EDEN's lounge area was nearly quiet─except for the sound of the occasional tapping of fingers─and Monroe and Ken's breathing─as both of them sat busy with their iPhones respectively.
The orange-yellowish mini bulbs hung low above the mahogany counter─Roy was currently standing behind. The light grazed the wood with tenderness, the smallest of the lines on it became visible.
A tick resounded in the lounge indicating the passing time. A white clock stood among the bottles of various spirits on the shelves right behind Roy. It's position was hardly noticeable to anyone unless it's the employees.
Roy's eyes wandered around the lounge, lingering on the French windows. The view outside wasn't good to look at but that's the view Roy had gotten accustomed to. He let his hands rest on the counter and breathed in, his shoulders slumping and tentatively looked at the ingredients for the cocktail he was about to practice-prepare aligned nicely to one side.
Sun will be going down soon and this barren place will be filled with uncountable people, that Roy would be serving with his mentor, Sergio.
Roy unscrewed the bottle of whiskey, the cool metal cap contrasting his warm fingers. The bottle opened with a swish, the warm liquid seemed enchanting from the mouth of the bottle. He licked his lips slowly, it's the deep bourbon whiskey.
He poured the whiskey with the other ingredients inside the cocktail shaker. Hiking his sleeves, Roy closed the lid and took the shaker with both his hands. Clenching his fingers around the cold steel shaker, Roy closed his eyes and started shaking it until it's well mixed and done.
Roy's sleeves made swift shifting noises with each movement and his stray raven locks bounced against his forehead.
Amongst the process, Roy's consciousness drifted to a memory pertaining from the morning and he instantly lost all the concentration. That memory dominated his senses so much that he completely forgot to put the ice.
A familiar pair of blue-green eyes kept appearing continuously in Roy's mind, jumbling up his senses and the duo sitting silently in front of him all this time took a piercing notice.
Ken and Monroe stole glances at each other, sitting side by side on the stools, confused about Roy.
A few seconds later, spaced out, Roy strained the cocktail on a rocks glass but unfortunately messed up last minute by moving his hand away while pouring. The 'Whiskey Sour' cocktail flowed onto the counter, straining it and then trickled down the edges.
"You messed up. Again!" Ken accused out, Monroe nodding in agreement.
Roy shook his head and pursed his lips. Wiping his fingers on the black apron latched around his hips, Roy gazed up at them, who seemed to be waiting for him to say something back.
Shrugging, Roy stepped aside, checking his crisp white shirt─the employee uniform for any splatter.
Then he saw Jun─a coworker, sauntering in his direction with a wipe in hand. Seems like others could see his frustration today too.
"Take a break Roy." The half Japanese boy spoke, quickly wiping the mess and sauntering back inside the workers only corridor.
Roy sighed half heartedly and decided to take up Jun's suggestion.
"Something's up and you are not telling us." Monroe slid her bare arms on the now dry counter─pouting.
If only wording the feelings in Roy's heart and it's weird palpitations were that easy.
Today's morning happened like a dream. One moment Roy was just meters away from the guy that left his emotions haywire─the very next─that person disappeared between the swarming students. It felt like an illusion. Like Roy just imagined catching a glimpse of that person on his college campus.
Deep inside Roy wanted to skip class and search the whole campus for that particular guy but then again it's stupid. Searching the massive campus? No. That's a foolish solution.
But the wish to meet that person grew with every passing second and Roy was mentally exhausted.
People had started coming and Sergio will be here any moment to join Roy with the serving, till the midnight shift.
"Man are you really alright?" Ken asked worriedly. Knowing Roy, there was never a time like this before. Roy was always calm and collected. Even in dire situations. So this frustration in Roy was unexpected to Ken.
"I want to ask something." Roy hesitated, his grey eyes wavering. "I just don't know how."
Ken pursed his lips and comfortingly patted Roy on his shoulders.
Monroe, who was calmly accessing the situation, leaned forward "Roy..?"
Roy didn't say anything.
"Tell us." She coaxed the troubled-looking Roy.
Roy looked at them─his best friends, who had been with him for three long years now.
Ken had a tense face and Monroe was repeatedly tapping the counter, her brown irises flickering over Roy's face, expectantly.
Exhaling audibly, Roy began "So there's this someone...", his heartbeat increased as soon as those words escaped his lips.
Monroe perked up at the revelation. Ken raised his eyebrows, interested.
"I met that person on the day of the accident at EDEN. At the bus stop.." Roy continued absentmindedly tugging his folded sleeves.
"And this specific someone is..?" Monroe drawled teasingly. Roy had never said something like this. So the sudden news was extremely delightful.
