Seven

MILES

Sunday mornings were always a sanctuary for me, a time to rejuvenate and find solace in the simple pleasures of life. With a spring in my step, I made my way to the quaint little café tucked away on a peaceful corner.

As I entered the café, I was greeted by the familiar aroma of freshly ground coffee beans, floating in the air like a comforting embrace. The soft jazz music playing in the background soothed my soul, as I made my way to my usual spot near the window. The cozy booth overlooked a small park, where people walked their dogs or simply basked in the early morning sunshine.

I just sat quietly at my table while patiently waiting for Tyler here at the café he was referring to. Tyler said yesterday that we would meet here today for my studies, and this morning he sent me the address in an I*******m message. As I wandered my eyes around the café, I couldn't help but be mesmerized by its beauty.

The café was an exquisite blend of contemporary design and vintage charm, with potted plants adorning the wooden shelves and soft ambient lighting casting a warm glow over the space. Intricate artwork adorned the walls, capturing scenes of bustling cafes and lively streets that transported me to a different time and place.

As I continued to admire my surroundings, I noticed a couple engaged in a quiet conversation at a nearby table. Their laughter mingled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, creating a harmonious symphony that added to the enchantment of the café. It was as if an allure lingered in the air, embracing everyone within its grasp.

Suddenly, a gentle tap on my table disrupted my focus. I looked up, slightly startled, to find the barista standing beside me, wearing a warm smile. In front of me sat a plate of delectable sweets, carefully arranged with an artistic flair, accompanied by a steaming cup of rich hot chocolate.

Confusion knitted my brows together, and I couldn't help but blurt out, "I'm sorry, but I think you got the wrong table. I haven't ordered yet, I'm still waiting for someone."

The barista chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "It's on the house sir," he said before leaving me in daze and confusion.

I heard the café door chime, so I turned only to see Tyler get in. His presence always brought a sense of warmth and excitement into any room, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of anticipation. He was looking around, his vibrant gray eyes searching for me amidst the sea of tables and customers. I raised my hand to get his attention, and when he saw me, he immediately went towards me with a smile on his face.

"Sorry for being late," he said breathlessly. "I got caught up at the bookstore, and the line was crazy long."

"No worries," I replied, relieved that he had finally arrived. "I was just taking in the beauty of this place. Isn't it absolutely captivating?"

Tyler nodded, his eyes scanning the café before settling back on me. "I'm glad you like it. I thought it would be th perfect spot for our study session today."

"Anyway, let's go somewhere quiet so you can focus on your study; c'mon, follow me this way," Tyler said, tilting his head towards the café's stairwell.

"Caleb?" He called the barista who served me those sweets and a cup of hot chocolate a while ago.

"Yes, sir?"Caleb replied.

"Kindly bring those chocolate chip cookies and that cup of hot chocolate along with my usual coffee into my office. And remember, no sugar on my coffee, please." He ordered Caleb before making his way upstairs. Intrigued, I decided to follow him, curious about the promising quiet space he had mentioned. We climbed the stairs, leaving behind the bustling café.

We entered a room, which made me even more confused about what was happening. The room we entered was like a bedroom office, a peculiar blend of two worlds colliding. It had all the trappings of a cozy bedroom, with a queen-sized bed adorned with fluffy pillows and a plush comforter. But sitting incongruously against one of the walls was a large office table, cluttered with papers and filled with all sorts of electronic devices.

I glanced around, my eyes taking in the bizarre combination of appliances scattered throughout the room. There was a refrigerator in one corner, alongside a microwave and a coffee maker. A television hung from the wall opposite the bed, with a comfortable armchair positioned in front of it. And amidst all the technological frenzy, there was a sleek computer workstation, complete with multiple monitors and an array of keyboards.

"What is this place?" I asked in bewilderment, turning to my companion, Tyler. He scratched his head smiling like an idiot.

"I haven't told you yet, haven't I?" He asked, grinning, so I was puzzled and confused about what was going on. A moment of silence covered us for a moment.

"I own this place, and this room is where I used to live before Dad decided to move here in Manhattan with me." What he said caught me off guard.

