Chapter 3: Day at the Café

Romaine's POV

I honestly don't get how it's been almost a week since the whole Black Zero fiasco and I haven't seen or heard of him since.

I've had a lot of free time on my hands. And sadly, with nothing to do I spent all that time questioning things. What did he mean by he wanted my speed? Can you take another speedster's speed? If so, then maybe that's how I can stop him. Just wish I knew how. I don't know who or what this guy is really, but something big must have happened to him to make him pure evil.

I watched the cars drive by as I made my way to my favorite coffee shop, Café la tí, whatever that means. I know I'm supposed to be off coffee now but I've went over five months with it. I can't just suddenly stop. It's not as easy as it sounds.

And although I had a nervous shutdown on Monday when I was chasing Black Zero, that's only because I used up all of my energy.

Usually my speedster metabolism would compensate and I wouldn't experience the same downfall as if I was still a normal human.

I walked inside my favorite coffee shop, instantly greeted by the rich smell of coffee beans, caressing my nose. The smell alone welcomed back it's prodigal son. I couldn't wait to have my tastebuds stimulated by that oh so bitter sting of the coffee. I could feel my mouth watering already.

As I saw the woman at the counter taking up her uncovered cup of coffee, I couldn't help but watch as she took a sip of it. The nice hot steam radiating from it. She brought the cup to her mouth as jumped as it burned her lips. She gently blew on it and took another sip.

Ahh I could only imagine the succulent taste her mouth was filled with. Looking back over I started to hear the grinding of the beans. And the sizzling of the beverage itself. The place now filled with an aromatic scent, I asked myself how I could've forsook such a stimulating experience.

Being Saturday the Café was a bit busy. But I didn't mind waiting. After some time I was finally at the front of the line.

"Good morning and what would you like today?" The cashier greeted

"Ahh, yes hello. An Espresso please." I responded

"Sure thing, that'll be $250" she informed me

"Thank you." I said, handing over the money.

I stood aside and watched as the nearly boiling water was forced into the finely ground beans. Hearing the sizzle of the coffee was so relaxing.

When my order was ready I picked it up and immediately left. I knew Cassandra wouldn't be happy about me getting coffee so I'd have to have it before going to the lab.

The sun shone brightly but the environment was rather chilling. I hadn't noticed before how it was affecting me or how cold I actually was, despite my long brown coat, until I had drank the coffee.

The bitter taste that I love so much filled my mouth and washed it clean of all dissatisfaction. When I swallowed it I felt as the warmth moved down my body and began to heat up my system.

I've never felt such pleasure in my life. Especially not from something so simple.

~~~~~~~

After enjoying the morning to myself I started to make my way to the lab, knowing that my day would be ruined. I don't know how she does it but Cassandra never fails in ruining my day.

Checking my watch it was around 8:13. It was roughly an hour ago that I got to the coffee shop, though on Saturdays prefer to go at 9. Pity I can't have mornings like this in the week; I always go to the lab first thing to make sure everything's ok and I never have the time to get coffee. Much less sit down and drink. That's why I ask Donte to do it for me in the mornings.

