"Ok that will be $12.50" a very bored cashier told me. I handed her a twenty and then took back my change and walked towards the pick-up spot.
I had found this cute little cafe located on the beach, and that's where I was now. It was a little depressing that I was eating alone. But whatever, I was hungry.
"Order number 12?" I stepped up and took the plate from the worker.
"Thank you." I said as I started walking towards an empty table. The place wasn't very busy.
I sat down and looked happily at my food. I had ordered Mac and cheese and chips. It was such a wonderfully complex meal.
I dug right in.
It was very good. I wasn't going to tell my mom this, but the Mac and cheese was way better than the stuff she makes.
Midway through a bite, I noticed a newspaper sitting on my table. I grabbed it and read the front headline.
'Teacher inspires students and helps them excel past the standards.'
I rolled my eyes. Of course I would find the one newspaper that told of someone who knew what they were supposed to do with their life.
This guy was obviously put on this Earth to be a teacher. I read the story a little and had to admit. The students' scores were incredible and it seemed like he turned some troubled kids into great people.
And here I was, sitting in a cafe alone wondering what the heck I was going to do with my life. I flipped the paper over and went back to my meal.
I gazed out the window as I ate and let my mind wander like it always did. I watched people swim in the ocean and people walk along the sand.
"Um, excuse me?"
I looked up startled. A boy was standing across from me at my table. He wasn't bad looking by any means, but he was not as gorgeous as the one who had caught me when I fell.
"Can I help you?" I asked. I was a little confused as to why he was standing there.
"Do you have someone coming?" He asked.
I shook my head- a little embarrassed.
"No."
His face lit up a little.
"You wouldn't mind if I sat here, would you?" He asked.
I looked at him confused again. "I guess if you really want to."
"Thanks!" He said as he slid the chair out and sat down across from me. "I'm actually here alone too."
I nodded my head. "Oh ok." I tried to make it sound like I understood why he wanted to eat with me. Even though I didn't.
"You think I'm crazy, don't you?"
I shook my head quickly. "No, no! I enjoy eating meals with strangers."
He laughed. "Well I just thought you looked lonely, and I guess I didn't want to look lonely so that's why I came over here."
I laughed a little. "Thanks for being so concerned for my public image."
"Your welcome!"
I'm not quite sure if he knew I was being sarcastic.
"So," he began. "why do you have the pleasure to be alone today?"
I thought about telling him that I actually wasn't alone today, that I could easily go back to Carl's beach house and be in his company, but I decided against it.
"Well I just came down here for the summer, and so I don't really know anyone." I answered
"Hey we're kind of in the same boat then."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Well I just moved down here too. My parents are actually moving all of our stuff in right now."
"Oh I see." I smiled. "So you're being the good responsible kid who decides to go eat instead of helping out his parents."
"Is there any other way to live?"
I rolled my eyes.
This guy's an idiot.
"Oh I almost forgot. My name is Carson." He said while taking a bite out of his sandwich.
I tried to keep myself from gagging as he talked with his mouth full of food.
"I'm Langston." I responded.
"Like the writer?" He asked excitedly.
"Well I wasn't named after him, but yes, it's spelled the same way."
I have to say. Not to many people automatically think of the poet Langston Hughes when I tell them my name, but there have been enough for me to actually look up the guy.
"So, I'm curious." Carson began. "Could you be able to come up with a poem right on the spot if I asked you?"
I shook my head no quickly. "I don't think so."
"Oh come on, just try it."
I thought for a second. "Ok, um... Roses are red. Violets are blue. As of right now, I'm weirded out by you."
"Ouch!" He said. "That was a little rude."
I laughed. "You asked me to come up with a poem."
He nodded while taking a bite of his food. "That is true."
I looked away while he spoke with his mouth open, and full of food, again.
I looked down at my plate and realized it was now empty. A wave of relief washed over me.
"Um, I better get going." I said quickly. I stood up and he looked up briefly.
"Alright, well thanks for keeping me company, Langston.
I smiled. "No problem." Then I went and threw away my trash and walked out of the cafe.
That was s weird experience.
