Choices {Phan}

Coffee {1}

I settled into my usual  seat at Starbucks, right by the window. Dan was on holiday, so I had a lot of time to myself. It actually gets pretty lonely without Dan. I mean, we're not dating, but we should be. I've loved him ever since 2009 when we met at that train station. How his eyes sparkled when he saw me.  I want him to look at me like that every day. But of course, he can't, even if he tried. Because that's the thing about it. It was something I'll never see again. For two reasons. (1) He can never find out that I like him, and (2) That was the first time we met. But I don't know if I like Dan anymore. I mean I know I like him, but I'm not gay. But that is the definition of being gay. But I don't know if I am, or I just need to meet more people. Maybe I spend too much time with Dan. Maybe his holiday is also my  holiday. 

I looked away from the window to see a woman staring at me. She quickly looked away, but it was too late. I'd already seen her. I mean, I had to go up to her now. It would be awkward if I didn't. "Okay,"  I thought.  "She's seen me. I've seen her. I just have to go over there and talk." So, I stood up and started walking towards her. 

"Hi. I'm Phil," I said, introducing myself.

"Hello, Phil. I'm Danielle," Her voice sounded familiar, but I couldn't place it.

"That's a wonderful name," I replied.

"I think you mean a wonderPhil name," She laughed at her own joke.

Now, I hardly know this woman, but aside from the name, I think this is the start of something great. 

"So, are you here alone?" I asked. 

"Yeah," She said. 

"Oh. Well that's good,"

"And why's that?"

"Well," I said."I've left my seat alone for so long that it's probably twice as cold. Would you like to help me warm it up?"

She laughed, "Of course,"

Definitely the start of something great. She sat with me and we just talked. I found out she likes the same things I do. Anime, manga, videogames, Muse, and even Buffy. She's so beautiful when she talks. She has to brush her beautiful, long, brown hair out of her face when she talks. She was looking out the window and she told a story. A story a bit too familiar. 

"I met this amazing girl in 2009," She started. "She was 22 and I was 18. We were talking online for ever before we met at an airport. She's still my best friend to this day. I usually don't go anywhere  without her. We go to Starbucks all the time,"

"Hmm," I said. "Why aren't you with her now?"

"She's on holiday,"

"Wow," I said.

"Yeah," She said turning around. 

I looked into her eyes and saw something. Deep in her beautiful brown eyes. I hadn't seen anything like that since 2009. I pulled her towards me. I was staring into her eyes, as she was mine. She smiled and leaned in. I did the same, but I paused.

"Anything wrong?" She asked.

"Nothing," I whispered and filled the space between us.