Ephemeral || Hong Joshua

Renewal

The day I met him wasn't glamorous at all. Time didn't slow down when I saw him and there were no rose petals floating around the air. In fact, I was a hot mess. I'd been up all night crying, while watching Gilmore girls. I wanted a guy like Dean, who was sweet and considerate. I realize I don't need a relationship. I'm fine on my one. I have been for eighteen years, but it sure as hell makes life more fun at times. Having someone who kisses you good morning and good night has proven to be uplifting. At least that's how I've experienced it. I went to the coffee shop to feed my caffeine addiction, because yes I was like a little Lorelai Gilmore. I wish I had her confidence and stunning looks, but hey we can't all be straight out of a movie with perfect hair and clothes. I barely had time to brush my hair or grab my sun stick. I don't leave the house without my sun stick. Call me vain, but I would like to look eighteen for at least five more years. I ordered my regular espresso shot. Just as I was about to leave in a hurry for school, I saw him. Well, I didn't exactly see him. I bumped head first into him. Of course, I dropped my fucking coffee and my head hurt like hell. 'Watch it,' I snapped. I was on the verge of a breakdown, because I hoped this day would be different and I could enjoy my coffee without balling my eyes out first. I rubbed my forehead, as if it would magically be rid of the pain. 'Let me buy you another one,' he offered. 'Never mind. I got to go, jerk.' I didn't even bother to look at this face and hurried out of the shop. At least my clothes weren't soaked. That was the only silver lining. I was walking down the street, when somebody stopped me. I looked up to see the most beautiful boy I'd ever laid my eyes on. I'm not kidding, when I say that. He had big dough eyes with parted black hair. Strand of his hair were just in front of his brown eyes, covering them up. I was entranced, when he suddenly started yelling at me. 'Look, I don't know what your problem is. I was literally being nice to you, when you bumped into me as much as I bumped into you. You don't just get to yell at people, ruin their day and leave. Now, here's your freaking espresso. We're even.' A tear rolled down my face, as I apologized. 'I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ruin your day. Thank you for the espresso.' I took the coffee and started walking again, while wiping my cheeks dry with my sleeve. It isn't until I've walked an entire block that I notice he's walking behind me. 'Can I help you with something?' I ask. 'Are you okay?' His expression is filled with genuine concern. 'I'm sorry, I shouldn't have yelled at you like that although you kind of deserved it, since you yelled at me as well.' I shake my head. 'You were right to. I'm just having a shitty day, while finishing up a shitty week. I thought this week would be different.' 'I'm sorry.' I shrug my shoulders. 'Well, thanks.' 'What's your name?' I laugh. 'What's it to you?' 'I'm just asking a beautiful girl her name.' I stop in my tracks. 'Why did you stop walking?' I narrow my eyes at him and pinch his cheek. Then I pinch my cheek. He looks confused. 'What are you doing?' 'Well, first I had to test if you were real. Then I had to test myself if I was dreaming. I mean, I yelled at you like ten minutes ago. Then, you started yelling. Now, you're asking for my name and calling my beautiful. There are two options. The first is that you haven't noticed just how crazy I am by my reaction.' He snorts. 'And the second?' 'You're just as loco as I am and you're probably going to murder me now.' He sticks out his hand. 'Joshua, pleased to meet you. Thought you would like to know the name of your murderer.' I laugh and it's the first time in a couple of days I've genuinely laughed. 'Hazel.' He looks taken aback. 'What?' 'I'm trying to figure out your parents' train of thought, because why would they call their kid hazel when she's got gorgeous blue eyes.' My mind stopped working, because one he just told me I got gorgeous blue eyes and two he just told me I got gorgeous blue eyes. Then, I remembered all the retorts of Lorelai Gilmore. 'Well, perhaps they foresaw my obsession with hazelnut ice cream.' He nods. 'That must be it.' I clasp my hands together. 'This has been fun, but I've sadly got more people to bump into and yell at. It was nice to meet you.' He grabbed my wrist to stop me from walking away. 'Wait, Hazel.' I stared at him. Creepily, at that. But, to be fair, he just grabbed my wrist and just stopped talking after that so who's really the weird one here? 'Could I get your phone number?' He finally uttered. I scratch my head at that. 'I just got out of a relationship.' He furrows his brows. 'So, you're not in one anymore? What's the problem?' I sigh. 'I'm not sure if this is the best idea.' 'You never know if you don't try. Every shot you don't take, you will miss for sure.' I unlock my phone and show him my number. 'I was right. You aren't real. Who talks like that?' He laughs, while shaking his head. 'I'll text you later.' He turned around and started walking into the opposite direction. I took a sip of my coffee and sighed deeply. I already knew I was going to be in a lot of trouble. But, perhaps he was the exact trouble I needed.