CLOVE

two

 ⨯ brennan ⨯

The morning sun cast a soft glow over the sleepy town of Seaview, Oregon, as I stepped out onto the porch of my coastal home. The salty breeze carried the promise of a new day, tinged with the lingering traces of the previous night's dreams.

As I sipped my coffee, my thoughts drifted back to the encounter with Clover on the beach. Her presence had stirred something within me, a mix of curiosity and intrigue that I couldn't shake. Despite my attempts to dismiss her from my mind, she lingered like a persistent melody, haunting my thoughts with each passing moment.

Lost in contemplation, I barely noticed Atlas's approach until my twin brother's voice broke through the morning stillness.

"Morning, sleepyhead," Atlas greeted me with a grin, his trademark charm.

I returned the greeting with a nod, my mind still preoccupied with thoughts of Clover.

"Got plans for today?" Atlas asked, his voice casual as he leaned against the porch railing, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

I shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "Just the usual," I replied, masking the truth of my restless mind with practiced ease.

Atlas arched an eyebrow in silent inquiry. "Thinking about Clover?" he ventured, his tone laced with playful curiosity.

My heart skipped a beat at the mention of her name, a flush of heat rising to my cheeks despite my efforts to remain composed. "What makes you say that?" I deflected, as I busied myself with my coffee cup.

How can a girl I barley know make me feel like this? I must be coming down with something.

Atlas chuckled knowingly, his gaze lingering on me with a mixture of amusement and understanding. "You've been different since yesterday," he observed, his voice softening with genuine concern. "I know you, Bren. Something's changed."

I swallowed hard, the weight of Atlas's words settling heavily in my chest. I had always prided myself on my ability to keep my emotions in check. But now, I found myself at a loss for words.

"I don't even know her," I insisted, my voice betraying the uncertainty that gnawed at my insides.

But even as I spoke the words, I knew they rang hollow. Try as I might to deny it, Clover had woven herself into the fabric of my thoughts, her presence a constant reminder of the undeniable pull I felt toward her.

As the morning sun continued its ascent, casting a golden hue over the landscape, Atlas flashed me a mischievous grin. "Well, since you're in such a contemplative mood, how about I buy you breakfast?" he suggested, his tone light and teasing. "I know a great diner downtown."

I hesitated, my mind still swirling with thoughts of Clover. But the prospect of spending some time with Atlas, of escaping the confines of my own thoughts for a while, proved too tempting to resist. "Sure, why not?" I agreed with a shrug, offering my brother a small smile.

Together, we made our way down the winding streets of Seaview, the crisp morning air invigorating our senses as we strolled along the familiar path. As we approached the diner, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation building within me, a quiet excitement at the thought of a hearty breakfast and some much-needed company.

As we stepped inside, the warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee enveloped us, mingling with the chatter of fellow diners and the clatter of dishes in the bustling kitchen. And there, standing behind the counter busing herself, was the girl who occupied my thoughts.

My heart skipped a beat as our eyes met, a rush of warmth flooding through me at the sight of her. Despite my attempts to remain composed, I couldn't help but feel a surge of nervous energy coursing through my veins as I approached the counter.

As we walked up Clover looks up her eyes widening in surprise. "Good morning," she greets us, her voice soft. "Follow me I'll seat you guys"

I felt my cheeks flush at the sound of her voice, a shy smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "Sounds good" I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

As Clover busied herself with our order, I couldn't shake the feeling that, in that moment, everything had changed. And as I watched her move with grace and ease behind the counter, I couldn't help but wonder what her story was.

But for now, as I sat in the warm embrace of the diner, surrounded by the familiar sights and sounds of Seaview, we enjoyed our breakfast. I couldn't help but feel a sense of hope blossoming within me, a quiet optimism for the journey that lay ahead.

☘︎ clover ☘︎

As the first rays of dawn painted the sky in hues of pink and gold, I dragged myself out of bed, my mind still heavy with the weight of unsettling dreams. Despite my restless night, I knew I had a responsibility to fulfill, a job that couldn't wait for me to sort through the tangled mess of my thoughts.

With a sigh, I pushed aside my lingering fears and forced myself to focus on the task at hand. Pulling on a fresh pair of jeans and a simple t-shirt, I slipped on my sneakers and grabbed my keys before heading out the door.

The diner was a short walk from the house, its neon sign flickering in the early morning light like a beacon in the darkness. As I stepped inside, I was greeted by the familiar sights and sounds of the bustling diner, the smell of coffee and bacon mingling in the air.

"Morning, Clover," called out Betty, the diner's owner and my longtime friend. "You're up bright and early today."

I offered Betty a tired smile as I made my way to the counter, my mind still lost in the haze of my troubled dreams. "Couldn't sleep," I admitted with a shrug, hoping to brush off any questions about my restless night.

Betty nodded in understanding, her warm eyes filled with sympathy. "Well, you're here now, and that's what matters," she said with a reassuring pat on my shoulder. "Let's get you started on your shift."

For the next few hours, I threw myself into my work with single-minded determination, the familiar routine serving as a welcome distraction from the turmoil of my thoughts. I took orders, refilled coffee cups, and greeted customers with a friendly smile, all the while pushing aside the nagging sense of unease that still lingered in the back of my mind.

But try as I might to lose myself in the hustle and bustle of the diner, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, that the world around me was teetering on the brink of chaos. It was as if the events of my dreams had seeped into the fabric of reality, casting a shadow over an otherwise ordinary day.

As the morning turned to afternoon and the diner began to quiet down, my thoughts drifted to Brennan, the memory of our brief encounter on the beach and this morning still fresh in my mind. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something between us, something unspoken and unresolved.