"Why didn't you say so?" Tricia frowned at me. I couldn't help but shrug silently and look away.

"I was going to." I finally said. "It doesn't matter. I'll just make a new one."

I wondered how Angela would react if she found out it wasn't me who ate it. I guess it would be fine for her, she didn't seem like a bad person anyway. I'm sure she would just be a little disappointed then or flattered that a bakery would like what had she made. I scratched the back of my head in worry but I was sure it didn't really matter.

"So what do I do with this?" She asked me, holding up what's left of the pastry.

"Finish it if you want. Just because I work here doesn't mean I like eating everything in the store." I smiled and pushed up my glasses just a little bit. Sometimes I wonder how I got into those messes.

"Oh, okay. I could just make you a new one if you want."

"No thanks."

She would probably forget either way, that's just how Tricia is.

I thought about Leslie and how she was doing. The moment I met her again, I felt like my heart skipped a beat. Suddenly, my stomach felt like sinking to the ground. I wondered if she had someone already. She was pretty hostile towards me so I was sure that she probably didn't want to break it to me directly. I sighed and went back to my cashier job.

It was a pretty quiet day, hard to believe, and soon it ended quickly. Tricia and Sarah left and I was left to close the shop. I went about my daily routine before closing, covering the leftover goods in plastic, placing the frozen ones back in the fridge, opening up the curtains, and lastly, locking the front door. But as I did, I noticed a figure in the dim lights of late afternoon. I squinted a bit to look but the sun was still powerfully bright despite it sinking down.

I heard the lock click from within my fingers and snapped back into what I was doing. I was covering the plaid curtains of the front door when I heard knocking sounds from the other side. I quickly lifted the covers and peered.

"Back door." I said loudly so the stranger could hear me and quickly closed the gap and headed off to the back.

I opened it, expecting to find a late fan to drop off her gift for Tricia.

"It's already closing time. I'm sorry she's not here anymore." I sighed and stuck my hand out to receive the gift.

"Eh?" A familiar voice asked.

"Oh. Hi...Deborah?" I asked, trying to remember if that was her name. Her cafe uniform reminded me of Leslie again.

"I was just wondering if you wanted to go down to the cafe for some refreshments and stuff since I see that you're already off duty." She smiled, quickly pulling my hand towards my bike.

"Yeah, I guess it's okay." I said. To be able to meet Leslie again for the second time in one day. It must mean something, right?

I hopped on my bike, getting ready to speed off when I felt some weight behind me. I turned my head around to find Deborah standing beside me with her feet on the sides of my bicycle. She placed her hands on my shoulder and grinned.

"Onwards!" She pointed.

"Don't you have your own bike? Where is it?" I asked.

"I didn't bring it. I walked here."

My mouth nearly fell when I heard what she had said. Was she crazy? The place was pretty far away on foot. That was some workout she just did. Was that how these waitresses stay in shape?

"Fine. Just hold on tight, okay?" Preparing myself to pedal harder now with two people on board. The moment I had said that, her arms had wrapped around my neck like two snakes.

---

We had already reached midway of the destination when Deborah suddenly started a conversation.

"Do you like anyone?"

"Huh?!" I flinched.

"Nothing. How's work?" She asked, staring at the scenery.

"Fine. What made you ask if I liked anyone?" I questioned back. I felt sweat building up on my forehead and the back of my neck started heating up.

"Normally people don't stare at other people for more than 3 minutes. I noticed you kept staring when you were introducing yourself to me."

"Staring? I wasn't staring at Leslie." I argued.

"Who said it was Leslie?" She chuckled.

The shame started burning my back. I had just realized that she had tricked me into admitting something that I wasn't supposed to.

"It's nothing. For all I know she hates me and that's why I was trying hard not to be hated."

"She doesn't hate you." Deborah quietly answered.

"How do you know that?" I pedalled faster, hoping that I would get there and get it over with already.

"Hmm..." She paused.

I stopped pedalling and soon found myself in front of the cafe I had just visited that morning.

"We're here." I sighed with relief as I felt her climb down my bike.

"That's too bad." She whispered quietly but I heard her say it anyway.

---

Deborah opened the doors to the cafe; the tinkling of the bell reminded me of the one back in the bakery.

I noticed the close sign propped up against the front windows with tiny designs that were blue in color. Walking inside, I found myself reliving the moment that happened earlier that day. Angela had been loud in announcing that I had arrived whilst Leslie had been setting up the tables and chairs. If there were any customers at that time, they would surely complain of my presence despite not being in the same spot they were.

Angela soon appeared, after Deborah had vanished from my side, carrying a tray full of cups that were as blue as the sign. I smelled the warm yet strong scent of coffee in the air. The travel to the cafe indeed had settled drought in my throat. Shortly after Angela, Leslie appeared with plates of tiny cakes. Thankfully, the cakes in question were not in theme as the rest of the cafe. There was that gentle smile on her face, perhaps she had made those cakes for the rendevous.

