Café {4}

"Care to explain back there Jax?" Lev started, hushing his laughter that had died along with his stamina. He couldn't run forever.

"No. Not really" he huffed, breath puffing in front of him while they walked side by side out of campus.

"Well, too bad, I need an explanation"

Jax paused, eyeing his friend with an air of 'seriously?'

Lev took the stare and held his gaze, eyes sincere. "I'm not judging you, I just want to know why you have such an interest with the new girl"

Jax debated running to the cafe instead... but with the glare from Lev, he caved. "Ugh look, it's nothing creepy" he began, their pace back to a steady stroll. "I just think she's gorgeous and want to get to know her better"

Lev coughed. "Yea, like you ever 'get to know' someone by staring at them and following them around campus"

Jax hit his shoulder lightly, a small 'come on man' escaping his lips.

The cafe sign came into view from the end of the pavement; a small image of scalding coffee wrapped a Christmas themed pattern. It was a popular establishment that made for convenience to the local university campus.

"You're right, I need a new friend" he joked.

Lev shrugged, opening the stiff door. A bell chimed to their presence over head and the lady at the counter smiled welcomingly.

The cafe was deceiving on its outside; a large interior with circular tables and booths. A wintery decoration of holly and leaves flowing in waves all around the room.

Even some pinned to the counters containing all the fresh goodies one would drool over.

The floor was a polished wood, a warm cozy atmosphere with hanging lights; the bulbs raw with no coverings gave it that modern twist.

Jax inhaled the smell of coffee steaming from the machine behind the counter. The mugs next to it, waiting to be used.

"What can I get for you two this morning?"

"Ah yes" Lev rubbed his palms together, blowing in warmth from his mouth. "I'll have an expresso- small, and one of your best melted cheese and ham panini's, all to-go please"

His head swivelled for Jax, who added. "A large cappuccino and..." his eyes scoped the menu above the woman- so many options...

"-He'll also have a panini" Lev finished, grinning at the woman who blushed under his gaze.

"Dude..."

"That'll be £16.20 total" the woman stated, checking their order and beginning the process in getting it for them. Lev nodded politely, pulling out his wallet and paying.

"Your shout next time Jax- got it?" He smiled closed-lip, parting with the money and retiring his wallet. "I'll go grab seats, you wait for the food"

"Sounds good"

As he was about to turn, Jax grabbed Lev's arm. "Also, next time, I can order for myself"

Lev shook him off, laughing, "I'm sorry I hurt your pride man"

"Why you little..."

Lev smiled innocently, walking from a frustrated idiot.

Jax just rolled his eyes and proceeded to wait at the other end of the pass, leaning carefully against the counter and perused the menu in his head.

Lev traipsed through the tables, some occupied, some empty, but sighed happily as he found an empty booth; dropping his heavy bag and slumping into the cushiony relief. He closed his eyes and massaged the bridge of his nose, waiting for Jax to return with the goods.

He sat there, mind empty for a while until his head drilled up another subject to mull over pointlessly. So, he thought to himself in the moment of silence why his friend was fanatic over Skye.

Yes, he remembered her name, and could put the name to a face, as in that moment... the bell chimed once again, this time with Skye walking in while her cheeks were flushed- from what he could assume was the cold; a bright smile, and the 'two idiots' Jax mentioned earlier. Chongan and Damon.

He wasn't going to lie to himself, she was beautiful; an auburn scarf he didn't think was hers wrapped around her neck. He looked toward her company; Damon like a human burrito except a scarf as it's final piece... well...

Lev smiled to himself, he was glad the new girl was making friends. Quickly.

Waiting patiently, he then turned to see the hold up with Jax, who also spotted Skye's appearance.

He sighed to himself- he'd have to get the food.

Begrudgingly, Lev took his coat off, placing it behind him to save the seat.

He adjusted his shirt that had ridden up and smiled politely as he headed over to Jax.

"Why hello! We meet again" Jax beamed, eyes focused intently on Skye. Damon scowled and nudged closer to Skye, almost blocking his view of her.

Rolling his eyes at Damon's pettiness, Jax leant back to avoid the obstacle in his way, speaking "It must be fate to see each other again so soon"

"I don't believe in fate- sorry" she replied instantly.

Oh boy did Chongan almost forget his order at that reject.

