Go, August, Go! FS2 ENGLISH

eight: nothing

I was situated at my table with the drinks when I received a message from my phone. It was from an unlisted number but I used to memorize it better than my lessons. There were no previous messages from him for safety precautions knowing how often Sandro and my Dad confiscated the phone from me. Levi was also always careful with his messages to me. This time, he wasn’t: You’re still not over the last time. It’s lame, Rox. We could’ve gone somewhere else if you weren't being overly dramatic.

Dramatic.

It rang loudly in my ears. It was my fault, then? It was true I was not over with what happened last week but because I was still engulfed with regrets. It wasn’t because I had tantrums that we didn’t get to escape as expected. Why was it my fault now? We could leave anytime he wanted but we couldn’t if I was in need of it?

I pursed my lips and quickly typed a reply: I’m busy. I have to study.

The phone vibrated as his incoming call appeared on the screen. I immediately ended it out of instinct. We never called anyone over the phone unless I was in the safety of my room.

We should at least wait for more time. Sandro doesn’t trust me with my promise.

I instantly received two messages from him:

Not home yet?

He knows you’ll break it. Don’t mind him, Rox. I’ll try to be early tomorrow.

My heart skipped a beat: Don’t. Please, Lev. I’m sure they will be early tomorrow, too. I don’t want to cause you trouble.

Him: You already trouble me now. All I wanted was to get out of tow with you.

Anyway, I’ll leave with my friends tonight. I don't know if we'll be able to get back tomorrow or a week perhaps. I’ll see you then.

I bit my lower lip. He could leave without me. And I couldn’t go anywhere else without his help. Was it unfair? Or was it the prize he gained for leaving school and enjoying life outside without rules and all?

Be safe. I’m really sorry about earlier.

I miss you.

I stared at my phone for the longest time but I received no reply. He must be busy driving now. Or whatever.

“Excuse me?”

I slowly looked up at the boy standing in front of my table. He was the schoolboy from yesterday. Seemed to be around my age but taller. I blinked at the nervous smile on his face before following his hand on the chair across from mine. I forgot to move it to the other table.

“Can I have this seat?”

“I…” I cleared my throat and looked around the place to find empty seats. There were few. Even the seat he occupied yesterday was still empty. “Uhm… can you find another seat? I want to be alone…” I saw the embarrassment flickered in his eyes. I tried my best to soften my voice. To sound polite and don’t come out as rude.

He nervously shifted on his seat and scratched on his head. “Oh… S-Sorry. I’ll find another—”

“What’s the matter here?”

I smelt his scent before his voice startled me. August stood next to the schoolboy, who blinked at him with confusion until he recognized him as the worker in the shop. The boy reluctantly glanced down at me while August's eyes remained at him. He acknowledged him like customers and did not even spare me a glance.

“I… asked if I could join her but—it’s fine. There are vacant seats—”

“No,” August cut him off. “You can sit here, sir. This chair is owned by the shop, not her. She’s alone anyway so you can take the seat.”

My lips parted. Did he just…

The boy witnessed my reaction. He shook his head in August and was about to say something but he gently guided him to the seat like a small kid. The boy had no choice but to sit in silence, looking down at the table with my stuff. The books were still on one side since I hadn’t opened anything yet. I wondered if he would walk to me if only I had started with my reading, and with the books spread out on the table.

“B-But… there are bigger tables there and this one’s for two people and—”

“I can definitely count,” he replied and slowly darted his eyes at me. It felt like I was splashed with cold water again. I remembered our interaction yesterday and how I had told him about my proposal. It was evident in his eyes. He knew it was the reason I was back here again and wanted me to spill about it and leave after. Startled at the pounding inside my chest, I stood abruptly to face him but gasped as I had forgotten the bag on my lap. It fell on the table and touched the drinks. In my haste, I tried to stop it but only made it worse. The lid opened, spilling the drinks on the books, and the rest flowed across the table and to the boy. He immediately moved back with the chair but his slacks were wet.

“Sh!t!” I repeatedly exclaimed in panic and circled the table to reach the boy all while pulling out a handkerchief out of my pocket. I even bumped into August since he was standing in my way. “I’m sorry. I apologize. I didn’t mean it.” I said it over and over again as I wiped the wet on the front of his slacks. He stiffened and just let me do it until I met his wide eyes. His face slowly turned red. I stopped when I realized how I had invaded his personal space and muttered a series of apologies again.

Wax approached us. His lips parted at the mess on the table. The student boy rose from his seat and excused himself for the bathroom. Everyone was already watching us. I could faint in embarrassment at that very moment. I couldn’t even understand why I was in so much panic every time August was with me. My guilt was becoming more and more obvious.

“Please clean the table,” August kindly asked Wax, who quickly turned around to do as he was told. He had a small towel when he came back and cleaned the table.

We helped together to wipe the book cover but the drink still stained most of it. “My gosh! I need to study them,” I groaned to myself and helplessly stared at the damage. The books were still in the perfect state except for the stain. But I couldn’t bring it around looking like this. I might as well buy a new one. But I skimmed through pages before sleeping. What am I going to read tonight?

“You don’t expect us to pay for the books, do you?” August’s cold voice resonated above me. Wax and I halted to stare at him in confusion. The indifference on his face registered on me. But he looked away before Wax recognized it. He was mainly being rude to me, was he?

My mouth ran dry.

“It’s no problem, Rox. You can still use them. Look, they’re readable.” Wax lifted one book and opened the pages to show that the letters were indeed still visible. I forced a smile and didn’t tell him I would buy new ones.

August cleared his throat. “If you have nothing else to do, I suggest you leave.”

