Life of Leslie

2

I remember the day we went to see his body. Jakes. It was the same day as the funeral, we saw him laying there in the casket. Never have I seen anyone that peaceful. His blonde beautiful quiff, which was now looking so untouched. His tall, muscular body. His warm, loving heart, which was not beating or physically warm anymore. His soul wasn't there anymore. Why was he taken away from us?

It was weird with him just laying there, and it would be the very last time we would EVER see him. We would never see his pretty green eyes again, which we hadn't seen since he left with his mates. Oh what it hurt, just as much as I remembered the sight of his lifeless body and my family crying, hurting and trembling. I remember that my mum got weak and fell down on her knees and my dad knelt down crying as well, hugging my mother. Sam just stood there, shaking and crying. At first. Then he ran over and held Jake by his shoulders, lifting him up just enough to shake him gently as he cried.

"Please brother" he pleaded, "please, wake up again. We need you. CAN'T YOU SEE THAT WE NEED YOU?! I love you, why did you go?!"

I tried to pull him back, he let go after a while. As he backed away, I placed Jake's body just as it was before. Before I backed away, I kissed him first on the cheek and then on his forehead, his skin so very cold. As I did I said;

"Jake, I'm so sorry for all the small fights we had. I wish I could turn the time back. I will always love, miss and think of you. Thank you for always protecting me. Thank you for being the most wonderful and perfect brother. I want you, as much as I need you back!" I said as my voice cracked at the last couple of words.

*****

It had been 2 years. 2 years and there wasn't a day, not even a minute going by without me thinking of him. But as I headed down to my job at Starbucks, I pulled myself together. I knew I couldn't think about this now or I would be too distracted at work. Actually, at Starbucks in London you meet a lot of important people and others so you have to be on top at all times.

As I strode down the street, I saw all those beautiful couples, young ones and old ones. New love, old love, strong love. It was all just as pretty. I wished I would have that one day. But if I was right, I probably never would.

"Hi Leslie!" my co-worker Patricia called out as I pushed the door open. She and my other co-worker Matthew were there, preparing for the big wave of customers which would hit any minute now.

"Hey!" I heard Matthew say as he was done with an order. I greeted them both as I put on my apron. I heard the ding of the doorbell and that's when it happened.

The rush.

I barely had time to breathe, that's how busy it suddenly got.

"Travis!" I called out for a boy to get the cup. A boy, around 21 years old with brown hair, approached me. As he got close, I could see his eyes. They were so intense brown, almost black. I felt something under his gaze. But I couldn't tell what it was, if I was uncomfortable or if I enjoyed it.

"Well hello gorgeous. I hope you wrote your number on here cause I wanna hear more of your pretty voice. Maybe in different situations and tones." he said with a smirk. I there made my decision about his gaze, it was intimidating but I couldn't lie, he was very good looking. But when he said that the chills ran down my spine. Matthew overheard our conversation and came over which made Travis leave.

I carried on with my shift until Patricia gave me a ride home, I barely made it to bed before I fell asleep.