CRAVE // A. K. AU ✓

2

I woke up a little too early the following morning. Not even bothering to sit up, I reached for my phone on the nightstand to check the time.

5:36 AM.

I set the phone back down and groaned. My alarm wouldn't be going off until seven, but I knew there was no chance of me dozing back off. So, with much reluctance, I pushed the covers to the side and stood up to stretch. As soon as I heard the satisfying pop! of my back, I straightened and headed for the bathroom that was adjoining my bedroom.

Looking in the mirror, I noticed my light, brown hair was a tangled mess and the makeup that I hadn't bothered to remove the night before was smeared. I should probably check my pillow for mascara. . . I decided I'd take a quick shower to wake me up.

After I felt clean and rejuvenated, I exited the bathroom and went to grab my phone from the nightstand. I shot a text to Awsten, and to my surprise, he answered almost immediately.

Rayne
You awake?

Awsten
perhaps...
what are you doing up this early?

Rayne
idk dude, ig i just woke up out of excitement

Awsten
of what?
our date?
cuz me too broski ;)

Rayne
"date" lol

Awsten
Jkjkjk
... unless?

Rayne
ugh fine
call it whatever u want

Awsten
since we're up already...
do u wanna go ahead and meet up?

Rayne
sure, let's meet at the church in like 15 mins?

Awsten
cya there

For some reason, I had to fight back the urge to squeal. I mean, I was finally going to spend some quality time with my favorite person who I hadn't seen since high school graduation. Who wouldn't be excited?

I looked in the vanity mirror at my self. I was still nude, and I only had fifteen minutes to put some clothes on with a hint of makeup and be there at the church just outside my neighborhood. And it took five minutes to get to the church, so really, I had ten minutes to get fully dressed. 

I heaved a sigh. I really should've set some clothes out before I went to bed.

With a quickness, I picked out a black band tee with a pair of leggings and black Nike shoes. I went simple with the make up and put on a light coating of mascara and lipgloss. I didn't want to wear anything too drastic. After all, this wasn't a date. Not the way I was seeing it, anyway. Besides, I wanted my freckles to be visible. I always loved my freckled body. It was my favorite feature of mine.

I looked at my phone; I had four minutes left. So, as quickly, yet quietly, as I could, I made my way out of my house and to the church.

As I neared the old building with just a minute to spare, my eyes landed on a headful of neon green hair. I slowed my steps as the hair's owner noticed my sudden presence.

"Good morning," Awsten greeted as he held his arms out for a hug.

"Good morning, A," I said as I let his arms envelope me into a warm embrace. I wrapped my arms around his waist and buried my face into his chest, taking in his scent. I hadn't had a real good sense of what he smelled like for the longest time since he ditched to God knows where. He smelled of apples. Classic Awsten. . .

Finally, we separated. We stood there, taking in each other's appearance for a a moment, before he held out his hand. "Shall we?" he queried with a smile.

I glanced at his hand before taking it, and then we started walking. The café was only a block away from the church, and the walk there would only be less than five minutes.

We were silent for most of the walk, just appreciating the cool weather and each other's company. Finally, we reached our destination.

Being the gentleman he always was, Awsten held the door open for me as we entered Joe's Cuppa Joe. When we got in, he pointed, saying, "Check it out."

I looked, and I gasped. It's our old booth! I looked back to Awsten, who stood there with a big grin on his face. 

"Go sit. I'll order. The usual, right?"

I nodded and did as told, sitting down in the spot I usually sat in pre-college. I inspected the booth for any changes that might have occurred during my absence, but to my surprise, there were none. I was running my hand over a carving Awsten and I had done into the table in high school, before Awsten set my drink in front of me and plopped himself into the opposite side of the booth.

"I still think it's funny that we actually carved that into public property," he said as he took a swig of his drink.

I ran my hand over the phallus carving and smiled at it.  "Yeah," I snorted, "We carved dicks into literally everything, be it trees, desks or walls." 

We were quiet as we reminisced the good old days of our youth, the hubbub of the busy café around us being the only noise. Finally, I said something.

"Where'd you go?" I asked.

Awsten took another sip of his drink before speaking. "Well," he began, "I went to L.A. seeking fame and fortune. You know, you always said that my music was good and that I could potentially go big. But alas, I never reached that point. After about five years years, I gave up and came home to Houston. I've only been home for around nine months, I think."

"Oh, so you did what you had always wanted to do... And you didn't tell me because why?"

He looked out the window for a moment, and then his unique eyes flicked to my green ones. "I guess I wanted it to be a surprise when I got famous. I was eighteen anyway; I didn't have to tell anyone where I was going and why."

I frowned slightly. I wasn't really upset, but I was a little disappointed he hadn't told me his plans. "Why didn't you say goodbye? That was the least you could do."

He sighed. "We were mad at each other. And dramatic teenagers at that! And I would've texted you after I left but. . ." He paused.

I raised my brows expectantly, "But?"

Awsten sighed yet again. "I figured it would have been awkward, and you know how I am when it comes to awkward situations. I avoid them at all costs."

"That's stupid," I said quietly.

"Yeah," he agreed.

After that, we sat and drank our drinks for a few minutes until our cups were empty.

"I'm sorry," Awsten said sullenly.

I looked from my empty cup to him. "Like I said last night, I forgive you. You were just being dumb." I gingerly placed my hand upon his, looking him in the eyes. "Just don't do it again, okay?"

Awsten gently grasped my hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "Okay."

1181 words.