Chapter Text
The sound of an alarm was heard, or well had been heard for at least a while now. Ryland Grace, a definitely (not) normal 26 year old man who really can’t speak to people without being awkward, gets lost at the library, and gets the same drink order everyday had just woken up, 2 hours late for his first day at the corner café.
As his eyes slowly opened, getting used to the sunlight coming from his window, he sat up in his bed. When looking around the room he noticed he didn't feel as tired as he usually was in the morning. Getting up early and going to sleep late really took a big toll at his sleep schedule. Especially having to deal with a cat scratching at his door every night. His eyes widened, heart beat rising, he realized what was going on. He was late. This was his only chance at a job and he just fucked everything up.
He reached for his glasses from the bed side table, but unfortunately he never noticed how close he was to the edge of the bed, and fell down onto the hardwood floor.
"Oh shi— oowh!" Ryland shrieked in pain. This wasn’t the first time he’d fell out of his bed but this time it was particularly painful. With his hair all tussled, he managed to get up. Grabbing at his back as it hurt from the fall.
He ran around his apartment trying to get everything together. His kitchen was messy, full of stuff that could be put away, but there’s was no time for that right now. He made himself a cup of coffee, the warm drink soothing his nerves. It didn’t help much, but it did something. It took no time for him to forget about the cup of coffee he made for himself, as he got busy putting on any type of clothing that looked normal enough. First impressions are crucial. He slipped on a pair of jeans and a white button up. He grabbed the nearest cardigan. Sage green, he didn’t close it.
A distant meow was heard and a cat sprinted at him as he was just about to give up on fixing his hair in the mirror. Adrian approaches Ryland with their tail held up high, happy to see him. They rubbed at his leg, clearly hungry. Ryland crouched down and smiled, petting the vocal feline.
Ryland moves through the kitchen with familiar purpose. He rinses yesterdays dirty bowl, scrubbing away the trace of tuna, then setting it in the drying rack with a soft clink. From the cupboard, he pulls out a bag of kibble. After filling the bowl, he quickly sets it down onto the floor and Adrian is rushing over there immediately. He shouts a quick farewell to his beloved cat while putting on his yellow coat, slipping into his old converse shoes. He grabs his bag and leaves the apartment.
After successfully feeding Adrian, slipping on the nearest normal looking clothing near him and walking down the last step of the stairs in the apartment building without tripping, he made himself out onto the busy streets. Cars were lined on the side of the road, bikes moving left and right. The clear sky casting an endless blue above.
He started running towards train station. He was no professional runner so the man was a little panicked. Getting on time to the train had flooded his mind completely. He really needed this. After getting kicked out by his mom he struggled with jobs. Always getting fired for either being to clumsy or not doing his job correctly. This was his last chance. Having to potentially move back in with his mom was like a real death wish.
Finally reaching the train station, Ryland moved thru the big crowd. After slipping past a few more people and a tired looking woman with triplets he turned to look at the train doors as they opened, could they go any slower than this? He was in a rush.
The train was full, very full. Almost so full he’d probably have to stand up. And so he did. Ryland grabbed one of the handles hanging from the ceiling. At a specific stop, Ryland hadn’t really kept an eye on his surroundings. The train violently halted at fast speed and Ryland went flying into a nearby curly haired man.
”Oh m-my goodness, I am sososo sorry..!” Ryland mumbled out in an embarrassed tone. He crouched down to pick up the books the man had dropped to hand them back to him. Ready to get shouted at. When he turned around, it was stupidly..quiet?
The man just looked down at him with a confused expression, a tiny smile on his face as he was not expecting someone to apologize with such emotion. Or even apologize at all.
Ryland got a good look at the man. He was handsome, truly the most beautiful person he’d ever laid his eyes on. His curly dark hair hung down his face. He looked built. Tall. The man had at least enough muscle to carry him. Ryland felt his cheeks warm up and his hands quickly got sweaty. He clutched the books in his hands harshly.
”Eh, it’s fine..don’t worry..I’m not really hurt or anything..” The dark haired man answered with an unexpected deep voice. He moved his head away, clearly not good with eye contact. He scratched at his head awkwardly.
”Oh right, here’s your books…” Ryland muttered out softly. Handing out the stack of books to the man who swiftly took them in his hold and turned to look at the screen in the corner. He was almost at his destination. Ryland mimicked this move by also taking a look at the awfully tiny screen.
”Are you also heading near the corner café?” Ryland asked the man. ”Well..” the man started. ”I work at the flower shop, it’s just across the street.”
”oh..okayyy..” Ryland nodded slowly. You could say he was terrible at talking. But that didn’t stop him from trying to get to know someone new. Who just happens to work right beside where he is late too. It’s gonna be very embarrassing to try to explain that some other day. That is, if he of course ever meets this guy ever again.
The train was finally at its last stop. Ryland was ready to go off, noticing that the man was making sure no one could get in his way. Indeed a gentleman as well. Ryland wanted to say goodbye to the man but since he was in hurry there was no time for that. He started sprinting, again. Throughout the train station and out on the street. Over the cross walk he ran as fast as he could manage. Maybe he wasn’t gonna be so late anyway.
a woman was standing in the entrance to the café, she seemed very irritated.