Post by mac on Feb 14, 2017 2:21:17 GMT
”So, what kind of coffee was free with this?” Lennox asked the barista, who had taken a step back from him. He smelt of weed and booze, and sported large bags underneath his eyes. His eyes were focused intently on the girl, as she cleared her throat and looked to the left, as though hoping someone else would talk to him instead. But her coworkers were busy handing the complementary coffees to other customers – much better looking ones, too!
”A medium, any flavor you want, sir.” She said, and Lennox hummed in approval before looking up at the list of flavors. His neck and chest – which she could see from his exposed V-neck – were littered in marks. This guy looked like a total mess.
”You got iced coffee?” He asked. The girl nodded.
”Yup! Hot or iced, either is free.” She said. There was a line forming behind him; they all seemed rather pissed off.
”The uh – red one.” He said. Finally, a choice. The barista made his drink and handed it to him. She told him to have a nice day and he slandered off, not without as much as a thank you. Finally the line began moving in a steady pace.
Lennox took a sip of his coffee – bitter with a barely-there flavor, just the way he liked it. Everyone was obsessing over it being Valentine’s day, or close to it. This event going on this particular Saturday was offering a singles meetup day, along with free coffee for patrons. Since Lennox had no interest in dating again, he had only come for the coffee. Yet the people who received a free coffee had to stay and participate in the event. So he took a seat at one of the only tables available, beside a man who looked to be about 20. The guy could smell the weed and booze on Lennox and turned to his friend. Lennox was aware they were talking, but he didn’t particularly care. He gazed out of the window, watching as people went about their day and trickled into the little shop.
He swirled the coffee around in the little transparent cup, watching at the ice clicked together with slight satisfaction. How long did he have to stick around? He glanced at the little ‘countdown timer’ on the wall. Apparently, five more minutes until it started. What were they to do, anyway? Talk to people? Lennox decided he’d pass. He took another drink of his coffee and fought the urge to fall asleep – ignoring the teen and his friend who left Lennox now completely alone at the table set for four participants.| x | x | x |
Wren grabbed his suitcase and put it in front of him, jamming the door to the café before it closed in on his shoulder. He muttered out a few apologies as he got into line to grab a coffee. He ordered his usual – chocolate flavor, of course, with extra cream – and gave the barista a dollar tip for the jar. He bid her good day and looked around the vicinity.
It was clear that about half of the participants cared, and half of them didn’t. He could see some dressed like him, formally, in nice fitting outfits and shirts with slacks and heels. Then there were the young adults from the college – all looking like they were concerned they’d be pared with some old fart, and migrating together like a flock of out of place birds. Honestly! What did college students need to come to a meet and greet for? Wasn’t that what they did at school? Then again, times had changed quite a bit since he was a student.
Wren saw one of the only few seats available was beside a guy who looked like he was one of those who didn’t want to be there. ”Hello!” he said, taking a seat and placing his laptop on the table. Immediately, he could tell why no one wanted to sit beside the man. ”My God! You smell like weed!”
Lennox gave a grunt of a noise and Wren exhaled. ”Well, I’ve nowhere else to sit, so I suppose I don’t mind. I assume you’re just here for the coffee?” Wren continued, pulling his laptop out of his briefcase. Lennox glanced over at Wren, then looked at his laptop, which was much nicer than anything he owned. ”It’s not as though it’s something I would turn a blind eye to, even if I were in a relationship.”
”Are you trying to hit on me? It’s not working.” Lennox grumbled. Wren blinked, looked over at Lennox, for once fully taking in the look of the guy.
”Ah, no. Tragically, I’m heterosexual. And even if I were fond of men, I hardly think a stoner is someone I want about my daughter.” He said, turning back to his laptop. He glanced around the event and saw several well-dressed women, hoping one would sit here. Alas, he assumed none would, because they would smell Lennox from a mile away. He ignored the cringe that crossed Lennox’s features when the word daughter was mentioned, opening up his students papers and going to grade them. ”Well, I suppose if I meet someone I do, but this is a good opportunity to get some grading done.”
Lennox said nothing and returned his gaze out the window, beginning to regret coming to this event even if it did warrant him a free coffee. He felt as though this guy wouldn’t meet anyone, but then again, Lennox knew he wasn’t worth much himself. So he wouldn’t expect anyone worth a damn to give him the time of day, and he expected the two chairs across from himself and Wren to stay empty.
