Eddie nods and turns to leave. Before he reaches the door, an odd thought crosses his mind, a tingle in his chest stopping him in his tracks. He looks over his shoulder and calls out to Hakeem. “You at the lab again tonight?”
Hakeem looks to him and tilts his head. “Uh, yeah. Just for an hour or so. After my shift I just need to finish some work there. I should be back before too late. Something up?”
“No, I’m working a little longer today at the gym. Did you want a ride home from the labs?”
Hakeem perks up at the offer. “Oh! Oh no, Edmund, the campus labs are so out of way for you. You’d pass by the apartment just to get there.”
Eddie walks back over to the counter where Hakeem is. He gives him a smile, causing his eyes to crinkle at the corners. “It gets dark so early these days, and I don’t mind. Can’t have my favorite barista take the subway home so late alone. Also please, call me Eddie.” Eddie winks before taking another sip of coffee.
A blush creeps up Hakeem’s neck, it warms his cheeks more than the steam from the machine. “Uh-yeah I mean-if you’re sure. Thanks, Eddie, that’s really too kind. I’d appreciate a lift.”
Eddie turns to leave again, the corner of his lips turning upwards. “Text me when you’re done. I’ll probably be closing up the gym around the same time. See ya then.”
Eddie leaves the cafe, leaving Hakeem bewildered behind the counter. He’s rooted to the spot, unaware of Charlie who stands behind him.
Charlie taps Hakeem’s shoulder, causing him to jump before turning to face them. “Sorry! Didn’t mean to spook you. Are you alright, Mon ami?” Charlie holds their hands up in front of them.
“I’m fine. Yeah I’m fine. Just….that was my roommate Edmu–Eddie. I think he winked at me after he offered me a ride from the labs?”
Charlie looks over Hakeem’s shoulder to the door. They furrow their brows and purse their lips together. “Mmmmhmmm, the same Eddie who caught you when you fainted?”
“Why did I tell you that? Ugh.”
“Because you are a blabbermouth at work. Anyway, that Eddie is a gentleman. He seemed nice enough too. I say take the ride, get to know him better. Nothing wrong with getting to know your roommates.” Charlie gets a devilish grin across their face.
Before Hakeem can give it more thought, the evening rush fills the shop. He’ll deal with his confusion later, for now people need caffeine.
* * *
At the Nocturne group’s downtown Solomon City office of ‘Forest & Night’, Jackson, who is dressed in business casual with a white buttondown, slacks and a green tie, finishes up some papers for his father. It’s getting late and Jackson needs caffeine if he has any hope of making it home conscious. A breeze passes by his ear causing him to look up from the documents in hand. A large cup of hot coffee had been set down in front of him, and he has a good idea whom to thank for it.
“Wendy, have I mentioned I love you today?” As he takes the coffee in both hands, eager to inhale the brown elixir of the gods, a short, shapely woman turns the corner into his office. A bob of light green hair frames a soft, round face. Her skin is porcelain with green feathery skin forming on the sides of her face. She wears a pink blouse and simple black pencil skirt, with some sensible heels to complete the ensemble. Wendy Aasifa bows her head and offers a sly wink to the newly rejuvenated Jackson. She’s a sylph, a humanoid type of magical creature born of the blessing of the great wind god Garuda.
“I was on my way back from the gym and figured you and Mr. Underbush needed a late day pick me up. And because I’m amazing I took the time to wait in line at ‘Shape of Brew’. An expensible outing, sure, but it’s the thought that counts.”
Jackson takes another long sip, the warm liquid soothing every ache built up through the day. Something tastes different about the coffee this time, in a good way. “Wendy? Did you get my usual? It tastes good, but different. Can’t put my finger on it.”
Wendy sits down on the edge of his desk, the tray of coffee still in her hand. She ponders the question for a moment, finger tapping her chin. A sly smirk makes its way across her face as she lifts an eyebrow and slowly turns to Jackson. “No, dark roast with one cream and sugar. That place’s blend is better than the stuff we get in here. Maybe it’s just an appreciation for good coffee you haven’t for a while? Ooooooor,” Wendy scoots in closer to Jackson, who is now visibly annoyed by the mess of papers spreading on his desk. “It could be because it was made by a certain cute barista. With a head of fluffy hair, glasses, wide eyes. Oh what was his name? It’s on the tip of my tongue.” She clicks her tongue in mock thought.
Jackson realizes who she’s talking about, and what she is implying. Hetakes another sip of coffee and turns in his chair away from Wendy’s scrutinizing gaze. “Have I ever mentioned it’s weird you started going out of your way on your lunch to go a few rounds boxing? Most people would just use the gym in the building.”
Wendy rolls her eyes, a light gold mixed with green that shine when they catch the light. When Jackson wanted to avoid a subject, for any multitude of reasons, he would use snide comments to try and change the subject. “Sandbags don’t do it for me. Besides, how else would I get to know the infamous new roommates. I had another two days of viewings set up for that weekend alone. I, of course, had to see for myself the boys who managed to impress the one and only Jackson Nocturne.”
“You met Edmund too? I mean…” Jackson straightens up, “You make it sound like I wasn’t forced to find roommates to inherit the apartment. Hakeem was a pleasant surprise and Edmund comes from a reputable family. I figured between the two of them the next eighteen months should be tolerable.” He mumbles behind his coffee.
Jackson attempts to resume his work as Wendy hops off his desk to head out, probably to revive his father with his coffee. She turns the corner then pops her ahead back to give Jackson one last knowing look. “Jackson, you haven’t found anyone tolerable since the 90s. I’m glad though, they seem nice.” Before Jackson could ask what Wendy meant by that, she had gone on her merry way.
Jackson’s mind lingers on Wendy’s comment as he continues his work. She was right, he hadn’t been the most social person in the realms for decades. But that didn’t mean anything when it came to Hakeem and Edmund, he simply needed decent people to inherit the apartment he spent years of his life with one of his closest friends. It was as simple as that.
Is that what you tell yourself? For your sake, or theirs?
“Who said that?!” Jackson abruptly stands, almost knocking his chair down. His office is empty and he can’t see anyone outside it. All he hears now is the idle bustle of the office.
Is it easier to push them away? Knowing that one day you’ll leave them, orthey’ll leave you.
Jackson’s head is on a swivel, searching for the voice. It’s quiet, just him in the room. He’s clearly tired and the caffeine isn’t helping.
Time to head out.
