AU : college + part-time job
Threadbare and dark branches allow gobs of powdery snow between their winter-brittle bodies. Ice treacherously skirts the cement steps that lead him away from campus -- hastily scraped away as a service to its students though the handrails still remain glossed and slippery; dangerously translucent. Judar wrenches his fingers away with a scowl, curling frostbitten and red-tipped fingers into the limited warmth of his opposite palm.Â
Thankfully, the destination isnât far. He makes his way through the uppermost parking lot; quickly beats the path of winding sidewalks over frozen earth, and while his heart doesnât quite pound with the anticipation of showing up for his newly obtained job Judar can at least look forward to a heated building for the remainder of the afternoon. The campus bookstore moonlights as a student cafĂ© and comes into view at the foot of a particularly slushy set of stairs - as the soles of his shoes skid over an unseen sheet of ice, he murmurs aloud that maybe âlooking forwardâ couldnât be less of an understatement.Â
The door chimes as he lets himself in. Judar notes the heavy festive bells tied to the knob on the inside, takes the place in as the central heating immediately permeates his miserable pores. Behind the counter, he notices, is another young man around his age - mismatched eyes and a watery mouth that softens as he politely beckons the last of his customers from their place in line. Cute, he supposes, if a little sad. His lips curve upward in a catlike grin as he slinks over, waiting for the customers to take their leave, wider as they finally walk away.
âHey,â he says, a playful lilt to his voice as he leans across the counter. âIâm Judar. Guess weâll be working together from now on.â

















