Phoenix

Chapter Three

I don't understand why I was so ecstatic when I woke up the next morning. I mean, I was only going to have some coffee with a man I, honestly, didn't even know. So why was there a lilt to my step as I pulled on a tight, red-knit turtleneck? Could it be nerves? I mean, it had been a while since I made any new friends out of the workplace. And it wasn't like I was antisocial, or anything, I was just incredibly introverted and pretty much horrible at carrying on any decent conversations, and because of that, I had a difficult time actually making friends as a whole. So, was that why my chest was filled with anticipation, with a sprinkle of fear and self-consciousness? Or was it excitement? Hope?

I pursed my lips and pulled my hair up into a sloppy bun, scratching Pepper under his chin before I grabbed my keys and left. I didn't live too terribly far from Starbucks, only about five, to ten minutes away, so it didn't take me too long before I was spotting the familiar building. I pulled in, parked, then took a quick look at my watch to reassure myself that I was about ten minutes early. I then sat there in the car, hands on the unmoving wheel as I attempted to regulate my breathing, my heart rate picking up now that I was actually here.

Gosh, I really shouldn't be this nervous, I mean, I was just making a friend, nothing really extravagant. I blamed it on the fact that I was just out of touch with reality, so with that thought in mind, I exhaled and stepped out of my car, making sure it was locked good and tight before I made my way into the building.

Once I was inside, I had to take a moment to pause at the sheer amount of people in here, everyone pretty much looking like zombies as I searched the crowd for Jack. After a moment of searching and not finding him, I began to reassure myself that I had come early and that he was probably not here yet, when a hand suddenly fell onto my shoulder, causing me to jump and whirl around.

I relaxed when I saw the familiar smiling face of Jack, his dark eyes warm as he stared at me. And while he was standing next to me, now that I was actually paying attention, I noticed that he was actually half an inch taller than me, which really wasn't an easy feat, considering he was human. I don't know why I was randomly picking up on that weird fact, but while I was asking myself that, Jack led me to an unoccupied table that sat in the corner of the café, my legs practically on autopilot.

"Sorry I didn't order anything, I wasn't sure what you would like," Jack spoke as he sat down, his gaze gliding over the large crowd. "On another note, I'm surprised at how packed it is today, I mean, it is Monday, right?"

I pulled myself out of my head and looked at the other man, taking note of his high cheekbones and full lips that were pulled in a half-smile. A smile that was dangerously contagious as I felt my own lips shift into one, my gaze dropping to my hands when I realized I was staring too much. "It is pretty packed this morning, but then again, people are trying to get to work, and I'm sure they would rather do so with some semblance of lucidity. And it's fine that you didn't order anything yet, we can just wait until the line dies down a bit." I risked a glance up towards him, my face darkening when I realized he was still looking at me. Why was he staring at me like that? Did I have something on my face? God I hoped not, I wasn't really in the market to be embarrassed today.

As I was worrying myself over what was probably nothing, Jack's eyes twinkled as he nodded in agreement, the man grabbing a couple of napkins before he began to absentmindedly fold them. "Yeah, that sounds like a decent plan to me. After all, I don't have anything to do today, other than clean up some at home, and honestly? I'm not really in a rush to get to it." He leaned in a little closer, as if he were telling me a secret. "I procrastinate a lot, which isn't good, but meh, I gotta have the motivation first." He then leaned back and put down the napkin he had been folding, the cheap brown paper crumbled and no longer a perfect square. "Goodness, where are my manners? Let me formally introduce myself, since we didn't really get to upon our sudden meeting. I'm Jack Collins. I'm an exterminator who works way too many hours to be normal, I have an annoying older sister who's a bit nosy, and I like really sweet coffee. Like coffee drowned in sugar. It's probably bad for me, but I need something that's really gonna keep me up for a whole day." He folded his hands and leaned his head on them, gaze transfixed on me. "What about you?"

My lips twitched in amusement as I leaned back in my seat, my nerves finally dissolving at his outward and charming personality. "I'm Phoenix Brite, weird name, I know. I um...don't have any siblings that are blood related to me and who I don't really associate with. I work at Food Lion, as you know already, and I enjoy a good caramel macchiato to keep me going every day. I'm practically an introvert, and, um, I don't really have too many friends, embarrassingly enough. It's not like I don't want friends, I just...I don't know...know how to approach people, if that makes any sense?"

Jack tilted his head, the action causing a couple of loose curls to spill over his forehead. "So, you're shy then?"

I pursed my lips and shrugged, taking a moment to see the status of the line before I looked at the surface of the table. "I guess you could say that."

"That's...really cute, actually. I like helping shy people make friends, since I'm so good at that. And how could you not have many friends? I mean look at you! You're gorgeous! Hell, if my sister saw you, she'd probably jump your bones or something, like really, she is so...out there." Jack waved his hand in the air as my cheeks darkened, the man not noticing my embarrassed blush as he continued talking. "But that's totally fine, I mean, I like shy people, they're so cute. And hell, if a friend is what you're looking for, I will totally be your friend. We can hang out, do some crazy shit, maybe go around the town, who knows? The possibilities are literally endless."

I frowned, though my heart sang with happiness at the thought of making another friend, and so easily too. "You hardly know me, though," I muttered, though I knew it was stupid of me to say. Like geeze, Phoenix, that's how friends start. Gosh, did I leave my common sense in my car, like really? How else did people make friends?

"Well, I mean, I'll get to know you, of course," Jack responded, raising a thick brow as he pursed his lips. "If you want a friend, of course. I'm not going to force you into a friendship if you're not looking for one."

I immediately shook my head and held up my hands. "What? No! No, that's not what I was meaning. Sorry, I just had a...well, a brain fart, so to speak, and...I don't know, I'm awkward. Gosh this is embarrassing." I sighed and dropped my face in my hands, my cheeks burning almost painfully as I heard Jack chuckle from across the table, the sound warm, and inviting.

"Gosh you are adorable. Really. My sister will go absolutely psycho if she ever meets you, I'm dead serious. And don't worry yourself over if I'm going to judge you or not, because I'm the least judgmental person you'll probably ever meet. Hell, if you ever feel embarrassed, just let me know and I'll totally do something weird and out of wack to even the playing field for you."

Something in my chest warmed at his consideration, and I felt myself nibbling at my bottom lip as I raised my face from my hands, peeking at him through my lashes. It was...incredibly nice of him to offer embarrassing himself if I felt out of place. I don't think I ever had anyone offer up their...well, their dignity like that before, and I was honestly touched that he was being so kind to me.

"I...I don't know what to say," I finally spoke, staring at the other man as a grin flashed across his lips.

"Then don't say anything. Just accept my weirdness." He nodded towards the significantly shorter line, his dark eyes glittering as he slowly began to stand from his chair. "So, you wanna get those drinks? Line's short enough, now."

A warm smile dripped across my face, and I nodded, making a move to follow him. "Yeah, wouldn't want that line to grow again."