~~~~~~~

I enjoyed the scenery on my way there. The sun glistening on the remaining dew drops left on the grassy fields. I don't know why life can't always be this great honestly.

~~~~~~~

I made it to Cassandra's house and was shuffling in my pockets for the keys. When I finally found them, I inserted the front door key into the hole and turned it left. Opening the door, I was sure not to leave my keys in it, and closed it behind me.

I walked through the posh living room of baroque furniture and into the kitchen tiled with whatever fancy design that was. I walked pass the stainless steel ware and towards the end of the room where the elevator was.

I realized that I've never gone upstairs, which I suspect is where Cassandra and her father's bedrooms are. But come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen Cassandra leave the lab before. Or even tired.

She really is an extraordinary girl, it's a shame she has such a bad attitude. Don't know what her problem is.

I boarded to elevator and indicated for it to go down. After arriving in the lab, I saw Cassandra at the computer set up typing away as usual. Beats me what she's always busy doing. If I took an interest she'd just tell me off and say it's none of my business or something. And I rather avoid conflict.

When I realized that she had turned the heater on I took off my coat and rested it over an empty chair.

Despite what I said prior I went over to her, bent bent my back so I was on her level, my hand on her shoulder and my head beside hers, I stared at the fourteen computer screens placed in a 5-4-5 horizontal formation.

One of them had up a geographic view of the city, another a thermographic view, another a nuclear view, one had a magnetic view, one had a platonic view, and one had a normal view. The rest had actual information, like internet article pages of lines of code, etc.

"What's all this?" I questioned

"I'm monitoring the city. What else would I be doing with all this?" She answered

"Well..I don't know..it's just that you always seem to be working and never get any rest is all..." I said

"Yeah well...some of us can properly manage their time and are on strict schedules." She said

"Yeah well some of us know how to live a little and manage their time well enough." I pointed out

"Hmph" she went, dismissing what I said

"Why are you always so serious? You never take a break or anything? Come on, let's go to the Café and get something. You need to see the outside world." I encouraged

"If you're asking me out on I date that's a hard pass. And if you think I didn't smell the coffee in your breath then you thought wrong." She rejected

"Well....I...I wasn't asking you out...but if you want to..." I said standing up and backing away, rubbing the back of my head

"I said no. I'm not interested in having caffeine and frankly you're not my type." She said

"What do you mean I'm not your ty-" I just gave up in the end, walking out of the room in shame

I sat in the recreational room, nothing to do but sit down and wait for something interesting to happen.

~~~~~~~

Before my energized brain could think of anything to do I heard Donte's voice bellowing through the walls.

"It's Saturday!!!" He shouted, drawing out the 'I'

"Finally something to do." I thought outloud

Donte went over to Cassandra and greeted her with his happy aura. The kid's so joyful it's like poison to Cassandra. Sometimes I get the idea she can't stand him, but she always treats him better than she treats me.

I poked my head out from behind the wall so he could see me and said hi.

"How's it going?" I asked him

"Oh you know, the usual." He said

"Have anything fun in mind?" I asked him, bored out of my mind

"I was thinking we could go train in the speed tunnel but seeing you two love birds like this, I think you should go have some fun." He responded

"We're not love birds!" Cassandra and I both shouted

Donte laughed before dismissing out denial

"And if you must know I already offered to take her to have some fun but she's too uptight" I informed him, folding my arms

"Wait he asked you on a date?!" Donte exclaimed looking at Cassandra, "Why didn't you say yes?"

"Because I'm busy and I don't have time to waste with someone who lacks common decency." She said

"And I didn't ask her out I just wanted to take her to see the coffee shop" I added, not wanting him to get the wrong idea.

Cassandra rolled her eyes and resumed typing

"Oh come ooon." Donte pressed, "If you do then I promise I won't bother you for a weeeek"

Cassandra scoffed, "persistent" she said under her breath.

"Fine," she said, "If it'll shut you up then I'll go."

"Yippee!!" Donte cheered

He looked over at me with a broad smile and gave me a thumbs up.

Cassandra got up and went over to the elevator, not paying any mind to either of us. When she stepped in and was forced to face us, she looked displeased that she had lost. You can't out reason or out argue her, Cassandra NEVER LOSES. And yet somehow Donte managed to convince her to come with me.

"I'm going to get ready." She informed us

"Ok!" Donte excited, waving her off.

When the elevator doors closed Donte's head whipped turning to me. My head regressed behind the wall separating the recreational room and the main room.

"Ooooooo" he peered, as he came into the room

I turned away from him, hiding my embarrassment.

"Someone's got a date! Someone's got a date!" He chanted

"No need to be so childish" I muttered

"Awww. Are you nervous?" He asked

"...no.." I said softly

"Do you want me to come with you?" He offered

I mean, that kinda defeated the point of why I wanted to go out with her. But knowing how distrusting Cassandra is and how irresponsible she thinks we both are, I doubt she'd leave him here alone anyway.

