Chapter One

𝑭𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔

It's a good thing that Blanche has spare or else she will wear a uniform with coffee stain until her clock out. Their uniform is light-brown collar-shirt with a dark-brown body apron wherein it has the small print of the cafe's logo. They also wear a yellowish cap to complete the outfit which Chris chose.

Chris wanted to have a friendly environment that's why he always make sure that the cafe has a soothing background music which made the place really relaxing that benefits most of the customers.

The shop have round wooden tables and chairs. The surrounding of the coffee shop is also refreshing for it has a mini-garden right in front. Even though there are buildings everywhere, Chris still chose this place for it has a sentimental value for him.

"Boss, I'll clock off now." She said.

"Wow, uh. This is new, Ms.  Blanche Falestine." He held her chin and went over to find something on her face. He laugh, "Where's Blanche?"

She laugh sarcastically,  "Haha, funny."

Chris, "Really! The moment you worked here, you already asked for over-time like you have so much time on your watch."

Blanche, "You're exaggerating it,"

Chris pat her shoulder and smirk, "Am I?"

She nodded, admitting her defeat and removed her apron. While folding it carefully, Chris suddenly tap her cheeks multiple times. "What's the matter, Boss?"

He pointed someone through his pouty lips. His eyes were twinkling as if he's seen an enormous nobleman.

Blanche raise her head to see an indeed exceptionally creature that shouldn't exist on Earth.

She just notice the OOTD of the man now that she check him out. He is wearing a dark-blue shirt with collar that shows his collarbone. He stand gracefully in front of them, his hands inside the pocket of his ripped jeans. He's a brown curly-haired intoxicating guy that every girls' eyes follows.

He smiled when their eyes met.

"I came to pick you up, uhm, to express my sincerity." He looked away.

"Oh, thanks." Blanche immediately went out of the counter and before she walked with him, she faced Chris and said her goodbye without explaining the situation to her boss.

"Where's your little sister?" Blanche asked.

"I took her home. She'll only mess with us if I let her stay." He nonchalantly said.

Blanche, "That was harsh,"

"I don't tolerate rudeness,"

He chose one of the tables on the garden instead from where he sat hours ago.

Blanche, "Why not the seat you had before?"

He smile, "I don't want to remember how I caused you trouble,"

Blanche shake her head, "That was nothing. It's actually nice because I don't have to pay for my dinner."

"Huh?" He's confused.

Before he could ask for his confusion, he suddenly remember that he should order for them. "What do you want to order?"

"Hmm... Black Coffee and two Black Forest slice of cake." She giggled.

He stare at her for a minute, "Cute..."

Blanche, "What?"

He only grin and went to the counter with Chris looking at Blanche suspiciously.

When he came back, they remain silent for a couple of minutes before he decided to break the icy atmosphere. "I'm Callum. I'm sorry, I forgot to introduce myself beforehand. I probably look suspicious to you but I got you no harm."

"No, no. You look great---I mean, you look so kind. You're even treating me drink and snacks."

While waiting for their order, silence dominated again but it wasn't awkward at all. It was peaceful and enthralling. The cold breeze of october embrace them. Their hair are dancing its serene in the air, the smell of coffee all over the place, and the decoration of will o' the wisp at the garden made everything so enigmatic.

The sky is full of star and the moon is looking down at them. It was brighter than usual. There's no cloud to hide the beauty of the night sky. It was really beautiful.

Blanche smile as she look above. The moon is just a bright light without crater for her for she forgot her eyeglasses in the locker room of the shop.

"Is the moon vivid in your eyes?" She asked.

Surprisingly, Callum is also staring at the sky. He didn't know that Blanche is also doing the same so when he glance at her, he saw how calming her expression was.

It was the look of someone who truly loves something. It wasn't a facade for he can feel her admiration. "Yes, it was..."

"Hmm, guess you have clear eyesight."

Callum, "You don't?"

"I don't," She laughed.

"Do you have eyeglasses? Or contact lenses?"

Blanche, "I have eyeglasses but I forgot it in the locker room,"

"Should you get it? I don't mind."

"No, it's okay.  I'm lazy, anyway."

Callum, "Should I?"

Blanche pout, "Nooo. I don't wanna ruin the mood. It's so wholesome, I want to enjoy it. I've never had this vibe with someone... I've been vibing with myself all through-out my existence."

Callum was flabbergast for he did not expect her to spout those things. He laughed that he's almost lose his breathe. "You're really something, Blanche."

"Here's your coffee and cakes, " Someone suddenly interrupted.

It was Chris who still has his questioning eyes directed at Blanche.

She knew why Chris is the one serving their order and not Felix, a full-time worker, but she kept her thoughts unspoken.

"Thank you, Boss." She voiced out.

He nodded, still glaring at her. But when he drifted his gaze at Callum, his expression went soft so smoothly.

Callum, "Thank you,"

"Welcome,"

Callum ordered a Caffè Americano and Blueberry cake for himself. 'It's not Iced Latté,' Blanche thought. It meant that Iced Latté won't increased its sale. Damn.

When Chris is out of the picture, Callum took out his phone from his pocket and raise it upward.

Callum then showed the screen of the phone to Blanche which made her blink several times. She's astounded by that bolt from the blue he had done.

It may be simple, but knowing that he kept his silence just to do this cute action, is totally amazing.

What a great man!

"Here, you can see the craters of the moon. Though it may be boring looking at it on a phone. But since you cannot see it vividly right now, is it still acceptable?" He comb his hair backward that falls back from its original position.

Blanche chuckle and take the phone from him, "Thank you, it's acceptable."

Callum sigh in relief, "Good thing I bought a phone with a perfect camera lense. Guess it's for you,"

Blanche, "Now, you're hitting on me."

Callum, "N-no! I was just... Uhm, just..."

Blanche, "Kidding,"

Callum who look like a business man in a casual attire, his strict and void expression when she first saw him, and his unbothered behaviour was like an illusion she created in her small dimension. The Callum she's seeing right now was free but shy.

Callum is such a cutie.

They spent the rest of their time drinking their coffee and cake. They talk about silly things and shared stories they experienced. It was non-sensical but it was fun. They enjoyed each other's company.

"It was a good time, Callum." Blanche offer her hand.

"Yeah," Callum took her hand and kissed the palm, like a prince expressing his high regards.

Blanche, "Silly,"

Callum tried to stop the smile forming on his lips but failed. He let go of her and offer his hand, "Friends?"

She's in awe because of him. He let go of her hand just to offer his, it was really exceptional.

"Damn, you're something!" Blanche cover her face with her hands to shake off her laughter. She breathe really hard and reach his extended hand, "Friends."

Callum, "Good! Let me get your number."

Smooth.