Jacob's P.O.V.
"So, did your mom get on the pastor's good side?" Elijah asked, cracking a small smile. Elijah was my best friend, we met in our freshman year of high school when he accidentally gave me a bloody nose. He was demonstrating something, I can't remember what it really was, but I do know his fist connected with my nose. I also remember the amount of apologizes he managed to slip in as he walked me to the nurse, I wasn't really paying attention to him, mainly the blood that was oozing from my nose. Elijah was around my height, which was five feet and three or four inches, and he had short curly brown hair that seemed to match the color of his eyes. Something I've learned about Elijah from being his friend for so long is that he can be very clumsy, and he's very sad.
"Totally, she was batting her eyelashes and everything. Giggling like some school girl" I answered, Elijah chuckled, he propped his legs on my lap. "She's so aggravating, EJ" I groaned, referring to him by his nickname. "I think I'm getting baptized, again".
"You poor thing" he said, reaching over to pinch my cheek. "I know you're pain".
"Do you now" I rolled my eyes, wondering if he really did.
"Yeah, one time I wore my favorite shirt to my grandparents house and they dissed it the whole time I was there. Saying things like 'Elijah, that shirt is horrendous!' And 'why would you ever want to wear that?' Totally hurt, man" he explained, imitating his grandparents.
"I hate to break it to you, but that's not really the same, EJ" I smiled, "you can get a new shirt, we can't get a new sexuality".
"Yeah, that's true". He suddenly picked up his phone from the coffee table, we were in his living room with the door closed but the shades and curtain open. "So, are you taking me to work with you?"
"Why do you want to come to work with me?"
"Because I like to watch you make people's coffees and other beverages. You look hot when you do it". I laughed, "really? That's the only reason why you want to come? Because I look hot?"
"Duh, Jacob" he replied, his fingers found their way to my hair, he gently pulled on my dark curls. "You're gonna let me come, right?"
"Of course".
His lips tugged into a small smile, he removed his legs from my lap. "I'm gonna go upstairs and take a shower then" he announced.
"Can I come?"
He looked at me, "come take a shower with me?"
"No, come upstairs with you" I chuckled, "I don't want to shower with you". I stood up and followed him upstairs to his room.
"Wait, what's that supposed to mean? Why don't you want to shower with me?" he crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm feeling a bit offended".
I plopped down on his bed, "are you really asking why I don't want to shower with you?"
"I am" he began to choose the clothes he was going to wear today. "So what is it Mr. Hot Stuff?"
"Because I'm not attracted to you?"
He gasped, "how could not be attracted to me?"
"Just go and take a shower" I replied, watching him clutch his clothes to his chest. He pouted a bit, but disappeared out of the room.
"Oh, by the way, your nail polish is in my nightstand drawer!" He called out, "you left it the last time you were here". I reached over and opened the drawer, pulling out the nail polish. I shrugged a little and began to repaint my nails I awaited his return.
"Where's your mom?" I asked when he finally walked back into the room. He rolled his eyes. "She's with Steven" he muttered.
"Oh".
Steven was Elijah's mother's boyfriend. She met him at a bar and Elijah told me that they had sex on the third date. I clearly remember him saying 'who in their right mind fucks on the third date? That's like.... A seventh date thing'. Everytime Elijah brings up Steven he always gives off this sour expression, like he's just eaten something that didn't taste too good. Elijah's father passed away when he was five, and his mother has had countless boyfriends. I get the feeling that Elijah doesn't like what his mother does, I think he feels as if she is trying to replace his father, when she's actually trying to fill the empty space in her heart. He wants his mother to be happy, but he doesn't enjoy Steven's personality. It must be a struggle for him, to keep himself from saying anything that will shatter his mother's happiness, while he's not happy himself.
"When will they be back?" I asked.
"I don't know... My mom was so happy to go..." He shook his head a little, "Steven rushed her out of the house so damn fast".
"Cheer up, man" I said, "you're bringing me down".
He smiled a little, "sorry".
~~*~~
I stared at Steven and Elijah's mother, Ms. Johnson, as they both entered the house. Elijah forced a smile, "hi, mom.... Steven...." Ms. Johnson smiled, "hi, baby, and Jacob".
"Hello, Ms. Johnson" I replied.
"Where are you two headed to?"
"Jacob's job" Elijah answered, "I'm gonna hang around".
"Oh, okay, sweetheart" his mom kissed his cheek. "Be safe, same goes for you, Jacob".
I nodded a little, ready to walk out with Elijah when Steven gave him a punch to the arm, I think it was supposed to come off as playful, but it seemed to hurt Elijah quite a bit. "Are you okay?" I asked, noticing the slightly pained expression he was producing.
"I'm fine" he murmured.
"Oh, please, you gotta man up, Elijah" Steven allowed a chuckle to leave his lips, "people aren't going to treat you with respect if you don't man up, you'll have to work twice as hard, especially since you're gay".
I raised an eyebrow at his incentive comment, I know it was not meant for me, but since I was gay, I still felt the blow. "Excuse me?" I asked, "what's that supposed to mean?"
