Saturday – 4:26 p.m. – Little Willow Café
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The café was quieter than usual.
Golden sunlight spilled through the windows, catching on the floating dust and tiny glass chimes near the counter. Soft acoustic music played from the speakers — something in Thai that Ric didn’t understand completely, but loved anyway.
He looked across the table.
Ren stirred his drink slowly, as if it were more important than anything else in the room.
Cinnamon latte. No sugar.
Same as always.
Ric had brought him here — said it wasn’t a date, but then bought him a drink anyway. They’d sat down, and for a full three minutes, neither of them had spoken.
But Ric wasn’t uncomfortable.
Ren’s silence was different from most people’s. It didn’t feel cold or awkward. It felt like quiet music. Like resting beside someone who didn’t need to fill the space with noise.
---
“Why do you always order the same thing?” Ric asked softly, finally breaking the silence.
Ren looked up. “Because I already know I like it.”
Ric smiled. “Safe.”
Ren tilted his head. “Familiar.”
Ric leaned forward just a little. “You ever try anything new?”
A small smile flickered at the corner of Ren’s lips.
“Not usually,” he replied, “but I’m sitting here with you… so maybe.”
Ric’s heart did a strange little flip.
---
Flashback – 2 Hours Earlier
Ric had asked to meet.
Not at the library. Not at school. Just… somewhere “normal.”
Ren hesitated at first. He wasn’t used to being invited. He wasn’t used to saying yes. But something in Ric’s voice — soft, patient — made it impossible to say no.
So here he was. In the café Ric liked. Sitting across from him like it was the most natural thing in the world.
---
Back to Present
Ric watched Ren tuck one hand beneath his chin, sipping his drink with the other. His eyes kept flicking toward the window, like he was trying to avoid being seen seeing Ric.
Ric grinned.
“Do I make you nervous?”
Ren blinked. “No.”
A pause.
“Yes.”
Ric chuckled. “Good. You make me nervous too.”
Ren’s eyes widened slightly, not expecting honesty so direct.
“You don’t seem nervous,” he said quietly.
“I’m really good at pretending,” Ric answered, “but my hands get shaky when you look at me too long.”
Ren looked down immediately.
“Like that,” Ric teased.
---
10 Minutes Later – Walk to the Bus Stop
They walked side by side, drinks in hand. The sky above was darkening slowly, a faint golden hue melting into soft grey.
Ric bumped Ren’s shoulder gently. “What are you thinking about?”
Ren took a while to answer.
“About how I’ve known you for… what, two weeks?”
“And somehow… it feels longer.”
Ric stopped walking for a second.
Ren did too.
The silence between them grew thick and warm — like steam from a hot drink on a cold day. Ric’s fingers brushed against Ren’s, gently, like an accident.
But Ren didn’t pull away.
---
At the Bus Stop – 6:12 p.m.
The bus hadn’t come yet. The sky was moody, clouds rumbling in the distance.
Ric checked his phone, then looked at Ren.
“Let me take a picture of you.”
Ren blinked. “Why?”
Ric raised his camera. “Because this light? This moment? You sitting here with that cup like it’s the only thing you need… it’s perfect.”
“I’m not good in photos.”
Ric lowered the camera, smiling gently.
“You’re wrong,” he said.
Ren stared at him. And this time, when Ric lifted the camera again, Ren didn’t look away. He didn’t smile either. Just… looked at Ric, eyes soft, like he was finally letting himself be seen.
Click.
---
That Night – Ric’s Notes App
> Photo Title:
“Not a Date.”
He looked at me like he wasn’t ready to fall. But he already was.
---
Meanwhile – Ren’s Journal
> I’ve never shared coffee with someone who made the air taste sweeter.
I think I’d say yes again. Even if he doesn’t ask.
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