Julia's POV
Walking into the coffee shop felt weird. I only feel like that because of yesterday. Funny how it doesn't feel like it happened yesterday. Feels like aeons ago.
The cold air from the air conditioner in the coffee shop hit my face the minute the doors closed behind me. I unwrapped my burgundy scarf from my neck and draped it over my arm,searching for him. I saw him sitting in the far end corner looking out the window with that serious look of his with a cup of tea in front of him. I also noticed another cup of tea at the other end of the table. I just knew he was going to do that. I shook my head,laughing lightly under my breath as I strode towards him,every step I took created soft clicking sounds from my heels. I just wished they would be a little more quiet and not attract attention.
It was rather distracting even though it was soft,so distracting that it attracted Tom to look my way. I smiled a small smile and him returning the gesture. He got up from his seat gracefully,pulling out my chair for me. Does he know how nice that is?
"I hope you don't mind,I already got you a cup of green tea. I remembered that you detest coffee." He quoted me.
"It's funny how you can remember small things like that,it's impressive. Marie always forgets. I still love her though." I laughed. "I don't mind coffee,I just don't enjoy the aftertaste."
"Well,you're in luck. You're in Britain where tea is available almost everywhere." He said with a grin. He smiled so much that it reminded me of the Cheshire Cat's smile and that made me smile. "What?"
"Oh,it's nothing. You just remind me of the Cheshire Cat."
"Why on earth does that remind you of me?" He said smiling again before taking a sip of his tea.
"If you weren't aware by now,to me you're smiling almost up to your ears." I said laughing uncontrollably.
"I wonder why." He sounded unsure.
"So," I started,rubbing my hands together for warmth and also partially because of the awkwardness that hung in the air. "What did you want to know about me?"
"Everything."
"A little more specific,please."
"Okay,don't laugh. What's your favourite colour?" He clenched his hand,covering his mouth to cover his stifled laugh.
"How original." I joked. "I...really don't know. I don't have an exact answer. It's not a fancy answer." I said scratching the back of my neck.
"It's okay. My favourite colour's quite boring. Can you take a guess?"
"Blue."
"How'd you guess?"
"It's most probably the universal colour that boys like. There's no way around it. But,I mean. There's no shame if boys like the colour pink." I winked.
"I do not."
"I didn't say anything." A grin was plastered on my face. "My favourite colour's the rainbow. I don't have a preference over colours. They're equally magnificent in every way."
"How different you are." He smiled before he took a deep breath.
"What do you think about going for a walk?"
"Bored of me already? I've only answered one question." I laughed but couldn't help feeling nervous if it was actually true.
"I didn't say I was done asking." He winked.
When I was going to pay for my tea,he said that he had already paid for it before I arrived. When I objected, he simply said that here in London, that's how it works. It's not that different in America but the boys here are very well-mannered. Even the girls. Tom had stood up and put on his coat and offered his arm for me to take. I put on my scarf,slinging my purse over my shoulder,hesitating whether to take up his offer. I decided to just take it,what's the worst that could happen?
So far,he knows more about me than I do about him. I think it's fair for me to bombard him with questions next,don't you think? I think I'll be fine having a walk with a guy I just met. It's not like we're gonna do anything else. At least we're in the public. No big deal.
Right?
The moment we stepped outside of the doors,a wave of cool air blew through my hair. At least it's not raining. Tom looked down at me with a tight but smooth smile before continuing our walk. I don't even know where we're walking to. Maybe it's a spontaneous idea that just popped into his mind. Maybe we're just simply walking to wherever our feet takes us. "Where are we going?" I asked. And he would say," Well,where would you like to go?" His accent gets rougher each time he speaks. Then I'd say," St. James' Park. I've never been there before." Then he'd say," Very well." with that Oscar winning smile of his. I bet it makes all the girls swoon.
"How old are you?" I suddenly asked as soon as we arrived at the Park. I hope he wasn't taken aback by my sudden intrusion.
He chuckled lightly still keeping a firm but gentle grip on my arm. " Do I look old or young?"
"Is that a trick question?" I eyed him. He shook his head trying to keep himself from laughing. "I'd guess you were 25 but maybe-"
He cut me off with his free hand on his chest in shock. "I am not that old. I'm simply 21 years old. How about you?"
"The big 2-0."
"You don't sound too happy."
"I just miss my childhood. Going back after school just to watch Nickelodeon and watching Disney movies when it's past my curfew. I just miss it so much. Now I'm an adult and I'm forced to be in the real world."
"Well,maybe you should go back to America to visit your family. Just to feel nostalgic."
"I am in fact,when Christmas rolls around." I smiled hugely.
"That's great."
"What about you?" I asked not wanting the questions to be on me anymore.
"I have no plans yet. I'm definitely going to go to my mother's house for Christmas. I'm an only child. My dad had passed away from a heart attack when I was 8 years old. So,my mom and I moved from Birmingham to London for a fresh start."
I rest my head on his arm as we walked around the park. I couldn't help feeling sorry for him. He's an only child and he lost his father. At least he still has his mom. What he had told me left a big difference in my heart. I'm starting to appreciate my family even more now. They're all I have besides Marie and Brady and my friends back at Washington DC. Sooner than I think,they won't be around much longer. And that utterly sucks.
"I'm sorry." I hate saying sorry for people's losses. It's awkward and everyone hates it but are forced to say it for respect. It makes me feel even more terrible just saying it.
"It's okay. It's been years already. I'm okay." He said smiling like nothing ever happened. I admire his enthusiasm and his ability to change his mood every time. Just to lessen the intensity of the awkwardness that's floating in the air and to avoid grey clouds over our heads.
"Now,let's talk about something else before it rains because of my sad story."
Author's note:
I have exams coming in March. And I won't update so often. Yes. I know. How dreadful. I'll still update but not frequently. How tragic,I know.
