One Day in California

In the other day, I spend the whole month without seeing Noah at the café or anywhere, maybe he is busy shooting his serial movies or something. I heard Cara and Jane speaking during our break time, they were talking about the behind the scene stuffs from Youtube.

I miss the night view, the angelic of the night where the stars and moon are holding hands and the city lights are blooming like flowers below them. I lift my head looking at the clock ticking above my bed, It's only 5.30 P.M. I grab my black diaries where I jot down everything including my itineraries inside, flipping the page where I've bookmarked them.

Ah Mt. Hollywood Drive, Griffith Park is the best they say –I mean the internet, where 'La La Land' dancing scene was filmed. I watched the movie last week.

I hang my tote –bag, sling the camera's strap around my neck, and put on my brown coat. Heading to the bike –rentals.

The labyrinth on Mount Hollywood Drive offers spectacular views of the Hollywood Hills with its famous Hollywood sign on one side and a view of Los Angeles on the other. The evening feels as a hearth-side shawl, comforting, yet as I pedal onwards the breeze is welcoming me, my eyes are bathed in the passing scene. I pull the brake when I see the colorful sparks from far, this is perfect for a night view.

I parked my bike beside the tree and sit down facing the city. The magnificent night view of Los Angeles city pampering my eyes. The night sky is a special kind of blackness, the kind that I want only to hold the stars and help them shine even brighter. The city lights shone the ground like glitters. I close my eyes, inhaling the nature breeze that froze my nose and slid my butt to sit closer to the edge of the cliff.

For a moment, I heard footsteps coming over, at first I didn't care but his presence was ..something familiar

"it's you" and the familiar voice.

My eyes scrunched tight in anticipation of something bad, it's Noah. I hear his footsteps walking towards me. Meanwhile, I take my airpods out from my coat and plug them in my ears, turned the volume up until he could hear the tiny beats of the music. I was about to ignore him. I didn't aware until I feel a warm breath blowing my cheek, his long fingers unplug an airpod from my ear. I tilt my head looking at him and was nearly in heart –attack, he was already squatting beside me with his beautiful hazel –eyes shone by the glitters of the city.

"We meet again" he smirked, I can smell a mint something from his breaths. He sits down beside me, straighten his long legs. "Again and again..." he added. I unplug my airpod, waiting for him to return back the other pair. He turns his head looking at me, suddenly surprised by something beside me.

"so... you are also a photo –taker" he stretched his long arm and grabs my camera. Noah turns his back at me and his fingers are scrolling through the gallery. I stood up to check him.

"interesting ! I never thought you can take pictures like these" his fingers are busy scrolling the pictures, I wish to take it back before he found out.

Then it happens,

"butttt.." he grinned when it comes to a picture of me, he taps next next next and there's more and more pictures of me with the view I took in my previous vacation. Geez. This is so embarrassing.

"you are bad at taking selfies... AHAHAHAHHAHHA" he laughed.

A small laugh escaped my lips, it's embarrassing but also ridiculous.

"here, your pods" he handed over the other pair then flips the camera screen.

"here" he held my hand and pulled me down to the ground, we are sitting side by side. He shows his teeth and snap some pictures before I got myself ready. Then Noah holds the camera closer, checking the pictures he just took. He points the picture and snorted with a finger covering his nose.

"Just let me take it !" I snatched the camera from his hand and set the camera on us.

"You're lucky to have my selfies" he teased.

I clicked my tongue and rolled my eyes on him.

"yeahyeahh... okay.. up to you" I said, sarcastically

He slid his position, we are both facing the night view. The night sky is gorgeous. It is the most beautiful art, alive in raw energy, a song for the eyes. The wind blows his curly hair that seems to has grown longer.

"You know.." he clears his throat

"I wonder why we keep bumping on each other" he continued

"I don't know ..." I replied, shrugging my shoulders, "Maybe because Los Angeles isn't wide enough"

"maybe.." he replied, stretching his arm up to the air.

"what's your name ?" out of the blue for a name.

