And Life Goes On

And We Talked All Night

             "Hell-o, Hello", I stuttered. Wow nice going Lei, this smoking hot guy comes up to you and actually tries to have a decent conversion and all you can do is stutter. I was bought back to reality when I felt a light tap on my shoulder. "Are you okay", Anthony asked, concern lacing his deep voice.

            "Yeah", I said looking up at him like a big dummy."My name's Leila", I continued. I had finally spoke a coherent, full sentence without stumbling over my words."I've seen you around here a few times before, you always order a side of brownies, am I right". 

           "Yeah, there brownies are the best. They're so chocolaty, you know they just melt in your mouth. They're so gooey and don't get me started on their caramel cappuccino". I had started rambling, one of the things I've done since a little kid. I just talk and talk and can't stop. Its a nervous habit. 

           "Chill, Leila you're gonna have to take a breather. I didn't know someone could talk that much about brownies". His comment made me blush. I was embarrassed. Now I probably scared him off. "You want to sit and chat?". I was stunned by his voice. I can't believe I didn't blow my chances with my obnoxious voice. "Sure", I said. We walked over to my normal spot and sat down across from each other in the high chairs on either side of the circular table. 

         "As I was saying before, I've seen you around here. I thought you seemed like a quiet girl, but after our little chat just now about brownies, I've been proven otherwise". I laugh at that comment, but he did have a point. It felt so weird to have a normal conversation with someone my age that didn't have to do with my parents. "So tell me about yourself Anthony". 

        "Well I'm 17 and I'm about to start my junior year at the Lexington High school, which is just 10 or so minutes away from here. I have five year old little brother and live with my mom. My dad lives in California with my step-mom". I couldn't help but feel jealous because he had two parents in his life and step parent and all I had left was Aunt Cherry, who was more like a sister rather than a grown up responsible enough to take care of her 17 year old niece. 

      We had a great conversation. And we talked all night. Of course I never revealed anything to him about what has been going on in my life for the past five months. Even after he asked me to tell him about myself, I only told him the minimum. That included things like my favorite color and favorite movie. After three hours past I realized that it was getting late and I should start to head home.

    "It was great talking to you, maybe we should meet up again before school starts", said Anthony enthusiastically. "Yeah , this was fun". He agreed and we exchanged numbers. We said our goodbyes for the night after he walked me to my car. I got inside and thought about my day. I was glad to have become acquainted with Anthony. But I wasn't going to get too close to him. Because of all people I knew well that all good things eventually have to come to an end. Just like my parents. One minute we're laughing and chatting, the next minute I'm an orphan that feels like a lost child in this great big world. 

    I pull out of the parking lot of the brewery and drive towards the now common route leading to my Aunt's house. As soon as I walked into the front door I was confronted by my Aunt's loud and obnoxious voice. "Where the hell were you. I tried calling you like twenty times! My gosh you almost gave me a freaking heart attack". 

    "Auntie, just calm down", I whispered to my frantic Aunt who was pacing back and forth in the living room. I ran over and hugged her. She almost squeezed the life out of me. "Explain miss where were you for the past five hours!" she exclaimed, checking her phone halfway through her monologue to check the time. "I was just at the coffee shop", I said. After explaining to her my experience at the brewery to say she was thrilled would be an understatement. She let me off the hook so I went up to my room and headed off to bed. I changed into a pair of shorts and a tee-shirt and climbed into my bed, turning off my lamp along the way. I took my phone from off the night stand near my bed and checked my notifications. I had 19 missed calls from Aunt Cherry and 7 messages from her, all asking where I was. I can't believe I didn't notice my phone ringing before. 

     I played some stupid word game on my phone for the next few minutes. I eventually got frustrated with the game so I turned off my phone and drifted off into a deep sleep. That night I dreamed of captivating hazel eyes and long, meaningless conversations.