AT THE SAME TIME
ISABELLA
The rose was still in my hand. Of course it was, because apparently symbolic gestures now physically attach themselves to me. All five of them were still in the cafe. Breathing, competing silently like it was an Olympic sport. Michael was polishing the same clean surface for the fifteenth time, Xavier smiling like this was a sitcom. Zavier pretended he wasn't watching me every second, Aiden observing like a quiet strategist. Terrence calm, too calm and the timer showed 04:15:38:02.
"Why is everyone still here?" I muttered.
"Coffee." Xavier said again, lifting an empty cup.
"You finished that twenty minutes ago."I argued.
"I'm savoring the atmosphere."He said.
"The atmosphere is suffocating." I snapped.
The system pulsed helpfully.
"MULTIPLE MALE LEADS IN ENCLOSED SPACE. PRESSURE COOKER EFFECT OPTIMAL."The system said.
"I am not a pressure cooker."I sighed.
"METAPHORICAL."The system said.
