We meet at Dawn

Chapter fifteen - Dawn

It's the last day going to work, I arrived at 4pm and started preparing the last pastries. Sundays are usually busy, but today its quiet and empty. Maybe the customers aren't coming, because the sky is grey and sad. Or maybe they just didn't want to say goodbye to the place that had served them well for the past 12 years.

It was only me working, so I turned on the radio and started mopping the floor. After all, it can never be clean enough. I enjoyed the classic music filling my ears of its' sweet words, and at the blink of an eye the sky came falling down. Water was pouring down, and I loved the sound of rain. It remined me of home, my old home. It
reminded me of Seattle and its' terrible weather. But it also remined me of all the horrible things that happened to me, and also the good. But even the good ones got soaked into the dark. I snapped out of it, remining myself that the past was something to leave behind, nothing more than a ghost of who you used to be. And I for sure, was not her anymore.

I'm a smart, strong woman who knows what she
wants in life. I know my value now, and I am for sure adding tax into it. I will conquer anything that stands in my way and I'll - ''Excuse me?'' I was so startled I almost tripped over my own two feet. I turned around and there was two men standing by the register. ''Well, can we order?'' I fixed my apron and coughed a little. ''I'm so sorry
for the wait, what can I do for you?'' The first guy bought a small black with a salmon salad, and the other ordered a sparkling water and a low carb salad. Which was pretty much salad, cucumber, tomato and a tiny bit of olive oil. He must be a sad man, why buy a salad for $7,5 when you can make this at home for $2? I made their food and served them with a big smile on my face. After all, they might be our last customers. I was cleaning up the kitchen when I heard them welcome someone, so I quickly washed up and went for the register. When I got there, I saw a face I will never forget. It was him, the stranger from the library a couple of weeks ago. And he
looked even more surreal in this small café.

''Good afternoon, what can I get you?'' I gently looked at him and smiled from the corner of my mouth. ''I'd like a big coffee, black. And also, a piece of mud cake. I round him up, and then started making his coffee. I was so nervous I almost spilled it all over myself. I gently placed the coffee and cake besides him, without disturbing their conversation. As I was turning around, he grabbed my arm, ''May I get a little cream for the cake?'' I gave him a gentle nod
and hurried back to the kitchen. I placed the cream in a little cup and went back to their table. After almost 2 hours they were about to leave, when the man who had caught my eye walked up to me. ''I'd like to order another coffee, if you're still open.'' he said, and strangely enough I hadn't noticed what a dark and silky voice he has.

''Of course, you want it to go?'' he turned around to his company and then back to me. ''No, I'll be staying a little while more.'' I nod and as I made his coffee, his friends said their goodbyes and left.
The café was left empty, and I wondered why he stayed. He just sat there, drinking his coffee in silence. I tried to focus on cleaning, and making sure everything was clean and tidy. But I found myself looking back at him.

And as my eyes reached his, I could see how his emerald eyes caught mine. I didn't look away this time, instead I keep my glace and made sure he knew that I remembered him. His eyes were divine and the more I looked, the more I noticed
how appealing he was. I straightened my back, and gave him a little smile from the glimpse of my eye. A part of me was hoping fora conversation, or just a simple hello, or goodbye. But he gave me nothing, instead he rose up and handed me the cup. I looked at him, and his eyes was cold. He turned around and left, so there I stood. Alone in the night fall.

