Echoes of Time

Chapter 6 - Unspoken Confessions

Adeline paced back and forth in her small, cozy bedroom, her thoughts spinning wildly. The frustration gnawed at her insides, each step she took across the floor seeming to intensify the storm inside her. She threw herself onto her bed, where Oreo, her loyal black-and-white dog, lay at the foot, watching her intently with his dark, curious eyes. His soft ears perked up as she flopped dramatically onto her back.

"I can't believe I did that, Oreo. I just... I forced myself on him. What was I thinking?" Adeline buried her face into her pillow, her voice muffled but full of anguish. She lifted her head after a moment, glancing at the loyal dog, who tilted his head as if trying to make sense of her ranting.

Oreo let out a soft whine, his tail thumping against the bed as if to comfort her in his own gentle way. His expressive eyes followed her every movement, full of concern.

"He wasn't even interested, not even a little bit," she continued, her voice cracking as she sat up, hugging her knees to her chest. "I said I liked him, Oreo! And what did he do? Nothing. Absolutely nothing! Just stood there. Like a... like a statue! Why didn't I just walk away earlier? What's wrong with me?"

Oreo, sensing her distress, crawled closer, pressing his furry body against her side, offering her the silent comfort she always cherished. Adeline stroked his head absently, her fingers running through his soft fur as she continued to vent.

"I mean, come on! Who does that? Who confesses their feelings to a guy who's barely said two words to them? He's so... ugh, mysterious and quiet, but also rude! Why am I even bothering with him?" Adeline threw her hands up in frustration, leaning back on her bed, her hair cascading over the edge as she stared up at the ceiling. "And now I look like a complete idiot."

Oreo shifted, resting his chin on her leg, his warm, brown eyes locked on hers. He didn't need words to express his loyalty. He was always there for her, always listening.

"You're right, Oreo. I need to stop obsessing over this. It's just... I thought maybe there was something there, something beneath that cold exterior of his. But maybe I'm just fooling myself." She sighed deeply, her hand coming to rest on Oreo's soft head, rubbing between his ears.

She glanced at the clock. The sun had fully risen now, casting a golden light across her bedroom. "I need to get ready for work." She stood up, groaning slightly as the weight of her restless night bore down on her. "I can't afford to let this mess up my day."

The small café where Adeline worked was nestled in the heart of town, a quaint little place with a cozy atmosphere that drew in regulars from all over. The walls were lined with shelves of books and vintage décor, the air always filled with the rich scent of fresh coffee and baked goods. The morning light streamed through the large windows, casting soft rays over the wooden tables and checkered floor.

Adeline stood behind the counter; her apron tied around her waist as she absentmindedly wiped down the surface. Her coworker, Debbie, was next to her, cheerfully chatting with one of the regulars—an older man who came in every morning for a cup of black coffee and a blueberry muffin.

Debbie, with her carefree spirit and contagious laughter, was a stark contrast to Adeline. She was a girl who seemed to take everything in stride, as if nothing in life ever really bothered her. Her blonde hair was always tied up in a messy bun, and she had a way of finding the silver lining in even the most difficult situations.

"...so I told him, 'If you think that's going to stop me from having a good time, you're dead wrong!'" Debbie laughed, her voice bright and full of energy as she handed the regular his coffee.

"Always the optimist, Debbie," the older man said with a chuckle, taking his coffee and muffin before heading to his usual table by the window.

Debbie grinned and turned to Adeline, who had been quietly wiping the same spot on the counter for the past few minutes, her mind clearly elsewhere. "Earth to Adeline? You've been scrubbing that counter for the past ten minutes. Is something going on?"

Adeline blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. "What? Oh, sorry. I was just... thinking."

"Thinking about what? And don't say 'nothing' because I can tell when you're lying," Debbie said with a playful smirk, leaning against the counter with her arms crossed.

Adeline sighed, glancing around the café to make sure they weren't too busy. The regulars were all settled into their usual spots, sipping their coffee and reading newspapers, giving her and Debbie a rare moment of peace.

"It's... this guy," Adeline admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Debbie raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A guy? Oh, now this sounds interesting. Spill."

Adeline hesitated, biting her lip before continuing. "His name's Keith. I... I sort of, well, told him I liked him."

Debbie's eyes widened, and a slow grin spread across her face. "No way! You confessed to him? That's bold, Adeline! What did he say?"

Adeline groaned, resting her forehead on the counter. "Nothing. He said absolutely nothing."

Debbie blinked, clearly surprised. "Wait, nothing? Like, not even a 'thank you' or a 'I'm flattered'?"

Adeline shook her head, her voice muffled against the counter. "He just stood there, completely silent. I made a complete fool of myself."

"Yikes," Debbie said sympathetically, reaching out to pat Adeline's shoulder. "That's rough. But hey, at least you were brave enough to say it, right? A lot of people wouldn't even get that far."

Adeline lifted her head, her face still flushed with embarrassment. "Yeah, but now I don't know what to do. He's so... distant, and it's like he doesn't want anything to do with me. But at the same time, I can't stop thinking about him. It's driving me crazy."

Debbie leaned against the counter, tapping her fingers thoughtfully. "Well, maybe he's just one of those guys who's not good with words. I mean, you said he didn't say anything, but that doesn't necessarily mean he's not interested, right? Maybe he's just... shy?"

Adeline scoffed. "Keith? Shy? I doubt it. He's more like... stoic. And cold."

"Maybe there's more to him than meets the eye," Debbie suggested with a shrug. "Some guys put up walls to protect themselves. You might have just caught him off guard."

Adeline frowned, her mind spinning with possibilities. Was that it? Had she just startled him with her confession? But if that were true, why hadn't he said anything at all? Why had he looked at her with that strange, unreadable expression?

"I don't know, Debbie," Adeline said quietly. "I just feel like I've made things worse. I don't even know if I'll see him again."

Debbie gave her a reassuring smile. "Hey, don't be too hard on yourself. If he's meant to be in your life, he'll come around. And if not, then it's his loss, right? You're amazing, Adeline. Don't forget that."

Adeline managed a small smile in return. "Thanks, Debbie."

They were interrupted as the door chimed, signaling another customer. The café began to fill up again, regulars and newcomers alike trickling in for their morning coffee fix. Adeline straightened up, putting on her best smile as she took orders and handed out drinks. But all the while, her mind kept drifting back to Keith, wondering what he was thinking—if he was thinking about her at all.

The rest of the shift passed in a blur, with customers coming and going, and Debbie occasionally giving Adeline a knowing glance whenever she seemed to zone out. Adeline couldn't help it—her thoughts were consumed by the enigma that was Keith. Despite the embarrassment and frustration she felt, there was a small, persistent hope inside her that he would show up again, that maybe, just maybe, he would say something this time.

As the clock neared 3 p.m., and the café began to quiet down, Adeline felt a pang of sadness. What if she never saw him again? What if her confession had scared him away for good?

But even as she wiped down the last few tables, a quiet determination started to build within her. She wasn't ready to give up yet. Not on him, and not on whatever strange connection they seemed to share. Something told her that their story was far from over.

And when Adeline locked up the café thatafternoon, a small spark of hope remained in her heart. Maybe tomorrow would bedifferent. Maybe tomorrow, Keith would finally speak.