"It's not like I'm bragging, but I'm not just what everyone calls a popular student; I am also a businessman," he said shyly massaging his nape, we exchanged glances for a moment before we both chuckled as we found ourselves amusing.

"So you're the one who ordered that cup of hot chocolate for me, did you?" I asked.

"Yeah, I knew how much you love hot chocolate, so I told my staff to make some just for you," he replied, taking off his leather jacket, leaving only his white shirt bulging over his chest. He sat down on the couch, but I still couldn't get my eyes off his athletic body, which made me sweat and gulp my own saliva.

As the hot cocoa fragrance filled the air, my heart raced, not just because of the warmth it promised, but because of the magnetic presence he exuded. His deep gray eyes met mine, and a mischievous smile played on his lips.

"Here's your Hot chocolate sir Miles, and here's your coffee sir Tyler." Caleb said the moment he got in.

"Thanks Caleb, leave the rest to me." Tyler replied as he gently took the tray away from Caleb's hands. Caleb just nodded his head before leaving the room.

"You're a good boss." I teased him to distract myself from my dirty thoughts, he chuckled softly.

"Not likely, but I just want my staff to be comfortable with me, to see and treat me as no different from them; I may be their boss, but I'm also a human being too, and I don't like to be treated like a superior. My dad taught me that, that's why." He gently said while taking a sip of his coffee. I never knew Tyler had this side. Now I can really say that he's the kindest person I know; no wonder everyone looked up to him because of his good attitude.

"By the way, let's get started with your study," he said, so I nodded and grabbed my book out of my bag. As I handed him my textbook, he put on a pair of eyeglasses. It was a small detail, but it caught me off guard.

He adjusted them on his face, and his gray eyes looked even more captivating. The eyeglasses seemed to enhance his features, giving him an aura of intelligence and intensity. I couldn't help but feel a flutter of attraction.

Tyler was undeniably handsome, with his dirty blonde hair and strong jawline. But seeing him with those glasses pushed him into a whole new level of attractiveness. He was like a hot nerd, effortlessly combining brains and looks.

"Are you just gonna stare at me all day?" He said chuckling. Lost in my thoughts, I realized I had been staring at him, completely forgetting about the book in front of us. Embarrassed, I quickly averted my gaze, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks.

"Sorry," I mumbled, as I regained my composure.

"No, it's fine; I don't mind you staring at me like that, but you can do that after we finish with your studies," he remarked with a mischievous grin as soon as I settled in. His comment caught me off guard, and my cheeks flushed with embarrassment. I quickly averted my gaze, pretending to be engrossed in my books. His chuckle echoed across the room.

"I didn't mean to be rude. I was just... lost in my thoughts." I stammered.

I glanced and saw Tyler's grin widened, his eyes still sparkling with amusement. "No worries," he replied nonchalantly. "I was just teasing. Studying is serious business, after all."

TYLER

As the afternoon sunlight poured through the window, casting a warm glow over the room, I couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement in my chest. Three o'clock in the afternoon always brought a sense of anticipation, knowing that our study session was coming to an end. Miles, in his diligent manner, was focused on solving the problem at hand, while I watched him from my bed in silence.

We just started these study sessions today, but little did I know that these sessions would bring forth emotions and feelings I had never experienced before.

As I observed Miles, I realized that something was different today. His gaze, which was supposedly concentrated on the paper, kept drifting toward me. Each time our eyes met, he quickly looked away, feigning innocence. It was as if he was silently trying to convey something to me through those stolen glances.

A mix of curiosity and nervousness filled my mind. I wanted to understand why he was staring at me so intently. Did he feel the same way I did? Or was I merely fabricating a connection that wasn't there? These questions gnawed at my thoughts, making it difficult to concentrate on anything else.

For me, this was the most memorable thing that had happened in my whole life. Before, I had only dreamed of talking to this person, and now we were conversing like old friends. Now, fate had brought us together in a small café on a sunny afternoon. Miles had just finished solving a complex mathematical problem, so he put down his pen and looked at me with an inviting smile. Despite my nerves, I mustered the courage to speak.

"You done already?" I asked.