"SABRINA" I just don't want to let him know without any specific reason. Yes, I don't have a reason to lie to him but I did. It doesn't matter anyway. But I lied, okay calm down Steffi.

"nice to meet you Sabrina" Noah tilted his head looking at me for short seconds. Well, I feel sorry I made assumptions based of personal bias against him. He is actually a nice guy, even sometimes he is annoying.

We talked about the Hollywood movies and the reason he grew his hair for "The Male Lead" serial romance drama he is currently playing. Mostly about "The Male Lead" stuffs.

It's a long night and I feel exhausted. I yawned and stood up, about to go home. I sling the camera's strap around my neck and hang my tote –bag on my shoulder.

"Wait wait.." Noah stopped me, he stood up.

I turn my head waiting for him to response.

"You know.. I should drive you home. it's too dark"

I point the bike I rent,

"my Jeep can lift that up" he points his black Jeep back there with his thumb.

It is more comfortable for me to go home alone, my brain is working for some excuses, "I feel.."

"I insist" he cut me off, lifting his eyebrow and says "You are a woman cycling alone in the dark ? are you kidding me ?"

I flared my nostrils, "okay" I said. Right, looks like he is a kind of stubborn, I can see that from his expression.

"thanks" I said, lifting my bike and heading to his Jeep.

He helps me out by carrying it from my hand, lift it up to the back of his Jeep. We jump to the Jeep and put the seatbelts on, he starts the engine and pull the stick shift and step on the gas pedal.

I see the trees passing by the road, the stars are shining in the sky and the moon is half seen. Noah turns his radio on, a pop rock song played with the title Circles – Post Malone written on the screen. I lean my chin to the side of the window, looking at the road passing, the shops, pedestrians, etc.

Noah clears his throat

"So you... how old are you?" he asked.

"sorry, girls are usually sensitive about age and weights. Sorry.." he added. I snorted, it's funny he thinks that way, I press my tummy and my mouth is wide open for a loud laughter. He tilts his head towards me with a puzzled expression.

"Do I even look like that kind of woman? Don't you worry" I held my tummy and about to stop laughing.

"I am 26 this year, and I am 50 kgs" I added.

"then it means we are at the same age" he smiles, doesn't mind that I laughed that hard at him. He drives slowly when we reach the main city,

"here.. here" I pointed at the towered old brown apartment building as Noah pull his brake and stop the car.

"So you live here ? my apartment is just in front of yours" he points at the skyscraper in front of my apartment building, the glassy building that reflects the sunshine every morning.

"what a coincidence" he mumbles, eyes still looking at the building, he still can't believe the coincidences.

I jump off his jeep and carry the bike myself as he unplugs his seatbelt and about to help me with it.

"it's fine, I can carry it myself" I put the bike down and he paused at the moment. My bike has safely landed on the ground.

"thanks for driving me home" I said and wave my hand at him.

***

"Morning everyone" the bell jingles, I tilt my head looking at the entrance.

James walks in and was holding a bag of something with MC Donald printed.

"for you" he dropped it in front of me. James is so random, last week he walks me home everyday, this week he doesn't but he buys me breakfast almost everyday. I heard that he starts working night shift at the bar.

I touch the bag slowly and slide it to me closer

"thanks" I said as James smiles at me while he saw me accept it.

"whoaaaa... James" Cara teased. Recently, James treats me differently, which is so contrast that everyone can actually see it.

The bell jingles again, "Welcome to Vier Café" I greeted

"Americano please Ms. Sabrina" Noah winked at me.

The name SABRINA reminds me of the cliff, how amazing is that I was in the cliff watching the night view with an actor. But Steffi, you don't care.

Cara pass the Americano to me, as he left, Jane comes approaching me

"What happen?" she asks curiously, eyes sharp looking at me like a cop about to catch a thief.

"WHOAA STEFFI... THAT'S A DREAMM" Cara screamed in excitement.

Jane directly covered her mouth with her hands. "Stop it Cara, you will make Steffi uncomfortable" she whispered, but I can hear them speaking. Jane smirked, poking my hip, "you got 2 handsome dudes in your life you are a lucky b*sta*d !" slapped my arm hard, she is unexpectedly strong.

