Checking Up On You

4 Owen

I can't stop thinking about Nora. She's the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. And she's quiet. But like a peaceful quiet where if she doesn't have to say anything, she won't.

I was once with a girl who voiced her opinion but at the worst possible times. And they weren't always the nicest. If you are going to say something shitty, keep it to yourself.

But Nora seems like she wouldn't talk unless it was important or a decent opinion that wouldn't offend anyone.

I saw her around campus with another girl several times and she saw me. I'd wave. She'd go red and get all flustered and walk in the opposite direction. It was cute.

Classes start tomorrow and I decided to treat myself to a cup of coffee that I could actually enjoy before having to inhale it everyday before morning classes.

I step up to the counter and order an Americano. A blonde flashes a smile when I hand her my card. Her fingers unsubtly brush mine.

"Would you like your receipt?" She flicks a piece of hair behind her shoulder.

"No thanks." I take my card back and turn around to step to the side to wait for my drink. I wasn't looking and collided with someone.

Nora.

She's so beautiful. She could put on a brown paper bag for a dress and I'd think she'd pull it off. She's wearing cargo pants and an over sized Harvard sweatshirt. Her hair is kind of messy like she's run her hand through it a couple of times.

She almost topples over but I grab her shoulders, stabilizing her.

"Sorry," she mumbles, moving her hair out of her face.

"You can't run into something every time you see me Nora," I chuckle. That wasn't necessary dude.

Her breath visibly hitches, "Owen. Hi."

"Hi." She looks at the counter and I glance over to see the blonde staring us down.

I gesture for Nora to move ahead but stay right behind her.

"Can I get a latte please?" She goes to pull out her wallet but I push her hand away, giving the girl my card again.

"No Owen, you don't have to," she says, still reaching for her wallet.

The blonde waits, not expecting me to pay. I reach over the counter and shove my card into the reader.

I hear a soft beeping and pull it out, dragging Nora to the side to wait on her drink.

She crosses her arms. "You didn't have to do that."

"You're right, I wanted to."

A guy reads a cup and yells, "Americano?"

I take it and smile gratefully. I noticed on the cup holder the blonde scribbled "Call me" along with her number. I tossed it out and asked for a new one.

Cue the awkward silence for a couple of minutes.

Well, not awkward for me. I'm just happy to be there. But Nora keeps shifting on her feet, clearing her throat, doing any kind of little thing that doesn't make the situation easier for her.

"Why would you do that?" Nora hears her order and goes to get her cup but still looks at me.

"Do what?"

"Throw the holder away. You could've talked to the girl." I hold the door open for her and she walks out still rambling.

I cut her off. "Because Nora, it wasn't the phone number I wanted."