All of my 5sos work

That Peaceful Silence

A ten minute walk in the bitter cold that bites at my face. I can already feel the redness form on my cheeks but the thought of the warmth that I'll be greeted with keeps me going. Nearing the old street and cobbled stones I could no longer suppress my smile as my teeth chattered in my head, wrapping my arms around myself the wooden sign hung out from the building. 

Warped and the duck egg blue paint having chipped the cafe's name still as clear as the day I first came here, 'Five Minutes Out' was the name of my little quaint cafe, one the few places I truly loved. Picking up my pace I neared the door and opened it hearing the little bell ring alerted Maggie that she had a new customer. 

The smell of freshly grounded coffee beans and the light chatter of regulars brought a smile to my face and allowed me to relax at last. Removing my scarf and hat I walked over to the glass counter and eyed all of the pastries made in the early hours of the morning, seeing the flakes on the croissants and fluffiness to each cupcake hand decorated. Lifting my head up I was greeted with an old, friendly smile of Maggie. 

"Hiya love, the usual?" She greeted me as she turned around and began to make me my usual order, Maggie had known me since I was 15 and used the cafe to study and get away from everything for a little while. If anyone knew me then it would be Maggie, she was like a second mum to me know and cared for me like a daughter. "I'll bring it on over to you, oh and he's here too." Immediately my whole face had brightened up, trying to hide my enthusiasm I thanked her and walked up the three wooden steps towards the pastel booths. 

Glancing around I found number 3 and as per usual tapping away at the table with his fingers there he sat patiently looking at the menu for probably the fifth time since he had arrived. Smiling to myself I walk on over and take my seat opposite him, exchanging brief glances I pull my book out and begin to read whilst I wait for Maggie to turn up. 

This was our arrangement. It was odd, but it worked just fine. Neither of us knew each other's names yet we sat together every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday morning. It began when I was studying by the window on the other side of the cafe, it was brightly lit and I prefered the natural light. Yet out of the corner of my eye I always saw him, like me sitting alone. 

Back then his hair was longer, the gold curls were lighter and loose, never organised but held up with a bandana of sorts; his look always surprised me. Somehow we just moved closer together, he sat nearer to me yet never next to me. From the counter he moved to a table just behind mine then I found him sitting next to me one day, no words exchanged between the two of us about it, it was a silent agreement we had made. One I am thankful for. 

The sound of clattering dishes signals to me that Maggie is on her way over and turning my head I see her holding the tray out, trying to prevent it from shaking as she struggles up the steps. In recent months I've paid more attention to her actions and movements, how she has gotten more greys running through her black hair and the laughter lines on her face have become more apparent. Standing up I walk over, taking the dishes from her and thanking her before turning back and placing them on our table. 

His eyes dart up to mine through those circular glasses of his, the days of the bandana and messy hair have passed; he cleaned up his look. I could never quite focus on his eye colour. That was one thing that left me curious each time I left the cafe. He always glanced my way which I could see out of the corner of my eye, then he'd pretend to read the menu or distract himself by tapping the table creating a steady beat, one he had perfected. 

Sipping at my drink I found myself absorbed by my current read, occasionally I'd look away and check the time, see him with that shy smile on his face and the perplexed look behind his steamed glasses. In the cafe I could escape it all, the reality of life for just a little while. Maggie told me that's why she opened the cafe years ago, hence the name. She wanted people to come here and not be stressed out, to have a little escape and a drink while they're at it.