I Was Saved... by the Jerkface

Coffee Shop?

Over the next week and a half, I tried forgetting about that awful night. I really did. In fact, I thought about trying to forget it so much that it didn't leave my head at all. If that makes any sense. Somehow, I needed to find this Blake Harold.

It wasn't just because he was hot, I promise. I genuinely wanted to thank him. Not that I didn't try when he saved me that night, when he just rudely walked away, but still!

Today was Tuesday, and I just woke up for school. It was six in the morning and I most definitely was not awake. I pulled on some dark sweat pants, t-shirt, and flip flops and went into the bathroom to fix my rat's nest-like hair and put on a little makeup. Normally I'd put more makeup on, but I was just too tired today. I decided screw it, because obviously I wasn't getting anywhere with my stupid hair, and pulled it into a messy bun.

"Mom?" I asked, peeping my head into my parents' room. The two lazy butts were still asleep, but my mom rubbed her eyes groggily when I came in.

"Yeah baby?" she groaned, not fully awake yet.

"Can you drive me to the coffee shop before school? You don't even need to stay, you can come straight home after and I can walk to school from there," I told her, crossing my fingers hoping she'd let me.

She seemed to consider it for a minute, then said, "Fine. Are you dressed?" I nodded. "Okay I'll be ready in a few."

I smiled, happy that she said yes. Coffee was a wonderful thing, especially for a sleepy teenager on Tuesday morning.

We hopped into her blue sports car parked in the parking garage a block away. She barely ever drove it, because hello this is New York, but when we took car trips anywhere we used it. She took me to the coffee shop, gave me money, and left after I'd thanked her. I giggled as she scratched her head, tousling her pretty brown locks like she was still half asleep. It was so unlike my mother that I just had to find it funny.

I stepped up to the counter, still smiling, and ordered a simple coffee, black. I'd probably add a little cream and sugar later, but for the most part I liked straight caffeine. When I sat down to wait, a sandy blonde head passed in front of my vision.

I did a double take. No, it couldn't be. Could it? I'd spent nearly two weeks trying to get the boy out of my head, and here I run into him in a random coffee place. What were the odds?

I looked down at the table, afraid he would catch me staring. I glanced up a few times until my name was called to come get my coffee. I got up carefully, because he was gazing around, probably just people-watching. What if he saw me?

Snap out of it Annabelle!, I told myself. So what if he saw me? That's what I wanted, wasn't it?

I sat back down without him noticing me. I sighed in relief and then once again wondered what was wrong with me. I wasn't normally like this, that's for damn sure. It wasn't like me at all to duck my head down, praying to go unnoticed by a guy. Maybe it had to do with the fact that this particular guy was so smokin' hot.

Nah, it couldn't be.

I just looked like crap today. Yeah, that was it. Normally I'd be all cute and at least have some mascara on, but not today.

I kept an eye on him while I nursed my coffee. I had to talk to him somehow, so I decided the moment he got up (either that or the moment I was done with my coffee) I would suck it up and go say something to him.

This would've gone quite well if he hadn't gotten up the second I made this decision. I had almost no time to think about it before I ran out the door after him. It was kind of strange that he didn't even order anything.

"Hey!" I yelled, tagging behind him like a little kid. "Blake!"

His head whipped around, searching for who the heck could have been calling his name. Then he spotted me. His face immediately blanked.

"Do I know you?" Blake asked, and I couldn't tell if he was being serious or not.

"Um, I'm Annabelle," I said, then mentally smacked myself. I forgot that I didn't tell him my name the night he saved me. Not to mention I looked completely different than I did then.

"Annabelle...?" he trailed off, unsure.

"Sorry, uh I forgot that I didn't actually introduce myself. You saved me, about two weeks ago," I offered, wincing slightly, afraid he wouldn't know what I was talking about. But he had to!

"Oh," he said, recognition flitting across his face. It was quickly replaced by a smug smile. "Couldn't stay away from me, huh?"

I scoffed. I was not a girl to be played with. I definitely didn't appreciate the ego that was practically screaming from that smirk on his face. "No actually, I just happened to see you in the coffee shop," I lied. In reality, he hadn't been out of my head.

"Yeah," he said sarcastically, "and I'm the queen of England." I didn't appreciate it very much.

"You're a guy," I retorted.

"Exactly," he stated, obviously attempting to get under my skin.

"Whatever, I came to thank you but you obviously don't want anything to do with me," I said, making a face in disgust. Who did he think he was? "Goodbye Mr. Harold."

I turned on my heel in the direction of my school, coffee cup in hand. I was extremely frustrated, and didn't even consider turning around to see his reaction. Until he passed me on the sidewalk, that is. How awkward is that?

I was tempted to ask him where he was going, but got my answer as I saw him take the steps up to my school building, two at a time. Perfect. The jerk went to my school.

*****