Wax, although growing more and more surprised in August, quickly nodded and left us to join Lauren behind the counter. My brows knitted together. Clearly, the order was for me. Even August was frowning at him.

“That’s for you,” he firmly told to my face. I absentmindedly took a step back and blinked. He didn't allow me to speak. He glanced at the door and dipped his chin towards it. "I'm not interested in your proposal. You're here for it but you can now leave—"

"I'm not entirely here for it," I had to reason out the truth. "Well, it's true the reason I'm here was because I saw you coming out from here and—"

"Excuse me," he cut me off in the coldest voice and turned his back to me without waiting for my reply. He just retreated all the way away from me and back to his work. I was left there gaping.

Did he just… shut me off and leave me dumbfounded?! I wasn't done talking yet!

Now, that was truly rude of him!

And I knew he purposely dismissed me because he didn't return. He accommodated their customers the welcoming way Wax and Lauren did it. He seemed like a completely different person to me. He had two personas for me. And it was unfair to be treated unfairly when I was doing my best to undo my mistakes. To apologize. I knew I was wrong!

"Uh…"

I was seated back on my chair, staring blankly at the books when the student boy returned. His reluctant smile was evident this time, especially when I looked down at his front where the damp was still visible. I looked up at his face so as not to cause him more discomfort.

"I'm sorry about it. I didn't mean, I swear," I quickly apologized and did my best to look apologetic.

"Accident. It does happen all the time. No worries."

My smile came out with embarrassment. I was sure leaving such an impression with the shop and all the regulars here who witnessed all my d*mn ridiculous scenes!

He sat down on the chair. My disapproval was at the back of my throat but I swallowed it down.

"Are you… a regular here?" I asked.

He scratched on his hair. "No. Early dismissals lately. But I do get here when I'm not busy."

"Oh!" I muttered softly and looked around the other tables before returning my eyes to our table. "Is this your table?"

He was frozen for a moment. He was smart. He understood where the question was coming from. "I just sit anywhere that is available." The nod was slow and hesitant.

"Uh, you see… I have lessons to study. I kinda like the ambiance here and enjoy studying here so, uh… I honestly wanted to be alone and…“ I trailed off and shrugged. I saw the gleam of realization in his eyes. His chuckle came out shaky out of nervousness.

“Edral!" Wax called from the counter. The boy with me quickly excused himself to get his drinks. When he returned, there was something in his eyes. I raised a brow at him.

"They said they don't have your drinks anymore."

I blinked.

"I don't think they'll be paying for the spilled drink, either."

"Oh!... It's fine. It's my fault anyway. I'll just go get a new one."

But how bold was I to think I could get another one when August was behind the counter. I honestly wanted either of the two to serve for me but instead, he was there, ready to deny me of my orders.

"I'll get Iced Coffee Laté today instead and—"

"We don't have them today," was his quick reply while punching fast on the screen in front of him.

I stilled. I did see it on the menu behind them.

"The Cinnamon Doice—"

"We're out of it, too."

My lips parted, but I bit on my lower lip again and noticed Wax hesitantly smiling at me. Lauren was shaking her head while she busied herself with the coffee machine.

"Strawberry fruit shake, then—"

I shook my head but he was also quick to shut me off. "We don't—"

"But she just received hers." I pointed at the girl who was taking her fruit shake. She smiled when she saw me pointing at her. It was late when I realized it wasn't for me but for August.

"It's our last serving," August replied after glancing at the girl. He even smiled back at her. When he shifted his eyes back to the screen, the cold facade was instantly on.

I pouted in frustration. "Then, why else—"

"We have nothing for you. You should leave now. Don't make me warn you again."

My eyes widened at him. Gradually, he drifted his eyes to me. They were pairs of icy blue eyes. Someone stepped next to me and ordered a frappuccino. Without making an excuse, he moved around for his order, dismissing my presence.

It was offensive. I was insulted.

It was a different feeling to be ignored this way in public, by a stranger. At least in IHM, I knew that most students had their egos flying above the roofs of the highest skyscrapers. We all fed that ego for each others' benefit. It was natural to annoy each other. However, Hyoshin's annoying presence was on a different level.

But to be in this situation in public. Where everyone would assume I just got ignored, I felt… sad. I even had to fake a smile like nothing happened before excusing myself there. At least students in IHM taught me to keep my head held high at all times. I did it while I opened the books and pretended to be reading when the truth was, I was only staring at the stain on the pages.

The boy, Edral, must have said something to me but it didn't register on me. He left soon after and I was still on the same page. Before Randy came, I pulled out my bag and ripped a paper page to leave a note for August.

Wax only kindly gave me a glass of water. I thanked him with a smile and almost asked him to give the paper to August but I took the courage to hand it to him myself instead. When Randy arrived by the street, I picked up my stuff and prepared to leave.

I halted by the counter and in front of August. He never spared me a glance. So I simply put the folded paper on the surface and slid it to him. He noticed.

I cleared my throat and straightened my body. "That's my proposal. I'll come back here again tomorrow to—"

He picked up the paper and crumpled it inside his huge hands. I gasped audibly, and almost jumped over the counter when he threw it on his side, where I knew there was a trashcan waiting for junk.

"H-Hey…!"

"Don't come back," he warned as his blue eyes penetrated me. "I'm giving you my last warning, miss. If you're truly sorry about what happened, forget it and don't bother me again here."

"B-But—"

His eyes squinted dangerously. I visibly shivered.

"You s-should at least read my message. It'll help you—"

"It'll help me best not to see you here again."

My lips parted. I sighed heavily, suddenly feeling exhausted. My phone beeped for a message, too. It was from Levi.

"Bye," was the only word I said to August before leaving the shop.