Noah and Kiara both noticed something was off and asked if I was okay. I told them I was fine, even though it was obvious Kiara didn’t buy it for a second, because a minute later she just reached under the table and squeezed my hand. Which did help a little.
By the time we’re released for our free hour, my head is buzzing and my shoulders feel tight. The air outside is thick withfog that clings to your jacket and makes everything feel colder than it actually is.
And, like I said, I need coffee. So without really thinking about it, I’m walking toHazel & Bean.
The café looks exactly like it always does, like nothing was ever torn apart here last week. I spot Dawn behind the counter and head her way.
“Well well, if it isn't our Romeo”, she says with an amused smile on her face when she notices me.
“Hey Dawn”, I respond with a laugh.
I order everyone's usuals and Dawn rings it up behind the counter. “Big order, Drayton. For the whole squad I assume?”
“You already know,” I say.
She starts calling out drinks as she makes them. “Okay, so two blacks, an espresso, a cortado, and two regular cappuc—” She pauses, lifting a brow. “Noicedcappuccino for Maddy?”
“Usually,” I say, putting my hands in my pockets. “But it’s foggy so she’ll want it hot.”
Dawn gives me a look. One of those I-know-things looks. “Wow. Remembering her coffee order based on the weather? You’re really good atpretendingto be a good boyfriend, huh?”
“Don’t start.” I give her a look and she smirks. A couple minutes later she hands me the coffees. “Say hi to Maddy for me.”
“Thanks Dawn.”
“Hazel & Bean delivery,” I say, setting two trays down. Kiara lights up immediately, reaching for her coffee like it’s oxygen. “I could kiss you.”
I lift the tray just out of reach.
“Relax,” she says with a smirk. “I’m gay. And also—” she flicks a glance at Maddy, “—not suicidal.”
That earns a few laughs and I start handing the drinks out to everyone and lastly to Maddy.
“Cappuccino,” I say, giving the cup to her.
Her fingers brush mine when she takes it. “Thanks.”
Mel squints at Maddy’s cup. “Wait—why is that hot?”
“It’s foggy. She wanted it warm.”
Maddy glances at the cup, narrows her eyes, then nods slowly. “Okay…that's actually true.”
Mel presses a hand to her chest. “Wow. So this is how I find out I’m a bad friend.”
I laugh and shake my head, taking a sip of my own coffee as I sit down on the bench.
The rest of the free hour kind of passes me by. My brain still feels like shit, and even though conversation keeps moving around the table, I’m mostly just sitting there listening without really listening.
At some point I glance across the table. Maddy is wrapped around her cappuccino, the sleeves of her sweater pulled down over her hands while steam curls up around her face. Her cheeks are still pink from the cold, blonde steaks falling across her face, while laughing at something Noah just said. And for a second, it’s easy to forget the rest of the noise around us.
Then she glances up and catches me staring. There’s a tiny crease between her eyebrows, like she’s trying to figure out what I’m thinking about.
I give her a quick smile and look away. A second later her knee bumps mine under the table. It’s probably an accident, but the contact is enough to pull my head out of the fog for a second.
I get home after school to the familiar quiet hum of the house. I kick off my shoes, rubbing a hand over the back of my neck and rolling my shoulders once, trying to work the stiffness out of them.
“Hey.” My voice is low as I walk out the hallway.
