When Time Stops | Completed

page 9: the eighth time.

aaron and i fought. he said he would change for the better, that he loved me and was sorry. i wanted to forgive him, i really did, but i couldn't. i just couldn't. so i left him broken-hearted and alone in the one bedroom apartment we had once shared. i was better off without him.

but it hurt. my heart clenched knowing that i couldn't look at him the same way. he wasn't the same lovable aaron who would try and make terrible puns out of anything and everything.

it hurt to walk up the steps to my parents house with all my luggage and look my mom and dad in the eye and tell them what happened while shedding tears on that old couch that they just couldn't agree to get rid of.

it was weeks after the break up after finally coming to terms with everything that i decided to walk back into the cafe. i'd been afraid truthfully, of coming face to face with aaron there because it was one of his favorite places but it was also one of mine and i just couldn't let it go.

i walked up and ordered some soothing peppermint tea due to the cold weather that was starting to become more prominent during the month. after my order was ready i grabbed it, cupping the warm drink in my cold hands and looked around for a seat only to see you, ethan thomas, in the back corner by a window reading a book.

i debated on whether to leave you alone and find another seat but i decided against it and made my way over to you. i placed my cup on the table and carefully took a seat across from you. you looked up from your book and stared at me with an unreadable expression.

you carefully set the book down and looked at me blankly, "you cut your hair."

i smiled, "wow, thanks captain obvious."

you gave me a bright smile back, "i'm just surprised i've only ever seen it long, you know?"

i took a sip of my tea and nodded, "i thought i should change things up. it's about time i think, i've only ever had long hair."

you just looked at me and my hair saying nothing.

i gave you a small frown, "you don't like it."

you looked back at me with surprised eyes, "no! no, i love it actually, it's just different. it's a new and improved genevieve," i raised an eyebrow, "i'm not saying you needed to be improved cause i liked you the way you were before--not that i don't like how you are now, cause i do--crap, i'm rambling again."

i gave a small toothy smile, "do you ramble a lot ethan thomas?"

you looked out the window that was next to me and shook your head, "no actually. only with you it seems."

i stayed silent and just stared at you as you continued to look out the window, avoiding my gaze. i cleared my throat and you turned back to me, "so what are you reading?"

you glanced down at your book and touched the edge of the binding that held it together, "the great gatsby. it's always been one of my favorites actually."

"really? i never was able to get into it. what makes it your favorite?" i questioned setting my chin on the palm of my hand.

"the imagery is absolutely stunning and i love the characters, although they are flawed they represent the stereotypes fitzgerald was trying to create during that era and don't get me started on the symbolism," you laughed.

i laughed with you, "no go on, i'm an english major, i'd love to hear your representation on it, really."

you gave me a smile before continuing on your very detailed summary of each piece of symbolism in the story. i just couldn't help but stare in awe as you flipped through the pages, giving off the examples for each symbol, not once did you look at me as you described them but i didn't mind.

only when you started describing the symbolism of gatsby's green light that symbolized his hopes and dreams of being with daisy did you actually look at me, "it's this green light that symbolizes how gatsby's dream was to find the love he lost...and how he'd..." you started trailing off looking deep into my eyes, "...do anything to be with daisy again because he loves her--because he had loved her all his life..."

time froze in that instant.

my heart beat quicker as i stared at you and you stared back. i couldn't see anyone in my peripheral vision even moving a muscle and i wondered if time had actually stopped. maybe it hadn't. but for me it did. my eyes roamed your face as yours roamed mine. your hair was tousled in perfect waves, your eyes were the brightest shade of blue i'd ever seen and i couldn't help but notice them glancing down to my lips. and if i'm being honest i really wanted to kiss you right then and there--whether you wanted me to or not.

i felt like i was about to but was disrupted by the quick scream of a baby two seats behind me. i broke out of the moment and turned around to look at the child silently thanking her because if i kissed you i wouldn't know what would have happened after. or whether it would be good or bad.

i took a deep breath, "i should get going."

you gave a soft smile that didn't reach your eyes like it normally did, "yeah...yeah you do...that..." i gave you a soft smile and got up out of my seat grabbing my purse in the process.

it happened again. that feeling. that moment. time kept stopping with you and only you. i didn't know why. maybe i didn't want to know why. but just the thought of knowing that maybe i made time stop for you too created butterflies in my stomach.

now tell me, did i have the same affect on you as you did on me or was it all in my imagination?

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heyyy! guess what! i'm going to be giving a double update! cause honestly i'm so into writing this at the moment and i just can't wait to post these chapters for all of those reading so be on the lookout for page 10!