Midnight Coffee (Solangelo AU)

It's a Blur

Much like you probably did, I wondered how the hell he could know my name. I didn't tell him it and no one ever called me Niccolo unless it was a teacher or one of my grandparents. I looked over my shoulder at him as I added the creamer to his coffee. He could clearly understand that I was starting to think he was a stalker. "Name tag." He said simply and gestured to his chest where a name tag would rest on his shirt. Right. That.

I completely forgot that I had that on; I mean, I never took it off the apron so there was no need to put it on and remember its existence. The chalk was all smudged but sure enough, my name was there for anyone to see. I heard some liquid splash onto the floor and I realized I overflowed the cup with creamer. "Shit." I quickly moved to the sink after setting the creamer on the counter. So much for me knowing how to make the drinks. 

Will just laughed as I dumped it all out and started remaking his heart attack in a new cup. It felt like I was on fire. I could genuinely feel my body temperature heating up, reaching from my stomach to my face. I was beyond embarrassed and then he started laughing at me. Granted I would have done the same had the roles been reversed, but I would have had the decency to try and act like I didn't find it funny. I made it right the second time around and gave it to him. "Sorry about that. And, no one calls me Niccolo. It's just Nico." He nodded and took his drink passing me the money.

"Nico... I'll remember that." He was staring into my eyes before he smiled showing off his one dimple. I waited for him to go sit back down but he didn't. It was weird enough to have him in here, to begin with, but now we were just sort of looking in each other's eyes. It was weird and I thought I was gonna throw up. I was still embarrassed from spilling his drink and this wasn't helping. 

I decided to try and be professional rather than just straight-up awkward. I was at work after all. "Do... you need something else?" He seemed to snap out of some sort of trance and broke the uncomfortable eye contact looking down at the counter.

He laughed with an undertone of awkwardness and held his hand out to me. "Change?" I immediately felt like an idiot and got it for him fumbling with the bills and coins. My face was probably turning darker and darker shades of pink by the moment. So much blood was rushing to my face I might've passed out from lightheadedness. I hope you feel embarrassed as you read this because it was way worse for me actually having to experience it firsthand. 

I practically shoved the money into his hand while keeping my eyes glued to the countertop. He laughed again and went to his seat looking as embarrassed as I felt. Of course, I was basing that observation purely on the fact that his cheeks had turned pink and he wasn't looking at me either. I got a hot soapy rag and cleaned up the mess I had made while I tried to calm down.

I then went to the back of the cafe and tossed the now dirty rag in the gross sink for used supplies. I sighed quietly and sat back down behind the counter. My blood flow returned to normal after I sat; by normal I mean it wasn't all rushing to my face to make me a neon sign of embarrassment. I scrolled through my Instagram feed before I realized I had a message. Frank had gotten my number somehow, likely from Hazel, and texted me six minutes ago.

I scolded him for still being awake when I knew he had early classes the next morning. I then asked why he was texting me in the first place. He told me I had no room to judge him for being up late before sending me some of the base concepts of the haunted house. I started to respond to him explaining how I didn't have to be up early before, much like my watch had been, I froze.

There was singing. The speakers had been turned off shortly after I got here so I could only assume it was coming from Will. I glanced over at him as he bopped his head along to the beat of I Took a Pill in Ibiza by Mike Posner. I even liked that song a little bit despite the fact it was on constantly in most shops. The song then morphed into She Looks So Perfect by 5 Seconds of Summer.

I remember that song being huge last year before quickly falling into what many people saw as emo culture. It was a good screaming song, to be honest, but not much else. The point of the song was lost on me for obvious reasons, but you can not understand something and still appreciate it. He was singing so softly I had to strain to understand him. But it sounded beautiful nonetheless. The whole time he had been looking at his notebook with a yellow highlighter in hand. I felt my phone buzz bringing me back to reality; I looked back to the screen seeing another message from Frank asking what I thought of the concept ideas.

I finished writing my message and sank behind the counter sitting on the floor now. I was so lucky Will hadn't noticed me looking at him. It would have been so easy for him to just look over and see me zoned out; thankfully his schoolwork seemed to really interest him. I just composed myself and got back on my small stool. I continued to message Frank as I listened to each song he sang. Though I refused to let myself stare now. 

It slowly became lesser-known music but the more underground and alternative it got the more songs I knew or at least enjoyed. Also, the older the songs got, the early 2000s and 90s had some great music. Percy may describe me as emo or grunge or whatever, but alternative and punk music, style, and ideas, all of it had my heart and soul. Unfortunately dressing the part cost money, which is a luxury I lack.

He stayed longer than he had yesterday. He stayed until 1:58 before he collected all his things and left throwing the small cup away. I felt myself relax in my seat now that I was alone again. Though he left it so quiet and still that my ears began to ring to fill the silence.

It felt empty all of the sudden. Cold, quiet, and empty. I brushed it off as though it were a piece of lint and focused on my phone instead. Aka the only form of entertainment, I hadn't left in my dorm. It felt like an eternity passed before I saw my co-worker pull up. They had gotten there early, most likely to make up for being late the morning before. Or so I thought. They decided it was appropriate to scold me for leaving before they got there yesterday as my boss had already done.

I didn't even pay attention and just left when they were done talking. It was 5:48 when I left. Granted it was 12 minutes before I should have gone home but I wasn't going to listen to them blame everything but themself any longer than I needed to. I got back to my dorm and made sure to change clothes this time before crawling into bed and passing out.

After that my days started to blur together like they'd been copied and pasted over and over. Shower, school, haunted house, work, see Will, and repeat. Yeah, he kept coming in every night and ordering the same thing. I only had time to do my homework at work since I was putting all of my free time towards the haunted house, for Hazel's sake. Before I even knew it a month had passed and pumpkin-spiced everything was added to the cafe's menu. 

Hey, guys, gals, and non-binary pals!

I have a job for all of you- listen to the song Girl All the Bad Guys Want by Bowling for Soup

That song gives off big pinning Will vibes to me and I need to know I'm not alone

Just let me know I'm not totally crazy

Let me know what you thought

Have a great day/night!