Sad Girl Autumn

Juniper 1/5

Junipers Pov- Fall

I was running late to work that morning, the I first saw them. It started as the days ordinarily do. I had woken up on time. However, my bed was so comfortable, the air so perfectly chilly I may have fallen back asleep. And from there, my meticulously planned morning fell apart. I had things I wanted to do, a lil journal entry, make myself lunch, and if I was feeling fancy maybe do a hair mask before I jumped in the shower.

Alas, the 17 alarms I had set between 7:00 and 7:45 had not gone off. I do not tend to work Saturday mornings, and falling back to sleep after my internal clock went off would have been fine if I had not agreed to pick a shift.
It was now 8:15, and I lived another 15 minutes away without traffic.

I realize how one may be confused about why I would be convinced I would be late to work- after all, I had 45 minutes until I had to be at the store. Well, that may very well be true. But I needed at least 12 minutes to shower, do my hair and get dressed, and another 15 to drive to work. The reality being this meant I already used 27 of my 45 minutes without including the time it would take me to find a parking spot and then parallel park.

So throw in an extra 5 minutes for that, and I already was at 32 minutes. I rely on coffee to function, meaning I only had 13 minutes to get to the cafe to get my coffee. Making it at home was out of the question seeing as I had broken my coffee pot a week prior-. So after the quickest shower ever, throwing my phone on the charger in my car - And maybe driving slightly above the speed limit -along with parallel parking. Somehow actually managing to have an extra 15 minutes to get my cup of coffee and sprint into work to open.

The good news was it was right next door, the bad news- the line was out the door. You see, Cafe Constanzas was no chain like Sunkin or Starducks. It was one of a kind- a tiny hole in the wall with the best coffee and breakfast for miles. With windows that let in the sunlight, a library on the second-floor seating area, tall ceilings covered in plants, and walls lined with books. What's not to love, with the free refills, free wifi, and being open 19 out of 24 hours a day, Constanzas was a local treasure.
The scent of coffee and baked goods had my mouth watering. Peering around the line- it appeared there were four people ahead of me who had not yet ordered.

The store was bustling as Giovanni and Estella- tried to keep up with the traffic of hungry customers. The store was always packed throughout the week- being the first restaurant on the street to open as early as they did, Long with the cafe having a cult following of regulars. And during the fall, Estella, one of the owners made a mulled cider and served it hot. Nicknamed Ambrosia Do Mele, Truthfully it was Autumn in the palm of your hand. It was due in part to the rarity of the drink that increased the daily foot traffic on top of their already-to-die-for coffees. I couldn't complain or fling fault at anyone else- If I did not get my daily dose of caffeine, it would be tragic but my fault. I was checking my phone for the first time that morning when something, rather someone, caught my eye.

Among the hustle and bustle of the patrons waiting inside- someone comes down the steps from the upstairs dining area. They had ebony pixie-length hair, gelled back out of their face. Adorning their body was an oversized leather blazer, a red mock neck top, and black leather pants on their legs and tying the outfit all together with black Mary Jane platforms. It was their confidence that drew my attention. And their legs. Long legs that looked a mile long in leather. I am about five foot six inches, which is not the tallest in the world for a female- but this person had at least 2 no 3 inches on me BEFORE the platform shoes. Their gaze exuded idgaf energy- and the eyeliner was sharp enough to kill a man.

It was like they floated when they walked, footsteps so light they barely touched the ground. Grabbing a plate with a croissant in one hand and their drink in the pastel strawberry dine in mug in the other. It was was kind of endearing. The cool goth aesthetic of their fit- and the strawberry dine in m.  They sent a quick smile to Estella and took a sip. Something about the mug cradled in those hands, the pastel contrast against their pale hands. And the dark colors of their outfit had me entranced as a lipstick mark was left behind on the rim from their first sip. Deep satisfaction in their eyes. Then we make eye contact. red flushes my cheeks- as I scream internally at myself for staring into this beautiful soul like a weirdo. Meeting their eyes for only a second, they held my gaze- unblinking. I felt a tad insecure about how I was dressed today. With my day three unwashed hair, no makeup, and a subpar outfit of an oversized sweater and dark-washed denim... I was by no means dressed to the nines. I smile awkwardly and throw up finger guns......

I FINGER-GUN THEM??? OMG! OMG! I SAW A FEMME FATALE INCARNATE. And the best I could do was STARE LIKE A LOVESTRUCK FOOL AND TOSS OUT FINGER GUNS..?? I CAN NOT BELIEVE I FINGER-GUNNED THEM. THIS IS THE LAMEST SHIT IVE've EVER DONE.

Blinking surprised, they smile and stifle their laughter and tilt their head amused. Somehow this angel took pity on my dorky soul and winked, pointed a finger gun back at me, then blew the imaginary smoke off their finger. If I was a man... I swear I would have combusted on the spot. - my jaw was still on the floor as they ascend the steps sipping their coffee as if nothing had happened.

"Hello? Excuse me? Hello, June. Did you want to order something?" Giovanni asked. I looked up and realized that everyone ahead of me had already ordered. And the space between myself and the counter made it clear I had been distracted. Gio laughs lightly, muttering in Italian. "Essere rosso dalla vergogna." Rolling my eyes at his antics and trying to play it cool- I finger-gunned the most attractive person I have ever met. It is not like I had fell face first on the hardwood or kicked an infant like a soccer ball. Quickly rumbling out my coffee and pastry order. A medium macchiato mixed with chai and a grilled blueberry muffin. After I paid for my breakfast and said hello to Estella.

I couldn't help my eyes from drifting to the steps trying to decide if I should be hoping to get a glimpse of the pretty stranger again. But By the time I finally got the nerve to go upstairs and apologize for my blatant staring- I heard my order being called. After a deep breath, I decided to be content with what had happened. I quickly grabbed my stuff and was out the door. Coffee in hand, I was finally ready to start my day. Walking across the street, I feel eyes on my back. Ignoring them I dig around in my pocket for my keys. My hand touches the cool metal and I place the key into the ornate lock. The winds blow the tendrils of my hair blowing about like crazy. Orange and red decend from the trees above.

Something about fall made my soul sing.  With a glimpse at my phone for the time, I realized miraculously that I managed to be on time. Accepting that today would be a long one indeed- but it would be what I decided to make of it. So I chose to let the events from earlier be forgottton. With a quick sip, I turn the key in the door and walk inside.I set down my coat and turn on the computer and register. And as the day goes by I try to prevent my thoughts from drifting away from the enchanting

End Introduction

Authors note,

Well, that's my very rough draft of Sad Girl Autumn.

I wrote this all in a day.

Yes, It did take me several hours.

I have a Pinterest board I am making for the book, mood boards for each setting, main characters, etc.