New Year's Date for 'Josh' ((mynameisnotbrad))

[chiron_survivor]

Mid-afternoon on New Year's Day, and Crossroads Café is more or less empty.

The early birds and people nursing hangovers from the previous night's festivities have already cleared out, and the dinner rush has not yet begun. Adia has claimed a table in the corner -- by herself -- although Ice Bear had stopped by to bring her a chai latte and a blueberry muffin while she waits for Josh to join her.

Caspar had made noises about coming, but Adia insisted that he stay home this time. She had a lot of catching up to do with her friend, and Caspar would make it awkward. Her one concession is to keep her PINpoint out, and so when Josh arrives, he'll find her eyes on its smartphone screen instead of the door, texting quietly and smiling at whatever she reads in return.

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[mynameisnotbrad]

'Josh' gets Adia's text at an unusual moment, mainly due to his negligence of time or his own hesitance to meet up with her. He's sitting at a noodle bar deep in the heart of New York's Chinatown, celebrating the new year with a dear friend. The older gentleman, sitting next to Josh, stares at him with sickly eyes, while noticing the blinking cell phone on the table between them. He reads the message before Josh gets a chance to hide it, turning to face him sharply.

"You should go talk with her."

"She has a boyfriend, John. A real jerk that doesn't even deserve her. He's the type of guy who gets overconfident and cocky...egotistical..." He pockets the cell phone, choosing to stare at the empty noodle bowl in front of him instead of his cancer-stricken friend.

"So, you're going to sit here and let him win?" John's words are crisp and full of strength, as if challenging Josh's pitiful excuses. He has to think about it for a second, before standing up and grabbing his jacket. "No. I need to save her. Make her see that he's not worthy."

"Let me know how it goes." He nods, watching as Josh drops off enough money on the table to cover their bill, before stepping outside and into the busy city.

It doesn't take Josh long to find a quiet spot, a safe place to PINpoint out and arrive a few feet away from the Crossroads Cafe. He takes a deep breath, then steps inside, immediately greeted by the scent of baked goods. Given the empty room, he's able to spot Adia easily, walking over to her table.

"Sorry if I kept you waiting, Adia."