Phrase II: Afternoon Coffee

  Kai's next day had moved at a snail's pace.

  He was finally free, his last class of the day over.

  Kai rubbed his forehead, still feeling the tension.

  The hallway echoed with footsteps.

  I need to get to the Library.

  I have too much homework, but my room is...

  He took a deep breath.

  ...distracting.

  Kai walked through the crowd.

  His head was down.

  His bag thumped against his side.

  Kai stopped walking.

  A tickle spread through his chest.

  He saw—in the distance.

  That jacket again.

  The same hood.

  His height.

  Kai’s eyes followed, without thought.

  "So tall…"

  His lips began to move, softly.

  The tall guy glanced up.

  His brows pulled together.

  A scowl.

  Right at Kai.

  Kai blinked like he saw a bright light—

  "Dude—move!"

  He felt a sharp pain in his shoulder.

  Did someone hit me?!

  He heard loud whispering.

  A sigh of annoyance.

  He noticed people staring as they passed.

  Kai rubbed the back of his neck and adjusted his bag.

  He looked back—

  The guy was already gone.

  The library was quiet.

  Not in the peaceful way—

  In the someone-is-eating-goldfish-too-loudly way.

  Kai sat with one knee up.

  His chin rested in his hand, and his notebook was open in front of him.

  The pages had more doodles than notes.

  His pen tapped.

  Once.

  Twice.

  Then faster.

  He thought back to that look.

  That scowl.

  He snapped his notebook shut.

  The silence pressed back.

  What’s his deal, anyway?

  Kai stared blankly at a shelf across the room.

  The scowl replayed in his mind.

  Again and again—

  harsher each time.

  He probably thinks he’s better than everyone.

  Kai tried to roll his eyes.

  The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  But they felt heavy.

  He checked the time— 6:00

  Barely two hours had passed.

  He needed something to stay awake.

  Kai’s hoodie was halfway zipped. His earbuds weren’t playing.

  He stood on the sidewalk, squinting across the street.

  There it was.

  The café.

  He checked the name.

  It didn’t register.

  He just needed caffeine.

  And maybe sugar.

  And maybe to pretend his assignments didn’t exist for fifteen minutes.

  Kai pushed the door open.

  A bell chimed overhead.

  Warm air.

  Coffee smells.

  Low chatter.

  The hiss of a milk steamer.

  Perfect.

  He got in line and pulled out his phone.

  He scrolled, but didn’t read.

  He kept thinking of that guy.

  When it was his turn, he stepped up to the counter.

  Kai squinted, looking at the menu.

  "Hi, uh—iced caramel latte."

  "Medium."

  "Please."

  His voice came out a little brighter than usual.

  He was tired, and trying to stay functional.

  He didn’t look up.

  He didn’t see the barista standing behind the register.

  Or the way the guy’s jaw tightened.

  Or his brows dipped.

  A girl waiting on her drink glanced between them with subtle alarm.

  Kai tapped his card, offered a tired smile, and stepped aside.

  He waited.

  Someone behind him whispered.

  There was a muffled snort.

  Kai assumed it was about someone’s order.

  DING

  His order was ready.

  He grabbed his drink, and said "Thanks," to the air.

  Outside, the sidewalk was quieter.

  Kai felt his iced coffee's condensation.

  He took a sip.

  Sweet.

  Cold.

  Too much syrup.

  Good.

  Nothing to complain about.

  Kai smiled.

  As he turned the corner, he glanced through the window.

  And he caught a glimpse—

  That hood...

  That frame...

  That scowl...

  Kai stopped mid-step.

  Then slowly turned back.

  His Eyes narrowed.

  "…Wait."

  Kai blinked.

  Then again, harder.

  His stomach ached.

  His face started to flush.

  His grip tightened.

  And he kept walking.