Chapter Two

The feeling of regret circulates through my stomach along with the leftover alcohol. I throw my hair into a messy bun as I collect my sunglasses from my bag. I notice the ink pressed against my arm, which makes me confused. When did I get this number? I'm too far behind to worry about it. I lock up my apartment as I make my way downstairs.

As I get onto the sidewalk, I run down the pathway. I'm already five minutes late, so I'm thankful the coffee shop I work at is only around the corner. As the morning breeze flashes past me, my stomach churns even more. I will need a strong dose of coffee to get me through today.

With a huff, I round the corner and walk into the store. I slip around the back of the counter and stash my bag under the bench as I grab my apron. Just as Natalie rushes towards the coffee mashing to brew the next order, I walk to the cash register to collect the next order from a waiting customer.

The man standing before me is the same person who brought my drink last night. He appears to be in the same condition as me–purple bags under his eyes, a messy collection of clean clothing, along with an unpleasant expression plastered to his face.

"Hi, what can I get for you?" I ask, trying to sound enthusiastic.

"Large flat white, no sugar."

"Okay." As he goes to pass me the money, I put my hand up and shake my head. "I owe you from the drink last night, so the order is on me."

His blue eyes light up with recognition, "Don't worry about that, just take the money."

"I'm serious." I reach for my bag and pull out my purse. I grab the amount from the coin section and process the payment. "What name should I put down?"

"Kol," he quickly replies, not impressed about the circumstance. He can be grumbly for as long as he likes, I feel better I've given something back to him. The coffee might not be the same cost as the drink, but it's a start in the right direction.

"C-o-l-e?" I ask.

"K instead of the C, and no E," he replies.

"Interesting," I mutter.

"Thanks." His lips quirk into a brief smile which is torn away when his lips fall into a flat line again.

"I'll just grab your coffee, Kol," I say, enjoying the sound of his name rolling off my tongue.

With a smile, I walk towards Natalie with the order. She quickly puts the drink together and passes me the cup. All too quick, I walk back to the counter and pass the drink over.

"Thank you..." He quirks his head to the side, a thoughtful look consuming his sharp facial features.

"Lola." I blush, biting my lip.

"Have a good day, Lola." My heart practically swoons out of my chest as he sharply turns and exits from the shop.

"What's gotten into you?" Natalie laughs.

"I met him last night," I reply. "But I don't remember him being that good looking." I grab a water out of the display fridge and a few napkins bunched beside the coffee machine. I twist off the plastic lid and take a sip before wetting the napkin and scrubbing it against my arm. Slowly, the black ink smudges and fades.

"He's a hot guy for sure." She nods her head with agreement. "But be careful, I've seen him around with other girls," she warns.

"If a guy like him isn't reeling anyone in, it would worry me," I tease.

I'm thankful for Natalie's warning, I don't need another Jason on my hands. But, Kol seemed interesting, even from this brief glimpse.

"Just how his..." I see another customer walk through the door, so I place the bottle and napkin under the bench to serve them.

The morning rush filters through easily. Natalie whizzes through the drink orders while I command the cash register. Order by order, the time effortlessly clicks away. Soon enough, my manager gives me a lunch break and I'm straight out the door.

I get a message from Annalise about dinner. The prospect of cooking after today isn't fun, but I don't have any food at my house either. Locking myself up meant I'd whittled away at my supplies. I guess cooking wouldn't be so bad if she brought the food.

'Sure, you're buying the food.'–Lola. Is what I type back in response.

The day doesn't prove to be anything interesting–no other visits from Kol. I finish on the dot at four and high tail out of there without a second glance. Instead of running down the busy street, I enjoy mingling around with the other busy goers.

When I get to my apartment block, I grab the keys out of my bag and climb the stairs by two. I walk into my apartment and directly make a beeline to the bathroom to freshen up. I do away with my black pant and shirt combo in favour of the warm water from the faucet.

The water splashes over my skin as it clings and crawls down. Slowly, it carries away the evidence of today's hard work, leaving me raw and exposed for the night to come. I battle up with the fresh scent of basil and blood orange. The gooey soap feels cold but refreshing against my pale skin, the strong sent consuming my sense.

Once I'm washed, I step out of the shower and dry my body off. I walk towards my open bedroom and dress in a pair of underwear, black shorts, and a striped blue top. Just as I'm covered, my front door opens and Annalise bursts through with shopping in either hand.

"Your door was unlocked," she says, "before you accuse me of anything."

"I wasn't going to say anything." I walk into the kitchen and grab the bags from Annalise's hand. She takes a seat at the bench and slumps forwards while I unpack the bags. There's a load of fresh vegetables and a packet of chicken which brings me to the idea of a chicken vegetable stir-fry.

Grabbing the chopping board, I quickly prepare the vegetables. The sound of the knife hitting the wooden chopping board as it slices through the vegetable is loud and annoying, but it isn't long until Annalise picks up with a conversation.

"How are things, Lola?" From the quizzical expression on her face, I know she's asking about my emotional status towards Jason. For a change, Taylor Swift isn't playing through my apartment, so that would have to suggest I'm doing far better than before.

"Fine."

"Tell me." She begs.

"You win, I called him last night," I say, taking the easy way out.

Her mouth drops open as she slams her hand against the counter, "Why did you do that?"

Honestly, I didn't know myself. I don't know what was going through my mind when I decided it was a good idea to call him or what purpose it would have.

"You need to let him go," Annalise says.

Internally, I groan. I know I need to let him go and I feel as if I'm doing that now. Having to talk about it seems... pointless. I'm not even sure what I saw in the guy to begin with. Talent would be the main point, he's an amazing singer. But anything else? I have no idea why I liked him.

"You know," I say, suddenly realising. "I hate that I'm lonely at night, I miss the cuddles."

"They probably have a service for that." Laughs Annalise.

"Do you think?" My eyes snap towards her direction. If there was a service for this, I would instantly join. Getting cuddles at night is one of the best feelings in the world and I miss it.

"Let me look." Annalise pulls her phone out and search. A few minutes later, a wide grin spreads across her face. "I've found one near us."

"Are you serious?" 

"Yes, so let's order you one." Annalise sinks into her chair as she taps away at her phone. The blank look on her face makes me nervous because I can't tell what she's doing.

"How's it going?" I nibble on my lower lip.

"Would you like to browse or random?"

"Random," I say, followed with, "I can't believe I'm doing this."

"If you get a hot guy, I'm ordering one too." She giggles.

"If he's hot." I frown. "It'll be a bonus." 

I actually wouldn't know what to do with myself. The prospect of a cuddle is making me feel happier than a bouncy track from a Taylor Swift album. I didn't know I'd be able to feel like this so soon. 

What are you currently missing right now?