Axel

1

I S A B E L L A

Growing up, it was important to my mother that i was polite, honest and most importantly kind. She'd shield me from the ugly parts of the world, taught me that violence was never the answer and made sure i had always been kind and behaved in an orderly fashion no matter the circumstance. Due to that i blossomed into a girl who grew up without a backbone, pushed into a world that didn't seem as bright as my mother made it out to be.

My father on the other hand, always told me i'm too kind, that being so kind would get me nowhere in life. Whilst my mother viewed the world as something beautiful, something worth cherishing - my father failed too see that, he worried i'd attract the wrong people.

And yes, i agreed with my father, maybe my mother protected me a little too much. But i had learnt the hard way that sometimes a little kindness can come a long way, and i was glad that my mother had raised me right.

However, it was at this moment that i rethink whether my father was right or not.

The large sign held up by two chains hangs over the cafe i work at and reads "Bradley's Cafe." as the wind makes it swing - and i hesitate when i see the tall and large figure, sitting alone on a bench in front of the coffee shop.

It was early in the morning, so hardly anyone was in the streets, only occasionally did some cars speed past. The figure had looked limp on the bench, their head hanging low between their shoulders and their body slouched over.

I wished my mother wasn't nagging in the back of my head and telling me to help them. This was clearly a drunk, and i had no business disturbing his nap when i should be opening up the cafe.

But it was a very cold morning. So cold i could see my breath and couldn't feel my fingers.

My mind jumps to the worst possible scenarios and my feet carry me like they have a mind of their own towards the person when i think of the possibility of them catching hypothermia and dying.

"Excuse me?" i called out a few feet away from the bench, i waited a few seconds for a reply but frowned when they remained still and quiet.

I took a few more steps towards the bench and spoke again but received no reply. They looked very still, almost too still.

Are they dead?

With panic i quickly reach for their shoulder and tap it with force a few times. They jerk up, catching me off guard and giving me a scare, causing myself to jump back.

Deep blue masculine eyes stare into mine, before looking around in confusion almost as if he has no idea where he is.

I take the time he was looking around to acknowledge him. He wore nothing but a pair of black sweatpants and a black hoodie, his dark hair was sticking out into different directions and his cheeks were red from the cold. His legs were spread out and his hand rested in-between them. I watch as his large hand comes up to his face, showcasing the tattoos starting from his fingers and disappearing under the sleeves as he lazily rubs his eyes before he looks back up at me through his long eyelashes.

The sun was starting to come up, revealing an ombré of red, orange and yellow in the sky. The colours shone on the strangers face, and now i could see all his features. He had a straight and delicate nose with perfectly proportioned lips that where a slight shade of purple from the cold.