"Scar, you've got to help me," I say. "Make me seem like I work here. My clothes don't break the dress code."

"On it. You can have this. Just pretend you just finished your shift or something." Scarlett hands me a folded apron under the table and stands, heading towards the counter. It is hers. "I got your back," she mouths, smiling.

I smile back, feeling my heart swell under my chest. The smile is still on my face as I approach Kobby and give him a "Hi."

"Hello," he replies. "You're done?"

"Yup. We can get going now."

"I was kinda thinking we could get some food before. Takeout, so we won't keep long."

I tell him not to get me anything. In fact, I want to add that we could go to another shop, another cafe-- we could even order a pizza---but he's already at the counter, talking to Scarlett, who keeps passing me a knowing look. She's got another apron resembling the light purple one in my lap, but the look on her face grows steadily old and annoying with every passing second.

I plop myself down at one of the tables, regretting that the first that that popped into my mind, the first thing I could come up with when Kobby asked about my job, was a freaking barista. I could have said I lived off my parents bank accounts(the other truth, since the original truth is my service to humanity)-- or that I'm currently looking for a new job since my move. But good ol' me just had to say I worked at a cafe.

Kobby sits across the table where Scar sat a few minutes ago, and awkwardly stares down at his hands. He fingers his car keys in his hands, twiddling with the key chain, tracing his thumbs over the ring.

"Why do you do that?" I question.

"Do what?"

"You never make eye contact. Do I make you nervous?

"A bit." He smiles even though his eyes remain locked on the table.

"Why?"

"Well, you came into my life out of the blue. You crawl through windows. You have a lot of scars that look hard to explain."

"So basically you think I'm a freak. That's why you're scared to look at me, isn't it?" I ask in a stern tone. There's no way he will believe that all this is a big joke from the way his shoulders tense and he flinches. I decide to stretch it a bit further. "Because you're scared I'll use my freakish powers on you, huh? Don't worry, I only come for people in their sleep. Remember to lock your doors at night."

"I didn't mean---you're not a freak. I mean, I don't see you that way." His hand rubs at the nape of his neck. "I find you interesting, I'm sorry if it came out wrong."

"Don't apologise. I was messing with you."

One server calls out a name I don't quite hear to discern what it is, but I can tell it's definitely not 'Kobby' he said. Yet, my roommate stands and returns with a paper bag.

"Are you sure that's yours?"

He looks in the bag, nodding. "Pretty sure. Chamomile tea with honey, croissants. Yup."

"I didn't hear him call your name."

"You did. My other name."

"Which is?"

He lifts the cup out of the paper bag, turning it so I can see what Scarlett scribbled on in black marker.

Matthew.

"Wait, I'm confused," I say with a laugh.

"Matthew is my first name, Kobby is my middle one, it's not anything special since it's given to practically every male born on Tuesday, where I'm from at least."

"You were saying it's short for something the last time. What?"

"Kobbina."

"Well then, I know what name to add to my list of people to attack."

He laughs loudly, audibly. He's never laughed that hard in the time I've known him. Little does he know that I do have a list of people I would very much like to harm.

Astro-robot-boy is right at the top.