"Jacob" Elijah muttered, "let's just go, it doesn't even matter".
"Do you think gay people aren't able to lift a finger or stand up for themselves because they're gay? It's just a title, you ca-" "Jacob" Elijah said louder, he grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the house, "let's go".
I huffed, frowning. "Now I think I see why you don't like him..."
"Yeah, I guess. Plus, he's a complete ass". We both got settled in my car and I drove to my house to pick up my uniform, afterwards we both back on the road. Elijah was rubbing at his arm, "you're sure you're okay?" I asked.
"I'm fine..."
"EJ" I murmured, I glanced at him.
"I just hate him so much, but he makes my mom so damn happy. Happier than I could ever make her, Jacob" he confessed. "She's been so... Sad ever since my dad died, and I just... I want her to be happy, you know? But why did he have to be the one to fill her with the thing she's been craving for so long? I tried to do what he does every day, but it's not the same. Am I not enough for my own mother?"
"Hey, look at me" I said, I had long since pulled into the small parking lot of the building where I worked. Elijah did as he was told. "You are enough, okay? Your mother just needs more, alright? There's nothing wrong with disliking the man who your mother adores, it's actually very sweet that you're putting up with him even though you dislike him. You're doing it for your mother, she'll realize what you're doing for her soon, and I promise she'll appreciate it. Now put that cocky ass smile back on your face, babe".
He sighed, nodding a bit. "Okay". He looked at me, his eyes lighting up with mischief. "You think there's cute boys in there?"
"Only one way to find out" I answered, smiling. We both excited my car and walked into Mi Amour, the smell of fresh coffee wafted from the back counter and it seemed to calm my nerves a bit. Mi Amour was a small coffee shop that many knew about, it was located on one of the busier streets of town. I've been working here for a few months now and I've met a lot of new people and seen and heard many different things. Working at Mi Amour was fun and enjoyable, especially when I had Elijah perched on the counter, beaming at any and everyone who came up to the counter.
I changed into my work uniform and got behind the counter, switching shifts with a woman by the name of Julie. Elijah hopped onto the counter, he was swinging his legs and watching me. "You look hot in a uniform" he murmured, pulling his phone from his pocket.
"Stop flirting with me" I laughed, shaking my head. I tapped my fingers on the counter, looking at the small amount of people in the cafe.
"I'm not flirting, I'm complementing" he answered.
"Okay, sure".
My eyes fell to the door when the small bell above the door dinged when it came in contact with the top of the door. A woman and her child walked in, the woman picked up the small boy and walked to the counter. I smiled at the sight of the little boy with his pink hat covering his hair. "Hi, could I just get a small cup of water and a slice of lemon pound cake, please". I could hear the slight stress in her voice, I wondered what was wrong.
"What's the matter?" Elijah asked.
"Nothing".
I used a gloved hand to take a slice of lemon pound cake from behind the display glass, I placed it in a bag and made her a cup of water. "That will be two dollars and sixty-five cents, please". She paid and I watched her take her order and her son to a table for two in the left corner of the cafe.
"Well" Elijah said warily, "I liked his hat".
"I bet you did".
The next few hours consisted of nothing but Elijah and I talking quietly and myself making people's orders and such. People were beginning to leave near the end of my shift, and Elijah was starting to get tired. I could tell because he was unusually quiet, well... Until he perked up at the sound of the bell by the door dinging.
"Goodness gracious" he whispered, "Jacob".
"Hmmm" I hummed, I wasn't really giving him all of my attention, I was too busy wiping down the counter.
I felt his hand on my arm, "you are gorgeous".
"Um... Thanks?" I answered.
"I'm not talking about you, Jacob".
"Wait, then who are you..." I looked up and stared at the stranger who was standing in front of me. "Wow". The boy was hot, his golden brown eyes really complemented his close-to caramel skin complexion. He wasn't a regular, that was for sure, unless he came to the cafe when I wasn't working. I realized I was staring and cleared my throat, "um... Hello".
The boy chuckled, showing off his perfect white teeth. "Lord" Elijah said, he held his head in his hands, "my heart hurts".
"Can I get a blueberry muffin and a small cup of green tea, please... And a cup of water for your friend".
"You try'na call me thirsty?" Elijah asked curiosly.
"Of course not".
I let the two talk and made the boy's order. I handed him the muffin in a bag, then his tea, I passed Elijah the cup of water. "Five dollars.... Eighty-four cents..." I said slowly.
He pulled out his wallet, "I like your nails".
"Huh?"
"Your nails, I like them".
"Oh... Oh! Thanks".
I heard Elijah snicker, "good one, Jacob".
"Shut up". I directed my attention to the boy who was still standing there, "have a nice day..."
"Chresanto" he said, introducing himself.
"Chresanto" I repeated, "have a nice day. Elijah, stop staring".
"I can't, it's like he was made by the gods".
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Wowzers, here's the second chapter. I really appreciate all the votes and comments for the first chapter, thank you!