Remade

Chapter 17

As we walk down the bricked pathway together arm in arm, I can't help but steal a look at him. His dark wavy hair has a wind-swept look and his eyes are constellations. He's wearing a pea coat with dark blue sweater underneath that highlights his frame very nicely and he's talking animatedly about a story about himself and an old friend and how they glued all the drawers in a professor's desk shut and put tabasco sauce in his coffee.

"...and he spit it out and started cursing in three different languages, it was fantastic," he says chortling, shaking his head at the memory.

"You know, now I'm second guessing this coffee date," I say half jokingly. "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea."

And I really kinda am. I don't deserve to spend time with this gorgeous, funny boy who had an amazing life.

You're not worthy of his time. He deserves better and you know it.

He turns at me suddenly. "I never sabotage a girls' coffee on the first date, you have nothing to worry about."

My regularly scheduled Stephan bowling ball hits my stomach at his words as we near the coffeehouse and we break off as he opens the door for me with a goofy doorman welcome gesture.

"Much obliged sir," I tip my imaginary cap at him. We make our way to the armchairs in the corner of the café and he asks, "So what could I get you?"

"Oh don't be silly, I can get my own coffee!" I stammer.

"Drop the modern independent woman act right now and let me get you a coffee!" he argues jokingly.

"Hmmmmph. I'll take a caramel frap with extra whip cream and caramel on top." The cold brings out my sweet tooth. What can I say? I need a sugar and caffeine boost that hot chocolate just can't fulfill for me right now.

"Got it."

As Stephan turns around and walks to the counter to order, I turn my head and look out the window and listen to the mellow indie song playing softly in the café. It's begun to rain. How fitting. I've always thought the rain was promising. Life and renewal and whatnot.

"One sweet tooth for you and a caffeine boost for me." He plops down in his armchair and gives me my cup, electrocuting me with the brief touch of his fingertips.

"Thank you..."

"Don't worry about it."

"So what'd you want to talk about?" I ask curiously as I put the straw in my mouth and drink. The taste of caramel, coffee, whip cream, and sugar explodes and dances in my mouth.

"I wanted to talk about anything and everything."

"Anything and everything?"

"Well I've been gone for a while... What have I missed?"

"Well, Mason and I have been conducting inspections at local orphanages, I've been training my butt off for the Sparring exhibitions, and Diel disappeared but it seems he's back now."

"Diel disappeared?" He raises an eyebrow in interest.

"Around the same time you did, so that was a lovely surprise."

"Oh so you noticed when I left?"

"Well yeah," I stutter.

"Why?" He sets his mug down and looks at me intensely.

"Well... You're interesting. Different. I like talking to you. What I really want to know is why you are being so nice to me and singling me out from the hundreds of other girls around here. And so soon too." I wave my hand around the café as to prove my point.