Too Close

prologue

Three Months Ago

It all started that summer day. Obviously, it was blazing hot outside, causing any cold substance in direct heat to melt. I was laying on top of the checkout counter in my mother's cafe. Topanga's.

The cafe was quite empty, considering people were probably out for vacation or doing something productive in summer, unlike me, who was working in the cafe as a part-time job to make some money. Of course, I had nothing to do, except complain to the assistant manager, Leslie, about how bored I was.

"But Leslie," I groaned. I sat up on my elbows and stared at her. Leslie rolled her eyes and continued wiping down the tables. Leslie was a junior in college, who my mother hired to keep the place busy when she wasn't around. And like now, my mother wasn't here. She was only four years older than me, considering I was a rising senior in high school.

She spoke in her voice that she always used to throw sarcastic comments at me, "Riley, just because your mother is the owner and manager, it does not mean I can let you off work early. You have a job, and you need to do it."

I groaned again, and swung my legs around the counter to face her. I made a pouty face, "But there is absolutely no one here!" I threw my hands up in distraught. Leslie walked over to the counter and stood at the cash register. I swirled around to speak to her, "You know I love working here, but you can't let me die of boredom."

Leslie rolled her eyes and looked up at me. She looked behind me and smirked, "Well now you won't be, because someone just walked in."

I whipped my head around to see a boy walk in. He had brown hair that was floppy and cute. The boy looked about my age but with an older presence to him. My jaw dropped a bit, considering he was very cute. He walked over to the corner table, by the window and the bookshelf. I turned around and blushed. Leslie handed me the notepad, smirking. I glared at her, "Shut up, Leslie."

Leslie laughed, "I didn't say anything." She threw her hands up in surrender. I rolled my eyes and walked over to the table. He was sitting with a textbook on the table and a backpack on the ground. The closer I came, the more nervous I got, which was unusual since I haven't spoken a word to him yet. I stood at the edge of the table and he looked up from his book. He smiled at me, which gave me butterflies.

"Hi. Welcome to Topanga's. Can I get you something to drink?" I pulled out my notepad and smiled.

He looked at the menu for a second and perused it. "Um, can I just have a glass of water?" He looked up at me, smiling that adorable smile. "And could I also get one of the blueberry muffins?"

I nodded and put away the notebook, knowing I could remember the order, "Absolutely. Is there anything else you would like?" I pushed my hair behind my ear and bit my lip, out of habit. I tried to lean on the table, put ended up falling on the ground.

"Are you okay?" He looked down at me, with concern. I shook my head and stood myself up.

"I'm fine, and is there anything else?"

He laughed and shook his head, "I'm good." I smiled and nodded. I turned around to head to the counter. I walked over to the checkout counter to a laughing Leslie. I walked over and immediately put my head on the counter. "I just acted like a fool."

Leslie patted my back, "Relax. It was funny." I looked up and glared at her. Leslie smiled, "Riley, go back there and give him the muffin and water. But first." Leslie took off my waiter's apron to reveal my red collared polo that said "Topanga's" and my white jeans. I whined at her, "Leslie."

She laughed at me and motioned at the muffins. I grabbed one blueberry muffin from the bottom section, and I took a cup from the cabinet and filled it with water. I walked back over to his table, gathering all my confidence. Breathing slowly, I plastered a fake smile and set down the water and muffin. "Here you go. Enjoy."

He smiled at me again. "Thanks," he squinted at my name tag, "Riley." I smiled at him.

I stood up straighter, taking a deep breath. "So," I paused, "how come I haven't seen you around here before?" I questioned.

The boy motioned toward the seat, across from him. I reluctantly sat down. He smiled, "I'm here for college, starting at NYU." I smiled at him.

"So you're a freshman?" I asked, putting some sincerity in my voice.

He nodded, "Yeah. What about you?"

I blushed and played with my side-braid. "I'm a senior in high school. And I've lived here my whole life, and I work here part time in the summer, considering my mom is the owner."

He looks at me with a curiosity in his eyes, which are a beautiful brown. I blush a little. He speaks, "Wow. It must be cool growing up here."

Laughing, I spoke, "Yeah. I guess. What about you? Where did you grow up?"

The boy smiled at me, "I've actually moved around a lot. My dad was military, so I grew up in many places. We were actually in New York for a little bit of time, but then we moved to North Carolina. I've been there ever since. But I fell in love with New York, so I knew I wanted to come here again."

I smiled, "That's nice." Then, two people walked into the cafe. I cursed in my head and sighed. "I have to go. Duty calls."

He grabbed my arm as I stood up, "Maybe we could talk again."

I smiled, "I'd like that, besides, I'm always here."

He laughed, "Can I get your number?"

I nodded, "As long as I can at least get your name."

The boy smiled at me, "The name's Elliot."

And that is how everything started.