Tea at Ten Sharp

Photos of trees

It's 9:58am, she'll be here in two minutes. I watch the door expectantly, I see someone come in but it's not her. It's an old lady. She's hunched over and she slowly shuffles towards the counter. "Um, can I have a hot chocolate please"? The old lady asks.

"Sure," I say with fake perkiness. "What size would you like"?

"The medium please". I nod and start making the hot chocolate, I just want the girl to come in.

As the old lady leaves with her hot chocolate I bid her a meaningless good day, as I don't know who she is or if she is worthy of a good day.  As the old lady exits the girl comes in. Today she's wearing light brown jacket paired with a mahogany scarf and skinny jeans. Her deep red lipstick stands out against her pale complexion, and I notice that she's cut her hair. Her black hair no longer goes just past her shoulders, it's now cut into a short bob style. I like it.

She holds the door for the old lady and then proceeds to walk up to the counter. Okay Tom, this is your chance to actually talk to her. I mentally prepare myself for the important event. "Morning!" she chirps happily.

"Someone's happy". I venture. That's right Tom, be cool.

"Well it's a beautiful day!" She smiles at me. I notice how beautiful her dark brown eyes are in the morning sunlight.

"Ya, um it is". I say, losing my cool. Tom what's wrong with you? get it together man. "You'll be ordering the cinnamon apple spice tea large, right?"

"Yup". She says popping the p. "I guess the fact that you memorized my order makes me a regular now, doesn't it?" She gives me a friendly smile.

"Ya, so um, what's your name? You know since your a regular now."

"Naomi, yours?"

"Tomothy, but most people just call me Tom."

She nods and I go to make her tea. 

After she leaves I feel the urge to do a happy dance because we kind of had a conversation. Despite my happiness I refrain since there are a few customers quietly enjoying their donuts and coffee, and a grown man doing a happy dance is just weird.

***

As I leave the coffee shop I spot Naomi. She's on the side of the parking lot by the forest. She's taking a picture the evergreens with a professional looking camera. She checks her camera as if she's fixing something and then goes back to taking pictures. For a second I wonder if I should go over and talk to her. But then I decide not to, she looks content taking pictures.

A/N: I'm sorry this is so short, but I think it's an adorable chapter and I don't think I need any more for the introduction. I'd also like to say I am planning to have some chapters in Naomi's P.O.V but they aren't going to be very informative in terms of her past and her feelings towards Tom. I'd like you guys to find that kind of stuff out at the same time Tom does :)