A/N: Hey, this is just a teaser! NOT the whole chapter! If my projections are right, I should have the whole chapter up sometime in August. In the meantime, enjoy this tease. :) Let me know what you think and who's still here for this, please!
On the first day back to school, Kimiko makes a point to stop in at the coffee shop early. The morning is still cool, and the shop is pretty quiet. Clay is leaning on the counter, chatting to a young man she's never seen before, and Raimundo is filling the coffee machines as he listens to their conversation. "Oh, oh! This must be her!" the young man exclaims as Kimiko wanders toward the counter. He turns to beam up at her. "You are the friend they talk so often of. I am Omi."
She shakes his offered hand, startled. "Uh, Kimiko…" she answers slowly, wracking her brain in an attempt to identify the person in front of her. It takes a moment, but judging by the grin on the boys' faces, she realizes that this must be their friend, the other one who rents an apartment with them. When she had first started coming to the shop, Clay would talk about both his friends, and how one would often take extended trips to China. Raimundo had mentioned him a couple times over the last semester as well, with a bit of feigned dislike. "Oh, Omi, it's nice to finally meet you!" she manages at last, relief flooding her voice.
He narrows his eyes a bit, but before he can ask her what he obviously wants to, Clay cuts in with, "Back to school already?"
Kimiko sighs dramatically. "The breaks are never long enough," she answers and digs in her bag for her wallet. "Surprise me. I need a good kickstart. Keiko was super nervous because she's taking a new class this semester and she just would not stop texting me last night. I'm running low on sleep, which is never a good way to start the semester." She looks back up at Clay, wallet in hand. "When do you guys go back?"
Clay glances back at Raimundo, who seems to be more engrossed with the task of making coffee than the conversation, and answers, "We have another few days."
"I am here for a few months!" Omi chimes in happily.
"Where do you go when you're not here? I think Clay said you've been in China, right?" Kimiko inquires, turning partially to include him in the conversation.
Omi nods. "Yes, in Shandong," he answers solemnly. "It is a very vast and beautiful place. I go there to visit family, and study."
Kimiko considers his answer for a moment, before saying, "I spent some time in Beijing when I was twelve. My papa owns a big business and we had to stay there for a few months one summer. The city is really amazing. We would go on trips sometimes, and we got to see outside the city… There are some really pretty places in China."
The young man beams up at her, obviously thrilled. "If you go back, I will show you Shandong! It is marvelous!"
She smiles at him. "Sure thing. I'll keep you to that." Raimundo slides the drink across the counter at that point, giving her a brief smile before going back to the machines to finish filling coffee beans. In a lower voice, she asks, "Is he okay? I don't think he's ever been this quiet since I met him."
Omi opens his mouth but Clay beats him to the answer, "Tired, mostly. I told ya - he doesn't stop. Don't take it personal or nothing. He'll be right as rain in another day or so."
She's not sure that she buys that answer, but doesn't push it as she pays for her coffee. "Thanks, guys! I'll see you tomorrow!" She waves over her shoulder at them as she steps out into the street. It's a bright day, full of optimism and, as she reaches the corner of the street and looks at her coffee cup, hope. She can't read the message right away, because it's in Portuguese, but the length of it intrigues her - coupled with the fact that there's something that looks a lot like a phone number beneath it. Her heart leaps into her throat and she hurries to school.
Gostaria de sair comigo esta semana?