The Story Of Us

January 1st- 11:30 AM Thomas

As I strolled the streets of the bustling town, the familiar smells of the corner coffee shop invaded my nostrils. The bitter black coffee, the sweet vanilla bean, and the creamer and sugar aroma all blended in harmony. The line was out the door, the typical New Year's day coffee rush. It was easy to get your eyes lost in this vast ocean, but I never lost sight of the girl at the window.

The guy in front of me was bragging to pals about how he scored last night, yet he had nothing to show the following morning. Their cravings perplexed me, for a permanent bond was what I was after. While everyone else was out getting drunk and partying, I was waiting around for a special girl. The girl at the window.

The women behind me were making small talk about me. I almost gave in to speak to them, yet I didn't for I knew they weren't talking with me. They were signaling me out as a freak. They chuckled every now and then, whether it be about my slick brown hair or my faded jacket, they always had to find someone to look down on. There has always been those kinds of people in my life, but there was hope. A hope that was fueled by the girl in the window.

I felt a light shove come from in front of me, realizing that I had lost focus on the line ahead. The guy promptly whirled around, glaring at me with his bloodshot eyes. His hair was in tangles, his clothes reeked of alcohol, and the name Smith was faded in the right corner of his shirt. I backed away slightly from him, trying to remain calm. He puffed out some air, turned back around, and grunted. I let out a sigh and returned my gaze to the girl in the window once more, and this time she stared back at me.

"I would like a small coffee please, extra hazelnut," I told the clerk at the counter,"The name is Thomas." The clerk gave me a gentle smile, handed me my change, and began to make the drink. The girl in the window beckoned me over, waving her hands at me, her smile illuminating the shop. I arrived at her table, greeting her with a little bow, and pulled out a chair. She smiled softly and shyly as I took my place across from her.

"What's your name beautiful?" I asked her as I stared into her caring eyes. Her head tilted downward as she began to blush, her blonde hair concealing her face.

"I'm Sylvia, and you are?" she said in a loving voice still looking down.

"Thomas!" called out the clerk as she finished my order. The girl giggled a little as I blushed and returned to the counter. I retrieved my drink and made my way back to the table. She was looking up now, stretching her hand across the table with a small knife. I smiled as I took her hand, feeling a warm rush surge through my bones. Hand in hand, we carved a tiny heart on the corner of the table, etching T+S inside. I lightly kissed her hand, helped her get up, and walked out the door into the uplifting sunlight.