25 - Vanilla & Coffee

JUNE’S POV

Several UCAS tabs were open before me as I sat in the back rooms.

I already completed every area except my predicted grades.

How sure was I that I could manage to get triple A stars.

I closed my laptop and returned to my work station.

“Hi, what can I get you?” I asked.

“June?” Adrien said, staring at me with surprise.

“I didn’t know about this.” He looked around smiling.

“Well you didn’t ask. Now can you answer my question?” I said, frustrated from standing for hours.

“You.” He said.

“Excuse me?” I replied, wondering if I heard him right.

“Just an ice latte.” He responded.

Ice clinked against the glass if I helped the barista pour the coffee over it.

“Here you go.” I replied.

“No thank you?” He smirked.

“Thank you for your patronage, don’t come back.” I replied, with a smile and turned my attention to another customer.

Hours passed but Adrien never left.

A few people recognized him and took pictures, he signed autographs for some children.

“Why did you wait?” I asked him as we walked.

He waited till I finished my shift, not interrupting my work or distracting me.

“I wanted to talk to you.” He said casually.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because I like talking to you.” He responded and looked down at me.

“I also wanted to give you this.” He pulled out an envelope from his pocket and handed it to me.

“My family’s hosting a dinner this weekend. I’d love if you attended.” He explained.

I could meet his father.

My mind immediately began calculating possibilities. If this went well, if his family liked me, if they approved of me,this arrangement would actually work.

This was good, more than good.

Right?

My future suddenly felt closer than it did a few moments ago.

The thought should’ve assured me, but somehow it didn’t. I felt uncomfortable instead.

“June.”

I blinked, Adrien was staring at me and I felt the one emotion I wasn’t supposed to.

Guilt.

“You disappeared for a second there.” He said with a small laugh.

“Hmm?” I murmured.

“Did you listen to anything I said?” He asked.

“Sure, I’ll do my best to show up.” I responded calmly.

There was silence between us. I felt this twisting feeling in my stomach, like I was doing something wrong.

I was doing what was needed, right?

“Are you doing anything today?” He asked, interrupting my train of thought.

“Not really, why?” I asked.

“Want to go to central London?” He replied, I raised my eyebrows.

“You have ten seconds to convince me.”

“There’s an art exhibition, ice cream and my presence.” He replied cheekily.

“Hmm.” I pretended to think, like I wasn’t already sold on the idea.

“Alright, I’ll tag along.” I said and didn’t regret it as he gave me the widest smile. There was a sparkle in his eyes as he stared at the path ahead.

“Great, let’s get to the train station.” He held my hand and we began walking to the nearest station.

As we sat down opposite each other on the train, I finally took him in. He wore a black hoodie with a white t-shirt, paired with forest green shorts.

His dark locks fell in front of his face, he was as beautiful as everyone said.

My eyes fell on his lips and the memory of our kiss resurfaced.

My lips went dry and I instinctively wet them with my tongue.

My phone buzzed inside my pocket with a message.

ADRIEN : Are you done ogling?

ADRIEN : You basically just undressed me with your eyes.

I looked up at him, he winked and blew me a kiss. I rolled my eyes, ignoring the weird feeling in my chest that felt awfully similar to butterflies.

ME : Get your head out of the gutter.

ADRIEN : Not to worry, feel free to stare anytime.

ME : You’re feeling extra cocky today innit?

ADRIEN : I prefer the term confident.

I ignored him and put my phone back, noticing the train halting.

“Let’s go.” He guided me through the crowd and we arrived at what seemed like a fair. An artsy fair.

“Why do you think I’m artsy?” I asked him as we stood in front of an artwork that captured the innocence of a child.

“I’ve seen you doodle sometimes.” He replied.

“Hmm. You’re not wrong, I used to draw before, even painted a little. But we couldn’t afford the tools so I stopped.” I explained honestly.

There was only truth in what I said. I used to like drawing but when things got difficult, I had to shift my attention away.

“So what do you do when you’re not studying?” He asked.

I thought about it for a second, I didn’t really have any hobbies.

“I like reading, sometimes. Other than that, I don’t think I’ve ever…” I trailed off.

It was weird saying it out loud, i never really thought about having hobbies.

Soon Adrien was dragging me to every stand, trying out every activity.

“So which one was your favorite?” He asked, sipping on his apple flavored drink.

“I really enjoyed archery.” I responded.

We had painted together, the canvas resting in a bag that the organisers gave us.

“I never say your painting, you know.” I told him.

He looked hesitant and peeped at it. Was he shy?

“You’re embarrassed to show me your painting. Football star Adrien Hayes? Embarrassed?” I exaggerated.

“I’m not, you’ll see it another time.” He replied smiling.

I looked at him suspiciously then decided not to push further.

We got ice cream at another stand, the owner was kind of weird and heavily romanticized ice cream.

He pointed at Adrien, “Vanilla, soft and sweet, the flavor everyone trusts. It’s warm and familiar, easy to like.” His French accent was thick.

He turned to me, “and you! Espresso folded into dark chocolate,the kind of flavor people appreciated only after the second taste.”

He worked behind the ice cream machine after his dramatic descriptions.

“Together, they become richer, more complete.” He smiled softly and handed us the ice cream cones.

“That was…” Adrien started.

“Odd? But kind of sweet.” I admitted.

“Let’s go home.” He said home like we were headed to the same destination.

When we got to Kensington, that was our parting point.

“Thank you for coming with me.” He took my hands in his and stared into my eyes.

I couldn’t bring myself to speak.

There it was again, that tension between us, that pull I’ve been trying to ignore.

He came closer, then he kissed my forehead and left.

I felt…disappointed.