"I'm done," he replied, his voice tinged with satisfaction. I glanced up from where I had been lying down, absorbed in my own thoughts. Seeing such a joyful expression on his face, I returned a smile and got up, making my way towards him. He handed me his paper, and I accepted it, feeling a surge of anticipation. As my eyes scanned the neat handwriting that covered the page, checking his answers, I couldn't help but become engulfed in a wave of pride. Every equation was answered correctly. A sense of joy washed over me as I looked up at Miles, admiration shining in my eyes.

"You've done it again for the third time, Miles; you're really a fast learner," I complemented him, genuinely impressed by his intelligence. I saw a shy expression wash over his face as he nervously brushed his hand through his dark hair.

"Thanks, but I couldn't have done it without your help, Ty." I grinned nodding in response.

"Anyway, I'll just go downstairs to grab something to eat, what would you like?" I asked as I approached the door ready to leave.

"You, no, I mean anything will do!" He stammered so I chuckled biting my lower lip.

"Okay, then," I said to myself, a sense of warmth spreading through me as I left the room and headed towards the Café's counter.

As I whisked the cocoa powder into the milk, the rich aroma filling the café, I realized I needed something for myself too. I wanted the boldness of coffee to awaken my senses, while Miles preferred the fragrant subtlety of tea. I brewed a strong cup of coffee for me and a delightful blend of chamomile and lavender for Miles.

Once I finished fixing our beverages, I grabbed a plate of assorted cookies that I had prepared earlier. Smiling at the thought of the sweet treats complementing our drinks, I balanced the tray with coffee, tea, and cookies carefully, making sure not to spill anything.

Returning to the room, I found Miles standing on the balcony, a distant look in his eyes as he stared out into the cityscape. The evening sun bathed the buildings in a warm golden glow, casting long shadows over the bustling streets below.

Silently, I approached Miles, placing the tray on the small table beside him. We both stood there, gazing at the city that seemed to pulsate with life. The sounds of honking cars and distant conversations melded with the occasional sips from our mugs, creating a peaceful symphony.

The air was tinged with a breeze, carrying the scents of autumn leaves and a faint hint of distant rain. The world around us seemed to slow down as we took in the beauty of the moment, savoring both the tranquility and the reassurance of our friendship.

"I love the view up here." He whispered but I was still able to hear it.

"That's one of the reasons I decided to start my business here; the atmosphere and the view here are perfect for my café." I gently said and I heard him chuckle so I turned to face him with a suspenseful look on my face.

"What's amusing?" I asked raising an eyebrow and he chuckled even more. Cute, perfectly cute.

"It's just so ironic, you know, to think that we've been schoolmates for so many years, but we just had the chance to talk again," he said, his voice filled with shades of both relief and regret. He forced a smile, and his head bowed slightly.

"And to be honest, I thought you were just like everyone else at school," he added, his voice filled with vulnerability. I froze in my tracks, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air.

I turned to face him fully, my hand still resting on his shoulder. "What do you mean?" I asked, my curiosity tinged with concern.

Miles took a deep breath, as if gathering his thoughts. "All this time, I thought you were just another person who wouldn't understand, someone who would judge me without knowing the real me."

Confusion swirled within me. I had always tried to be friendly and accepting towards everyone, but apparently, my efforts had fallen short with Miles. It saddened me to think that he felt like an outsider, someone constantly misunderstood.

"I'm sorry if I've made you feel that way," I said sincerely. "But you're wrong. I've never thought of you as 'just like everyone else.' You've always had your own unique presence, even if you didn't realize it. I guess I just never knew how to show you that." Miles' eyes met mine, searching for the truth in my words.

"And on behalf of my friends like Clark and Klaus, I would like to apo-" Before I could finish what I was going to say, Miles suddenly spoke and stopped me.

"They did nothing wrong to me, Tyler, except your girlfriend Jessica, that keeps getting into my nerves." he said, saying that's why my eyebrows met.

"She's not my girlfriend!" I defensively told him. I don't want him to think that I have a girlfriend; it doesn't feel right.

"You honestly thought I believed all her schemes, well you're mistaken, she can't fool everyone you know, not even me." he said, chuckling, and I couldn't help but chuckle too.

"What have you got there?" He asked, approaching the table to pick up one of the chocolate chip cookies.

