"What if I die, Castel?"
"You'll be fine."
"Broken heart syndrome is real, ya know." Imani butted in with a shake of her head.
"What?!" Elias' cries could be heard a bit too loudly, but that hadn't stopped the dramatic show about to ensue. The customers in the cafe seemed to ignore the ruckus, but there was no doubt that the regulars were used to the antics that occurred behind the coffee bar.
That, or the sound of lo-fi music filling the air within Bruce's Brews cafe was much louder than their voices.
"Please don't get him started, Imani."
"Castel," she retorted with a flick of her finger, "Elias deserves to know the truth. Science shows us that sudden emotional triggers can make us have symptoms like chest pains or even a heart attack because we're so devastated." The girl gave Elias a pitying look, her brown eyes meeting his blue ones. She utilized her intelligence for evil too many times for Castel's liking.
"It was nice knowing you, my dear friend."
"Imani-" Castel was interrupted, the wind suddenly knocked out of him.
"Castel!" The blond clung to him, nearly toppling him and the drink he was making onto the ground, as actual tears started to run down his cheeks. "I don't want to die alone! I didn't sign up for this!"
Now Imani was chuckling and Castel could literally see the devil hornss pricking out from beneath her braids. Even when she was being mischievous and downright wrong, Imani appeared to glow. As he observed her, taking in her flawless dark skin and the mischievous glint tinting her eyes, Castel shook his head.
"Ima?" Castel started purposely using a nickname she had a distaste for.
"Yes, dear?"
"Dude if you date me, then maybe I won't die-" Castel was quick to shove the palm of his hand against Elias' lips.
"You also forgot to tell him about the part where it has to be a traumatic or an actual life changing experience." Castel put down the container, that held the frothed milk. "Like a death or super long marriage that ends divorce. Breaking up with your girlfriend of two weeks isn't feasible or else all teens would be havin' heart attacks everyday, pendejo."
Elias seemed to come to his senses for the moment, lightening his grip on Castel's brown apron. "So, I'm gonna be okay?"
The brunette had to close his eyes for a moment before letting out a stiff laugh. "You'll be more than okay Elias. That girl doesn't know what she's missing out on." Castel smiled as Elias completely released him from his grasp.
"I'm saying this seriously. If neither of us are married in the next year, let's tie the knot."
And there he went off again, all logic left Elias' head and neither Imani nor Castel knew if he was asking as a joke or being completely serious.
"Absolutely not." Castel breathed out, a real laugh following his words this time.
"I'm thinking about a traditional Las Vegas wedding. Quick and easy, we can hit up the casinos right after too."
At his ridiculous request, Imani tugged on the back of Elias' shirt pulling him away from the boy who really just wanted to do his job. Castel was thankful for the new breathing room but was disappointed that he had to toss the milk in the nearby sink, since it had been sitting out too long and lost its fluffiness.
"Aquí vamos de nuevo." Imani had scoffed as she released Elias' shirt. He gave her a questioning look, but the girl tossed a paper towel soaked in cleaning spray towards Elias' hands. Imani then pointed to the nearby dirty table.
Elias easily compiled but gave her a quick side eye.
"¿Celoso?" Castel asked her, ignoring the offended expression that Imani gave him. As much as he meant to play along, Castel got distracted by the weather instead. The large glass windows on the opposite side of the cafe had shown the snow was no longer coming down in a light manner, and the speed and intensity of the white menace was starting to pick up.
Hell, even the sidewalks that were usually crammed with people seemed to be lighter in comparison to what was normal. For once, Castel could see the buildings across the street, that were homes to other small businesses and cafes. The white sleet meshed with the hanging city lights and decorative Christmas ones, gave an ambiance of beauty.
Though, he wasn't really focusing on the grand scenery. No, all Castel could think of was the fact that getting home was going to be really annoying.
"Sabelotodo."
"Bromeando, bromeando. Ve con calma, sabes lo sensible que es."
"I have no idea what you two are saying and that isn't really fair," Elias has popped back up, his small duty fulfilled.
Imani looked towards the boy who seemed to shrink from his gaze, and Elias was already making a move to go cower behind Castel, despite being a good foot taller. "Castel was just telling me how hard you've been working and that you deserve a reward. I'll treat you after work, deal?"
