Barista Boy

“Ivery! Ivery! Did you finish my crown yet?” my younger brother, Ben sat down next to me. “Yep! I'm almost done, buddy.” I put a piece of tape over the last flower, placing the white floral crown on his head, pulling back a few of the stray blonde hairs. “You look wonderful!” I smiled as he giggled and ran back off, leaving me with the rest of the long, fake flowers I had left. “Um, Hi. I like your crown.” A boy maybe 2 years older than me stood tall above me, a smile on his face. His eyes a bright blue that lighted up the entire park. He crossed his long legs, sitting across from me. “Thanks!” I smiled at him. “Do you think I can keep one? Ya' know, just for safe keeping.” His cheeks turned a soft shade of pink and smirked.

“Of course! Have this one!” I took the one that was on my head, placing it on his and adjusting a few of the red petals. “It looks nice on you.” I whispered, my face inches away from his. “Looks better on you, beautiful.” His pink lips turned up into a full blown smile, my lips mirroring his. “Uh, I have to go. I have work in a bit, but it would be nice if we saw eachother again. Maybe tomorrow at the coffee shop around the corner around four o' clock?” I nodded, waving at him as stood up and gave me another smile.

I sighed, noticing it was getting late. Gathering the tape and flowers I had and putting it in my bag, I noticed Ben running torwards me, eyes puffy from crying. “What's wrong?” I kneeled down to his height, wiping the tears off his cheek. “T-T-The girls were c-c-calling me n-names.” He sniffled, putting his head into my neck as I picked him up. “It's ok. What did they say?” I rounded the corner, going down to the cafe. “They said I was a f-fag a-and only g-girls wear flowers in their h-h-hair.” A gasp coming out of my mouth at the word fag, the girls- and Ben- only being five to six years old.

“Well you aren't a fag, and boys can wear flowers too. I sat him down in one of the booths that were in the cafe and put his crown back ontop of his head. “Now you're the king of everything!” His eyes lighted up and a smile formed on his face. “There's that smile. I'm gonna go get some drinks ok?” Ben nodded and I walked to the counter, waiting for one of the employees to come to the front. My phone vibrated, but I quickly ignored it, seeing as someone was walking up to the front.

“Oh hey! It's you again!” I looked up to see the boy I met in the park. “Uh yeah, hi I guess.” I smiled at him. "I'll have a Quad Venti Skinny with Whip Iced Caramel Macchiato and a bottle of water, please.” I pulled out the money as he put in the order, handing him the five dollar bill and taking the receipt back. “And what is your name?” He smiled. “It's Ivery.” Walking back to the table, Ben was fast asleep in the booth. I sighed and sat down, taking my phone out of my pocket and checking my texts. Two from Alethea. Both saying that she was going to meet me at the cafe. She must have been impatient and double sent it.

I quickly typed a reply, telling her I was already here. The place was pretty empty except a few random guys on their laptops. “Quad Venti Skinny with Whip Iced Caramel Macchiato at the counter!” the blonde boy yelled, signaling my drink was finished. I heard the door ding when I got up and grabbed my drink, mumbling a 'thank you' to him and smiling.

Alethea was sitting next to a sleeping Ben, her phone in her hand. I sat my drink down, giving her a small wave. “What did the Barista write on your cup? The one that works here is really cute.” she grinned. I shrugged, picking up the cup and reading in the messy handwriting 'Hiii Ivery, here is your drink, and you're cute. 999-666-6688' My lips formed into a smile and my cheeks going pink at the compliment. “Guess who has cute Barista boy's number?” I sang, laughing as her mouth fell into an 'O' shape. “How?!” She scooted closer to me. “I met him at the park, he liked my crown so I gave it to him. It's not that bad to like nature and be as you call it, hippy, Miss 'Oh I'm so hipster look at my Ugg boots and my Starbucks and my galaxy leggings'.” She laughed at my impression of her, which in my opinion was quite accurate.

“Have you ate today?” She asked quietly. “Yep! I had a burger before I took Ben to the park.” I lied quickly, smiling at her. Even though the only thing I had ate was three bites of a apple that sat on the kitchen counter that morning from keeping myself from passing out. “You're coming for dinner tonight, yeah?” She raised her eyebrow and I nodded. “Dad said I can stay the night too.” Ben wiggled around in his seat, laying his head on Alethea's shoulder. “Are you ready to go?” She questioned me, earning a nod and I stood up, letting her pick up Ben. “We have to drop him off at my mom's apartment.”

*

It was late when I had asked to shower, which meant turning on the water so nobody was able to hear and emptying the contents of my stomach before the digestive juices start absorbing nutrients that I neither want nor need. Alethea's shower was large, giving me enough room to lay down in. I flushed the toilet, undressing and stepping into the shower, putting music from my phone on and sitting so the water ran down my face, my dark blonde hair falling in my face.

I had texted the Barista boy earlier, putting his number in my phone as 'Barista boy' because well, I hadn't learned his name yet. He seemed really nice and sweet, well at the park he did. The music stopped and my phone went off, letting me know I had a text. I sighed, deciding I had been in the shower way too long and shut the water off, turning off the water and grabbing at towel.

I checked my phone, walking into Alethea's room and grabbing a change of clothes. It was the Barista boy who texted me. 'hiii just wanted you to know that you're amazing. x' and I had no idea where it came from, but it made me smile.

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