𝑨𝒍𝒍 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰𝒔 𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅| 3

25: Coffee dreams

❝Tell me what you dream of
Over coffee and wine
And I'll show you what I think of
In this heart of mine.❞
-Me... Duh.

Kam

I groaned, staring at the monitor screen in front of me. I scanned the entire application letter, looking for errors and finding none. Clicked submit and relaxed my fingers.

I gulped down the lump in my throat and stared at the colourful university website. My scholarship application letter had been proofread by Ivandor himself, complete with a compelling opening, brilliant body and a resounding closing paragraph. Simply the best thing I'd ever written.

I leaned back into the chair, closed my eyes, and when the door to the tiny cafe opened, my eyes split open, endorphin, pumping into my bloodstream.

Asa? I inquired internally.

It wasn't Asa.

My mood dropped significantly.

A gaggle of Castron girls in their red and white uniforms exploded into the cafe, laughing and chattering at the top of their voices.

I watched them as they claimed the booth beside me, their loud voices, dimming to a muted buzz as they took their order when the waitress arrived.

One girl in particular, a twin; I could tell from her lookalike perusing the menu, her short skirt, fanned around her toned thighs as she slipped into the seat and mistakenly met my eyes. She blinked, then, as if remembering to act "natural" she threw me a small smile before reverting back to her group of friends.

I returned her smile, checked my wristwatch, already growing antsy with increasing anxiety.

Why isn't Asa here yet?

I swallowed another gulp of oxygen and gazed out of the window. Students were spilling out of every building, the evening air abuzz with excitement and humour as everyone prepared for the emerging nightlife.

The entire university gave off the perfect vibes with smooth tarred roads, devoid of potholes and high lecture buildings punctuated with the occasional tree or flower bed.

The cafe I had retreated to was vintage themed with magazine and "vote for me" stickers plastered on the door, windows and every available vacant space. Hardwood paneled floor, polished and waxed till it shone, eggwhite walls and white ceilings in the interior gave the entire cafe a transcendent feel to it, entirely different from the unromantic exterior.

When the doorbell to the cafe chimed again, announcing the arrival of a new customer, before I looked, I already knew who it was.

I sat facing the door, so it was easy to see her scan the entire cafe with those shots of coffee in her eyes, a perfect poker face on. I took the time to admire her from where I sat. Her short bob barely touched her shoulders, thick fringes framed her forehead. Her left arm gripped her heavy bag, under her right arm were three textbooks.

Oh Asa. I shook my head. Don't kill yourself with book one day.

She had on her thick rimmed glasses, making her look more sophisticated and serious with that calm, daring look in her eyes, her uniform, unblemished. She was the quintessential academic student.

When her eyes fell on mine, I swear, I heard thunder crackle in the distance, a smile broke out of her lips as she made her way to me.

I waited patiently at my seat, a grin, threatening to tear my face open, inexplicable joy filled my veins and peace... God, peace.