You made me believe again

Chapter 10

As the first rays of sunlight filtered through her window, Amanda stirred from her slumber, blinking away the remnants of sleep from her eyes. She stretched her limbs, feeling the stiffness of the night fade away as she welcomed the new day with open arms.

With a yawn, Amanda rolled out of bed and made her way to the bathroom, the cool tiles beneath her feet a refreshing contrast to the warmth of her blankets. She turned on the shower, the sound of running water filling the air as she stripped off her pajamas and stepped beneath the spray.

The hot water cascaded over her skin, washing away the last vestiges of sleep as Amanda closed her eyes and let out a contented sigh. She relished in the sensation of warmth and comfort, allowing herself to linger in the moment before reaching for her shampoo and lathering up her hair.

As she rinsed off the suds, Amanda couldn't help but think about the day ahead. She had a shift at the café later in the afternoon, and she couldn't shake off the hope that she might see Alexia there. The thought brought a smile to her lips as she finished her shower and stepped out onto the bathmat.

After toweling off and getting dressed in a pair of jeans and a cozy hoodie, Amanda made her way to the kitchen, her stomach grumbling in anticipation of breakfast. She quickly whipped up a bowl of oatmeal and a cup of coffee, savoring the warmth of the beverage as she took her first sip.

With breakfast out of the way, Amanda retrieved her phone from the bedside table and opened up her messaging app. She paused for a moment, her thumb hovering over the screen as she debated whether or not to send a message to Alexia.

In the end, she decided to go for it. With a smile, Amanda typed out a quick good morning message, her heart fluttering with anticipation as she hit send.

"Good morning, Alexia! ☀️ Hope you have a great day today. I'll be at the café later if you want to swing by for a coffee. Would love to see you! Take care. 😊"

With the message sent, Amanda set her phone down on the kitchen counter and finished her breakfast, her mind filled with thoughts of the day ahead. She couldn't wait to see what the day had in store, and she hoped that it would bring with it the chance to see Alexia once again.

As Amanda settled into her shift at the café, she grabbed her notepad and pen, ready to take down orders and assist customers with a smile. It was a routine she had grown accustomed to, but today, there was a spark of excitement in her heart, fueled by the hope that Alexia might stop by.

As she scribbled down the day's specials on the chalkboard behind the counter, Amanda couldn't help but steal glances at the door, her heart racing with anticipation. She wondered if Alexia would come, if their chance encounter at the café the day before had left as big an impression on her as it had on Amanda.

But as the morning wore on, Amanda's excitement began to wane, replaced by a sense of disappointment as the minutes ticked by without any sign of Alexia. She tried to push aside her disappointment and focus on her work, but her mind kept wandering back to the thought of Alexia's hazel eyes and radiant smile.

Just as Amanda was beginning to resign herself to the fact that Alexia might not show up after all, the door to the café swung open, and in walked Alexia, her crutches clutched tightly in her hands. Amanda's heart skipped a beat at the sight of her, a smile spreading across her face as she made her way over to the cash register.

With trembling hands, Amanda reached for her notepad and pen, her heart pounding in her chest as she prepared to greet Alexia. But before she could say anything, Alexia beat her to it, writing a cheerful "hi" on Amanda's notepad with a smile.

Amanda's heart soared at the sight of Alexia's familiar handwriting, her smile widening as she returned the greeting. She quickly jotted down a response, her hand moving almost of its own accord as she wrote back, "Hi, Alexia! So glad you're here. How are you feeling today?"

As Alexia read the message, a soft smile spread across her lips, and she began to write out her reply. Amanda watched with bated breath as Alexia's hand moved across the notepad, her heart racing with anticipation at what she might say.

But before Amanda could read Alexia's response, her attention was drawn away by the sound of raised voices from across the café. She turned to see a group of customers at one of the tables, their voices filled with disdain as they made derogatory comments about Amanda's deafness.

Amanda's heart sank at the hurtful words, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment as she struggled to maintain her composure. But before she could respond, Bailey, her best friend and manager, stepped in, her voice firm as she ordered the customers to leave the café immediately.

As the rude customers made a hasty exit, Amanda felt a surge of gratitude towards Bailey for standing up for her. She turned back to Alexia, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and apology as she wrote out a quick message on her notepad.

"I'm so sorry you had to witness that," she wrote, her hand trembling slightly with emotion. "Some people can be so cruel."

Alexia read the message, her expression softening with sympathy as she reached out to place a comforting hand on Amanda's shoulder. Despite the lack of words, the gesture spoke volumes, and Amanda felt a wave of gratitude wash over her at the simple act of kindness.

With a reassuring smile, Alexia began to write out a response on the notepad, her words filled with warmth and understanding. As Amanda read the message, a sense of relief washed over her, and she felt a weight lift from her shoulders.

In that moment, as they stood together at the cash register, Amanda knew that she had found a true friend in Alexia—a friend who accepted her for who she was, flaws and all. And as they exchanged smiles and laughter, Amanda couldn't help but feel a sense of hope blossoming within her heart, a hope for a future filled with friendship, love, and understanding.