A/N: Introducing Ollie's two friends. Quite a bit of swearing as besties do, but I love their banter :) Hope y'all enjoy. Love ya <3
Oliver’s POV
“I told you it would hurt like a bitch,” Courtney was chiding Mahealani during our break between classes. Tuesdays were the only days we really could sit down and enjoy our time together, given our different majors and schedules. Despite that, I had appreciated having these girls in my intro to drawing and painting class freshman year. They had been the first and only friends I really had since starting college, Haruto and his coworkers aside.
Lunch on Tuesdays with the girls, and after school cold brew with Haruto. Aside from that, my social life was kaput. I guess it wasn’t that terrible now that I thought about it.
Mahealani flinched as her girlfriend went to poke her new rib tattoo piece. “You’d think a five hour arm piece was painful, what the hell. Worst hour of my life.”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you, babe.” Mahealani rolled her eyes at that before taking another bite of her salad. “Anyways, I feel like I haven’t seen this bitch in months. Where have you been, Oliver?”
“You know, my major is a lot more stressful now, not everybody has simple meditation and art classes.”
Courtney scoffed. “Ollie, graphic design is also art. Besides, be grateful you’re not in landscape architecture. It’s kicking me in the ass.”
I made a face. “You decided that major for yourself, missy. Don’t be butthurt about it to me.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Courtney sassed, glaring at me. “Missed you too, bitch.”
“Same, boo,” I mocked. “So is Miss Ink going to show us or keep it all to herself?”
Mahealani cringed as she shifted in place, pulling the flowy crop top up to showcase the side of her rib. The skin was still slightly red, but it had been a beautiful design. A turtle,with geometric shapes within, very tribal-looking. “It still hurts, but it’s a honu, or a turtle for you mainland peeps. They have a very special meaning in my family, and I figured this would look nice here. I was honestly surprised that the shop had someone from Hawai`i too. He was so down to jump on this tattoo. Even gave me a discount.”
“Wow, flirting with the tattoo artists again are we?”
“Court, you know I could never.” She grinned. “I’m such an awful flirt. Even with the ladies, I’m always so awkward.”
Courtney smiled before leaning in to peck her cheek. “I know, I’m just messing with you. I love that awkward side of you though. Your cheeks get all pink, and then when I tickle you like this…”
Mahealani had little time to react as Courtney quickly tickled her sides, being careful of her tattoo. Despite lowering her voice, I heard Courtney tell her, “You get so flustered, and makes me love you even more.”
“Oh my god, Court, stop.” Mahealani was smiling, pushing her girlfriend’s hands away from her side before trying to catch her breath. Courtney retracted her hands before reaching over to grab her hand.
“Alright, alright. Let’s not gross out Oliver too much,” Courtney said. “I don’t think he likes our PDA.”
I chuckled before taking another bite of my sandwich. “It’s fine, I’m used to it by now, girls.”
“Damn Court, I think you bruised me,” Mahealani joked, clutching her non-tattooed side.
“Aw, you need a kiss to make it better?”
Mahealani smirked before lifting her shirt up again. “Maybe.”
I smiled at their interaction, finding it adorable. They were always very affectionate, both physically and with words. Admittedly, I did envy that, but I was content with watching them from the sidelines. I was happy they had each other, after all not everyone got that happy ending.
But I guess some are just luckier that way. Like Courtney and Mahealani. Or Benjamin and Mason. I cursed inwardly, that damn photo of them still lingering in the back of my head.
Why did it seem karma was on their side in all this? Why couldn’t I be happy or as lucky as them?
“Hello,” Courtney drew out. “Earth to Ollie?”
“Sorry, what?” I shook my head.
“As we were saying,” Mahealani said. “How’s Mr. Dreamy at the cafe?”
“Mister what?”
Courtney rolled her eyes, gasping dramatically. “Your Mr. Hot, Knight in Shining Armor, Barista and Master of Cold Brew?”
“Ew.” I frowned. “What are you even talking about?”
“Oh, come on, Ollie.” Courtney tapped the table with her palm. “We see how much your eyes light up when you mention him. You literally see him more than us. Spill, bitch.”
“There’s nothing to spill, Court.” I took another bite of my sandwich, both the girls staring at me with pointed looks. “He just makes really good cold brews, alright?”
Mahealani smirked. “Mmhmm, that’s what they all say. We know you’re high key simping him every second you’re there.”
“What? No.” I shook my head. “You both are insane. I just like the coffee and do my work there.”
“Homework that you never seem to get done because you’re too busy ogling him.”
“No,” I corrected. “It’s because he decides to harass me during his breaks and lunches to feed me free food and coffee. I’d get my work done if he’d stay behind the counter.”
“Oh, so he simps after you too?” Courtney covered her mouth with her hand. “What a revelation, babe. The ship is sailing.”
“Ship? There is no ship, geez.” I gave them my disappointed look, before taking the last bite of my sandwich. “Seriously, Haruto is just a friendly barista who pulls that crap on anyone. Besides, he’s most likely straight, and I’m not about that.”
“I don’t know...you told me he flirted with one of the volleyball boys the other day.”
“He flirts with everyone, doesn’t make him gay, or bi, or attracted to men in any way. Besides, I probably wouldn’t even be in his league if he were…” I trailed. There was no denying that Haruto was an attractive man. With the attention he garnered just from being at work, even if there was a slim and off chance that he were to be into men, there was no way he’d approach a broke college student who could barely sustain himself.
Mahealani looked at Courtney before raising her eyebrow. “Ollie, you’re a catch, don’t downgrade yourself. Besides, he already seems interested in you. Free coffee? I mean come on. The man is willing to risk his job for you.”
I rolled my eyes, before glancing at my watch. “Shit, I got class in ten.”
Courtney checked her phone. “Twelve, asshole. We’re just saying, you ain’t getting any younger, shoot your shot, would ya? If I’m going to attend your wedding, I want to still be in my prime, sir.”
“Would you look at the time, I got to go,” I waved my hand dramatically before standing up and packing my stuff. “See y’all Tuesday.”
“Yeah, yeah. Enjoy your Haruto time later, I better see some development.” Courtney slapped my arm, before wrapping her arm around Mahealani, who flinched.
“Court, the tattoo, geez.” She pried Courtney’s arm off of her side.
“Sorry, babe.” She turned to me as I threw our trash away. “Just put yourself out there Ollie. I’m sure Haruto will snatch you up real quick. Or any guy for that matter, if it doesn’t work out with him.”
“I told you-Whatever. See you bitches next week.” I waved to them before heading to my graphics class.
As I made my way to the technology building, my thoughts raced. It wasn’t that I didn’t want a man, it was just hard to think about dating. People always mentioned the horror stories of people using someone to experiment around, or in it for just the hookups. Why was it so hard to find someone that wanted a serious, stable, and long-term relationship?
And why were they so hell bent on trying to make me and Haruto a thing?
Haruto flirted with everyone. I doubt he was a player, but was he the type to be in a serious relationship? Either way, Haruto was a real lady’s man, there was probably a 10% chance that he was even remotely interested in men in that way.
Who am I kidding, I didn’t need love anyways. Crushes, and pining after people had been my downfall, and instilling even a shred of hope was a recipe for disaster. Haruto was just a barista, I reminded myself. Nothing more. I needed to nip this in the butt, not give into my friend’s obsession for shipping me with any guy I interacted with.
No, I’d just enjoy the free coffee, enjoy silenting admiring him from a distance. I couldn’t go through any more heartache and pain over a simple crush. Couldn’t allow history to repeat itself.
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