The Shop

Chapter 1

    I could hear Tara's alarm clock from my side of the bed and groaned as I pulled our bed sheets over my head. I waited for her to sit up and shut that damn thing off, but she didn't budge. I sighed and caved in, sitting up and leaning over her body trying not to wake her. I tapped on her iPhone screen to snooze the damn thing, then I collapsed back into bed. I always wondered what her motive was for setting that thing. It's not like she ever woke up. I shifted my body weight to face her and saw her calm, peaceful face turned towards me. I traced the outline of her beautiful lips and caressed the side of her face. I leaned in and brushed my lips against hers before pulling away. She smelled like strawberry shampoo and her skin was soft. She stirred a little before opening her beautiful eyes and facing me. 

"Good morning." She yawned to me and stretched. I laughed at her tired state and all she did was smile. I stared at her glowing skin and realized she was perfect, even for just waking up. The light from our bedroom window hit her slightly tan skin perfectly and her blond hair outlined the beautiful shape of her face. I caught myself gawking at her and quickly focused my attention to a painting hanging nearby. 

"Enjoying the view?" She teased and I rolled my eyes at her.  After letting out a deep sigh, she heaved herself out of the bed I grabbed her arm, stopping her from leaving the perimeter of the bed. 

"Where are you going?" I asked and let go of her arm. 

"To make coffee. Want some?" She asked as she walked out of our bedroom down the hallway into the kitchen. "Yeah." I yell back, hoping she will hear. I flop back down on my back and stared at the ceiling tiles, contemplating if I should get up. Seeing her walk out of the bedroom only in a baggy t-shirt made me decide to get up. My eyes are tired from sleep and the hard wood floors are cold under my feet. Quickly grabbing my sweatpants that were draped across a chair near my nightstand, and walk out into the living room. I ruffle my hair and stretch out a bit before joined Tara in the kitchen.

"Oh no." She heaved under her breath as she took out the coffee beans. "We're all out of coffee." Tara frowns and throws the empty container in the garbage before turning to me with a wicked smile.

"Oh no.." I say before she even says anything. I know she is going to ask me to go down to that coffee shop down the street to pick something up. 

"But I didn't even say anything." She whines and I turn from her, rummaging our cabinets for breakfast. Just my luck, we're out of food. I sigh and turn now to find her with her hip poked out and her ands folded a crossed her chest with a mocking smirk on her face. 

"Will you now listen to me?" Amusement clear in her tone. I sigh and rub my temples. I sure as hell do not want to go out at eight in the morning for coffee, then again I'm starving. Before I can retaliate she stars throwing her order at my face.

"I want a decaf coffee with cream and no sugar. Oh, and I want a slice banana bread too." Never knew I worked at Dunkin Doughnuts. 

"Fine." I mutter and walk back to the bedroom to fetch my towel.

"Hey! Where are you going? I want my coffee!" I swear I can see her all tensed up with her hands on her hips even though I have my back turned. 

"I'm going to take a shower if thats ok with you." I yell back, taking off my clothes. I walk into the bathroom but before I completely go in I see the bedroom door across the kitchen open. "Great, the roommate." I mutter and roll my eyes, walking into the bathroom and locking the door behind me. 

I start the hot water, but nearly burn my flesh off stepping inside. I swear under my breath and turn the water down, soaking myself in it. I feel my muscles relaxing and I stand under the shower head. After completely washing myself, I grab two towels. I dry myself off then wrap one around my waist, using the other one to dry my hair. I leave the steamy bathroom to find Tara and her dreadful roommate, Mary, talking on the couch in the living room. Rolling me eyes, I turn and walk back to the bedroom to get dressed. I slip on my boxers, some black jeans and a dark red t-shirt then start out of the room. I stride towards them and hear their girlish giggles. It annoys the crap out of me. Tara turns her head to face me, finally acknowledging my presence. 

"I'm going to go now." I say awkwardly and she stares at me confused.

"Ok...then go." She snaps and heads back into her conversation. I don't need her crap this early in the morning, especially if I'm going to go out and pay for her breakfast. I decide to let it slide for now and walk to the front door sliding on my black boots. I grab my black leather jacket from the wall hook and open the door.

"Oh, wait!" Tara call as I'm just about to close the door. "What?" I asks rudely and she doesn't seem fazed by my harsh tone.

"Mary also wants a coffee." I glare at her for a second, wondering if I could burn holes through people with my eyes. I already have to do all of this shit and now she is just piling on. But if I don't want her annoyed with me all day, I have to  act civil. 

Barley making eye contact with Mary I ask, "What kind of coffee do you want?" She is obviously baffled by my *nice* attitude towards her and she stutters with her words.

"O-oh, um, I want uh...a caramel frappé." I don't have all day for her shy ass to respond.

"Is that all?" I ask curtly, wanting to end this conversation as quickly as possible. 

"Thats all I want." Good because I don't want to waste money on her anyway. This time I leave the apartment for good and take the elevator down to the lobby. The annoying doorman says, "Good morning Mr. Styles." And I nod my head to him avoiding all conversation. I knew  getting out of the bed was a bad idea in the first place but the cold weather is just sugar coating it. The dry air tears through my jacket like it's nothing, leaving me clammy from the light rain. To distract myself I imagine my beautiful Tara with me in bed, nice and warm bed. I'm not even close to the shop and my feet are already frozen. They say winter in downtown Chicago is bad but no one ever said it was this awful. The only thing I can resort to is thinking about my lovely Tara. Tara, we met at a party, she was so feisty. I remember sneaking up behind her while she was dancing with her friends and squeezing her butt. Most girls that night were drunk so I assumed I could get away with something. To my dismay, she turned around and slapped me cold across my face. I didn't realize I loved her at that time. Which says something because I don't love too many people in this world. Before I realize, I'm in front of the coffee shop.