How I can't bear it here... I can't understand why I'm bothering with this job. "Oakley! Stop daydreaming and get working!" I flinched slightly, hearing my boss, Marvie, yelling at me to continue making this stupid coffee.

I sigh, putting back on my apron and glasses as I focused on getting this bitchy lady her Caramel Frappé. I don't know how everyday I hear her come in with her two kids and then comes yelling in my ear saying she wants the usual. How the hell am I supposed to know that!? I can't just remember a customer's order when I have hundreds of them come through.

I finally finished her order, gladly watching as the lady stormed out with her drink and kids. I ran my fingers through my hair, feeling the soft fluffy tuffs of blonde hair through my fingers. Finally... I could have a break in five minutes. I sat at the counter, fiddling with the toothpicks at the front before hearing the door open. "Welcome in!" I shouted, not bothering to look up to see who it was as I put back on my apron. I took it off earlier, so I could actually breathe in it.

"... Hello again." I pause, recognizing the voice behind the counter. I looked up, seeing the familiar man that introduced himself as Cori whenever I took his order. He always came in with a smile and always ordered the same thing. Sure, that's what the lady did, but I can remember him because I chose to remember him. "Hey, Cori. Same thing," I asked, looking at the man's sharp golden eyes. He looked around my age. Twenty-five, but clearly didn't look like he was hit by college like I was.

"Mhm. As always." I heard him voice, watching as he scanned his card before I immediately got to work. As usual, a caramel macchiato he ordered. Always requesting I pick the most bitter coffee beans for him as a special order. We made small talk, talking about random things like what's happening around New York and in the city. Soon, I finished making his coffee and set it in front of him. "Here you go," I murmured, leaning against the counter as I watched him take it.

"Thank you. But I must say, Mr. Oakley, you make the best I always have around the city. But if you please allow me, can I take you out to eat? My treat, of course." I heard Cori say. Was I hearing him right? Whatever...food is food.

"Sure. But I get to pick where we eat. Oh, and please. Just call me Oak. Nothing special, but still." I said, taking off my apron finally and setting it on the counter.

"Of course. I'm happy you agreed, Oak. I'm fine with whatever dress code you want. Nor do I care about the place," Cori spoke, nodding in agreement at my statement.

"Here's my number. I'll text you where we can meet and the time I'm available." I said, grabbing a task note card on the side before quickly writing my number down and handing it to him.

"Thank you, Oak. I'll see you soon~" I paused at the tone Cori spoke in, about to say something to only stop when he already walked away.

...What a weird man.

(Thank you pookies for following on my new story. I don't know how it'll go, especially since I have a memory of a goldfish, but this is for my enjoyment. Love you guys, xoxo, kisses and hugs!)

-Spookie Pookie

Well, it's fine. Even if that dude abandoned me, I still have this dog next to me. I sigh, patting the weird looking one next to me as I look down at my phone. It's not too bad... It's not like I haven't been stood up before. The Let Go was my favorite place in the city. It was just an outdoor bar with benches and seats surrounding small fire places with fairy lights all around the sky. I used to go here as a kid, but I stopped after my grandmother passed since I always went with her.

"Sorry I'm late. I was caught up in...things. I hope you understand, Oak." I jolt at the sound of Cori's husky voice behind me. Furthermore, I instantly spun around, seeing him with a small apologetic smile and a bouquet of flowers.

"... I-It's nothing too bad. Just a little late, that's all. I don't mind," I breathed out, quickly recovering from the surprise that filled me. "Come, sit down, Cori." I said, patting the bar seat beside me as I glanced gave him a once over for his outfit.

He looked fine. He just wore a simple black turtleneck, a nice looking winter coat, and some black dress pants. It really stood out against his pale skin. He sighed slightly, now feeling a bit out dressed compared to him. I should've gone through the first outfit idea my sister proposed...

"You look nice," I finally voiced out, filling the uncomfortable silence that I found cringe. Cori snapped out of his daze from staring at...me? No, probably just at the fire or something. But besides that, I saw him sit down beside me on the barstool before nudging me with his shoulder. "Thank you, but I find you looking cuter." Cori spoke, his voice lowering slightly to where I could only hear. Woah... I-I didn't think he sounded like that. It was always just small answers and maybe some conversation, but I didn't think he was that capable. I stared at him for a while before shaking away the thought. "Uhm…. Thank you," I rushed out with my voice, blushing slightly. "But I don't look that good…" I murmured, now feeling self-conscious about my looks.

It wasn't as pokey as his. I wore a pair of baggy light jeans, a large t-shirt with a checkered pattern sweater over it. My glasses rested on top of my head, pushing back my bangs and slightly crooked, but I didn't care.

"I wouldn't put it past you to be a model if you weren't a barista. You're so beautiful, you put flowers to shame." Cori purred, scooting closer. I flush red slightly, sitting up straighter in my seat. "W-What did you say?" I stuttered out, gripping the bar tighter as I tried to process his words.