"Ah, do you want me to help you with that?" I asked but I was pretty sure, knowing Leslie just recently, that she would most likely decline. I decided not to wait for her answer and reached for the nearest plates. She seemed surprised at my sudden movement and stepped a few feet away from me, "NO!"

She gave a pout and hurriedly placed them on the table before I could make another move. How stubborn, I thought to myself as I watched her continue what she was doing. Angela and Deborah had been sitting at the table nearest to where I was. Deborah patted the chair next to her, stating that she was inviting me to sit next to her. I gave Leslie one last quick look; she noticed me and pouted even more. I frowned and gave her a rather cold glare before I sat down next to the dark brown-haired girl. I wasn't really angry or anything like that, it just felt right I assumed.

Soon, Leslie finished setting the cakes and coffee on the table and sat down on her own chair as well. I picked up a fork with my left hand and quickly took a piece from the cake in front of me. I lifted my head to see what the others were doing as I put the piece of cake in my mouth, chewing slowly.

Angela had quickly eaten half of her cake already while Deborah was busy taking sips from her cup. I glanced over to Leslie's side to find her watching me eat with determined eyes. I swallowed loudly and hurriedly reached for my cup. Before I could even lift my arm, Leslie quickly grabbed my glass and offered it in front of my face. I smiled and nodded my head as I held the cup in my hands. I took one gulp and set it back down, preparing myself to take in another portion of the snack.

It was already getting a little late. The sky outside was a deep blue color and the moon was shaped like the Cheshire cat's grin. There was no cloud in sight and stars twinkled brightly against the dimly lit street lights of the peaceful town. I wondered if people had already begun to prepare for dinner while I was there busy eating snacks that should have been dessert.

"Is there something wrong outside?" Deborah asked, her head tilting closer to mine to see what I was looking at.

"Ah no. I just noticed that it was getting late already." I explained, fixing the dishes as I had finished my cake already. "I probably have to get home soon."

"Is someone waiting for you?" Angela asked between mouthfuls of more food. I figured this was the kind of girl that can eat anything and not get fat.

"No one. I live by myself." I replied, getting up from my seat and getting ready to leave. "But you guys probably have someone waiting for you. It's best that I don't keep you guys for myself. I just might find myself beaten up and dumped into a trash bin by your boyfriends, hahaha."

"But we haven't really discussed anything yet." Deborah frowned and clinged on my arm. "And I can stay as long as I want."

"Naaaah, I'm sure my boyfriend won't mind." Angela grinned, licking the leftover icing on her spoon. The tone she used on the word 'boyfriend' made it seem like she was proud of having one. I, too, was amazed that someone like her could have a boyfriend.

I turned to Leslie, waiting for her response as others have already given theirs. It was her that I had hoped would have been available to stay but I didn't want to keep those hopes up. They're bound to be crushed one of those days. Life isn't as blessed as most people think.

Suddenly, I heard the sounds of grumbling. I noticed Leslie blush a little as she lowered her head down and looked away. I then realized that Leslie didn't eat at all. Perhaps, she had only expected three people to eat the cakes. I couldn't help but feel a little guilty about eating her portion of the cakes. I didn't even realize that she had just been watching me the whole time, I assumed that she was pissed that I didn't even care if she had eaten or not. I was such a tactless bastard to have thought that everyone was fine without even double checking.

"Then why don't we finish this in my place. It's pretty much a dump there but I hope it's as accomodating as any home. I'm pretty poor after all, hahaha." I placed my hand behind my head, reaching for the door with my other hand. "I'll treat you all to dinner."

"Great! What're you having?" Angela asked, standing up with such a look of glee in her face.

"I don't know yet. You guys decide when we get there, I suppose. Though, most of what I have are canned goods."

"It's alright." Deborah nodded and quickly grabbed her coat from the rack next to the entrance. "Leslie, let's goooo!" She said as she pulled the blue haired girl's hand.

"Okay." Leslie sighed and frowned but there was a hint of joy under all those pouts. I couldn't help but grin a little.

"YAY! TO ALLAN'S HOUSE!" Angela declared loudly as she pointed towards the road on the right.

"You're wrong." I said as I pointed towards the left. "Let's go then."

I suddenly felt something heavy appear behind me again as I rode on my bicycle. I turned my head to see that all of them were stacked behind me, it looked really funny and ridiculous.

"Oi, I'm not strong enough to carry all of us. Get down all of you, you guys'll break my bike." I scolded them.

"You can do it!" Angela yelled as they all cheered for my well-being.

This was going to be a long and painful journey.