The Wounds Time Couldn't Heal

1

 It was quiet in here, only a few people lingered about then eventually leaving. It was me alone with my thoughts and the barista who I started to slowly get to know. I'd never been much of a coffee person but that didn't mean I hated it either. The barista whose name was John would sometimes sit and talk with me when he was on break. I'd been coming here for the past two months or so so he already knew what I wanted when I walked in. The coffee was helping me mend my broken heart but he just didn't know that. He thought I was just another coffee loving fanatic who couldn't go the day without it.

"So how's your day been so far?" He asked pulling out the chair and sitting in it.

"It's been the same old same old I think. Not much has been going on, you?"

"Oh, you know just giving coffee lovers their daily dose of coffee." He said with a smile.

He was a nice guy and he meant well. It made me want to confide in him and tell him everything but I didn't because I didn't really know him that well. We only ever spoke when I was in here getting myself some coffee and other than that I never heard from him.

"Something wrong?" He asked pulling me out of my mind.

"What? Oh, sorry no I was just thinking about something."

"Can I ask what?"

"Uh, just school things. It's been stressing me out lately, you know this being my senior year and stuff." I said which was a half-truth.

I had been stressing about school more recently but not at this exact moment, he didn't need to know that though. He nodded like he understood what I meant, he did look around my age so maybe he was a senior too. Heck we probably went to the same school and I never even realized, for all I knew we could have been in the same classes and I just never paid attention.

"A couple more months until graduation and then we're off to college." He said enthusiastically.

"Yup, can't wait," I said with a forced smile.

"Hey, I know what can get your mind off of all the stress. My buddy Pat was gonna throw a party at his place today, maybe you wanted to go with me?"

"What time?"

"Around eight, so you in?"

"Yeah sure, where does he live?"

"Oh don't worry about that I can pick you up if you want."

"Oh alright, thanks."

I grabbed the receipt from my pocket and smoothed it out on the table. He handed me the marker he had and I wrote down my address on it. He carefully folded the receipt and placed it into his pocket. The bell rang meaning someone had just walked in and he got up.

"I'll see you later, Be ready by around close to eight." He said then walked behind the counter to take the customer's order.

I was home alone today which was okay for now so I wouldn't have to worry about Peter asking me where I was heading. He could be a little too overprotective of me sometimes and it got annoying because he never let me do things like go to parties or stay out late at night.

I was sitting outside on the porch waiting for John to arrive. It was already five minutes to eight so I knew he would probably be here soon and if not I'd just sit out here in the crisp weather alone with my thoughts, either way, I didn't really mind the outcome.

After a while, I saw a car pull up and saw him step out. I walked over and sat on the passenger side. If I'm honest I was a bit nervous because I hadn't been to too many parties.