Roy's face shot up at the tone of Monroe's voice and immediately his toned cheeks tinted red.
Seeing the probable blush on Roy's cheeks, Monroe squealed inwardly.
Ken, unable to contain the excitement of his best friend-roommate confessing about being lost in the thoughts of someone, asked. "Do you know the name?"
Roy baffled by the eagerness of Ken slowly replied "I.. don't know. I have no idea."
"Ehhh?!." Ken's and Monroe's voices synchronized and both shared another look that explained how tonight Roy may not get any sleep because his best friends will surely pry him for more details.
Tonight─the sky looked clear. Pairs of stars were scattered across the bluish-black sky─creating a widespread halo of twinkling lights.The neon headers of EDEN reflected on the pavement. The street light lamp overlaying it's shadow.Roy stepped out of the entrance of EDEN, nodding at Ricky─the bouncer, who in return flashed a shiny smile.Roy had narrowly escaped from the clutches of his best friends and sneaked out after a little pleading with Sergio─while Monroe and Ken were busy downing shots of tequila and talking with some other classmates they met there.A strong gush of night breeze enveloped Roy's hoodie clad upper body and he stopped, liking the rush of wind. The amount of pedestrians from the sidewalk hadn't lessened either. Guess it's because he left very early today.Stuffing his hands in the pockets of his black pants, Roy trudged past the people to the head of the sidewalk─to the crossing.Roy didn't have to wait long as the lights changed in seconds and along with othe
Roy's reflection smiled back at him from the mirror, forehead hidden by the messy bed hair and his grey orbs shining with newfound joy.Last night Roy had managed to snag up the number of his beautiful bus stop stranger, Jeremy─by uncertain luck. As he reminisced about the encounter, his heart began pounding and a warmth spread through his bare skin. Wiping the after shower vapor sticking to the mirror, Roy dried himself off, mind fogged with the thoughts of someone named Jeremy."Be there by eleven." Opening the bathroom door, Roy saw a foolishly grinning Ken blocking his way.Roy tsked and pushed past Ken, who was standing blocking the bathroom's door and doing on-spot jogs, the volleyball team Jersey and shorts stretching on Ken's muscular body."I need to go to the cafeteria too." Roy replied before closing the door to his room. Changing into a pair of mint green trousers and black shirt, he combed through his tangles, pushing them back with a thin black hair band. After finishin
The ear piercing shrieks from the audience stands rattled Jeremy to his core. His breath fell short on witnessing the massive Volleyball court. The splendidly brightened Gym exuded energy. Indeed this was a mindblowing first time experience for Jeremy."Shooketh, aren't ya?" A voice spoke smugly in Jeremy's ear. He turned to the petite lady on his arm smirking triumphantly and also clutching his bicep in a vice grip.Jeremy looked back at the stands, gulping hard. The stands buzzed with an enormous crowd."I guess-" The same hand pulled Jeremy before he could complete his words, past the announcer's table to the Players section. He immediately stiffened and tried his best to free away from the demonic clutches."Don't act like that Jeremy Dahl. The current beauty of the Literature department is dragging you with her. Most guys here think you are a lucky kid." The female voice exclaimed.Jeremy scowled and argued "I swear it Sasha, if any of your admirers come to pick on me from tomorro
Peering into the blue—green changeable eyes of Jeremy with veiled grief, Roy forced a gulp down his clogged up throat.No matter how hard Roy beckoned his inner self to speak, a storm of misery twisted his stomach.Jeremy on the contrary refused to change his happy expression and firmly waited for Roy to speak.Unable to hold the silence, Sasha cut it off asking—rather enthusiastically "Do you know him Jerry?"Roy's heart throbbed listening to the nickname and his brows creased. The intense emotions running through Roy was indecipherable to others present.Jeremy glanced at his elder sister and replied "Yes. We met at the bus stop and Roy here was persistent to return back a handkerchief—I lend him.""Handkerchief?" Sasha questioned-her ocean blue irises scanning this Roy guy in a strict manner.Seeing, Sasha's penetrating gaze, Roy bit his lips, unable to comprehend a reaction. She stepped forward—with her slender hands on hips.Roy's silence prevailed.Monroe who hasn't spoken anythi
Rising as victorious with consecutive wins in the last two Sets of all three, Amaryllis Volleyball Team was surrounded by appraisals and cheers. Defeating the team in their domain certainly proved hard for Karlstein.
Roy had been too preoccupied with thoughts revolving around Jeremy, that he didn't notice his arousal.
Destiny or not, one thing was final and that is―Roy plans on taking full advantage of their encounter this time.
Roy stood stiffly with Jeremy by his side shuffling his bag.