His Ripple Effect

Chapter 2

I just finished another excruciating day at the hospital. I'm not sure what is in the air but the past week has been horrible. Everyone is agitated, including the patients. I can't wait to go to the studio and just dance it out. I decide to stop for coffee because as excited as I am to go, I'm still very tired. I order my usual and when I turn around I bump right into someone. I guess I should open my eyes more. I look up to apologize when I recognize that sly smile.

"Hey my eyes are up here," he says to me.

What in the world is going on? "Oh jeez you again," I say as I walk away rolling my eyes.

"Didn't your mother ever tell you that your eyes will get stuck like that?" he spats out as he follows me over to the counter.

I completely ignore his comment, "Aren't you going to order?"

"No, they know me here," he says as a blonde barista with the biggest grin on her face hands him his drink.

"Thanks, beautiful," he says with a wink

I just look the other way. No one wants to see that.

"So what's your order?" he asks me

I sigh, "Coffee, milk, some type of syrup"

He replies back, "Some type of syrup? Like what?"

Why is he talking to me? Why is my coffee taking so long?

"Vanilla, hazelnut, peppermint. I don't know, whatever I'm in the mood for I guess"

He doesn't say anything, just ponders my answer. They finally call my name, I say bye to him and walk out the door. That was the weirdest coffee run of my life.

I head to the studio and forget about the whole day.

The next day, I'm working again and feel my body slowly starting to evaporate. I've been working extra hours trying to pay off some of my student debt. However, I am just not up for working two jobs and actually trying to have a life so right now work is life. I decide to head to Starbucks early and just read a book. Take a moment to myself.

I head in, get my coffee, and find a nice seat in the corner. Just as I start to really pay attention to my book, I feel a presence. A presence that I have felt before but don't recognize. I put my book down and "Jesus! What the hell man? You scared the shit out of me!" I scream out.

He chuckles a little, "Sorry didn't think you were the startling type."

I roll my eyes again, "what are you doing here, and why are you sitting here?"

"Well, I saw you come in here but I waited to see if you were coming out or not. That way we could "accidentally" bump into each other again."

I take a deep breath, surprised at the comment he just made, "ok stalker much? Did you know I would be here or something?"

He is calm and collected. He looks like he doesn't have a care in the world but his eyes are staring at me. It's kind of intimidating.

"Well considering you got coffee yesterday at this time, it would make sense that you would today as well."

My mouth gapes open, "sooo you are stalking me?"

He laughs a little and lowers his head, "stalking is kind of a strong word don't you think? No, I just happen to be interested in you."

Ok, what? Interested? In me? How? What?

"I'm sorry?" I say back, unable to understand what he just said

"You are quite a pain in the ass. I have talked to you three times now and you are always pissed. And for some reason, I want to know why."

I just stare at him, "You want to know why I'm angry all the time?"