Fated to Break | ✓

e l e v e n

Olivia

I got a text back about five minutes after I sent mine. I didn't see it until my class was over so it says it was delivered 45 minutes ago. Had to sit through the professor criticizing everyone's homework. I almost snapped and stormed out. Even if she wasn't talking about me it's still irritating when teachers complain. Even if I love her. No exceptions.

Sounds good. I pick the place, you pick the time. I don't want to go too far from campus so how does Canardi Cafe sound?

They seem nice and they couldn't have made it easier for me. I go to the on campus cafe nearly everyday. Their coffee resurrects me straight from the dead. And luckily, It's a five minute walk from this building so if they're okay with it being soon, I respond:

I love their coffee! Is thirty minutes from now okay?

I'm nervous for some reason. I hope we get along and they aren't a weirdo or a bitch. One wrong word or look and I'm outie.

I hit send and slide my phone into my pocket. I have time to spare and I don't feel like being the first one there. I'm one of the last to leave the lecture hall so I head outside and find a bench in a nicely shaded area.

This is the perfect spot to relax and read an ebook on my phone. I'm reading a book called Unloved and the struggles the hero is going through makes me want to cry. I hope he realizes he can have the life he yearns for. And....c'mon....an outdoor shower sex scene?! Oh lordy.

A message takes me out of the movie playing in my head:

Sorry for the late response....I'll be there in ten. I'm wearing a white t-shirt and a navy baseball cap :)

They have a simple style. Not like me. I wear simple outfits sometimes but I love weird graphic tees and I like to dress up every now and then. Pastels are my go to but I don't shy away from bold colors or an all black moment. Right now I'm wearing paper bag denim shorts and the t-shirt I stole from Rowan. Comfy and cute if I do say so myself.

The cafe is close so...I'll leave in five minutes, after I finish this chapter.

I read the last couple pages and stretch from my spot in the shade. Reading always calms me to the point that I forget where I am and that I have a body. It's like I become part of the book, like my physical existence fades just a fraction that when I come back my body feels foreign.

I shake off my exhaustion and step into the blazing afternoon sun and it instantly sobers me up. Maybe I should start wearing tank tops soon.

The small cafe comes into view as I turn a corner and my heart starts to beat faster in my chest. Me and this person will be stuck together for the next three months unless I can find someone to trade with me....if that's even allowed. I've had to work with people I don't get along with before and I always think that I would rather work alone. Always avoid unnecessary stress when you can people.

I step up to the glass door and take a deep breath, purposely not looking inside. If I find them and we make eye contact there will be this awkward moment when I don't know whether to smile or wave. And if they don't do it back? I shiver just thinking about it.

I pull the door open at the same time someone else pushes. We laugh and apologize as we move out of the way of each other. I look around the semi-busy cafe as I repeat their description in my head. White shirt, navy hat, white shirt, navy hat, white shirt, navy hat.