Free falling.

Chapter 2 Morning Coffee

The buzzing noise from the alarm clock stopped as I slammed my hand against it. I felt drowsy, but forced myself to sit up on the edge of my messy bed. I must have kicked off most of the covers throughout the night because the sheets were sprawled out on the cheap, dark wood floor.
I set my feet down onto the cold floor and let my feet search for my pink bunny slippers. The warmth from the fuzz inside the slippers assisted me in getting up and doing something today.
Mornings are always the worst about what I do to myself, but I pledged to my aunt to get my life together.
He was gone and wouldn't ever hurt me again, so I did not have to do this to myself anymore. I wondered if I would ever be able to love someone or trust them.
To start getting my life back on track I would need to attend my classes. I took two aspirins and downed it with a glass of warm tap water.
I grabbed my school supplies and dressed myself in my black skinny jeans and striped sweater because the best time to wear a striped sweater is all the time, am I right?
I rushed to the door and glanced quickly at the clock on my bedside table and it read 5:03.
Wow I slept almost a whole two hours!
I turned from my cluttered dorm room, with its week old clothes still lying on the floor and dishes piling up high from all the late night meals, and rushed out the door.
I made it out to the commons and could see that the café across the courtyard was being opened right on time. I was already feeling a bit better, but knew for sure that I would need some morning coffee to start off my day correctly.
I sluggishly entered into the new, sleek café that had just been built last fall. I liked the previous cafe's look because it had felt cozy and warm, but now with the University's expansion made this place feel cold. It was just too clean and quiet. The windows lit the large area perfectly in the morning with the sunrise coming over the hills.
I was admiring the beautiful photography that must have been hung up a while back. One was of a toddler, in black and white, that was running after bubbles in the tall grass. How I would have given to have had a childhood like that.
I must have been staring at it for quite a long while because I heard from behind me a slight clearing of the throat and a man asked me, "Ma'am can I do anything for you today?"
I was a bit startled by the sudden change of silence in the café to an echoing voice bouncing off the walls.
I shuffled over to the counter trying my best not to look like I had been heavily drunk-once again-only about two hours before. I decided I needed a full on black coffee to wake me up and be ready for whatever the day held.
I sat in the small seating area on the gray, polyester couch and began going over what I would need to be prepared for each of my classes.
I was majoring in child psychology so I could help children cope with problems such as anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, bullying, etc.
I needed to look like I was someone who could cope with hearing these kids stories and problems. I needed to be someone who could help another person because no one had helped me when I needed it most, even when I had asked for it.
I had thirty minutes until the bell rang for class to commence and decided to spend it in here. Other students here were zipping in and out, chatting all the way. I recognized a few of them from High School and smiled politely.
Just as before though, the café became silent again with only fifteen minutes left to recuperate from last night.
I sat alone drinking from this very sickening black coffee I ordered, but I have to admit it did wake me up.
I was sitting in silence and all of a sudden I could hear a slight breathing and shuffling from behind me. I turned to look who was coming, but noticed no one there.
Then as I turned back to my original pose my nose bumped right into an unfamiliar face. I edged as far back as I could from his face to focus and his cheek lifted in a quirky smile with a slight dimple appearing.
This stranger jumped into the empty seating area next to me on the couch.
"How are you today stranger? I couldn't help but notice that you were all alone in here and decided to join you in this silent café.", he said.
I wasn't sure what to say to him, but to ask him what his name was.
He replied, "Oh dear I apologize, my name is Luke Yearsling. And can I just say that it is very nice to meet someone who enjoys black coffee. No one ever seems to like it and it was occurring to me that I might be the only one, but looks like I've found my... coffee soul mate?!!"
I couldn't help but to smile at how funny and excited this guy was, and at how handsome he was in his simple dark blue jeans and maroon shirt.
"Well", I said, "I have to admit I'm not such a big fan of this black coffee, it's rather strong. I just needed something to wake me up you know?"
"Oh well, I guess I'm okay with being a loner in this category of coffee. Are you coming to your classes today? I know we have never talked much, but I remembered you from the beginning of the year and haven't seen you in quite a long time.", he replied quickly.
This guy really loved talking, but it was a little cute how excited he sounded when talking about just about everything.
"Yeah I'm coming to all of them today. Just been having a rough time focusing lately, but I will definitely be there!", I said quietly.
After a few moments of he suddenly jumped up from the couch and grabbed my coffee from the coffee table in front of us both. He took a long sip then after setting it down started to leave, but before he got outside of the door he turned and leaned against the door frame. He called to me in a loud voice, "Hey I'll save you a seat okay? I would really like to get to know you better, 'Jay'." He gave the quotes hands on my name, a quick wink, and a smirk that made my heart flutter for a moment.
What was this? I had just met the guy and now we were acting like long time buddies. At least someone would know me a little, but then I remembered his hands. He had put up the quote fingers most teenage girls would use when using sarcasm, he knew my real name. Juliana.
But how? I didn't recognize him at all.
The bell rang a few minutes after he had walked out and left me wondering.
The halls filled up with the swarms of college kids all dressed up and ready for their day of learning.
I hoped in my mind that I was ready, not only to learn, but to be reunited with this Luke Yearsling guy.

ATTN READER:
Thank you for reading my second chapter of my first book, "Free Falling."
I hope you are enjoying it so far and definitely look for other books in the future if you are loving this one! Also please if you have any constructive criticism or positive feedback please tell me in the comment sections!
So, I would love to get to know you... What is your favorite band/song at the moment? I'm in love bands in general like too many to name hehe! 😆✌🏻️ Have a nice day bros!