December

Part 1

Exhaling the bitter air as it made your bones shiver and nose stuff, a puff of smoke came from my parched mouth.

I was aching for something hot and it would be a couple of blocks before I could reach Starbucks.

I don't think I could survive one block.

Even though there was just a light snow falling from the sky, I felt like I was in a blizard.

The past November was filled with grey, cloudy days, or storming showers, never the beautiful white snow that coated the city just last night. It's been months since I last touched snow, forgetting to dress for the proper weather.

With just a large coat covering my thin sweater and leggings, I burried my face into my scarf and pulled down my beanie some more as my boots crunched over the snow. With my barely empty wallet in one pocket and my phone in the other, I was really tempted to take a taxi from off the street.

That was until I reached the corner and saw, just across the street, a beautiful sight.

It wasn't a Starbucks, but more of a family café that's more welcoming and inviting, filled with relaxed people shown through the front window.

To me, it was heaven.

As I quickly scurried across the street, looking both ways of course, I tried to carry my frozen limbs to salvation before a car could run me over.

I hadn't realized how cold I was until I opened the glass door, a small chime ringing among the chattering atmosphere, and let the warm wash over me like a wave. Letting go of the heavy door was enough for it to shut, keeping the cold world out.

Slowly walking towards a counter, just two people waiting in line, one already ordering, I looked around the place.

It was small, a barely recognized place sitting in the middle of a city filled with vicious competitors. I'm surprised to find many people my age, teenagers welcoming Christmas break, sitting around on their electornics, talking to their friends, walking from table to table. Of course, there are many elders sitting at tables, at first glance looking at the age to be grandparents, never busy adults quickly grabbing coffee for work.

When I reached the small line, I looked back out the front window at how there were so many people bundled up, carrying suitcases and wearing their expensive clothing, their red noses unmatching, quickly scurrying on the sidewalk, walking past this nice coffee shop. Ignoring such a relaxing and warm place so they could go one with their busy life, I almost felt bad for them...Then began to dread of the day that I would have to become them once I graduate from highschool.

"Next!"

Turning around, I blushed even though my face was probably red from the warmth trying to bite at my cold skin.

As a teenager girl, I'm allowed to appreciate if a guy is cute or not.

I am apprieciating this cashier guy, a name tag saying 'ALEX' attached to his apron.

I should come here more often.

"Welcome! What would you like to order?" he asked in this warm voice, his muscled arms flexing as he leaned across the counter.

"Today, our special order is vanilla hot chocolate. I know, our manager likes to keep it simple," he has smile lines around his eyes.

Guys who roll up their sleeves while working at a coffee shop are adorable. But guys who wear these thick, black framed glassess while looking absolutley hot with muscles should not even exist.

"I'll have a large Vanilla hot chocolate. Whip cream please," I breathed, surprised he could hear me as he took out a cup and started writing on it.