"You know I don't turn down free food." Just like that, Elias' cheeky attitude was back as he went to Imani's side and was already rambling out a list of late night places they could go.
This was usually how the trio spent their shifts together- Imani and Elias being lively, and Castel was the poor soul that balanced between the two.
But even as they chattered, Castel's mind was elsewhere. It was already filled with a to-do list once his twelve hour shift was over. He had to continue job hunting, since working at the cafe wasn't going to cut it for his upcoming school fees- and while he thought on the subject of school, there was also a list of scholarships Castel still had to apply to and-
"Castel."
-he still had to find the funds and time to make a trip back home and visit-
"Castel!"
At the loudness of his tone, a few customers gave Elias a glowering stare. There was really nothing more terrifying than early morning women who hadn't finished their cups of coffee and fully awoken to the world.
"Yes, Elias?" He responded, then mouthing an 'I'm sorry' to the customers.
"I was just saying that you should come with us after work, we're gonna get some ice cream." Elias was smiling though his face couldn't mask how worried he was.
"Why bother asking when you know he's going to say no?" Imani butted in, her tone as blunt as ever. Though Imani's eyes appeared to be cast down at the glass display case filled with the baked goods that the cafe had to offer. "... We may be getting a fruit fly problem. Aren't they supposed to be dead this time of year?"
Maybe her change of subject had meant to lift the small tension that settled in the air, but the honesty of Imani's words still stung as they settled into Castel's ears. The only solace he found was in knowing that she did want Castel to come- but he always declined to hang out with the two outside of work.
There was still so much to be done and the winter break before the next semester began, only lasted so long.
"She's right Elias," Castel's brown eyes turned to Elias, as he fumbled with his fingers. "I have a lot to do after work and I'm staying behind to deep clean the back later. I need the hours. Be sure to eat a lot for me, though."
Elias, seeming to understand and not wanting to add pressure to the topic, changed the subject. "You look really cute when you think, ya know? Your dimples looked like massive craters when you purse your lips-"
"Dear God," Castel rolled his eyes but was thankful that his friend never failed to make him smile.
"Hey Elias, your time with Castel up. His favorite guest is coming."
At the mention of the phrase 'favorite guest,' the three turned their head towards the windows, and they all witnessed an all too familiar figure facing the endless snow and coming towards the cafe's door.
"He's not my favorite," Castel defended but he found it a little difficult to hide the smile coming onto his face.
"Okay, but you're definitely his favorite." Imani retorted and Elias seemed to agree with a nod of his head.
"No, I just give good recommendations and you two suck at it."
"Castel, he literally gives you a twenty dollar tip every time you make his order. If you don't make a move soon, I will." Elias replied and again, neither Castel or Imani could tell whether he was joking or not.
"Plus, you obviously think he's cute."
"Guys-"
Before he was able to properly respond, the familiar chime of Bruce's Brew's doorbell went off and in walked a figure that was messy due to a thick coat of snow. It was hard for Castel not to do a double take because granted, yes he may have been one of the most attractive people Castel had seen but that didn't mean he automatically had a crush on the guy.
"I'm gonna go do the dishes." Elias had stated, walking through the black pushable doors that led to the kitchen.
Castel's mouth went agape and he gave Imani a daring look, his patience wearing thin.
"I have to make sure the customers haven't died and I need to create a super formula to kill the fruit flies. You can handle the register and drinks by yourself, right?" There was a smile dancing on her lips, as she left from behind the bar and towards a group of guests who were doing quite fine on their own.
But there was no time for Castel to react before he was being approached, and boy did he really wish he could shrink back and melt into the different flavored syrups lined up behind him.
How could someone look so radiant, first thing in the morning? A bit of Castel became insecure- he hoped his brown curls were tamed and that his freckles didn't seem too blotchy against his amber skin.
But those thoughts didn't seem to matter as much as Castel looked up to silvery grey eyes and a cheeky smile, standing across the counter.
Kai was a little too bright.
"So," the soothing voice started, as Kai pretended to look around at the menu and gave his head a little shake, whipping off the white snow that clashed with the rich black of his hair. But the moment his eyes met the brunette's, Castel could feel his mouth go a little dry. "What would you recommend today?"
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