Moonlight filters through my window and I can see the dust swirling around my apartment like little fireflies. I really need to clean this place up, I think, as I throw off my bag and slide down onto my couch. We are a few weeks into the new semester and I am already exhausted. Not really from the work, that’s been fine, but trying to figure out what is going on with Cyrus has run me ragged. He’s been all I can think about since I saw him on the first day of class. Ever since then I have tried to get him alone after class so I can have an actual conversation with him about what happened. But, he always manages to slip away after every lecture.
I’m deciding whether or not to just sleep on the couch when my phone buzzes in my pocket. I sigh and pull the phone free. It’s a text from Maki.
“do u want to go for coffee tomorrow?”
I read the text a few times and debate in my head how to answer. I finally decide that, since I don’t have anything else going on, I might as well hang with Maki this weekend.
“ Sure. What time?” I text back.
“how about 1?” She writes.
“Sounds good to me.”
“great. see u then.”
I toss my phone to the other side of the couch and get up. I’ve decided that it’s probably best to try to get a decent sleep. Before slipping beneath the covers, I realize that I didn’t ask Maki where we were going for coffee. I go back and forth for a moment and finally come to the conclusion that I can just ask her tomorrow. As soon as my head hits the pillow, I drift off to sleep.
————————————————————————————————————
For the first time in a while, I actually slept through the night. As it turns out, Maki wanted to meet at Mona’s Cafe, which should have been obvious to me but I was too tired to think last night.
I overslept, so I rushed to shower and throw on some clothes. Luckily, Mona’s is only a few blocks away from my apartment and I made it there just in time. There may be a history of me showing up late to appointments, so I’m happy I didn’t make Maki wait on me again today.
Mona’s cafe is a quaint little shop with only a few tables. Maki had already grabbed us a couple of seats in the back corner by the time I walked through the door. The place is popular but not overly crowded today. I see Mona behind the counter and give her a friendly nod before taking my seat next to Maki.
“Sorry if I made you wait.” I say as I sit.
“Nope. For once you are actually on time. I just got here before you came in.” Maki says.
“Great. So, I take it you haven’t ordered yet?”
“Correct. How about you order for us this time? I’ll have the usual.”
Maki’s usual is a caramel frappe with extra whipped cream. I maneuver my way past people waiting for their orders and to the counter.
“Be right with you.” A voice says from behind the counter.
The voice sounds oddly familiar, but I can’t quite place it. As I am trying to match the voice to a name or face, its owner pops up from below the counter. My heart jumps in my chest and my entire train of thought is broken. Standing there staring back at me with a face contorted in disbelief is Cyrus. He shakes off the expression and assumes a neutral expression.
“What can I get you?” He says, no hint of emotion in his voice.
“I uh…” I’m at a loss for words, but with the line forming behind me, I snap back to reality. “I’ll take a caramel frappe and a chai latte.” I manage to eek out my order despite my many conflicted feelings.
“Okay. Sizes on those, sir?”
Sir? He called me sir? He really is acting like he doesn’t know me. Can’t be surprised, given last time we met.
“Large on both.” I responded. I can’t just say nothing, I think. “Hey, Cyrus I…”
“Alright we’ll have those out in just a minute. Now would you mind not lingering? It’s kind of holding up the line.” Cyrus says in an even tone, but I can see the nervousness in his eyes. I give a quick nod and scurry back to my table with Maki. I must look like quite the picture of frustration because Maki asks “Hey, something the matter? You look kind of funny.”
“Huh?” I briefly drift out of my own head to acknowledge the question. “No, nothings wrong. Just thinking about school.”
“It’s the weekend, man. Give it a break for just one day, okay?” Maki gives me a pat on the back.
“Yeah, sure,” I mutter. I have to ask her. Even if she doesn’t know the whole story, she might know something about him. “Hey, do you recognize the guy behind the counter? The blonde one?” I ask.
“Hm? Guy behind the counter?” Maki looks over towards Cyrus then back at me. “No, I don’t. He must be new. Why do you ask?”
“No reason. I just thought he was new also and wondered if you recognized him.” I lie but it is a lie with purpose. At least that’s what I tell myself.
“Oh, well maybe you could ask him yourself. He’s coming this way with our order.”
I snap my head in the direction of the counter, and sure enough, here came Cyrus with our drinks.
“Here you go, one large caramel frappe and one large chai latte. Enjoy.” Cyrus said and then turned to walk back to his station. But, Maki catches him before he can get away.
“Hey, are you new here? Name’s Maki and this is Damien. We are regulars, so we like to familiarize ourselves with the staff.” A deep pit forms in my stomach. How could she just ask that? I know she doesn’t know the situation, but still, how could she do this?
“Oh, um…” there is a visible look of discomfort on Cyrus’ face. “I did just start here.” He manages to sputter out. “And, my name is Cyrus. Pleasure to meet you both, but I really need to get back to work.” He gave a quick bow of his head then quickly made his way away from the table and back to the counter.
“See, was that so hard?” Maki asks not knowing how hard it really had been for me.
“I suppose not.” I say. She had managed to get more words out of him than I had in nearly a month. I sip at my latte and listen to Maki rattle off family news friend group gossip. At some point we got on the topic of school but I had already checked out of the conversation. My mind was too wrapped up in Cyrus and the few, brief interactions we’ve had since that night. What do I need to do to actually have a conversation with this guy?
————————————————————————————————————
Maki and I part ways after about an hour and a half of a one-sided conversation. I feel bad about not giving her the proper attention I usually do, but this Cyrus situation really has me mixed up. Back in my apartment, I sit on the coach trying to puzzle out a solution to this whole thing. When I’m just about to give up, I have a eureka moment. If I can’t catch him after class, then why don’t I try to talk to him after work?
Brilliant!
Only problem, I quickly realize, is that I don’t know when he gets off work. And, I can’t just hang around Mona’s all day like some stalker waiting for him to clock out. I’m back to feeling despondent again, when another great idea hits me. I know he works the morning shift since he was there when Maki and I were. So, I just need to show up eight hours after the cafe opens, and he should just be getting off. This is great. Tomorrow I will just casually stroll up to Mona’s and finally get this Cyrus situation settled.
I settle into bed satisfied with my decision and hopeful for a fruitful conversation with the maddeningly mysterious and stupidly gorgeous Cyrus.
Kinda.Write 
Leave a comment