Exile

Chapter 3 - Tomorrow at 8 O'clock

I couldn't sleep last night. I definitely wanted to, to look well rested for my... Date... I never thought I'd actually get myself a date... How did that conversation go again? In the moment it went so slowly but now I can't remember what I said. Anyways, I went through my usual morning routine. A shower (scrubbing yourself really hard with a damp towel), brushing my teeth (using your finger nail to clean off whatever you can), and putting on some clothes (pretty straight forward). I check the time, 7:30. Just enough time to get to the coffee shop. That is, if I leave now.

I leave almost jogging out the door (the stairs leading to the door make it hard not to go a little bit fast). Gradually, I slow down to a walk. The only way to get through here without accidentally getting into a fight is to stare at your feet. Making eye contact is not the best thing to do. For some reason people find it offensive. I loose myself in my thoughts as I walk down the street to the coffee shop. While deep in useless thought, I hear a familiar voice yell at me, "HEY LUKE, OVER HERE!" Startled out of my trance of sorts, I look over to see Belle. She looks different. It's not the light, because of the times the light's about the same. Something else. Make-up. She's from a wealthy family. That's not a good sign for me.

She gives me a weird look. While wondering why I realize I've probably been staring at her for a good minute. I blink and walk over to her. I sit down. "What would you two honey birds like today?" Said the waiter that appeared out of no where. "I'll take the cappuccino with extra cream." Belle replied "I'll have the... Frap with extra sugar please." I said after Belle. "Alright you two, I'll be back in a few."

In my awkwardness, I begin to look around the coffee shop. I saw the old sign that once proudly had the Starbucks logo. The make-shift coffee that was being made behind the counter. All the different types of clothing styles that people had. And then I met Belle's gaze. From the looks of it, she hadn't taken her curious eyes off of me. I look at her. We just...stared at each other. Out of no where two make-shift cups were put onto our table. "Here you go sugar cubes, enjoy!", "Thank you Ma'am". I look down at my coffee. It doesn't look that bad. I stir it with my finger. Nothing in the drink. Good. I look at Belle who was already sipping her coffee. I do the same. It tastes... Surprisingly good. "How are you?" "How's the coffee taste?" We say in almost perfect unison. "Good." We say again, in unison. "What do you work as?" She asks, breaking the extremely awkward silence. "Child care worker, not the happiest job in the world, but it pays well."

"Nice, I take care of people's horses."

Yep. Really rich family. "Oh wow... How many horses do you care for?"

"Half. There's only two people that take care of them. I used to own a ranch!"

Geez. I'm in way over my head here "Were you good at riding?"

"Very, I was close to first place in the nationals actually. You know how they say that second is worst then first?"

"I do."

"It really is. It's painful; especially because the other guy won by .08 seconds."

"What are you hours for that kinda job?"

"Mostly whenever I want, the only huge obligation I have is to feed then and brush their hair regularly. I might actually go soon, I need to feed them at 9."

Wait. She doesn't live far from here, does she? If she needs to be there at 9... CRAP!

"WAIT WHAT TIME IS IT?!" I say in a frantic panic.

"8:50, why?"

"I'm so sorry but I have to go right now, can you be here tomorrow same time?"

"Sure."

"Bye!"

I pick up my stuff and run to work, I make it 2 minutes late. I'm completely out of breath but it's worth it. If I'm 5 minutes late or more I'm fired. I start prepping myself to check on the kids as I wonder, what Belle is doing with me. I'm not attractive in any way, at least I don't think. I'm far from rich, I don't have anything of value... What's a girl like Belle doing with a guy like me?

That thought on my mind; I go to check the kids.