It Started With A High Five

1. Before

You know how you meet someone and something in you just knows, that somehow this person, this random human is going to mean something to you? Well that's how it was when I laid eyes on him. That tall boy across the way with the rough looking, short curly hair.

He appeared to be around my age. Just a guy hanging out waiting in line and I couldn't take my eyes off of him. He was really cute. I was just rudely staring. I couldn't put my finger on why I was staring at this guy. Then he smiled as I watched him say thank you to the cashier. That's probably when I started falling, but didn't realize it yet. His smile. I found myself continuously checking him out from across the way. Sneaking peeks over at him every now and then. Thank God he didn't catch me. I would have died of embarrassment

You see I worked at the local grocery store behind the courtesy counter and counted the stores money. I had seen him around from a distance. He worked in the main part of the store stocking shelves. I hadn't caught his name or been close enough yet to see his name tag.

A customer came up for some lottery tickets. As I helped the customer my thoughts drifted back to the guy, and I was kicking myself for being so rude to the person in front of me. "Have a great day!" I told the customer I had kind of been absent minded while serving.

Maybe I should explain a bit about myself. I'm just shy of 5'5", long brown hair that's wavy and has a reddish tint in the sun. My green eyes have been called pretty and I'm built like a curvy athlete. Most people describe my looks as the kind no one would ever call ugly. I do my very best to treat everyone with respect and kindness. My mom always told me that you never know what people are going through, so just be kind.

*

My shift ended 2 hours later. I was working here trying to save to buy a new car. I made the mistake at 18 of leasing a new car and the lease ran out a couple months prior. I was young and dumb and didn't plan for that eventuality. I've been using one of my parents cars mostly but that was starting to wear thin on them. I really needed to buy one for myself and working at the grocery store wasn't going to cut it. I missed serving tables. Working in restaurants as a server fulfilled me. I know it's not really anyone's dream job, but I love people and being active. I enjoyed the rush of people at peak times when the restaurant was filled to capacity.

I drove home that night and went to my room and read. Reading is seriously one of my all time favorite activities. It takes you away from reality and you can choose what that reality is. For me, it's love stories. My favorites are historical romances. Most are likely not quite accurate, but the stories take you to a different era. A devilish rogue sweeps a beautiful damsel off her feet. It's what makes me hope for an all consuming love to come into my life one day. The kind that makes your toes curl and slaps a permanent smile onto your face. So unrealistic, but that's what the book are for, right? To take you out of reality.

I passed out with the book on my chest and woke up sometime in the night to put it on my bedside table with my glasses. I seriously need to stop falling asleep with them on. Groggy, I fell back to sleep.

When I woke up the next day, I went downstairs and spoke with my mom.

"Hey Jade, when do you work again?" My mom asked me.

"I'm scheduled for tomorrow at 2pm" was my answer.

"Okay, do you think you could get a ride home? I have to help Grammy tomorrow evening." My mom asked distractedly, while making some eggs and bacon.

"Sure, I'll ask one of the girls" I replied.

We ate in peace, like normal and I spent my day cleaning my room and doing laundry.