When you say nothing at all [One Shot Story]

I sat at my usual spot at Starbucks while I wait for her to come. My hands were holding the daily newspaper but my mind was someplace else. I couldn’t help but think about what she’s wearing today and how she looks. I like how she takes care of herself and how she dresses. She looks so sophisticated and so elegant yet so simple when you scan every piece of clothing on her. She knows how to carry herself. She doesn’t look high maintenance or expensive. She’s just amazing.

At the exact hour she arrives with a Sophie Kinsella book in her hand. She approaches the counter and gets her usual drink. The smile she always gives at the girl in the cashier is never too old or too nonchalantly. It’s always heart-felt and genuine. It’s always contagious. And it always brightens my day. There was something in her eyes. It was like I could see through her soul and it was like I’ve known her for so long that she knows everything about me.

She sat at the seat across me in the room and focused on her book. I couldn’t get my eyes off of her. I want to say something to her. I want to finally ask her out, take her to dinner. But how am I going to start? I might look like a fool in front of her. I can’t even find the right words to say.

‘Hey, what are you reading?’ no, she might start to talk about books. I don’t know anything about books. ‘Uh, hey are you alone?’ I furrowed my eyebrows and shook my head. What if she says no? What then? Another one ‘Hey how’s it going, I can see you from my seat.’ Now that’s just freaky. Come on Alex, think. ‘Hey, what’s your drink?’ NO! That’s lame. I shook my head and sighed. This is really hard. What to say, what to say.

I kept my eyes on her and then all of a sudden, she stared at me and gave a quick smile before getting back on her book.

Okay she just smiled at you and you didn’t smile back, what is wrong with you Alex? Come on, man up. ‘Hey, I’ve been wondering would you like to go out?’ no, you’re being fast. ‘Hey, I’m Alex.’ You should have thought of that on the first place. Now, go there and speak to her.

I pulled myself together and stood. When I looked at her she was gone.

What the! No! I run outside to catch up with her but she was gone.

Another wasted day. Nice going Alex. I sighed and went home. Tomorrow would be the day. I’m really going to ask her name and number.

***

The next morning came. I’m at Starbucks again waiting for the girl who’s got me head over heels for her, who made me love her at first sight.

Only ten minutes before she arrives. Maybe I’ll check myself before she arrives. I went to the bathroom and checked my breath, my teeth, my hair, pretty much my face. I put some perfume on before leaving.

When I got outside she was there, with some guy. They were laughing together. It looked like they were going to chat for a long time. Maybe that’s her boyfriend. But the guy looks gay. Maybe he’s just a friend or something.

Oh well, tomorrow again. I walked pass them as I looked at her. She looked back at me and smiled and this time I smiled back.

It made my day again. I went home feeling happy and contented.

***

The next morning, I woke up and took a quick shower and then got dressed. I rushed to get there cause it was ten minutes before she arrives at Starbucks. I had to be there before she does.

I arrived two minutes before she did I quickly went to the counter and ordered my usual and then sat on my seat.

Any minute she would walk right in the door and then go to the counter. I waited patiently as I took a sip in my cup of coffee.

I was really glad to be here before she did. I couldn’t waste another day. I have to ask her now. I have to know her name and everything-

“Excuse me sir,” the girl in the cashier approached me. Breaking into my thoughts.

“Yeah,” I said and looked at her.

“She’s not coming.” She said.

“I beg your pardon?” I said. I thought I didn’t hear her clearly.

“She told me yesterday to tell you that she’s not coming.”

“You know?” I asked.

She just nodded and smiled.

“What’s her name?”

“Uh, she told me not to tell you.” She said then left.

I smiled and shook my head. She wants me to talk to her. Tomorrow is my last and only chance. It’s tomorrow or never Alex.

***

The next morning again, I woke up bright and early. I took a shower and then picked what I would wear carefully. I wanted to look and feel good. I want to impress her and then see where it goes.

I drove my car with the radio on and they were playing the song ‘When you say nothing at all’.

I sang along to the lyrics cause it was really touching and lyrical. And then I remembered her smile and how she stole my heart for the first glance and the first smile. Everything in her felt real and true. It was the first time I felt like this. I was weird in a good way. It was inspirational and full of happiness and joy.  

I got to Starbucks fifteen minutes before she arrives. I went to the counter with a big smile on my face and ordered my usual coffee. I gently carried my coffee but then the tissue papers on my hand fell. I placed my coffee back to the counter. I looked back and saw her closely behind me. She smiled and looked down. I looked down as well and then we both kneeled and reached the tissue papers. My hand lied on top of hers. We both looked at each other and then smiled. She took the tissues and then we both stood. She handed me the tissues and smiled.

I went to get my coffee and then sat on my seat. She got her coffee as well and then sat on her usual seat and started reading. I stood from my seat and then finally approached her.

“Hey,” I said. But she didn’t look at me. I furrowed my eyebrows and said “Um, I’m Alex and you are?” still didn’t look at me. She was so focused on her book. I was starting to look like an idiot.

She suddenly looked at the place where I came from and then was shocked to see me standing beside her.

“Hey,” I said again.

The reaction on her face was unusual. It was something between hesitation and disappointment.

Was there something wrong with my face? Was there something wrong with me? I furrowed my eyebrows. And then I looked away from her. I began to walk away but then she pulled me. I looked back at her and she still had the same reaction.

After a moment she started to do sign language. That’s when I realized she was deaf and mute.

After she finished doing sign language she gave me a sheepish smile and then shrugged. I smiled back and then sat next to her.

“It’s okay, I’m a sign language teacher.”

She gave me that genuine smile that I’ve always loved.

“I’m Alex.” I said in sign language. She smiled.

“I’m Nicole.” She said in sign language.