Broken Crayon

Chapter Three

Madeline wasn't sure what was happening. 

She tried to recall the events that led up to this single moment.  This guy, walking her to her class, had his hand on her back, and didn't shy away at the chuckles they received walking through the crowded hallways. 

She could only focus on the touch that was on her spine. 

She stopped walking, and his hand fell. 

She tried to wish it back. 

"Madeline?"  Ravi asked.  Becoming aware of her staring, Madeline looked to the floor, blushing.  "Is this your class?" 

"Y-yes." she stuttered. 

"Well, in that case, I have to let you go.  Here," he pulled out a piece of paper and a pen from his pocket.  "Take this."  Writing something on it, Ravi handed it to her.  Shyly taking it from him, she hesitated to look at it.  Curiosity got the best of her. 

She opened it up.

(987)-987-0987

When she looked up, he was gone. 

No one had ever willfully given her their phone number.

Walking back into her class, she knew she was beet red, but didn't care.  Someone had just purposely given her their number.  Isn't that flirting? she thought to herself.  Did he just flirt with me? 

Sitting down in her seat, she wanted to burst out giggling.  Perhaps her first day wasn't going to be that bad after all...

Getting out of class, the only thing on her mind was Ravi.  Why her?  Why did he choose to walk her to class?  Was it out of pity?  She couldn't fathom someone seeing her and being genuinely interested.  

But then, there was always that small glimmer of hope.  

She got out her phone and punched in the number.  She reasoned on texting him after school.  

The rest of the day went by rather uneventful.  

Leaving school and walking to her car, she got out her phone.  Looking at the number, she was stumped as to what to say.  

Hello!

Delete.  

You gave me your number?

Delete.

Thanks for walking me to class earlier.  

Send.  

Unlocking the door to her car, she tried to calm her anxiety.  Climbing in, Madeline took some deep breaths.  

Ding!

She dove for her phone in the seat next to her.  

Anytime, Madeline.

That was it?  That's all he's going to say?  Feeling defeated, she wondered if she should try to continue the conversation, or if that would be too weird.  

Deciding on setting her phone down and driving home, she got another text.  

Would you like to go to coffee sometime?   

She barely knew this person, he had simply walked her to class...Now, a date?  Her instincts told her to decline, but her crave for attention told her to take the opportunity.  After all,  it was a teens desire to live in the moment.  

Sure, meet at Common Ground?  

A minute or so passed as she waited in her car.  

What time?

I'm free now if you are.  She texted almost frantically, not wanting him to change his mind about this.  

Meet there in ten, then.  

She drove the five minutes to the small coffee house in the backstreets of Alexandria.  It was hidden away, but cozy when you found it.  

Walking in, she looked at the menu, instead of her surroundings.  

"Madeline," he spoke.  She froze before turning around, seeing how this could go terribly wrong.  Kidnapping, drugs, alcohol, rape...

Rape.  

She turned around, hot in the face.  He smiled softly at her, sipping what looked to be tea.  

"I-uh..." she wondered what she had gotten so upset about just seconds before.  

"Glad you could make it."  He gestured to where he had picked out a table.  It was right by the empty wooden stage.  Local talent would occasionally play here on Friday nights and Saturdays. 

"I'm just, I, I'm going to get something to drink..." she faltered and walked up to the counter, ordering a caramel mocha.  

Going to sit with him, she noticed several things.

His messenger bag was brown leather, and protruding from it was the corners of several books.  His eyes illuminated when he looked at her.  His smile was easy, almost as if comforting her inner suffering.  His hands held his tea with the utmost care.

However, there was something enigmatic about him.  Something that counteracted all the sweet things that appeared to be there.  

He broke the silence as she approached.  

Chuckling warmly, he said, "You're probably wondering why I asked you to coffee."  He looked down at his drink.  "Or rather, tea."  

"Uh, yeah, a little bit."  she imitated a likeness of a smile.  

"You intrigue me, Miss Madeline."