I watched as he was about to speak, only to feel disappointment wash over me as the bartender interrupted us to take our orders. Cori looked away from me, already ready to take his order. Has he been here before? Has he been here enough times to already know what he wants? I shrugged it off, now paying attention to what was going on around.

"I'd like a Shirley Temple. And maybe even a chicken sandwich. Don't make it spicy and put the coleslaw on the side please." Cori said, putting in his order before turning to me and silently gesturing for me to order now. "Oh! Uhm… I'd have just a Sprite! And…a chicken sandwich. Though make it spice with ranch on the side." I blurted out, thinking of the first items on the menu that I'd think would be in there.

The waitress nodded, walking off before Cori turned back to me. He leaned his chin against his palm, smiling slightly as his eyes held the brightness that could rival a firefly. "Anyway. I'm happy that you agreed to this. I must say I'm enjoying my time with you, Oak." Cori said, sounding almost sultry but could be mistaken as just politeness.

"...I enjoy the time as well. I normally go straight home whenever I finish my shift, but it's nice to do something out of the ordinary." I spoke, tapping the table with my nail as I held eye contact with him. "But anyway, I want to know more about you. All I know is your name is Cori and you come every day to the café to get the same thing." I said, trying to put humor into the conversation.

Cori chuckled, a rich and smooth laugh leaving his lips as his eyes crinkled. "Well that's one way to describe me I guess!" I chuckled slightly, finding his laugh amusing but also his reply to it. "Well then let's start with something like twenty questions? I'll ask you questions about you, and then you ask me questions about me. Is that good?" I voiced, leaning on the counter as I watched him nod.

"Well then," I paused before a grin grew on my lips, "let's get started."

(Thank you to all the Pookies out there, especially since I kinda don't know what's going to happen in the future. xoxo, loves and kisses, your friend)

-Spookie Pookie ❤️

"Alright. Do you wanna go first or me, Cori?" I asked, fixing my position one last time. Cori chuckled one last time before gesturing to me. "You go ahead. That way, we can get it over with for me. Who knows what might stir in your noggin."

"Alright! First question: what's your favorite food?"

"Takoyaki. Basically a fried octopus with a bunch of sauces."

"Ew….Where do you even find that here..?"

"You don't normally find it around here. I used to eat it all the time back when I was a kid."

"Alright... How about I ask where you grew up? Like where were you born?"

"I was born in Italy. But I moved to Japan when I was nine and moved here into NYC when I was eighteen."

I snorted, surprise showing on my expression before I brushed it off.

"Why'd you move so much as a kid?"

"It's nothing important. Just... Family matters."

"Alright... How many questions are we at now?"

"Three. Four if we count the question you just asked."

"That don't count! It wasn't even about you!"

Cori chuckled, the rich laugh now louder than it was before. "Alright, fine, fine. Three it is."

"Better... Now my next question is... What do you do for a living?"

"Nothing too important... Just some side jobs and pick up some extra work. I get off with those."

"... So you're a freelancer?"

"... Ehhh...Yeah, you can say that."

"Alright, alright... What's another question..." I tap my chin, trying to conjure up a question before looking back at him.

"Alright! My next question is... Drum roll if you please... Do you have any family members? Sisters? Brothers? Anyone?"

"Yeah... I have a sister. I'm the youngest in the family. Not only that, but I also have a brother, too."

"Really? What are their names?"

"My sister's name is Rouge (Rōōzh) and my brother's name is Rivera. My Dad's side is Russian and my mother's side is Italian. Any more questions?"

"Ah…. I got nothing else... I'll probably come up with some more later though."

"Alright. Then I guess it's my turn, Oak~."

"Why'd you have to say my name like that? Next time, I'll just call you a weirdo."

"Fine, fine. I'll stop it. Only because you're cute."

"What was that?"

"Nothing! You heard things, Oak. But now, it's my turn to ask the questions."

I roll my eyes, annoyed that he dodged my question before nodding. "Fine. Go ahead. We still have plenty of time before our food arrives anyway."

We started off, him asking a few questions about me. Like my favorite items and stuff to do. Hobbies and pet peeves and people I like and dislike. Oh! And, of course, stuff about my family. I answered the questions truthfully, only pausing to think about some things because I never really thought to get a hobby. But that's fine! I told him about my family, telling him that I grew up as the middle child surrounded by three sisters. Two older, one younger. Their names being Stacy, Cassidy, and Trinity, of course.

Soon, we got our drinks to start off with. Seeing his Shirley Temple, I never imagined it to look so...pink. Even though it was non-alcoholic, I imagined him to get something strong. I guess looks can be deceiving...

Cori turned to me, taking the cherry out of the drink before licking it slowly. Licking off the liquid on the round, red fruit before swallowing it and spitting out the stem. Was that supposed to be a sign or something…?

I quickly snapped out of my thoughts, hearing him speak up.

"Alright...I got one last question for you, Oak."

..."Alright, hit me. I'm not afraid of anything." I said, gaining back my confidence because I thought it would be like the last questions...

...... Boy was I wrong....

(Loves and kisses, xoxo pookies with love ❤️❤️)

- Spookie Spookie