The next morning was like anyone else, I pretty much woke up, had some coffee and got ready. The only difference today was that I got an early call about an apartment. The woman asked if I could come and look at it once my classes had ended. Too which, I agreed. So, instead of wearing my usually turtleneck shirt, and only black clothing. I threw on a black blouse, a Sacramento green blazer and a pair of black
trousers. And also, a pair of black heels witch, was truly unlike me. But I wanted to make a good first impression, so I had to dress the part. I hurried to class, and today was the first day I got late. And I barely got any coffee this morning, so I had to make a stop on my way to the cafeteria and get one. ''Ms. Foster, may I ask why you are
almost 30 minuets late?'' Professor McGregor said. I never liked him as a man, but I have to admit that he was a great teacher and mentor. ''I'm sorry, I got my period and forgot my supplies.'' Easiest way to make him shut the fuck up, no man will ever question anything ever again after hearing that. He started blushing and cough, and you could almost see his forehead turning shining wet. ''Just take a seat will you.'' he said and continued with class. I meet up with Sam right after class and I was going to
inform her about my moving out. But as always, I didn't get a word in before she was telling me what happened with her new guy.
''So, has Professor Grey asked you out yet?'' I gently closed my locker and gave her a wicked grim. ''I have not seen him, I told you. It's not happening.'' Sam crossed her arm like a little kid and took a big breath. ''Well, you'll see he is going to. And you will want to date him. The man is so
sexy!'' and that's when it struck me, she could date him. After all, he was all she was talking about. ''Well, Sam. If he is so good looking, why don't you date him?'' her eyes gave me a strange glare, like I had told her to go and commit a crime. ''No, I couldn't do that. Anyways I've already tried, and he made sure that I got the message that he was not interested.'' she plucked a string of hair and quickly entered the classroom.

When school was done, I took a cab to the apartment. It was stunning, high ceiling with a big living room, combined with a kitchen. The bedroom was a perfect size to where you'd fit a big bed, a desk and a bookshelf. The rent wasn't bad at all, but the only bad thing was that I would have to leave extra early for school. But I took it, it was time to spread my wings and become independent. I took a cab back to school to finish off my paper, just so that I had more time to apply for a job nearby my new place. I plugged in some classic music and studied away. As always, the library was empty, and the halls was so quiet you could hear the smallest noise.

I finished my paper and emailed it forward to Ms. Collins. I looked at the time and realized I had
been here for almost 3 hours. I packed my stuff and as I was about to exit the library the door flew right open and punched my face. ''Watch it!'' I yelled as I was holding my sour nose. ''I'm so sorry! Are you all, right?'' the voice sounded familiar, and when I removed my hand from my face, I saw him. The same man I saw here, and also the same man who entered my coffee shop. ''Here let me help you.'' he said and guided me over to a chair. He gathered my stuff and gently examined my face for any injures. ''It looks all right; it may hurt a little. But I don't think it'll bruise.'' My face got all warm, and my head felt sour.
He really did slam the door in my face, so hard it felt like my brain was giving an echo. I tried standing up, but my head felt heavy like stone, so I fell down on the chair once more. ''Here, eat this.'' he said and handed me a piece of candy. It was a cherry candy, and in the middle, it was a little sour. And I hated everything sour. I gave him a funny face as I tried my best to eat the rest of it.

''Thanks'' I said and gently stood up. He took my arm and guided me on to my feet, gosh why is this always happening to me? ''You work at that Café downtown, right?'' he looked at me in a way words can't describe. His eyes were hungry, almost starving. And if you'd look again, they were to look bold. Like he was waiting to take
something. ''Well, I worked there. It's closed.'' I gently whispered. ''That's too bad. I truly enjoyed your coffee.'' He said mildly. ''I'm Asher, by the way.'' Asher? What a lovely name, perfectly suited for a man like himself. He did look like an Asher, with that all to blonde hair of his. ''I'm Dawn. Nice to meet you. And well, thank you for...''

I gestured towards all of me, trying to thank the man that slammed a door in my face. ''Don't thank me. I just punched you in the face, with a door.'' he said, as he leaned over and brushed a hair from my face. My knees felt fragile, and I didn't think such a little thing could make me swoon. But it did.
''Well, I should get going.'' I mumbled carefully, like I was afraid of my own voice. ''Of course, it was a pleasure meting you, Dawn.'' I gently smiled and walked away. I tossed myself in bed and screamed down my pillow. I'm such a mess, and so awkward.
Why can't I just be normal? Instead, I have to embarrass myself everywhere I go.
Hopefully I look with a black eye.