CherryLatte

One Caramel Latte, please.

"To feel the pangs of love is the truest human desire, for it comes not from a place of need not want."

Tash ran the line over and over again in her head on her way to the corner coffee shop after class. This was her regular routine, so she didn't pay much attention to the surroundings and her feet led her as if from memory. 

The line bothered her for several reasons. First and foremost being the twelve-page paper, she had to craft from it at the end of the semester but secretly it tormented her because she grappled with the idea of whether it was actually true. Her first reaction when she got assigned that line for her essay was that some lovesick fool wrote this, there is no way I'm agreeing with this shit. That was her reflex reaction because that was just the kind of person she was. The spunk in her personality almost commanded her to challenge everything that came her way. But she was a Literature student at heart. She hated lines like these because they agonized her mind which is why she had no option but to choose this field of study because the torment challenged her. And she loved it.

Someone held the door for her, and Tash finally snapped back to her senses. She recognized the face but couldn't place it immediately, so she just planted her stock smile on her face and mumbled thank you to the person. It wasn't until she was in line waiting to order did she realize it was a professor from the Literary Arts Dept. Tash wasn't familiar with her because she never took any of her classes. She turned around only to notice the professor getting into a bright red car. It was obviously an expensive car. One could tell from just looking at it. It was practically designed to command attention. But that was all Tash could tell from the car. She knew nothing about cars, she was never interested in what they looked like only if they functioned well enough to take her to her destination. 

Yet, she took a moment to ponder upon it simply out of interest as to how a college professor possibly be associated with a car like that. They get paid the same amount as the people who wash cars like that, probably. 'Anyways, good for her,' was Tash's last thought before she placed her order for a caramel latte and a warmed blueberry muffin.

The next day, like clockwork Tash was headed to the coffee shop. Today, that line was not occupying her foremost thoughts, it only lingered in the back. So, she noticed what she failed to, yesterday. That same red car was parked in front the shop. Only this time there was something else there with it. There stood a man bracing by the driver's side door. Just like the car, this was not a man that went unnoticed...if you're paying attention apparently. This was not the kind of man you saw on the streets at a local coffee shop. This was the kind you saw on television or someplace that reminded you that there will always be something separating you from him. Tash looked at him, looked at the car and felt both impressed and disgusted at the same time.

Just then, she noticed the professor coming out of the shop and handing the man a cup. They got into the car soon after and drove away. Tash was not one to assume things. Those two could know each other by any relation but the way that professor bit her lip and blushed when she handed that guy the cup, it was blaringly obvious what relationship they shared. 'Good for her' Tash thought before deciding on a croissant today. Caramel latte remains the constant.

The next day, Tash almost looked out for that ridiculous red car not expecting to see it, but to her surprise, there it was. Strange, she never really anticipated something and it actually played out that way but here was this Lightning McQueen looking thing parked right where she cast her eyes. She chuckled in her mind, when her eyes caught the owner's. She could swear there was a smile on his face but she averted her eyes so quick it left her unsure. She quickly avoided eye contact and walked into the shop thinking she should have brought her dark shades so she could look without getting caught. It wasn't that she was interested in either of those things outside. It was more of a voyeuristic adventure to her. Some things you just need to look at.

Scanning the menu up and down, Tash heard a voice behind her.

"Excuse me"

Tash hesitated before turning around, not sure if that 'excuse me' was meant for her.

"Yes?" she said, finally turning around meeting the eyes of that...thing she just saw outside. That same smile on his face. She was getting caught up in his absolute brown eyes until the words, "Can you recommend a good drink to get here?" left his mouth.

Her eyes almost rolled back into her head, spiritually of course. She controlled the action on the physical plane...with much effort. What the fuck does he mean recommend? He obviously has had drinks from here before. She saw him with her own eyes! But she couldn't say that to him obviously so she just replied, "Everything here is pretty good. Whatever you like."

Tash turned back around thinking that would be the end of that conversation until she heard, "What do you usually get?"

Ugh! Why is this line so slow today? How many more questions will he want to ask?

"Uhhh...I usually get a latte." This time she spoke with a bit of attitude hoping he would get the hint not to ask her anymore questions.

"Thank you" was what she heard in reply. Immediately she felt bad because it was said in a kind tone. It really made her out to be a bitch in comparison to her tone. She considered apologizing but decided it was not worth the trouble plus, it was finally her turn.

Because she refused to turn around not wanting to face this guy, she did not catch the twinkle in his eye when her unmistakable attitude resonated in her reply. Her order couldn't come soon enough before she grabbed it and promptly left the shop.

"I'll have the same thing she ordered," He requested as he went up to the counter.