Chocolate-not-Coffee

Chapter 1

"Bridget..."

He let out a small sigh from across the table as he took my hand into his, grabbing onto it gently.

"Bridget, I'll be honest here. You are an absolute angel."

Now this might sound like a confession but it's far from that. It's sad to think this has happened so many times that I know exactly what's coming next.

"But as amazing as you might be, I think that we just aren't right for each other."

Ah, there it is.

"Don't get me wrong, you haven't done anything upsetting. I just don't feel like you're comfortable around me. 3 months we've been dating and not once did you put down your guard."

I looked down at the table between us, tracing the intricate designs on it while I tried to blink back the tears that were threatening to spill any second. He continued to speak.

"It just... It feels like I don't even know you. And that's really unsettling..."

I bit my lip, glaring at the table as if it was the cause of my misery.

"I... I hope you find the one who's meant for you."

He sighed and loosened his grip on my hand, letting go as he got up from his seat. I finally looked up to face him and gave him the best smile I could muster in that vulnerable moment.

"I understand. I wish you happiness." I replied and got up as well.

He gave me a small smile before wrapping me in a hug. I awkwardly accepted his embrace, no longer comfortable with touching him. After a few seconds he turned around and left the café.

I slumped back down onto the seat allowing sadness to consume me as I silently cried. Just because I expected it doesn't mean it hurt any less. The worst part was, this had happened so often that I had given up any hope of ever finding the right someone.

I didn't know why it always had to be this way. I couldn't figure out where I went wrong. I tried my hardest but, in the end, I only ended up failing everyone around me.

With such thoughts swarming my mind, I put my head down on the table, covering it with my arms as I started to drift off.

*****

I laid for so long with my head plopped down on that table that I didn't realize when I had fallen asleep. I felt myself being shook awake a while later, not roughly but firmly enough to take me out of my slumber. 

"Hey, uh..."

Oh, right, I thought sleepily. The person trying to wake me up probably didn't know my name.

"The café is closing now. You might wanna head out unless you prefer to stay cooped up in here for the next 12 hours."

Well that certainly startled me to full consciousness.

I jerked my head up instantly only to feel it bump into something else.

"Ow..." I said, surprised at hearing not one but two voices.

I looked up at the source of the voice and found that I had accidentally bumped my head into the barista's.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you. Here, let me take a look at it. Damn, I'm so clumsy..."

Barista boy intently stared at me and then began to laugh at my continuous nervous rambling. I instantly stopped speaking, staring down at my hands that were on my lap while my cheeks reddened from embarrassment.

It took him a few minutes to stop laughing, though I wouldn't have minded if he took longer either. His laughter was really contagious and I could feel myself smiling too. He looked me up and down once, before gesturing to the door.

"Oh, right!" I said. "It's closing time now, isn't it?"

He simply nodded.

I quickly grabbed my backpack from the seat beside me and stood up, heading out the door with him following right behind me. He locked the gate of the café and then turned to me with his hand held out towards me, a cup of coffee in it.

"Here you go, I made you one since you looked like you needed it." He chuckled slightly. "It's on the house."

I blinked at him for a few seconds before finally snapping out of my trance.

"Oh! Th-thanks..." I stuttered as I carefully took the cup from him, holding it with both of my hands. I allowed it's warmth to seep through me.

He gave me a bright smile and walked away, leaving me to stare at his figure as it got smaller the further away it went. I looked at the cup of coffee in my hands and sighed deeply. I didn't really like coffee, it was just too bitter for me. But I couldn't just refuse him outright since that'd be rude.

I stared at the warm cup and contemplated whether I should just throw it away. In the end I just decided to drink it since I didn't want to waste it. I held the cup to my mouth and prayed that it wouldn't be too strong.

I almost choked in shock at the taste that hit my mouth. That was definitely not coffee! It was too sweet to be.

I took another sip wondering if I'd been wrong but found out I wasn't. It was hot chocolate. Done just the way I liked it with the right amount of chocolate and sugar. I first stared at the cup in disbelief and then jerked my head towards the direction in which I'd seen barista boy go. Unfortunately, he was nowhere to be seen.

That was when I noticed something written on the cup.

I know you don't like coffee so I hope this was to your taste :)

I felt myself blush furiously at the message he left for me. I never thought he'd notice me that much! Nevertheless, it made me smile and I found myself no longer being as depressed about my break up as I was before.

He never appreciated me anyway, I thought, as I put the cup to my lips and felt the creamy chocolate fill me up with warmth and happiness. I finished it right in front of the café and turned to throw the cup away, but changed my mind at the last second on seeing the cute note.

With an unusual spring in my step, I walked to my dorm still carefully holding my cup.