Coffee Stains ➣ s.m

V

f i v e - j u l i e t t e

"Juliette,"he begins. "I believe we got off to the wrong start."

I jerk my hand away from his gentle touch, clasping my fingers together in my lap. His brown eyes soften at my gesture and he retreats his own hands to his lap as well. I feel a pang of guilt for making him feel bad, but I ignore it and just stare forward, refusing eye contact.

"I just wanted to apologize for the other day, I didn't mean to...startle you. I shouldn't have reacted that way." he says slowly, articulating his words carefully. I turn away, my eyes pleading Mia to at least say something.

"It's fine, really. Don't worry about it." I say softly. He chews the inside of his cheek, deciding whether I'm being sincere or if I'm just saying it so he'll leave me alone.

"Good." he replies simply. His hand rests on the counter, his long fingers caressing the curvature of his cup. He stands up from his stool slowly. Before I can stop myself, I blurt out, "Wait, where are you going?"

"I have to go, I have to meet somebody soon. Just had to stop in," he calls over his toned shoulder, "nice talking to you. I'm Shawn, by the way." he says with a slight wave of his hand, pushing out into the cool night air.

For a split second, I almost don't want him to leave. I want him to sit next to me and talk to me all night long, but I shake my thoughts away as he begins pacing towards his car.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding, relaxing back into my seat. His scent still lingers in the air, a mixture of a cologne I can't place and possibly an ever-so-faint touch of cigarette smoke, but it isn't a bad smell at all like I'd usually expect. Actually, it reminds me of Jack.

My heart flutters as my mind wanders to him, how he used to smoke a lot. I always hated that he did that, but I had gotten used to it over time.

I let out a heavy sigh, admiring a small glass figurine on the counter that I had never noticed there before, twirling it in my fingers.

Mia rushes over to me, her eyes bright and curious.

"So?" she asks, eager to hear about Shawn and I's conversation.

"Nothing, Mia," I say, sighing, "We barely even spoke. He apologized for the other night to clear the air and left. His name's Shawn," I say. She chews her lip, trying to conceal a grin.

"He's so cute, Jul–"

"No, Mia. Not happening." I interrupt, my voice confident and firm. She rolls her eyes, obviously disapproving my rejection. "I just broke up with Jack literally, like, an hour ago. I'm not going to just hop back on the market." I remind her. She sighs.

"Fine. But, maybe in a few weeks."she says hopefully, sending me a quick wink, before turning away and continuing her job.

I let out a disappointed breath, upset that I no longer had anyone to talk to. I decide to gather up my things and get home early.

I cook dinner for my mom when I arrive home, an easy dish of angel hair pasta and steamed carrots, one of my mom's favorites.

My brother and sister weren't at dinner, probably attending that party Mia mentioned earlier.

We eat in a comfortable silence, my thoughts quietly wondering if she already knows Jack's gone and isn't coming back.