lost souls // c.h

❶

My eyes were fixed to the textbook like glue as the waitress tidied my table. Her tied back chestnut hair swept over her shoulder as she swiftly took my coffee mug and the china plate with a few cake crumbs scattered over it.

"Thank you, Anna," I said.

"It's my job, Val," She murmured before disappearing in to the kitchen.  I smiled to myself before returning my attention to the pages of notes I had written down. I had been sat at that table for over 2 hours, studying for the English exam next week. The bell above the door chimed, signaling a new person entered the small cafe. Often, this place was almost completely empty which was the main reason I hid out here.

A tall man walked up to the counter. He was dressed in dark jeans paired with a grey hoodie that hung loosely over his head. His posture looked worried and he constantly looked over his shoulder. I gently put the book down on the table.

Anna was busy preparing his order. He kept tapping his foot on the wooden planks and drummed his finger on the counter. She picked up her pace and placed a lid on the cup.

His back was hunched over and he muttered a quiet 'thank you' as he took his hot drink from Anna's hands. She smiled quickly. As soon as he turned his back, she sent a quick glance at me. We were both wondering if he was alright. I looked back at him, he was a very intriguing person as far as I could tell.

I stared at him unashamedly, curious at his frantic state. He hurriedly walked to the door, but before he reached it he looked over at me. His milky brown eyes connected with mine and I looked down as I felt heat rush to my porcelain cheeks.

Before I knew it, he had walked out of the door and was out of sight.

"Damn, he looked stressed. Hope he is alright," Anna said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"Yeah, he looked upset," I said lightly. I was still looking in the direction he walked off in. I wonder what was bothering him. I shook the disturbing thoughts that clouded my mind out. I stared at my notes - it wasn't as interesting now. Perhaps that was a cue to take a break.  I stared out of the window - not that I could see far. The rain blocked my view. I sighed deeply. I felt somewhat disappointed now. I packed my school work in to my bag and shrugged my light jacket on. Anna was wiping down a table on the other side of the cafe. I hauled my bag on to my shoulder.

"Anna, I'm gonna head off home."

"Val, be careful. It's dark and wet out - I don't want you catching a cold," there was Anna's motherly instinct unearthed. She never had children, although she wanted plenty.

"I do this often, and you say that every time," I chuckled, "I'll be fine."

She frowned at me but brushed me off with a dismissive wave. I laughed and walked out of the door. The wind and rain took me by shock and quickly drenched my hair and shoes. I pulled my coat around me tighter and increased my pace. It was late - almost 11:00pm. I hadn't meant to stay there for as long as I did but the atmosphere is so cozy it was easy to lose track of time.

It was a 20 minute walk back home and I was only a minute into it.

This was awful.