a Piece of Heart

Moment #1

"For fuck's sake. How can it rain so much!" Was the first thing I ever heard him say outside the classroom and that wasn't remotely related to a lesson.

Not the finest first words.

To be honest, they weren't even directed specifically to me. More like a comment, for anyone to hear. A voiced thought, at the obvious situation.

He came through the shop doors late that afternoon, completely drenched. The coffee shop my uncle owned wasn't very big, and definitely couldn't compete with the new 'cool' brands. But we were proud to sell the best coffee around, with homemade pastries. A lot of people came here.

I've been working in this place since I was fourteen, to help my uncle. Ever since my parents divorce, I preferred to live here with him. Truly, I had been born in this neighbourhood but after my father's cheating, and the divorce, both of them preferred to leave the city. To go to different ends of the country, of course. I didn't mind, honestly, we talked usually through the phone, and I enjoyed living with my uncle Jack and his little son.

"Hello." He said nearing the counter. His shoulders broad, from training. A kind smile possessing his features. His hair brown and short.

I knew him, he was in my Politics class. He always had something to say, a comment to add. He always disagreed with our teacher, and most of the times, I found myself agreeing with him. He always had something funny to say that made everyone laugh, even the teacher much to their despair.

Apparently, he recognised me too when I looked up to him.

"You are Leah, right?"

"Yeah, you are in my politics class." It wasn't really a question.

"I'm Jackson." He said.

"I know." He seemed friendly, kind, someone I would die to be friends with. Honestly, friends was something you wanted to have in college. My mother always told me that that's where you make the best of friends, the ones that will last you forever.

I felt a bit embarrassed, the need to face-palm huge. Definitely social interactions weren't my thing. He smiled nonetheless, not at all faced by my awkward interaction.

"So, what can I get you?" I told him. Remembering I was actually working. Thankfully there weren't more costumers I had to get to.

He ended up staying and chatting with me until long after the rain stopped. Till it was time to close. I somehow, wasn't weirded out by this. His company making my afternoon so much better.

We talked about the most strangest of things. He told me about his family, about his little sister. He told me he couldn't wait to go visit her. I also found myself telling him bits of my life I didn't usually share with people. I remembered what I once read, how you're sometimes more comfortable talking to a stranger about what's bothering you, because you know they have nothing to judge you based on, just the words you tell them. 

I also felt like this might be the one and only chance I would have to talk to him so I wanted to make the most out of it. It wasn't every day that I made new friends so I accepted when he offered to drop me home. I had a feeling that only good things would come from him, when he drived off from my street, a nice smile still present on his face, like everyday.