Broken

Chapter 8

Makenna was at her table with Hee and her boyfriend Kent, Brandon, and the rest of their group, Lexi and Collin. Hee sat in Kent's lap instead of getting another chair from one of the other tables like Lexi had done, who was seated between Brandon and Collin with Brandon next to Makenna.

Makenna had looked up when two guys walked into the café, the taller one caught her attention as he was unusually tall, not the American average. His dark hair shone in the sunlight that was streaming through the windows and the glass door. They both took a table at the other end of the café and he sat with his back to her. Makenna looked away when Hee spoke to her.

"Are you going to get the drinks, or should I?"

"No, I'll do it." Makenna got up, "The usual for everyone, right?"

"Yups." Collin answered with his eyes glued to his phone,

Makenna headed to the counter and frowned when she noticed Alfie, her favourite barista wasn't there. She leaned into the counter when she got there.

"Can I get a...?"

Makenna stopped and turned to the other voice that masked hers when she spoke. Atlas was on the other side of the counter and he'd spoken the same time she had. They both looked at each other and their gazes locked.

Makenna couldn't help but notice how glassy his eyes looked, they were a light shade of blue that she could only see his pupils clearly without having to strain her eyes. She figured it was the angle at which he stood and the light shone in.

Atlas thought she was adorable how she had her arms locked together on top of the counter and her head placed on her arm poking out of the counter like a kid searching for candy. He couldn't quite guess the colour of her eyes with the way she was turned to him but he had the urge to go over and look closer which he knew would be weird.

"You first," Atlas said,

Something about his voice set off alarms in her head and she couldn't figure out why. Probably because his accent mixed with the timbre of his voice was the sweetest thing she'd ever heard, like listening to the sound of the ocean. She almost closed her eyes and waited for him to speak again but that would not only be stupid but make her look crazy.

Makenna wanted to smile and nod to thank him but instead, she turned to the new barista and ordered the drinks. Atlas kept his gaze on her while she ordered her drinks, she'd pushed away from the counter, so she was standing upright, but her arms were still on the counter. Her jet-black hair fell behind her and almost blended into the black plain t-shirt she had on. The drumming of her fingers on the counter brought his attention to them. They were painted black and she had so many rings on he couldn't count.

He looked away just as she finished ordering. He looked at her again when he felt his gaze on him.

"Thank you." She mouthed before she turned around and headed to her table. She closed her eyes for a second as she headed to the table, wondering why she thanked him and regretting it almost instantly.

"What can I get you?" The barista asked, getting Atlas' attention.

"Uhm yea, one coffee and one other drink, anything, pick something."

"Sure thing." The barista smiled before Atlas turned around and went to his table.

"So, what's your plan after you graduate?"

"I still have a year."

"Oh, I thought you joined mid-way through the semester."

"No, this is the start of my fourth term."

"Ah, this is all so confusing."

"Tell me about it."

"If you ever need help catching up or anything, I'm your guy."

Atlas smiled,
"I'll be sure to remember that. Thanks, mate."

"There's this party that's happening tonight," Collin leaned in and whispered as he looked at everyone with a kid-with-a-candy look, "In Northshore."

Kent whistled,
"We're definitely going."

Northshore was on the posh side of Tacoma and it was hard to find connections but Brandon was from Northshore and Collins was familiar with his circle since they were in the same department and year.

"Definitely." Hee smiled,

Collin looked at Lexi,
"Lexi, you're in?"

"Sure, I guess." She shrugged, licking her lollipop, "Brandon, do you know whose party it is?"

Brandon shook his head,
"No."

"Are you going to come?"

"Sure." Brandon glanced at Makenna who noticed they were all looking at her.

"What are you looking at me for?" She prayed they wouldn't ask so she could skip it,

"Well, Mac?" Hee asked, "You in or what?"

Makenna shrugged,
"If you guys are, why not?"

"We're partying tonight," Kent said a little loud which made a few heads turn to their table,

"It'll be the talk for the entire semester," Collin said,

"At least it'll be better than last night's party," Lexi said still licking her lollipop,

Brandon sat back in his chair and turned when their drinks arrived,
"Drinks' here."

Makenna smiled and gave a polite nod to the server before she left then they all passed each other's drinks.

"You still drink that plain crap?" Hee asked,

"You still drink that want-so-badly-to-have diabetes crap?"

Everyone laughed.

"Hey!" Hee smacked Kent on his arm,

"Sorry."

"I just really like my drinks sweet, ok?" Hee said defensively,

"Uh-hmm," Lexi shook her head, "You like everything sweet."

"Fine, sue me." Hee drank from her cup ignoring all of them,

Their conversation went on and on and Makenna just listened and stayed quiet until they directed something at her then she spoke and went back to being quiet. She'd forgotten all about the blue-almost-glassy-eyed stranger until he came into view heading past their table and towards the exit with his friend.

He glanced at her and their gazes met for a moment which felt like there was an elephant sitting on her chest and then he was gone and so was the elephant.

"Do you want to head to the library and get cracking on the assignment?" Will asked as they walked out of Metro coffee,

"Why don't we do that tomorrow," Atlas said, "We should probably study today's topic extensively before we get on the assignment, don't you think?"

"That sounds great." Will stopped at a crossroads, "I'm heading this way."

"Tomorrow then."

Will nodded and walked on and Atlas headed back to his apartment.