"We've got my favorite chocolate chip cookies, a delightful blend of chamomile and lavender tea for you, my brewed coffee, and of course your favorite hot chocolate for you to take home," I said proudly, showing him what I made for us.

"I think I'll come here more often; I liked these chocolate chip cookies, and of course for my favorite hot chocolate," he replied.

After a while, Miles and I didn't realize that it was getting a little dark around us. It seems that we were too involved in the conversation and didn't realize the flow of time. I led Miles out of the café, and before he could leave, I grabbed his arm, so he stopped and looked at me.

"You almost forgot your reward for doing a great job today," I said as I handed him the hot chocolate in a takeout cup.

"Miles, can I see you again tomorrow?" I asked him as I felt my heart pounding. The moment I caught him smiling, I couldn't help myself but smile back at him.

"Yeah, sure, anytime, Ty," He replied, waving his hand at me. He was about to leave, but then, for the second time, I stopped him, grabbing his hand as I pulled him closer into my arms. I hugged him tightly, and I felt he responded to my embrace. We stayed in that position for a while before we let go of each other's embrace with a smile drawn on our faces. His face turned red, and I felt my cheeks getting warmer as well.

"I'll get going now, Ty, for real this time, he said," chuckling. I laughed as I nodded my head in response, waving my hand to him.

"I'll see you at school, Miles."

"I'll see you at school."

JESSICA

I was just walking quietly with my friends, Sophie and Lily, who were also cheerleaders like me. The vibrant chatter of their voices filled the air as they excitedly discussed their boyfriends and the various adventures they had together. I couldn't help but feel a little out of place amidst their animated conversations.

"Why does Tyler keep denying that he is my boyfriend?" I pondered silently, trying to shake off the nagging doubt that plagued my thoughts. Unbeknownst to them, my heart yearned for the same happiness and contentment that seemed to radiate from the girls around me. I longed to share the same intimate bond that they so effortlessly flaunted.

As my friends and I strolled down the lively streets of Manhattan, enjoying the bustling atmosphere and the multitude of shops and cafes, I couldn't help but notice something peculiar. Miles, was walking a few paces ahead of us, clutching something in his hands. It seemed to be a steaming cup of what appeared to be hot chocolate from Tyler's Café, a popular spot we frequented. So, Tyler's Café obviously serves hot chocolate, so why did the staff tell me they don't serve it, when I ordered it one time?

"Girls, go ahead; I'll catch up ASAP, I told my friends as I quickly made my way towards Tyler's café.

When I arrived at Tyler's Café, I immediately went to the counter and said, "I would like to have a cup of hot chocolate, please!" I ordered with a smile on my face, but the barista gave me a puzzled look.

"Miss, I'm so sorry, but we don't serve hot chocolate here for some reason," said the barista, so I was annoyed. How come they didn't serve hot chocolate when Miles himself was served hot chocolate?

I couldn't help but feel frustrated as I looked at the barista behind the counter. Tyler's Café was known for its wide variety of delicious drinks, so I couldn't fathom why they wouldn't offer something as simple as hot chocolate. Determined to find out the reasons behind this puzzling decision, I decided to investigate further.

"Excuse me," I said, raising an eyebrow. "I apologize if I seem confused, but isn't it possible to make an exception? I've seen others enjoying hot chocolate here before."

"I'm sorry, miss, but we're not allowed to do that."

"Don't tell me that, because I saw a guy who just came from here at your cafe, and he was carrying hot chocolate with a logo on the takeout cup of your café!" I said angrily to the barista and raised an eyebrow at him.

"Boss Tyler made it himself for that guy he was with the whole day, Miss Jessica"

"Tyler's here? With that faggot?" The barista named Caleb who's a bit familiar, turned at me with a deadly glare.

"You!" I yelled at Caleb pointing my finger at him.

"Tell your boss that his girlfriend wanted to see him right now!" I ordered him but Caleb just shook his head as he continues to make a brewed coffee.

"You should go, Miss, boss Tyler just left a while ago with his friends, the twins" he said, because of what I heard I rolled my eyes out of frustration. When did Miles and Tyler start hanging out? They barely spoke at school, If that fag flirts with my boyfriend, I'm gonna fucking kill him.