Eyes Open: Don't Forget to Breathe

I sat there tapping a teaspoon on the small plate underneath the cup. It emitted the bitter scent of coffee that to me wasn't just bitter, but bittersweet like love. The strong taste of black coffee still lingered in my mouth. It was already past 4 o' clock, he was late. I remember his short text so clearly: Rose's Coffeehouse 4:00. He's the one who wanted to meet me so why was he the one who was late? Though his message was so vague, the message behind it was clear as day. He wanted to break up with me, it was the only possible reason why he'd call me out for the first time in years.

Then the memories all came swirling back again, it was that very last day of high school when he had sat by me on the swings of the next-door elementary school, both of us just sitting in silence. We had barely known each other but the moment had felt so right. Just that one question led to that one date which led to that one kiss which then led to those many years of blissful happiness.

*****

"We should meet sometime, how about the amusement park?" he grinned at me with his youthful smile. Both of us were sitting on the swings outside the school just sitting. It had always been a wonder to me, I was the shy, bookworm type and he was the brightest sun there ever was.

I nodded, "Okay."

He chuckled at my response, "Haha, you know it took me a lot of courage to ask you and all I get is an okay?"

"Fine then, when?" I smiled, kicking the heels of my shoes into the dirt.

"You're never going to be cooperative, are you," he sighed, "but that's what I love about you. Be there at 4 o' clock, okay?"

I blushed, "Well you wouldn't take no for an answer, would you?"

"Nope," he grinned, jumping off the swings and holding his hand out, winking, "shall we go, milady?"

"You're such an incapable knight," I smirked, taking his hand. He yanked me off my seat knocking me off balance. If it wasn't for the fact that he managed to catch me (I think he planned this), I would have probably landed face first into the dirt.

"Who's incapable? I think I just saved your life."

"It doesn't count if you're the one who caused it!" I huffed, but he ignored this and swooped me off my feet carrying me in his arms. I tried to squirm but he held me tight against him, running towards his motorcycle.

"Oh no no no," I panicked, "we are not going on that metal death contraption!"

Yet again, he ignored me and placed me on his bike. I rolled my eyes and just put one of the helmets on, it actually fit quite snug on my head.

"Hold on tight, okay princess?" before I could realize what was happening, we were off! I screamed tons, but I managed to grasp onto him holding on for dear life.

"You are so dead!" I screamed over the roaring sound of his motor, we were swerving through busy streets and I didn't even realize where we were going. I finally managed to keep my eyes open for more than a second, the I remembered I should actually breathe. It was almost fun, kind of exhilerating! We passed by a strangely enchanting little shop, the sign was elegant it read, 'Rose's Coffeehouse'. As soon as I was starting to relax we were already stopping at my house.

He took off his helmet revealing his shaggy dirty blonde hair, "Well this is our stop, princess. I'll see you tomorrow at the amusement park."

"Yea...thanks for giving me a ride home," I muttered, staring at my shoes. I was sure my face must have been on fire! It was kind of awkward, we just both stood there in silence.

He brushed a lock of my chocolate coloured hair away from my face. I looked up, holding my breath. He then leaned in just as the slamming sound of my front door opening hit our ears. I turned to see my dad at the door, luckily he could only see me because the tall hedges were covering the motorcycle and the guy who drove the motorcycle.