2 Chapter 2: The Dawn

Jingfei continued typing onto his laptop at the corner of the cafe's dining area. He usually stays after his shift to writing, sipping on a cup of coffee, while listening to the soft chatter of the surrounding people. However, tonight was a more silent night, with the only sounds being of the machines spewing out the hot brew.

Jingfei glanced up at the soft buzz of his phone. It was a call. Ironically, from his roommate Bambang. Usually, Bambang only called him for emergencies or if something was wrong. So, already knowing what was up, Jingfei quickly answered. "Helloo?" Jingfei voiced.

He instantly heard Bambang's voice on the other end. "Jingfei? I wonder if you have some time to talk." Bambang said in a light voice. Jingfei was slightly concerned but shut his computer. "Yeah, I can talk. Is something wrong?" Jingfei asked. He began packing up his messenger bag, sliding his laptop and notebooks into their respective sleeves.

Bambang laughed for a moment before sighing. "No, no. Nothing happened. Just bored, I'm done cleaning my rings." Something Jingfei learned really quickly about Bambang was that the boy was into jewelry. He wasn't edgy necessarily, however, he always wore a necklace, bracelet, something, always silver. When Jingfei asked his reason as to why Bambang said he liked the color.

Jingfei waved to the older lady, Mrs. Xuan, before stepping out of his booth. He made sure to hold his cup in one hand, his other being occupied by his phone. "You called me, I should feel special. Usually, you would call your shopping friends." Jingfei teased, stepping into the soft spring breeze.

Bambang scoffed, his voice going softer. Bambang had a lot of secrets, Jingfei knew that, but he also knew not to ask any questions. Bambang and Jingfei were never close, not that it was a bad thing, but they both mostly kept to themselves. Jingfei began walking back to his house. He knew exactly where he was going, even if the streetlights glowed his path.

"Really, Jingfei? Maybe I should hang up.." Bambang treated. Jingfei laughs softly, shaking his head. "You know what's weird, this morning Kai talked to me. Like actually talked to me. It was only for a moment, but still." Jingfei informed, to which Bambang whistled. "Ugh, you two should get together. God, best gay romance I have ever seen. If only I was you."

Jingfei snickered. Only on these rare occasions that Jingfei and Bambang would actually talk, Jingfei loved it. It felt nice to joke, talk, and be sarcastic to someone. "Bambang, you're ten times hotter than me, you could get anyone in the streets, male or female." Jingfei pointed out. It was true, Bambang was very handsome. Jingfei had a small crush on him when the two first met, but then Jingfei grew out of it.

Jingfei adjusted his bag on his shoulder as Bambang talked. "Well, thanks, but no. Relationships aren't for me, I have learned." Bambang laughed. Jingfei rolled his eyes. "It's always the pretty ones that say that." Jingfei pointed out. Bambang hummed, clicking his tongue. "Once again, it's always the prettier ones that say that." Bambang sighed.

"Fine, fine. You got me there." Jingfei gave up on talking to Bamban. "You talk like a maze. It always stumps me." Jingfei points out. Bambang laughs, actually laughs, before sighing. "I know I do. That's the point of me talking." Bambang laughs. Jingfei laughs along with him. He walks down an alleyway, in between a townhouse and a clothing store. "When are you getting back?" Bambang asked as Jingfei turned wet from last night's run. Unlike the rest of the city, he assumed this area didn't get as much sunlight from the buildings around it.

"Uh, yeah. I'm on my way right now. You want me to stop somewhere real quick?" Jingfei asked. He was planning on going to the convenience store anyways before. "Can you? I want some beef instant ramen. I forgot to get groceries. I'll pay you back, promise." Jingfei only laughed. "Bambang, you don't have to do that." He dismissed, stepping out of the alleyway. There should be some convenience store near him.

Bambang dramatically cheered. "Yess!! Thank you, Jingfei. I really owe you one." Jingfei smiled, rolling his eyes. "Yep, ok Bambang. You don't owe me anything." A bright-lit store caught Jingfei's eyes. He smiled, running across the street to the store. "Yes I do. Tomorrow night I will buy groceries and cook you peking duck." Bambang promised happily.

Jingfei stepped into the store, waving at the clerk, before instantly going to the instant ramen section. "I said you don't need to." Jingfei sighed, grabbing a random instant noodle pack, beef of course, before going to the candy section. He grabbed a bag of gummy worms before going to the clerk. He placed the bowl and bag onto the counter. "Ugh, you're too nice of a friend." Friend? They are friends now?

Jingfei smiled.

"Fifteen dollars and sixty cents will be your total." The clerk said, smiling at him. Jingfei nodded. He counted up the dollars in his pocket, before placing them on the counter. "You can keep the change." Jingfei offered as the lady placed the two snacks into the bag. "Thank you." The lady smiled, waving to him as he stepped out. Jingfei, of course, waved back.

"Sorry, I was buying stuff." Jingfei apologized. He did the bag close to him, continuing to walk back to the apartment after the brief interruption. "Oh, it's fine. Hey, I have to call you back, are you okay with that?" Bambang asked as Jingfei hummed. "Yeah, of course, I'm okay." Jingfei smiled. Bambang sighed. "Alright, see you when you get back," Bambang said, before hanging up.

Jingfei sighed, shutting off his phone and sliding it into this back pocket. He continued walking, now in silence. Jingfei hummed softly, as the area around him went to pitch black. The light path created by the streetlamps is now becoming nonexistent. Jingfei sighed, finding the crosswalk he normally went on. Jingfei stepped onto the street, walking quickly.

For a moment, only a moment, instead of darkness surrounding him, only bright shining lights did.

Only for a moment.