Chills » (Narry)

4. Espresso Beans and Unwanted Caroling

« PART FOUR »
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Espresso Beans and Unwanted Caroling

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The smell of coffee and espresso beans were starting to get to me.

I suddenly wished that I had brought Tylenol or Advil or some type of medication to relieve me of my headache, but unfortunately, I didn't because I was a complete and utter idiot that didn't take precautions (which is why I wasn't the one that brought snacks or something other than his phone to keep him occupied).

There were shelves of books and magazines littered around the coffee shop, which obviously led me to believe that this was not only a café, but a small book store. I had scanned the aisle isles at least a dozen time, and I picked up five books, which were neatly stacked on the little table I was seated at. I was excluded from any hustle and bustle of the shop- though it was pretty quiet, anyway. Niall and Aunt Edith were still in the more cafè-ish area of the small building, which left me alone.

I was perfectly okay with that. Actually, that was probably why I left in the first place. I nearly had a heart attack after my little encounter with Niall. After we had walked back inside, he was smiling widely, teasing me and bumping his shoulder with mine. We had spent an hour munching on another bag of chips and sipping on cups of coffee (which, by the way, left us with fifteen dollars).

I shook my head, unable to wrap my head around the fact that I was spending the night in a book store slash coffee shop with Niall and Aunt Edith. It was probably the weirdest day I had had in quite some time, but it simply shrugged it off, sure that tomorrow would be just fine.

The owner of the restaurant, a woman most likely ten years younger than Aunt Edith, was very sweet and welcomed us once we had entered. She stopped by my table every now and then, asking if I wanted anything.

As she came to me now, I averted my attention away from the book in front of me and to her, giving her a polite smile as she sat down across from me. I noticed Niall wandering around in the background, a head full of blonde hair peeking around shelves. I raised an eyebrow when he looked at me, and he stuck his tongue out childishly while crossing his eyes before disappearing behind the shelf.

I felt someone tap my shoulder from behind, scaring me half to death, until I saw that it was only Niall and Aunt Edith, who took the two seats between the owner and I.

"Sup, Hippie?" Niall questioned goofily, scrunching his nose.

"Leave," I commanded, raising my arm and pointing to the door.

"No can do," he fake sighed, clucking his tongue as he snapped his finger. "I kind of have to make a move on a hot brunette before long."

My eyes went wide, and I quickly raised my coffee cup to my mouth, even if it was nearly empty. I chugged down the last bit, clearing my throat. I placed my arms onto the table, my fingers locked together.

"Oh?" I asked, my tongue exiting my mouth to run over my somewhat dry lips.

"Oh indeed," he responded, sending a wink my way.

The owner chuckled. "So, not that I'm shooing you off, but you guys have been here for a little over an hour. How long do you plan on staying?"

I bit my lip, scrunching my nose in worry. Although the place was open twenty-four seven, with the exception of Christmas Eve evening and Christmas Day itself, she could easily kick us out for purchasing such a small amount of her products while staying for so long- that's what almost happened at McDonald's (though we'll never know if the manager would have really kicked us out for that).