We get to her place in like three minutes, and surprisingly enough, she doesn't invite me in.
"I'm gonna be back in 5. Promise."
"Oky doky", I say while I'm awkwardly lighting up a cigarette, trying to look like I totally expected her to not invite me in.
She's back in exactly five minutes, wearing black jeans, a Rolling Stones T-shirt, a green cardigan and the black Martens. I'm dressed in my favorite jeans, a white T-shirt, a hoodie and my black Vans.
"We're dressed like high-school kids", I notice.
She looks at me, then down to her clothes, and starts laughing.
"Too bad we're 28-year-old people with shitty jobs and no future perspectives", I continue.
She stops laughing and looks at me like I've just said the most offending thing in the world. Then, in the most dramatic tone, she says: "Well, Tom, I'm actually 25." We both laugh and in the meantime, we arrive to the closest Starbucks. We get to the counter and the guy whose nametag says Steve starts talking.
"Hi Jess, as usual?"
"Yeah, you know I don't like change. I mean, look at my hair. It's been the same since summer '88."
"Chocolate muffin and Grande Mocha it is then."
"Thanks. Tom will pay."
"Well, that's new, I thought you don't like change."
"Oh shut up, Steve!"
"I think I'll have the same, thank you Steve", I say.
"No problem, that's my job" he says with a huge smile on his face, and I think I already like him.
We get our muffins and mochas and sit at a small table, near the street window.
"So, you're like, popular."
She looks at me confused.
"You know, Steve."
"Oh, I've known him since I've moved here, which was three years ago I think. I drink my coffee here almost daily."
"That's nice."
"I forgot to put sugar in the coffee. I'm gonna go get it. Do you want some?"
"Oh yeah, I totally forgot. Three of sugar please."
"How cute, I also drink my mocha with three of sugar."
I watch her how she gets the little packs of brown sugar and I can't help myself but wonder, why haven't we ever spoken before? What makes people connect? She pours the sugar into the coffee and mixes it gently.
"So, Jess..."
"Yeah?"
"What's your story?"
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know, just describe yourself a little. We've only known each other since yesterday, even though we work in the same building."
"Ok, should I do it like we're in a therapy group ? Should be more entertaining."
"Whatever you prefer."
She clears her throat and smiles.
"Hello, everybody! My name is Jess...Jessie...umm, Jessica Michaels. I'm 25 years old and...and, umm this is more uncomfortable than I've actually thought."
"Oh, c'mon! You're doing just fine."
"I'm working as a secretary for the most uncreative creative director of a quite prestigious magazine in New York City, which means I'm a professional coffee maker and the person who writes the stuff that her boss is taking credit for. What else do you want to know?"
She's mad now.
"I had no idea you're doing Anderson's job. Jess, you should've said something."
"I had no other option. I need a job, and this is the only thing that worked out so far.
"But if you're doing Anderson's job, that means you're smart. How is this the only job you could've find?"
"I guess I'm kind of scared of people. It's hard to explain, but I'm not good with stress and interviews and people having expectations from me. My perfect kind of day includes my favorite coffee and the combination paper-inspiration-pen or a really good book."
"Well, you know me from only yesterday and here we are right now. You're not that uncomfortable, are you?"
"No, it's fine. I'm gonna include you in the nice-and-friendly-people category."
"I'm honored."
"Thanks."
There's a moment of silence we both enjoy.
"About that perfect day of yours", I say, "that sounds pretty similar to my vision. Only that I prefer the book, I'm not so gifted in writing stuff."
"What's your favorite book?" we ask at the same time.
"Let's say it simultaneous. That should be awkward enough", she says and I agree.
"The last I've read", we say.
And this is officially the most awkward thing that happened in my life. We don't laugh, we just stare into each other's eyes. Then, one of Steve's coworkers comes to clean out the table and the moment's gone.
"Are you going home?" I ask.
"Yes, I have to finish a mini-script about Christmas, or something like that."
"Right. Well, I have to go buy my mom a present. It's her birthday today. Like every year, she invited me to dinner believing I forgot, but I didn't. Win."
"So much win."
"So, I guess I'll see you tomorrow at work?"
"As always. Bye, Tom."
"Bye, Jessica".
She looks at me with a strange face, but doesn't say a word and then she turns around and starts walking to her place. Then, I realize that I'm probably the only person that called her by her full name. And that I still have so many things to learn about her.
