3. Cin
Cin
I unpack my few bags into the closet and fire up my laptop to connect to the internet. I know I’ll have to have it for assignments. But I need to order new rugs, the ones left behind are not my cup of tea.
After ordering some more essentials, I figure I’ll study my course schedule and the map. I don’t want to be late to my first classes because I can’t find my way around.
The academic building is the only one left to discover; I have no intention of going to explore the boys’ dorms. I read the booklet front to back, memorize my schedule and throw on my boots and coat.
I only have two keys left, so a fifty-fifty chance of getting the lock right on the first try. The green key unlocks the doors and lights flicker on as I step in. Sensors must be attached to the doors.
I find all of my classrooms easily enough. The building isn’t too large in that sense. Everything looks as I expected, wooden chairs attached to wooden desks, chalkboards take up the front wall, and the desks are stair stepped in the typical amphitheater layout.
Leaving the building, my stomach rumbles. I need to find a cafe on campus. I don’t expect the kitchen to be open on a holiday break.
The map shows me there is a small coffee shop located on the other side of the academic building. I should walk out the back doors, but I want to make sure I lock the building behind me.
Turns out it auto locks after it’s shut.
Nice.
The walk is shorter than I expected, and the coffee shop is a small building, which is surprising since everything else seems so large. Brick and glass make up the front, yellow glowing bulbs create a homey interior. I pull the cool handle, and a wave of heat hits my skin.
I’m not used to the cold yet, and the heaters at every door make my warm-blooded heart happy.
The counter is clean cement, topped with a few trinkets that make the place appear more hometown than five star cafe, which is fine. As long as I can get a double chocolate hot chocolate with a pump of peppermint, I’ll be a regular customer.
A cute boy appears from a doorway that swings in and out as he yells a welcome. His dark hair is pulled up into a bun on the top of his head, but a few loose coils manage to escape at the back.
“Ah, you must be Cin,” he smiles.
If I thought he was cute before, he is down right beautiful when he smiles. Perfectly white straight teeth around symmetrical lips that look full and pink.
He licks his bottom lip and gestures to the espresso machine, “first ones on the house.”
“What?” I ask.
He laughs, and shakes his head, “your first drink is on me, what do you want?”
“Double chocolate hot chocolate with peppermint.” I spout my order like I would if I were back in Charleston.
“Coming right up,” he winks and disappears behind the baked good display to warm the milk for my hot chocolate.
I eye him for a bit, admiring the way his biceps flex and move under his t-shirt while he makes my drink. When he peeks at me over his shoulder, it clicks that he used my name.
“How do you know my name?”
He chuckles, “everyone knows your name now, new girl.”
“What do you mean, now? I just got here, and I’ve met a total of four people.” I knew the school was small, but… how small was it?
He digs around in the apron he has looped around his neck and clicks on his phone before turning it around for me to see. My face stares up at me, with my name Cin Morgan below it. I scroll a little further and find a name I recognize, along with a message.
What the fuck? Bets are being placed; on many things. Including the status of my virginity, bra size, familial standing, you name it. His phone keeps pinging with messages.
“Is this a group chat with the whole school?” I ask, looking up into this guy's chocolate eyes. He looks like a swimmer, with a narrow waist and broad shoulders. His chin is sculpted and his brows look freshly plucked, like he takes pride in his appearance.
“Not everyone…” he supplies, eyes softening, “look, I know this looks bad, but if you ignore Talon’s games, he’ll lose interest and move on.”
“Spoken like you might know a thing or two about Talon’s games.” I say, watching him turn to pour my drink into a cup.
“A thing or two, yeah.” His voice is quiet, and I almost feel bad. But I need as much information as I can get if I want to get ahead of whatever games he has in mind.
“Would you be willing to clue a girl in over a drink?” I inquire, hoping to sound blasè and not at all like I’m ten seconds from raging.
“I’m working.”
I look around, “for what customers?”
The shop is empty, except for me. Some of the lights aren’t even on, which I guess means he had been in the process of cleaning.
He hangs his head as I hop up onto one of the wooden barstools.
“Come on,” I search for a name tag, “Henry, let me buy you a coffee, and you tell me everything I need to know about Ravard.”
He looks like he is genuinely working it out in his head. How tight is this Talon guys hold, that he has the coffee shop guy so worried about talking to me?
“I can see that Talon scares you,” I stand, grabbing my bag from the floor and collecting my cup. “Don’t worry about it, I’ll find out more on my own.”
Henry snickers, arms crossing over his chest as I walk through the heater blast and then the door. He yells before the door shuts, “be careful, Talon doesn’t like to lose.”
Good. Neither do I, and I like a challenge.