The Boomerang Effect

~7~

I headed down the street when I see a Starbucks. Now that's exactly what I need. I walk inside, only to notice a long line continuously forming. I sigh, but join the line anyway. I take my iPod out and started to play my music playlist. Instantly, 'Feels' starts to play. I smile to myself, and continue to listen, staring at the Starbucks menu although I already know what I want to get.

Slowly, the line starts to shorten, and in no time, I'm the first at the front.

"Hello, welcome to Starbucks, what would you like today?" the man at the counter asks me. He's smiling.

"Hi, can I get the Pokémon Go Frappuccino with caramel sauce please? Also may I have the chocolate croissant? Thank you," I say smiling back. What can I say? His smile is contagious.

"And what name should I put on that?"

"Elle."

"Okay, your order will be ready over there," he says pointing to the pick up counter, "have a nice day!"

"You too," I say back.

I walk over to the pick up counter. Surprisingly, the drink and croissant is ready in no time. I grab them and sit at an empty table. The empty chair in front of me holds my vision. I can't look away. I can see-

No. No I can't think of him right now. It's only going to make things worse.

I tear my eyes away even though it causes me pain, and I look at my iPod as I sip my drink and tear little bits of my croissant up. That's why I didn't notice the person standing next to me until they spoke.

"May I sit here?" they ask.

I take my headphones off and look at them. It's a boy about my age. He smiles down at me, and that smile- that gosh darn smile did it.

"Uh, sure," I say.

He took the seat beside me, and I try not to care. Why should I after... no never mind that. I won't think about him.

"Are you new here?" he asks me.

"Uh... no, I'm just visiting," I press my lips together and nod, "Yeah, I won't be here for long."

I try to look grim.

"Well, my name is Carter," he says.

"Elle."

"Nice to meet you Elle, what you listening to?" he asks me.

I look down, realizing that my headphones had descended down the top of my neck.

"Oh uh..." I hit a random song and offer him my headphones. When I look at the screen I wince. He stifles a laugh.

"'The Wheels On The Bus' huh? Cool, cool," he says, still smiling.

That smile! Ugh!

"No sorry, that's my cousin's, she plays with my stuff sometimes, and sometimes I find... that."

"Well, you seem like an interesting person Elle," Carter responds.

I smile.

"Unfortunately, I have to go. It's getting late and I'm not supposed to leave my baby cousin unattended for too long."

"Okay," I blurt, "I should probably go too. My aunts expecting me."

We both walk outside. To my disappointment, we are heading different ways. As I walk back home I can't stop thinking about him...and his smile. 

"Hi Sweetie," Aunt Suzanna says as I walk into the house.

"Hey," I respond while taking my shoes off and heading to my room.

"How was your look around town?"

"Eh, it was a town." Aunt Suzanna laughs at this.

"Well I'm sure you'll find it interesting with all the people who live here. Many have amazing stories to tell. Unlike me who isn't a very interesting person," she chuckles to herself.

As I get into bed I think about the question Aunt Suzanna had asked me. It bothers me so much I have to get up and pace around the room. Why was I bothered? I didn't know! Was it the fact that I said a statement that wasn't exactly true? After all, the town was interesting-Carter was interesting! He reminded me of... well... no. I have no idea why I was so worked up about the question.