highlight on her hair. But no blond hair was in sight.

Nico paid for his order then quickly sat in the chair where he sat last night.

He fiddled with his phone as he waited for his order. Every two minutes, he stole another glance at the counter. But still, no Will.

Well, not that Nico was looking for him anyway.

"Medium peppermint mocha!"

Nico stood up and walked to the counter.

"Here you go," Leo said as he placed the cup and pushed it towards Nico.

Nico muttered his thank you as he grabbed his drink, his eyes on the cup.

"Oh, and Nico?"

Nico lifted his head up.

"Just so you know, Will's shift here is on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 4 to 8," Leo said, and ended it with a wink.

Nico stood still, too stunned to say anything as a response. But it looked like Leo didn't want any response anyway, as he already turned around. He whistled as he walked away from Nico.

It took two full seconds for Nico to gather himself together. He took a deep breath and let it out in a long sigh. He walked away from the counter with his order in his hand, and stepped out of the coffee shop.

***

He still had half of his drink when he stood in front of the library. He was not even sure himself why he ended up here instead of going back to his apartment from The Oracle.

Well, he could check whether any of his professors posted something on The Blackboard by using one of the computers in this library. Or he could review his notes. It was not like he could not do any studying stuff in his apartment. It was just... Oh, yeah. In his apartment, his bed was too much of a distraction. Yep. That's why.

Besides, who knew that maybe-

Nico huffed and shook his head, pushing the thought off his mind. He walked to the door, pulled it open and stepped in.

Nico walked slowly, gazed around at the students who were using the computers. There were some vacant ones, and Nico was thinking that maybe he could go to the quiet study area on the second or third floor when his eyes caught the sight of a tall blonde that was walking towards him.

Nico hated the eyes-meet-across-the-room cliché.

But to be honest, it was what happening to him now.