"Yeah, sure, fine, whatever." I responded

"Yippee!" He cheered before laughing

His happiness is so toxic I'm actually starting to get annoyed.

~~~~~~~

After and entire 30 minutes Cassandra finally came back down the elevator. When the door opened both Donte and I were stunned.

She had on a grey under blouse made out of cotton and a light blue jeans jacket. Her pants was black and made out of a material I could only describe as linen. Her shoes, white, something I'd never dare do; I am rather reckless with my walking. Her glasses were broader than the ones she normally wears and more stylish but I could still see that there were lens in them. Her scarf was rather long and was a combination of patterns.

"Get your jaw off of the floor." She said, bringing me back to earth

I couldn't believe it. Up until now the only time I've seen her out of her lab coat was the day we met. She looks amazing. I would've never suspected she had anything in her closet other than lab coats. And I could tell that she put a lot of time and effort into her hair; brushing and straightening it out. And she managed to picks out a good outfit while still compensating for the cold

"You look...amazing.." I said

"Well we can go now if you're done gawking." She said

"Well, yeah- ofcourse- sure." I was at a loss for words, I essentially gave up and went into the elevator after picking up my coat

"Oh yeah Donte's coming too." I informed her as I saw Donte silently approaching

She moaned before stepping aside for space.

~~~~~~~

When we were at the ground floor we exited the elevator and went outside

I was first, followed by Donte. Cassandra seemed a bit hesitant at first but when she stepped outside it was as if time stood still.

The rays of the sun gleamed as her light brown eyes shone bright. I guess she didn't like all the staring because then she positioned the scarf in such a way that it covered her nose and mouth, only leaving her eyes exposed.

"Can we go now?" She asked gently

"Sure.." I said, finding her behavior weird

On our long walk to the Café the were multiple attempts to start conversations by Donte and I but none of them lasted.

~~~~~~~

At the Café it was less busy than earlier. I watched as Cassandra's senses were stimulated. She didn't really seem to like the scent of coffee though.

When the three of us were at the front of the line we began to order.

"A latte please" I ordered

"You've already had your weekly allowance of caffeine. Get something else." Cassandra commanded

"Ok fine" I sighed

"1 hibiscus tea then please" I reordered

It's sad. Even when we're trying to have fun she has to be controlling

"A green tea for me" Cassandra said

"And orange juice and a muffin for me!" Donte elated

The wait was a while but it was fine. The tension was getting thicker by the minute, despite multiple attempts to break it.

When we finally got our orders then we went towards the high chairs at the glass wall close to the entrance. Donte sat down and began to dine into his food.

I wasn't exactly enthusiastic about the hibiscus tea, I barely had any of it. It was bitter, and not the kind of bitter I like, actually bitter.

Cassandra and I were standing, seeing as she didn't want to sit and I wanted to be beside her.

She lowered the scarf and sipped the green tea.

"It's terrible." She commented softly

I laughed at the fact that after all that hassle to bring her here she hated the thing that she ordered.

She seemed embarrassed that I was laughing at her and raised the scarf again. I couldn't see it but, I could tell that she was smiling.

After finally being able to start a conversation with her all my efforts were proved to be in vain. Glancing outside there was yellow lightning zipping around the place. A speedster no doubt.

Some of the people in the area started screaming, others ran, and some even took out their phones to record.

"I knew this would be a waste of time" Cassandra said, sounding more disappointed than irritated

She took up her purse off of the table and was ready to leave.

When the three of us ran outside to see what was going on, the speedster came up to me and stopped at my feet, leaning on me while holding my hands, struggling get up.

I held his hands and kept him up, but I was still cautious, not knowing who he was or what was happening.

I could hear him panting and struggling to breath, but that was made even more obvious when he started to speak.

"Romaine..." he called my name

My mind was now all over the place, wondering how he knew my name. I hadn't realized that it was in a familiar voice. There were now a lot of people surrounding us with their phones pointed straight at me.

"Romaine.." the speedster called me again, reverting my attention to him.

He struggled to inhale and exhale before speaking again.

"He's...coming...for me.." he said

Saying that last line, the speedster raised his head and looked me in the eyes, right before passing out. Time practically came to a stand still. My brain and body functions now slowed down. Everyone around me was moving at an incredibly slow pace, almost frozen. The confused faces, the flashing cameras, the dropped jaws. I was just as confused as them.

I questioned myself for a moment, the reason I became a superhero in the first place. The reason I went to Usain and Cassandra. I looked back at the body, speechless.

The one lying before me....his face unmistakable....was Dondre.