The Universe and Infinitely More

Chapter One | Love-struck

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6 months ago
October 15 ~ Autumnal Equinox

      I BLINKED UP AT HIM. Dumbstruck. Confused. Flabbergasted.

He was smiling. Caden Smith was smiling at me. Me— an absolute mediocrity; yet here he was looking down at my miserable form as I sat comfortably on the booth inside the small cafe with the strong smell of freshly brewed coffee invading my senses and the ambiance of peace radiating through my very bones. The warmth and heat of the place was a relish against the cool atmosphere of October's chilly weather.

I always saw Caden around the campus, the opportunistic risk-taker who hungers for wild adventures and seeks for wondrous excitement in this otherwise bleak world.

As I stared up at him, I can't help but think that the rumors were incredibly right: he was certainly, undeniably, without a doubt, attractive. He oozed this aura of confidence and tranquility that I can't help but be intimidated with. Cool green eyes framed by thick, dark lashes down to tanned and flawless skin over sharp and angular planes of his cheekbones and jawline.

Perfect, is how I would have described him.

There was no mistaking it, as I beheld the attention of his eyes, that it was indeed me who he was looking at with such intensity lined with an undecipherable emotion that I came to my senses and eventually had the guts to sputter out the words,"I—I'm sorry, can I, uh,  help you?"

An hour ago, I was contented and secured in my little bubble as I studied for the upcoming exams in the corner table of this little coffee shop named La Petite Tasse which basically translates to 'The Little Cup'. I come here almost every day due to its close proximity to the campus and never once had I seen Caden Smith enter this cozy shop. La Petite Tasse, it turns out, belonged to a warm and amicable French businesswoman named Sabine who had always wanted to establish a coffee shop of her own after looking up to her Father who runs a coffee factory in the outskirts of Paris since she was a child. The shop wasn't a big hit in our campus due to Starbucks situated just two blocks down from university and almost every other coffee shops and fast food chains located much closer to the campus.

Sure, there would be a few students here and there but it was nothing compared to the other establishments which were jam-packed with students whose loud chatter echoed throughout the venue, and this was precisely why I had chosen this particular cafe to study and spend my time in. So imagine my surprise when I saw Caden Smith striding over to me in all his glory.

"Hey," He grinned, and I swore I felt my heart stop. "Julie, right?"

I leaned forward and let my hair fall over my eyes as I scanned behind me to be sure it was me who he was referring to before I nodded feebly at him. Why was he talking to me?

"So... you do know me right? We take social psychology together?" He clarifies and his glance toward the chair opposite from me told me enough.

I cleared my throat, all the while confused, as I said,"Er—yeah. I do know you. Caden. You, um, could sit if you want to."

He flashed me a dazzling smile, beaming as he said,"Great!"

I frowned to myself, confusion swirling in my mind as I watched him take the seat. I was finding it hard to look straight into his eyes so I stared at his chin with an odd interest.