As usual, later that day, Jasper and I had dinner together. I paced in my mind trying to touch close to the topic I wanted to initiate.

How frustrating. I think it showed on my face or my body language because the next thing I noticed was Jasper staring at me.

"Anything wrong? You are somehow weird today."

"I'm okay. I just wanted to talk with you about something, but I don't know how to start." I pulled a note from my pocket and played with it in my hands. Jasper had to wait for me to continue because he didn't say anything as if he knew I wasn't done yet.

He became quiet after moving in with me. I felt like he slightly changed. I couldn't decide if that was a good or bad shift. His playful side, cracking jokes out of nowhere and being silly were things that I enjoyed in him. Occasionally pushing it, but it was something you could call being Jasper. Now he was more mature and visibly calmed down in his childish demeanour. Nothing that changed was too radical, making him a different person, but sometimes I missed that old Jasper.

"So, umm, that guy in the coffee shop." I started again.

"Which one?" He frowned.

"It's not important, but there is one regular. He comes quite often."

"We have loads of regulars." I stared at him, hoping he realised there was no way I would start describing a random guy to him. We had hundreds of people daily. "Well, never mind. So what about him?"

"So, he left me a note. It's weird, and I don't know what to think of it. Take a look." I handed the message to him. Jasper unfolded it curiously. "Can you tell me what you think about it?" I asked anxiously.

"It is weird." I hummed, impatiently waiting for him to continue his thoughts, desperately needing advice from someone. "Did you try to call this number?"

"Of course not. It says to call when I won't see him tomorrow." I stated.

Jasper looked at me as if I was some kind of dumb. "And you listened?"

"Yes. Why wouldn't I?" And then it clicked. "Ohh, of course. You actually never listen to people when they ask you to do something."

"I do listen. Every time you ask me to do something for you, I just do."

"When... What? What are you talking about? When I asked you to do stuff for me?" I furrowed my eyebrows, trying to recall any situation he could be referring to now as if it would actually help me. It doesn't.

"Last Wednesday, you asked me to do dishes after work, and I did without question. Oh, and you remember that time when you forgot your book, and I brought it for you to the cafe so you could have it for your classes?"

"Jasper! They were favours. Favours you did for me. What if I would ask you to never look into the book?" I paused to let him think about it. "You would look right away before even leaving through that door." I did motion at the door to add more drama. His eyes and face told me I was right. Everyone in our circle would agree with me.

"Whatever. Anyway, there is nothing you would want to hide from me anyway. Probably this is the most interesting thing that happened in your life whatsoever." Only if you knew.

"Nevermind." I shrugged in my seat and pointed out the paper. "The note."

"Yeah, so... I have no idea. You can either ignore it or just see what happens. If you see him tomorrow, just ask what is it all about." I took the note from him when he tossed it in front of me on the table. "There is really nothing you can do. Unless... just call the number." He smirked.

"I won't call."

"Sure." He loudly chuckled as he stood up from the table, taking his dirty dishes back to the kitchen.

I couldn't sleep all night wondering about the mystery guy and the messy situation he put me in. The whole night, instead of sleeping, I wondered if I would see him drinking his coffee and telling me it was just a misunderstanding or a funny prank in his usual spot in the shop. I thought about other possibilities if he wouldn't show up. Should I call that number, or should I ignore it?

Morning arrived with me getting very little sleep overnight. My restless nights were very frustrating; anything could trigger them, resulting in me being tired and having little focus all day long.

"You okay? You don't look good." Danny asked the moment I walked behind the counter.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I stressed, and before he could reply, the client walked over to the counter. Something told me it was going to be a long day.

"Any sugar?" I asked a woman in a black trench coat ordering her beverage to go.

"No, thank you."

I handed the order over to Danny, who immediately went to work. It was a calm and reasonably quiet day. I stared at the door, waiting attentively for his arrival, but no one showed up. My shift was nearing its end, and I really had no idea what to do. Usually, he should already be seated at the table in his favourite corner. Was it possible that he was late, or maybe something happened, and he would not come? I wouldn't sleep if I didn't know if he came after I left or not.

I changed my uniform, which took a little longer than usual. I just hoped I wouldn't regret it. After I left the staff room, I looked around the floor, watching people talking or staring at their phones. All individuals in the room, drowning in their own worlds, unaware of me, fighting the greatest internal battle of my life.

Jess raised an eyebrow as I sat down at one of the tables, pulling out my books. I decided to drop my afternoon lecture and wait for this guy to show up to interview him long enough to get an explanation. We never spoke a word to each other other than when he placed his order, and that was literally a few words about the size of his coffee.

"Why aren't you going home yet?" Jessica asked.

"I'm waiting for someone." My voice was monotonous, almost boring, and I hoped she would let go of that topic before walking away, leaving me alone.

"Who?" Chances were little as her curiosity only grew.

"A friend," I said, but she looked even more confused. "They have classes, so I'm waiting for them to finish and come over."

There were only two hours to close the shop. I knew I was pushing it, but I would never tell this woman about the real reason why I was there. So I lied without any remorse.

"Oh, okay. Well... I hope they won't take long then." She smiled, finally leaving me alone. I got occasional looks from Danny and other staff I barely knew. We had a lot of part-timers, and people were coming and quitting their job all the time, so we had little to no time for bonding. Also, it wasn't like me to be eager to gain new friends. It took me time to trust and feel comfortable with others. This was my bet for the odd opinions about me encircling my workplace.

Two hours had passed, and there was no sign of him. Besides strange stares and a few questions from the guys now and then, I also got looks of pity. It did look like I got stood up, but I couldn't care less about that. I had to go back home to tell Jasper he didn't come and ask him if I should call the number. I knew what he would say, but still. I needed him in this with me.