coffee shop

♨

The sun shines through the big window of the coffee shop. I get more comfortable in my seat and open my laptop. Preparing myself for the inspiration that was surely on its way. My fingers already twitching, even if I still didn't have a subject to start with. But that wasn't the problem, I just needed to start writing, just needed to let the words flow. I look up at my surroundings. The place not too busy for a Saturday afternoon. I guess people had better things to do than sit around and drink a cafe grande. I smile and turn on my writing program. What will it be today? A love story... a murder of an innocent... a modern fairy tale? I look up again searching for a new inspiration.

I stare at the elderly couple at the corner drinking tea and reading a newspaper.

A single piece of carrot cake on the table. I narrow my eyes.

No... that's not it. I let my eyes wander to a small table where a guy sits. He's tall, good-looking and is doing a crosswords puzzle. I shake my head. Not today. I never really liked beards. Did people not know how many bacterias where there? I smile, I was weird in the small stuff, but I didn't really care. I look down at my laptop and notice the empty coffee cup. Not good at all... I stand up and go to the counter.

Excuse me, I ordered a big cinnamon latte? - I say to the nice looking, older lady behind the counter. She looks at me, lowers her glasses and says.

Of course, sugar... coming right up - the woman seems somehow distracted, a yellow letter lying beside her. It's addressed to Molly. I narrow my eyes. My brain already sparking up by some story that is moving around in my brain.

That's okay. I can wait... - I stare as she disappears behind a small door and I start thinking about the possibilities. What could be on that letter that made her so distracted? Was her name Molly? I get lost in my own reality. Fresh dialogs playing out before my eyes. I see her past, family members, the way she looked when she was young... and I am sure that she was a beauty. I look back to my laptop, my mind buzzing like crazy. The good crazy, that let me to a story so many times before.

There you go sweetheart... A big macchiato with some extra sugar - the woman says breaking me out of my trans.

What...? No, that's not what I ordered. I wanted a cinnamon latte... - I say a bit irritated, the details of my story already altering as I look at her.

Really? I was sure that you ordered... - and before the poor woman can finish her sentence, somebody else speaks breaking my annoyance.

Excuse me... I think that was for me... - I look up, at the woman saying those words and I gasp. She is beautiful. Red hair cascading to her shoulders, blue, greenish eyes staring at me patiently. I hear my heartbeat quicken as she smiles at me. I stare back at the lady behind the counter, not sure what to do next and let her take control over the situation.

Yes, that's right. A macchiato for you... and the cinnamon latte for... - She looks at the name on the cup - ...for Lucy - she stars at me, apologetically. I clear my throat.

Yes, that's right... it's for me - I feel very awkward and look up at the girl standing by my side and smiling at me. Her freckles grabbing my stare. Like a milky way of brown stars. As I look at her, feeling a blush spread, she stares around, confused. I follow her stare and frown. There seems to be a lot more people than before. All of the tables busy now.

Oh man. I guess I will just drink it outside - she sighs quietly and just rolls her eyes. Like she has done this too many times before. A heavy, oversized bag, biting into her jacket, a black laptop sticking out. I furrow my eyebrows.

You write? - I ask pointing out to her bag and looking at her colorful scarf wrapped loosely around her neck. I look up at her and she is smiling and giving me a tired stare. I stare up, noticing that she is about seven centimeters taller than me but definitely younger. Her face looks so young and adorable. As if she could be in her early twenties but at the same time might be as well 16... but I see that her eyes are much older. Wiser.

Yeah, I try. But it doesn't always work out. My mind being all over the place. Thinking too much at once... oh well, no writing today - she looks around, the place more busy then a minute before.

You can sit with me... - I say and point out to my chair. Somehow certain that I wasn't going to let her go so easy... at least not today.

Really? That would be fantastic... - her smile wides and my heart beat quickens again. She grabs her coffee and her phone. A picture of donuts at the back of it.

She sees my stare and smiles again, a blush spreading on her cheeks and neck.

I can feel butterflies start to flatter in the bottom of my stomach - Oh... I know, I'm a total nerd sometimes...

You kidding, did you see the back of my laptop? It's covered in superhero stuff - she smiles back, somehow relieved. I look at her hand as she grabs the coffee and I stare at a little tattoo slipping out of her sleeve. I grab her wrist without thinking - Is that a triquetra? - I ask as my fingers touch her wrist and my thumb starts to make circles on her skin. I look up at her and I can see that her blush is spreading, right up to her cleavage. I clear my throat again and let go of her hand.

Oh, that. It's just from a TV show I love... just silly stuff about witches - she smiles and rubs her hand.

I think I know which one you are talking about... the one about the charmed ones? - I ask and she nods with a shy smile - Mmm, sorry about attacking you - I laugh out and she smiles again, melting my insides.

No problem. Let's just sit. My arm is killing me from this bag... why I always take everything with me seems a mystery to me...

Yeah, I know the feeling - I say and guide her to the table.

We sit there and I watch her unpack. Opening her computer... pulling out an additional notepad... pencils... tattoo designs... taking off her scarf and reviling a slender neck.

I clear my throat again and start to write. Pretending that for the first time in my life, I don't have an instant girl crush happening... hitting me against the head... with a heavy brick.

Thank you for doing this, I would hate to get back home... after telling everyone I was out for the whole day... you know?

Oh, you don't have to tell me twice... I like my free time too... hey, what's your name? I didn't have the chance to ask before... - I say, thinking that was an understatement of the year. My brain working on slow motion today. Talk about coincidence... if I didn't get the wrong coffee I wouldn't even notice her. Just writing a silly story about simple distractions... though on the other hand I just changed my distractions.

My name? Just call me Addi... it's a nickname, you could say... - She smiles at me with a full-on grin and can hear a pencil falling to the ground. Before I can even move, she picks it up and hands it to me. I take it a bit dazed and smile back, as my fingers grace against hers. Electricity surging through my body and making me jump... she does the same and pulls a strand of her hair behind her ear. And I suddenly wish I could do that for her.

Addi... I like it. It suits you perfectly.

Yeah, I like it too... and your name is Lucy... of course, you're such a Lucy - She grins at me and stares intensly, a sly smile filling her lips. Her stare moving to the sides - You know, nothing helps the inspiration more than some sugar... want to share a rose jam donut? - she asks, her smile turning surprisingly dark. I burst out laughing.

Sure... but how about making it two? - I lift my eyebrows and twitch them in a fake seductive way. She bursts out laughing again.

A little menace, huh? Well fine by me, hon... I'm always up for some fun...

I blush and start to write again but can't stop myself and look up. She is staring at me, putting her head to the side. I furrow my eyebrows as she smiles and then leans in.

I freeze for a moment as she grabs a strand of my hear and pulls it through her fingers.

I always wish I had hair like you... - she says dreamily and puls the strand behind my ear, the touch of her skin on mine setting a small fire inside... and before I can stop myself and think things through... I lean in too, and kiss her softly on the lips... I pull back and stare at her surprised expression.

Sorry, I just needed to do that at least once.

Her eyes turn wider and then she smiles back at me and leans closer, putting a hand on my cheek and kisses me softly, then quickly pulls away.

You can't just stop at one... - She grins at me and then sips on her coffee, having the most innocent expression on her face that I have ever seen. I keep staring at her as she starts to write... like nothing ever happened. I shake my head.

True, one is just not enough... what are you writing? - I ask as I try to regain some composure.

Just a story about coincidence and the smell of a cinnamon latte...

Yeah, I had something similar in mind... I think I will call it "the coffee shop".

............................................