Chapter 4: Chai Cafe

The final school bell rings and I am out of here.

I survived majority of the day, thankfully. Most of the teachers let us have some free time since school is basically over. I didn't think anyone would rather mess with a small, little Rhys rather than go and talk to their seatmates and garble on about different things or just go on their phones

But the day couldn't end without a little Piera Shay. As I was about to go to my bike, I pass by her and her friends. It took me a while to notice but it seems that Hannah, one of my girlfriend's friend, is hanging out with Piera. I find it odd that the three might be mutual, but my girlfriend was already long gone and isn't with them, so it should be good.

It doesn't faze me that I was staring at their gang until Piera screams, "What are you looking at, Hairy-son? Is our little baby boy jealous that we have a Bentley and you don't have anything?" She goes on and on and persuades her friends to come join me

I roll my eyes and start walking away. Well they are somehow right, not about having a Bentley, but by just having a car. I know that if I were to have a car, they'd go and spit over it and it'd be broken in under a week. So that automatically means no.

It's also because I don't have much driving experience. I mean I tried and… let's just say I had more than one driving test and all of them did not go well. So, yes, I don't have a driver's license which is stupid because all I ever want to do is run away. Probably need to get around that soon.

-

It's around 5pm and I'm in Chai Café to meet up with Cyrus and Theo, who should have been here minutes ago. I check my phone for the third time and there were no updates, and they're extremely late. What could they be doing at this hour?

Chai Café is one of my safe places. This used to be one of the most famous stores in whole Winterville, but it slowly got less and less visited. The menu and interior design seemed to be pretty old and classical after all. I didn't mind of course; I find it rather great. Another reason I love this café is that since there's less people now, it's almost empty most of the time so I have it all to myself. I go here like twice a week, so I'm the only famous and beloved customer they have. Bonus points that they don't know who I am.

I was drawing scenery drafts for the art project, but nothing seemed to be good. Paper after paper, and pages after pages, I just accepted defeat. Earlier, I wanted to just submit the drawing of my girlfriend 'til I realized that wasn't a scenery. I rip off the page that had an unfinished garden drawing on it and open my bag to stuff it in. Realizing my entire bag is filled with paper and trash, I sat back in failure and my stomach grumbled. I was lazy to stand up, but I can't ignore this stomach.

Already impatient, I put the sketchpad in my backpack... within the tower of crumpled paper inside and who-knows-what. I stood up from my seat and went to the counter to order something.

I see a girl with small brown hair and purple highlights. Today's the first time I've seen this employee, but she looked familiar. She's probably in my school, but I don't know her name. "One Medium Matcha Mousse."

She quickly grabbed a cup and asked, "Rhys, right?"

I got surprised she knows my name and I don't. I know everyone who taunts me, but I never seen her do anything to me before, so it was strange. Anyway, scratch the bonus points. Looks like someone here does know me. That's the end of my comfort place then. Good thing I am leaving this place.

I reply, "Uh, yeah." I embarrassingly smile, "And you are?"

She gives a sassy smile replying, "I have a girlfriend." My smile translated wrong. "But you're probably wondering why I know you. I was in your biology class last semester."

"Oh! Right, I'm sorry." I looked guilty.

"It's fine." She turns around to make my order, "One medium matcha mousse coming right up."

I stand there and wait for a while before I ask again, "Hold on, uh, aren't you supposed to…"

She looks at me with a confused expression before turning back again.

I continue, "You know, say something like 'Rhys, can we take a picture? My sister doesn't believe me when I say Shrek goes to our school' or 'Rhys, you should join AGT, but, you're the janitor that cleans up the confetti that showered over everyone who has actual talent' or anything else."

"Hmm. Nope."

"Okay," I say slowly, "how about the name?"

She faces me for a second with the same sassy smile, "You'll just have to know it yourself, sweetheart. I mean, I never asked for yours." And turns back to her work.

That's new. There is seriously something wrong here. She's not budging. Well, not as fast as I thought. Maybe she's going to poison my drink or something. I roll my eyes and patiently wait. I look at my phone to finally receive a text.

Cygoose: Dude, we're going to be late.

RhysInPeace: Really? Interesting fact.

SpillTheTheo: Hold up, asshole, we got sidetracked

Cygoose: Anyway! Look at this

He sends me a screenshot of some girl calling him cool over text.

Cygoose: Who's got a small dick, now?

RhysInPeace: Isn't that your cousin?

SpillTheTheo: Bro

Cygoose: Bro

RhysInPeace: Bro, get your microscopic dickheads here rn.

I slyly smile then get interrupted by Violet (that's what I'm going to call her for now because of her hair), "Here you go." I place $4.50 on the counter and a fee on the tip box. I examine the cup.

"Huh, someone actually got my name right." I mumbled while poking a straw on the cup.

She replies with a soft voice, "I'm sorry about the shit you go through at school." I look at her in a bewildered expression, she sighs, "You don't deserve all the bullying you get just because of—"

"I get it." I smile at her, "Thanks."

She smiles back at me and we both just got stood still for some time. Half of me was trying to process that that actually happened, and the other half of me panicked on what to say back to her. But then Violet snaps, "Dude, we're not in a staring contest here."

Right after that, I heard the sound of dirt bikes outside and turn my head to see Theo and Cyrus.

"Come on, small dickson!" Cyrus yells while revving the engines.

I give one last small look to Violet before grabbing my things and go outside.

And there's only two vehicles. I ask, "Where's the extra dirt bike?"

"Already there in the canyon. Come on, hop in." Theo gestures for me to share his ride.

I hesitated, knowing this would be uncomfortable but I did and quickly say, "Just drive."