One Step Forward [ON HOLD]

Chapter 4

I walked into our apartment and tossed my keys in the bowl by the door. I had about twenty minutes before I had to get to work at the Java Junction. I walked into my room and changed into a pair of black pants and a white sweater. I grabbed my visor and keys before I left. I had to walk because I couldn't afford a car. But It was only in the village down the street, so it was't a problem. I locked the house up before I left.

I traveled down the road, saying hello only to the people who say it to me first. I was behind schedule because of the scene with Justin. I walked into the shop's back door, threw on my apron, and jumped behind the counter with my public school friend Kerry. The shop was busy because mid terms were coming up and several students for Lorein Academy were coming to get caffeine-filled coffee to cram. I haven't forgotten a thing so I really bon't have to study all that much.

"You finally here!" Kerry exclaimed. "I'm surrounded by your kind." She gestured to all of the Academy students.

"Hardly," I said. "If I was of their kind, I wouldn't be on this side of the counter." We laughed, knowing that I was right.

"Hey..." she said while I was brewing a coffee. "You should come to my place for Thanksgiving."

I looked down. "Can't." I handed the customer his coffee, and he gave me the money for it, leaving the change in the tip jar. "My grandmother wanted me to be home this year. She thinks its going to be her last, and she wants to spend it with me."

"Oh... I understand Amb, maybe some otha time then."

"Yeah maybe."

I looked up and met a pair of deep blue eyes. I froze. Why was he here?

"Well, well, well I had no idea you worked here Amber Blake," Jasper said, the half-smile creeping on his face.

"Uh-huh, this is were I get all of my money," I said, feeling bad the moment I said it and his smile disappeared. "So what can I get you, Jasper?"

"Hm... surprise me," he said. "Anything that's a medium

I went over to Kerry. "What should I give him?" I whispered. She snuck a look behind us and saw him. She looked back at me, her jaw dropped open. I groaned. My Scottish friend was absolutely useless. So I made up my mind. I ran into the back, and got a bag of New England Coffee from my locker. Hey, I had to bring some of America with me. I went back behind the counter and brewed him some American coffee. I rang it up. He tried a sip of it, and his eyes widened.

"What is this?" he said, placing the money on the counter.

"Is it good?" I asked him. He nodded, his blonde hair shaking. I smiled. "It's coffee, New England style. It's my only bag from America, like a piece of home."

He looked at me, his eyes devouring me. "I think I'm going to have to come here more often," he said.

My face instantly got red. "Oh, well, if you want you can have the bag. I don't drink coffee, I just like the smell of it."

"No, no, I won't take your home from you. But tell me Amber, when does you shift end?"

"Nine."

"Then I'll meet you here at nine." and with that, he thanked me for the coffee and left.

~~***~~

The rest of my shift was totally busy. Students were coming in and out of the Junction, some were studying at the tables, and Kerry and I were the only two working. I couldn't get Jasper's face out of my mind. Time crept by and eventually the Java Junction closed and I could meet Jasper. But I aslo couldn't shake the feeling of suspicion that was creeping on me. Because Justin hadn't appeared once. He usually tried to surprise me at work: before, during, and after our relationship.

I walked out and surely, there was Jasper, leaning against the guard rail across the street above the river. The wind blew his hair off his face, and my long brown hair cascaded down my shoulders, blowing in my eyes. He crossed the street, meeting me with a smile.

"Hey," he said, greeting me.

"Hey," I said. He intertwined his fingers with mine. He walked me home, even though we didn't talk much. He usually asked about my life in America. I told him everything, including that I was going to lose all of my remaining family.

"Oh," he said when I stopped talking. I leaned my head on him, crying silently. He looked down at me and stopped walking. He took his time trying to find the words to say. It is what he said when he spoke is what surprised me and made me instantly stop crying and feel happy. "I'm sorry. I really am. I know how you feel. I really do. I lost my mother at a young age. But your whole family is almost gone. If I could do anything to help, just let me know, okay love?" He pulled me into a hug and nodded into his shirt.

We walked the rest of the way in silence. When we got to my apartment, he hugged me and kissed my forehead. He made sure to make note of the address. We said goodnight, and I watched him for as long as I could from the window.

I walked into the kitchen and saw Alice slumped over some books asleep. I chuckled, walking over to wake her up.

"Al, wake up," I said shaking her.

"Nnn..." she groaned, opening her eyes.

"Come on, you've done enough studying for one night." I helped her stand up and get to her room.

She yawned, uttering something that sounded like a goodnight. I told her goodnight before I left for my room. I changed into a pair of sweatpants and a tank-top as makeshift pajamas. I curled up in bed, and for the first time in a month, I fell asleep happy and completely content.