Press Play: A Connor Franta Story

Chapter One

"Venti Carmel Frappachino up!"

I reached out for my drink without even looking up from my phone. I jumped back when to my surprise my fingers met warmth instead of the cool plastic cup I was aiming for.

"Sorry, was that one yours? We must have ordered the same thing," he said staring into my eyes directly. My brain was a mess with words trying to find the right combination to form actual English sentences. "You can take that one," he said laughing.

"Oh, umm thanks. I wasn't paying attention sorry," I said softly, picking up the cup and heading toward the door, trying not to die of embarrassment on the way out of the local Starbucks. I made my way down the street, heading home after a long day at work.
"Hey! Wait up!" I turned quickly to see him running behind me. Half of me wanted to run and scream, like he was a murderer. The other half of me couldn't move, he moved so swiftly toward me and I couldn't help but stare. His smile was flawless, one of those smiles you only see a few times in your lifetime, it glowed not only because of his perfectly straight teeth but because of the warmth you could feel oozing from his personality. "You have great taste in coffee, if I do say so myself!"

"Well what can I say I was raised right," I said with a chuckle. I didn't understand the catch, what was going on? Was he going to steal my purse when I least expected it.

"I'm Connor," his voice was so steady and warm, the kind of voice you'd expect to hear coming from a news anchor.

"Zoey," I stated, trying not to stare to deeply into his green eyes.

"Well Zoey, where are ya headed?" I must have looked puzzled for he quickly continued with, "Sorry, I didn't mean to sound creepy, I thought the sun was setting and it could get dark, you might be so consumed in your phone that you might grab the hand of a murderer next time!" I couldn't help but laugh, he glanced to the ground laughing too, he knew he was funny, but not in a cocky way at all.

"Home. Roseburn Apartment Complex," I said smiling, not intentionally but I couldn't help it.

"No way! I used to live over there!"

"Really? Used to? What's wrong with them?" I said hesitantly.

"Too small! One bedroom and three guys just does not work!" he said eyes widened. "My friends Ricky, Jc, and I were living there together when we first moved out here. Then our friend Kian moved in, at one point he was sleeping in the bathtub! It was just too tight, so we got a house closer to the Grove, alot roomier,"

"Wow!" it was the only thing that could came to my mind. Never before had I met someone who just so willingly gave up their life story like that.

"Yeah, can I walk you home? I'm pretty much obligated to now, if you didn't make it there safely it would be on my conscious and then how would I sleep at night!?" I laughed and we started walking. I couldn't help but feel confused, I wasn't used to this kind of attention from boys ever. "So where are you from?"

"Who says I'm not from L.A.?" I couldn't help but answer back so sassy, I prided myself on hiding everything from my past.

"Well don't take this the wrong way, but after living out here for a while I had gained the magical ability to see the difference between the typical L.A. girl and those who have traveled here,"

"So it was my lack of blonde hair and crispy tan skin?" I spoke quickly, afraid that he would begin to notice my flaws and head the other direction.

"Well frankly, it was your accent. But now that you point it out!"

"Accent?! I'm from Indiana!" I had detected a slight accent in his voice but hadn't had the courage to point it out.

"It's a Midwest thing, I'm from Minnesota and you best believe that I get the accent thing all the time!"

"I can only imagine, I thought I heard something in the O's!" I was actually having a good time and hated the fact that I could see my apartment ahead.

"Yeah everyone does," he looked up at the complex, knowing our walk would soon be over. "So Zoey, when can I see you again?"

"What did you have in mind?"

"Tomorrow afternoon? Panera?" the sun reflected off of his eyes making them look even greener than before.

"Sure, sounds like a plan," the words left my mouth but part of me thought it was a horrible idea.

"Let me see your phone," Connor said as he pulled the phone out of my hands grip slowly. I felt his finger tips brush against my hand sending tingles up my arm. "There's my number, just text me and we'll set up a time!"

"Alright, will do!" I spoke softly, my mind began to be overrun with thoughts of how horrible this could go.

"See ya!" Connor said heading back in the direction we had came. I made my way upstairs and inside wondering how soon was too soon to text. Staring at the contact name "Connor Franta" he even added a few emoji smiles next to his name. I couldn't help but smile, the past four months I had lived in L.A. I had yet to meet anyone worth talking to more than once. But I was used to being a one woman group, it was better that way. Why should I change my ways now? But his smile, his hair, his perfect green eyes flecked with hazel, I couldn't get him off my mind! And with that I drifted to sleep on the sofa.