It's evening and we've closed the café.

"I don't have class today" Cara clicked his tongue, "The lecturer is busy with her wedding preparations, and then while she came back she will absolutely force her students to finish the tasks in one day. F*ck" she rolled her eyes.

"me neither" Jane slammed her notebook to the table. "finally free day !" stretches her arm up to the air. She looks happier than Cara.

James appears from the back kitchen with his new coffee ingredients, he served us one cup per person. He is the best barista I've ever known.

"How does it taste ?" he asked, hoping we could give him the answer he wants to hear.

"good, good" Cara put the cup on the table and lift her thumb, then take another sips until her cup is almost empty.

Jane takes a sip and say "Whoa ! this is nice !" she yelled excitedly.

It's true. This is nice, I have never taste a coffee like this. They have a richer aroma, I can't compare it to anything from the top of my head. Slightly tangy in taste, sweet on the tongue. The steam off a freshly brewed coffee is filling my nostrils and already get me "awakened" just by snuffing.

"what do you think ?" James tilted his head, his eyes shone with delight, I'm the last person he wants to hear. Cara and Jane's opinions are not enough for him.

"this is great, really" I said, taking another sip again.

James smiles in relieved. He feels proud and happy at the same time.

"Yes!" he yelled, grasping his palm.

"So, where are you from Steffi?" Cara leans her body to the chair's rail.

"Indonesia" I answered, taking another sip from the cup, not gonna waste a drip. This is my new favorite for real.

"I thought you were from either Japan or Vietnam" Jane assumed.

I laughed softly, "No, Original from Indonesia" I stated. Do I look like Japanese or Vietnamese ? I wonder.

"if I may ask, why America?" James straightened his body, eyes looking at me with curiosity. I set my elbow on the table, rest my chin on my palm, looking at James at the eyes and say "I was trying to find a life"

"I mean.." I shrugged my shoulder, "like travelling... Just got tired of staying in a place working all day non –stop" I re –explained before they assuming things. They shouldn't know the real reason though. I mean I really got tired but I might not take too far to let them know such things that will grow pity on me, I don't want to seem pathetic.

Jane and Cara nod their heads.

"so what major do you take?" I asked the young women.

"Social Science" Cara answered

"Psychology, I should get Cara a check up in the future" Jane slaps Cara's shoulder, Cara was glaring at her.

"So how about you?" asked Cara

"I've graduated like about 4 to 5 years ago taking Business Management"

"means you are good at such things. Why don't you try to apply for office? And yes it means you are older than us ! I thought you are taking a bachelor here !" Jane widened her eyes, her brain was on fast-forward and there was no off switch.

"Ah I guess I prefer working here and yes I am much older than you"

"I see" Cara and Jane nodded their heads.

"So, James. How about you?" I turned my head looking at him, James was busy typing his phone, a smile drawn on his face. He didn't listen to us speaking. Cara sets her hand near my ear and say, "For you to know, he is the boss' son. Studied coffee in Melbourne for 2 years"

I was so surprised when I heard that "really?". But, they are actually look alike if we really want to compare them. They have the same eye –color and the same blonde hair too.

"Yes, and the bar he is working at during the night shift" Cara added

"What? What are you guys talking about?" James put down his phone and finally join the conversation.

"We are about to leave" Cara stood up.

"Yeah me too" followed by Jane in purpose.

Cara and Jane left us, they are somewhere in the café.

"I didn't pay attention at your conversations earlier. But I heard you have graduated from college about 5 years ago?" he asked

"yes" I replied, taking another sip from the cup

"I'm so curious, how old are you? I thought you are about their age"

"I am 26 this year. How about you?" I asked him back. We are getting closer so I think there's nothing wrong to start a deeper conversation.

"I am 29 this year. But I do look like a high school hot guy, don't you think?" James joked as he puts his pointer and thumb below his chin.

I laughed as I heard him admiring himself "Alright James, just to make you happy, YOU ARE" I stood up, settles the chair and heading to the kitchen to wash my empty cup.

"Okay thanks" he smirked.