She said it in such a calm manor too.

Jax took a step back in hurt, bumping into Lev who appeared behind him. He whispered. "Any luck?"

Jax shook his head in a big fat 'no'. Lev chuckled, walking over to the trio nonchalantly.

Jax crossed his arms, a frown gracing his lips as he swivelled on his heels and collected the food.

"Thank you for letting me borrow your scarf Damon" Skye grinned childishly, reaching her ears.

"It saved me from frostbite"

"No worries, keep it if you want- I have plenty"

Skye looked taken aback, even Chongan glanced at him for a split second. "I-it's ok, I have one at the dorms" she retracted.

That was a lie.

"I wouldn't want to take this from you, it looks better on you anyway"

Damon smiled awkwardly, focusing his attention on the footsteps approaching his right.

"Damon, Chongan, arn't you going to introduce me?" Lev gestured, his head tilting as he took them all in.

Skye froze.

"Hey Lev!" Damon greeted, pulling him into a short hug. "Hadn't been able to chat with you for a while"

Lev pulled from the quick exchange smiling beautifully; instantly reaching for Chongan who graciously complied.

"Good to chat again" Chongan mumbled against his shoulder, before his attention was back into ordering.

But Lev's attention was on Skye. Not as Jax's was, but with a gentler stare in his green eyes.

"I'm Lev Milos, pleasure to meet you"

Skye was still frozen. Her human... talking to her? This was a first. Gosh- even when she had played this numerous times in her mind, her memory of it had been wiped clean the moment his arm outstretched to hers.

She was hesitant, unsure on how to react.

She knew she had taken too long to answer when his hand dropped slightly, his smile weakening.

"-Excuse me, you're holding up the line and we have things we need to get done" a woman behind them interjected, voicing her annoyance. The two parted out of the way for her; the woman was leaning on her leg; dark crinkled hair in a high ponytail, smooth brown ebony skin, dressed in a dotted work dress that complimented her wonderfully.

Lev directed his gaze, removing his hand. "I'm sorry, we'll get out of your hair- come on guys" his arm diverted to the back of Chongan, ushering then collectively.

Jax waved down in confusion, mouthing 'what the hell?'.

They all shuffled quickly, but the instant Skye turned her head to smile apologetically her mouth dropped.

So did the woman's... shock lacing every feature. "Skye! Oh my- you're here!"

"Evangeline? Wh-what are you doing here?" She mumbled, holding onto her bag with a stronger grip than realised.

There was an awkward pause. Evangeline's eyes fell to Skye's company, the thought of ordering completely leaving her mind. "Can I borrow Skye quickly, I just need to talk with her"

Damon gulped. "Do you know her Skye?" he moved protectively, his face stern.

She was unresponsive. The woman kept at it "It won't be long"

"Uh well it's not really my place to say yes or no, it's Skye's" he looked worryingly at her.

She gave him a re-assuring nod, tapping his arm gently.

"Yea it's fine" she swallowed. "I'll go with her- you guys get the food and sit down"

Chongan held back his protest, as did Damon when the pair walked to the door. Skye was fidgeting, nerves on display even with her best attempt to hide it.

"I'll come find you once I'm done" she murmured at the door, voice calm.

"Sure..."

Her blonde hair blowing with the gust of wind as the door opened, was the last they saw of her before she was gone.

Damon sighed heavily. "She didn't look comfortable with that lady at all"

Chongan looked over to the wooden door outfitted with glass. He felt the same.

"It just doesn't sit right" Damon added.

"Well it's not our decision, she has a mind of her own and can make her own choices"

"Yea, I guess you're right." Damon swallowed, still glancing every now and again at the door for Skye to re-appear. Chongan noticed, hearing his name being called to collect their food; Lev still stuck in place.

As he reached for the drinks, Chongan added "She'll be fine"

His fingers wrapped around the warmth of the mug, inhaling the rich coffee scent. "Don't stress"

Eventually, they all headed to the tucked away booth and drank their beverages slowly; sipping it so it would prolong the heat sensation lining their insides.

The food was stashed away in their bags, ready to eat in a lecture hall discretely. Their lunch designation was half way during the second lecture on the trot. That meant 4 hours sitting in an auditorium. Fun. And plenty of sore asses.

They collectively groaned.