Shorts

Coffee Break

The distinct smell of coffee and wood penetrated the air as she opened the door to the cafe, feeling her lips turn up in a small smile. She adjusted the books which she held tightly in her arms as she walked up to the counter.

The young barista turned around and gave her a bright smile.

"Hello, how may I help you?" she asked joyously. She felt her smile widen as she looked at the menu above, moving her eyes across the words as she mentally read them, trying to make a choice. The sound of the barista's chuckle caused her to pull her gaze away from the menu and towards the young lady.

"Would you like some help choosing?" the barista asked, causing her to nod her head.

"Why don't you surprise me then?" she replied, much to the barista's delight. The young girl nodded enthusiastically before entering an item into her machine and asking for the amount of money required.

After paying, she turned around and surveyed the small cafe, in search of a seat. When she spotted a small round table tucked into a corner, close to a window, she decided that would be her seat and walked towards it. She immediately placed the books which were beginning to get heavy in her arms onto the table, before sitting down and removing the bag which was draped across her shoulder. She turned her head slightly and looked outside of the window, enjoying the faint glow of the sun as it shone, as she watched the activity outside.

She was pulled out of her observation when the barista finally arrived with her drink.

"This is one of my favorites. I'm sure you'll enjoy it," she said, still smiling warmly.

"Thank you."

She reached for the drink and took a sip, feeling her muscles relax as the warmth traveled through her. She leaned into her seat as she continued to drink, feeling the troubles of her upcoming exams fade away momentarily. The smell of the coffee surrounded her senses as she allowed it to take over, suppressing her worries about her grades. But her moment of tranquility was short-lived.

"Mia."

She turned at the sound of her name and smiled at person who had said it, watching him as he walked towards her with a bright smile. When he reached her, he leaned over and kissed her on the cheek before sitting across from her.

"Hey," she said, feeling her cheeks warm slightly as she looked at the man sitting across from her, her boyfriend of five years.

"Looks like you've been busy," he said, gesturing towards her pile of books. She chuckled slightly.

"You have no idea," she replied, remembering the many hours she had already spent earlier in the day to cram information into her mind.

She continued to look at him as a shy smile took over her lips as she wondered how she had ended with him, the man she had spent countless nights crying over her heart-aching break ups to. The man who had stood by her side as her best friend was now her boyfriend and she couldn't be any happier.

She was so deep in her thoughts that she didn't notice as he looked at her lovingly. He felt his heartbeats accelerate as he reached into his pocket and pulled out the small box that had spent many days on his bedside table, as he contemplated on whether she would accept or decline his proposal. But as he looked at her, noticing the look which she always had when she was deep in thought, he knew that that was the right moment.

He stood up and walked towards her before bending down on one knee and softly touching her hand to bring her out of her thoughts. She looked down at him in a confused daze as she placed the cup she had been holding onto the table.

"What..." she trailed off, causing him to chuckle slightly as he looked at her.

"I know I asked you here for a coffee break but that wasn't the only reason." Her eyebrows scrunched in confusion as she continued to look at him, wondering what he was doing.

"We've only been together for five years but it feels longer since I've loved you for more than five years. And I know that this might not be the best time for you since you're busy with your exams but if I don't ask you now, I'm not sure when I'll find the confidence to do it."

He opened the box and placed it before her, causing her to gasp audibly as she looked at the shiny ring inside.

"I love you Mia, I have ever since I met you and I know that I'll continue to feel this way for a long time. And I know it might be a little selfish but I'd really feel honored if you chose to be by my side for the rest of our lives.

"So Mia, will you marry me?"

And at that moment, he felt more vulnerable than he had when first confessed to her; now, his heart was truly on the line. He continued to watch her, expecting her to react as the speed of his heartbeats reached an incredible speed.

Suddenly, after a moment of unbearable silence, she stood up and nodded her head vigorously, tears escaping her eyes as he stood up to be at her eye level.

"Is that a yes Mia?" he asked to be sure.

"It's a yes Jeff," she confirmed, wrapping her arms around him and pulling into a tight hug. He hugged her back as he felt a rush of happiness flood his senses and he turned his head slightly to place a soft kiss on her temple before pulling away and placing the ring on her finger.

She wrapped her arms around him again as she felt all thoughts of her upcoming exams completely leave her mind as she allowed the moment to replace it.

What had been an ordinary coffee break had turned into a life-changing proposal.

The End.

A/N:

This may or may not be a continuation of the last story