Audio Romance

Chapter 1

THE BAIL AND ARRIVAL

One year later

I stirred my coffee and blew on it and began to sip. My best friend Anna kept bragging on how her boyfriend Angelo took her out to many different places the last time they saw each other and that they’ve been talking all night long last night. I reminded myself to keep nodding every now and then to let her think that I was actually listening to her but in reality, I really didn’t care so I let my thoughts consume me; like they always do. Boys. I scoff inwardly. I ask myself whether I was just being bitter whenever males were in the picture because of what happened a year ago back in Georgia. Maybe I am, maybe I’m not. But seriously, who needs them?

I nod again at something Anna had said but I was too busy watching a pair at a table just near us as the guy, obviously fidgeting, took hold of the chair the girl had approached and helped her sit down on it in a very gentleman-type of way. A memory came to mind when someone in particular used to do the very same with me every time we went out to go eat someplace. But then again, it was just another memory. And that’s all I’ll ever have of him. A sheer memory.

“Candace!” Anna's high-pitched voice shrieked into my ear while I took another sip but the liquid came gushing down my mouth due to my shock. I placed my hand to my chest and breathed heavily as the other reached for a napkin to wipe.

I glared at Anna and when my eyes traveled to hers, you can easily see the amusement in them as she stifled a laugh.

“Shut up.” I muttered and began to wipe my mouth with the napkin.

“Were you even listening to me, girl?” she asked me, but she didn’t seem pissed that I probably wasn’t paying attention the whole time. Which I wasn’t.

“Of course I was.” I lied and looked around distractedly.

“Sure you were. Okay, fine. What did Angelo tell me last night before we went to bed?” she asked me all business-like. Jeez, was it even that important?

“I don’t know…” I pondered for a moment. “Baby, I’m going to rock your world?” I improvised and she rolled her eyes but eventually grinned mischievously and it was my cue to roll my eyes too.

“Very funny, Candace. But no. Not yet anyways.” She said and she winked at me and I made a face. Oh God, this slut.

I laughed and watched the couple again and suddenly, the boy stood up from his seat. You’re not leaving her are you? I thought to myself. I didn’t even know why I cared, I don’t even know who they are but part of me felt worried for the girl. Like everything around me was a movie and I would get to watch every scenario. That dramatic? Yes.

He made his way over around the table to where she sat and kissed her on the temple which made the girl’s cheeks flush. He said something to her which I couldn’t really make out well. I think he’s going to order something for the two of them but I’m not sure. My lip reading skills aren’t quite that heightened yet. She nodded and he went over to the counter. Abruptly, a hand came waving at my face which made me look away.

“Yeah?” I asked, still distracted.

“Dude, what are you even looking at?” she curiously asked me with a hint of a motherly tone. Oh Anna, nosy as ever.

“N-nothing.” I left off, stuttering. Why am I stuttering? I gave a one last glance at the pair before removing my gaze from them.

Anna must’ve seen where I had looked and she smirked. I looked again and noticed the guy had returned with two lattes and gave the girl a chaste kiss on the lips. PDA much? And at that, I didn’t want to look again. I felt like I could feel it again. Him. His lips. His kiss. I grimaced, not wanting the mere memory of him back into my head.