Caleb is the cat in the hat (worth_therisk) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2019-02-18 17:30:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, caleb rivers, vanessa cleveland |
Who: Caleb Rivers and Vanessa Cleveland
What: Random encounter, realizing they already know each other
When: Early February
Where: Cafe near UCI campus
Rating/Warnings: Low
Status: Complete
Vanessa was running on way too little sleep and caffeine and she still had another two classes before she could go home. One of them on campus and the other her self-defense class which she was just starting to get used to going to. She raised her hand up to cover her yawn as she waited to place her order, digging into her computer bag for her wallet as she stepped up to the counter and placed her order with an extra shot of espresso and a sandwich. This was probably the only chance to eat she’d get until she got home later tonight so she better take advantage of it. She paid, dropping the change in the tip jar on the counter as she moved to the side, phone chiming as she waited to get her number before going to take a seat and wait. She sighed as she saw it was a text from one of her project partners, probably another excuse about why they’re part still wasn’t ready and she fired off a response before taking her number and looking around for a seat.
The only one available was at a table with a guy who looked a little familiar to her with his longer hair and the little bit of his face that she could see as he seemed to be working on something. Maybe he was in one of her classes or she’d just seen him on campus, she made her way towards his table, careful not to bump into anyone (or let anyone bump into her with her laptop, phone and wallet all in one bag - she wasn’t taking any chances) it hitting her where she knew him from as she finally got a look at his face before speaking. New York. He was the guy who’d upgraded her phone when she’d been out exploring the city after moving into her towards. And the only reason he’d stuck in her mind so clearly was how pissed her father had gotten over them going to that part of the city to begin with and then she’d actually done business with someone down there? She’d been grounded for a while but it had been worth it because that phone had worked better than any she’d had before or since.
“Hey. Still upgrading phones?” She asked, unable to stop herself as she slid into the empty seat across from him.
***
Caleb was at some cafe. He must have been near a college campus because the place seemed to be full of college kids. He didn’t mind though. He was around their age so it helped with his blending in. Even if he was on his computer at the back table the whole time. He was actually stealing from some of the college kids who were dumb enough to log into the cafe’s wifi. He’d hack into their accounts and take some money out. Not a ton, he didn’t want to rob them blind. But a few bucks from each of them was a hell of a lot for Caleb.
He was so engrossed in his work that he didn’t even realized when someone approached. His head shot up at her voice. And the words that came out of it. It had been awhile since he had upgraded anyone’s cell phone. Years even. And it had definitely all been back on the East Coast. So clearly this person knew him from there. He looked at her a bit more closely, trying to place her, but sadly he couldn’t. He sold so many phones back in the day they all kind of blurred together. However, what he did notice was how beautiful she was. He couldn’t help but grin. “Why? You need another upgrade?”
***
Vanessa hadn’t seen that grin when they’d met before. It made him look even cuter. She shoved that thought away at his questions and smiled back at him. “That depends on if the rates have changed.” She responded, her tone stradling the line between teasing and flirting so that she wasn’t committing to anything either way.
She heard her number get called and slid out from the seat. “Be right back for those figures.” She grabbed her order (and a couple extra sugar packets for her drink just in case) and returned to the table, taking her bag off to set on the floor between her feet as she sat back down. She’d thought it would take longer for her food and drink to be ready judging by the crowd but it seemed that most of the people in here were just killing time after getting their orders. And she couldn’t blame any of them.
***
Before Caleb could answer she was off getting her food. He exited what he was doing on his laptop while he waited for her return. No need for the pretty blonde to see him stealing from her peers. When she returned the grin was back on his face.
“Past customer discount,” he told her answering her question. “Free,” he added with a smirk. It wasn’t really his policy. But that was beside the point. It wasn’t every day a gorgeous woman remembered him. Okay it wasn’t ever.
***
Vanessa took a sip of her drink, opening up one of the sugar packets before lifting up one corner of the lid to dump it in and swirling the cup almost lazily as she looked at him across the table, watching him almost as if she was trying to figure out his angle in the offer. “Can’t really pass up a free upgrade now can I?” She asked. “But I think as a returning customer I should at least get your name this time around.” She said, setting her drink down after another sip. Still not quite as sweet as she’d have liked but if she added more sugar it might tip it over into too sweet.
And it wasn’t the offer of a free phone upgrade that made her want his name. He was hot and she hadn’t met a lot of hot guys lately that she wanted to talk with. And she wasn’t sure exactly why but there was a part of her that wanted to talk to him. Maybe it had something to do with him having been a part of one of her memories of living in New York.
***
Caleb watched as she dumped sugar into her drink. He personally wasn’t one for sugary anything, but it wasn’t his coffee. “Caleb,” he replied closing his laptop and giving her all his attention. It was actually a pretty big compliment considering Caleb rarely closed his laptop.
“And if you’re going to take me up on my offer,” he continued with that smirk on his face, “I’m going to need your name.”
***
“Vanessa. Although I don’t remember you asking me for it before. Repeat customer policy?” Vanessa asked him, biting into one half of her sandwich. This was the better pick me up than the coffee for her - lunch and talking to someone new. It was making her think about something other than schoolwork which she probably needed to do more regularly anyway. Or at least more often than just weekends.
***
“Exactly,” Caleb replied. “Gotta know who keeps coming back,” he added. Usually Caleb didn’t like to be interrupted when he was ‘working’ and by working he meant hacking. But that was what he got for doing his work in public places. Not that he had much of a choice. However, this was turning out to be a nice interruption. One that Caleb was actually glad for.
***
“Well if I’d known that you had a discount, I’d have come back before I left New York. I knew I was going to miss that phone.” Vanessa told him, teasing despite the seriousness of her tone.
“So...any other repeat customers found their way to you living here?”
***
“Not yet,” Caleb replied. “But I’ve only been here a few days.” And he didn’t plan on staying too much longer. However, that didn’t mean he couldn’t enjoy himself while he was in the area. “Have you been out here long?”
***
Vanessa had to actually stop and think about how long ago she’d left New York to move back to California. “About three years. Definitely doesn’t feel like that long sometimes.” That had to be do to all of the insanity that she’d lived through out here. And the somewhat regular visits to New York.
***
“Time flies,” Caleb agreed with a nod. “Well, I’m certainly glad I ran into you again.”