Stand by You

When We Locked Eyes

I grabbed my messenger bag off of the steps of the campus library's entrance. One thing was for certain, I needed some coffee. I took a deep breath as I began walking to the local coffee shop just outside the school's limits. I wouldn't often go here but recently I've found myself unable to stay away.

One day, I was coming off an exhausting lecture and seriously needed something to pick me up. I had sat down and started admiring the decor when a figure in the shop's far corner caught my eye. Her golden-brown hair was almost like looking at fine silk as she brushed a strand behind her ear. Her light pink glasses dipped slightly as she lowered her head to grab something out of her purse. She looked up and for a split second, we met eyes. That moment felt like pure euphoria. It felt like a truck had hit my heart in the best way possible. I couldn't look away but I didn't want to make a bad impression. I quickly looked away to calm my racing heart. I had fallen extremely hard and I barely knew anything about her.

Ever since that day, I've always come back here. I came back to see if she was going to show up. I haven't been that lucky so far but I can't help myself. I walked in, at this point, the employees know who I am and what I order.

"Oh, hey, Angel, how are you today?"

"I'm good, Trish," I reply, casting glances around the shop.

"The usual or are you looking to try something new?"

"I'll just have what I normally get."

"Okay, I'll have that out for you soon." I gave them some money and nodded. I sat down at my usual spot and pulled out my phone. I had little hope she would show up today as it's been two weeks since I saw her. I barely paid attention to the people who entered the shop since I didn't want to be disappointed every time I looked up only to see it wasn't her.

A figure walked out of the restroom behind me. They dropped something as they passed.

"Oh, excuse me, you dropped this," I said, picking up their lip balm. I turned my attention to them and my heart nearly stopped.

"Oh, really? Why thank you." It was her, the girl I've been looking for! She was right in front of me. Well, don't just stand there, say something!

"O-Oh, yeah, you're welcome." That's a good start, what else?

"So, you come here often?" Oh, that's a wonderful way to continue the conversation, good job.

"Oh, not that often, just when I can. But I have been wanting to come here more often though."

"Really? Why is that?"

"Hmm, I've been recently infatuated with this shop. It's got such a cute atmosphere."

"Oh, yeah? Wow, that's cool." Okay, now introduce yourself, you turd.

"M-My name is Angelica, but you can call me Angel."

"Nice to meet you, Angel. My name is Eve." Wow, so that's her name... Eve.

"Nice to meet you, Eve." At that point, I realized I didn't give her the lip balm yet.

"O-Oh, uh, here's your lip balm back." I gave her a nervous smile. In that small moment when our hands touched, I prayed that my hands weren't sweating. I peel my eyes away from her hand to make eye contact again.

"Well, I hope you have a good rest of your day," I say as I took my usual seat. She smiled at me as she went to sit in the corner where I first saw her. Wow, there she is. Ah, don't stare too hard, you don't want to seem creepy.

I turned my attention back to my phone. I started thinking about what else I could say to her. I occasionally glanced in her direction, wondering what was on her mind.