Pay Off

He makes me smile

After we watched a whole season of Walking Dead and shared a Chinese takeout in between, I made my excuses and took myself to my room. It was late and I had probably talked to Cole far more than I should have. Along with being Rich, Hot and extremely popular he was also really easy going and so easy to talk to. So I resolved to avoiding him for as long as I could.

Luckily the week before classes resumed I’d had an interview with Smokey Bean and got myself a part time job thanks to Staceys recommendation. And it made avoiding Cole so much easier as I actually had something to do whilst I was out of the apartment instead of just aimlessly wondering for hours on end.

I was on the closing shift the Sunday night before classes started and there wasn’t a customer in sight. I was a quick learner due to my passion for coffee so Tim, the owner, had let me close alone.

As I was just finishing cleaning out the dessert case, I heard the dinging of the door signalling a new customer walking in and I felt the relief of having someone to serve to ease the boredom until I noticed who my new customer was.

Cole had entered, sweeping his beach blonde wavy locks back with one hand. I could see the brief look of shock on his face to see me working here but he quickly hid it and replaced it with a face of indifference. Not the smile he would usually greet me with when I first moved in and I feared my standoffish behaviour towards him was already starting to shape his opinion of me.

“Hey, what can I get you?” I offered him what I thought was a sincere smile.

It wasn’t returned as he leant across the counter and looked towards our menu. “I didn’t know you worked here? Is this where you have been hiding these past few weeks?”

“I haven’t been hiding but I haven’t been here either. I started this week, before that I just spent some time getting acquainted with the area before classes start and so I don’t look like the lost little freshman.” It wasn’t a complete lie. I never wanted to tell more lies than was necessary. “How about you tell me what drink you came in for and I’ll see about throwing you in a free piece of pie?” I tried smiling at him again to get a smile back but there was no luck.

“Tell you what, you make me a cinnamon latte and whilst it brews you can listen to my problems like a bar maid usually would and we will take it from there?”

“Sure thing, go ahead” I gestured to him as I turned to start making his drink.

“You see, I’ve been desperate to finish watching this series I started, but I started it with a roommate of mine and everyone knows the rule is if you start a series with someone, you can only watch it with that someone. Only that Roomie of mine, well she has been ghosting me and I just don’t know what to do? What would you do if you were me?” He asked, his tone all serious.

Whilst my back was to him as his coffee poured, I smiled in to the cup. “Hmm, let me think about that” I replied without turning round pretending to be fully focused on filling his cup. I’ve not been the best person to him and he’s still going out of his way to be my friend and a good roommate. I don’t know how Cole Talbot turned out to be so nice given the family he has, but I really wish he hadn’t so I could follow his fathers orders easily.

Turning round I said “Maybe text your roomie and see if she’s busy? She may have a genuine reason for not being around, maybe she’s even working right now?” I smiled hoping he would get it was a joke

“Ah, good idea” he suddenly banged the counter, “but darn it, I don’t have her number”

“What kind of bad roommate are if you have no way of contacting them?!” I laugh now. “Seriously Cole, I am sorry. I want this living situation to work with you and I never intended for you to feel like I was avoiding you. I’m obviously here tonight, and classes start tomorrow so maybe next weekend? I’m off Saturday - oh wait? That’s kinda loser-ish isn’t it? Asking if you want to spend your first Saturday at college binge watching TV with me, please forget I asked!” I threw my hand over my face to hide my embarrassment.

“Amelia Wyatt, there is nothing I would rather do more than spend my first college Saturday with you watching Zombie guts” for the first time he walked in here he smiled his bright genuine smile at me and my insides lit up.

I reached over to the desserts I’d been clearing away earlier and grabbed a slice of peach pie and boxed it up. I passed it to Cole and said “Coffee and pie on me. Peace offering. I might see you home if you’re still up when I finish?”

He grabbed the coffee and box, “you’re fully aware of the money my family has, and yet you’re not going to charge me the few dollars for this?”

I could see the question on his face. “You’re my friend Cole. So no, I’m not charging you. Now shoo, I need to clean before I leave”

I couldn’t decipher the look on Cole’s face as he picked up his things and turned to leave. As he reached the door he shouted back, “What time do you finish Lia?”

“Around ten thirty depending on crowds so at this rate probably around ten fifteen! Why?” I replied back gesturing to the lack of customers.

“Well friends walk their friends home don’t they, Lia” he said as if it was obvious, “I’ll see you at ten” he smiled and before I could tell him I didn’t need him to walk me home he was gone.

I know I’ve said it before but boy was I in trouble. I wonder if his father knew how friendly his son was and how hard it would be to dodge Cole before he gave me this demand? Did he even know his son at all?