'Vacation'

4

Today would be a rough day. 

I rolled out of bed and silenced my screaming alarm. Like  a sloth I got ready, slowly putting on shorts and a tank. It was wednesday; I didn't work on wednesdays, so the only reason I got up at 5:30 was to meet Robin. He was lucky I liked him, or I would've slept straight through my alarm. 

I yawned as I searched my fridge for a packet of tuna to bring for breakfast. I'd go to the cafe, then go on a run down the back roads next to the ocean. After my run, I always sat on a bench right against the water and ate my breakfast. 

Every now and then I felt a bit lonely, but I mostly enjoyed it... I guess it might be more fun with someone to run with me. I shook my head, grimacing. I ultimately chose to be single. People always asked me out and I always refused. Except for today. 

It was still dark when I got outside. The sun was just beginning to creep over the horizon, light bleeding into the black. My car coughed to life as I turned the key. "Alright lady, you can do it. Just one more year before I can afford a new you." I patted the dash. This old chevy had gotten me all over the country. I'd had her since Junior year of highschool. I was 24 now if that gave you any idea of how long I'd had her. I was constantly working, setting aside money to buy myself a new one, but different problems would arise, forcing me to siphon small amounts of cash from my savings. Life was difficult when you were virtually on your own from the second you stepped foot into the world. I'd practically kill for a million dollars. 

--

I stepped out of my car and slid my sunglasses up into my hair. The warm morning breeze swept my hair into my face and I smiled as Robin's gaze met mine. "Hey." I walked toward him, self conscious of my outfit compared to his. I was very underdressed. 

He had a grey suit on with a red tie and raised his eyebrows as he saw me approach. He laughed, nervously twisting one of his dreads between his fingers. He was dark and had sharp, chiseled features. The suit hugged his arms and chest, you could tell he was absolutely ripped. Almost like Thor from the Avengers. 

"Why so dressed up?" I leaned against the table he sat at. 

"I have work, remember?"

"Oh yeah." I rubbed my forehead. I'm an idiot. 

"Okay what do you want to drink, on me." He playfully elbowed me, looking up at the menu above the counter where they were mixing smoothies and coffee. 

"Oh, thanks... uh.." I searched the menu. The strawberry protein smoothie looked good. 

"I'll have that one." I pointed to the menu. 

"Alright, bet." He got up and walked over to the counter, slipping his wallet out of his pocket and handing the barista the money for the smoothie. He glanced back at me, a small smile resting on his lips. 

He talked so much differently. Yesterday he sounded like another person. Probably just the setting. I did work at an extremely fancy restaurant. 

He slid back into his seat and handed me my smoothie. 

"Thank you." I sat down across from him. The cafe was outside, so I could see the sky brightening. "Are you not getting anything?"

"I already drank a coffee, I'm good." 

I nodded, taking a sip from the smoothie. "So, are you from around here?"

"Nah, I came from Ohio, I got a new job that wanted a representative in Florida, so I'm not gonna pass up the opportunity to live here ya know?" 

I nodded. "Real shit right there. I actually came from Ohio too ... small world huh? I moved out here for college and just never left." 

"Where you headed after this?" He looked me up and down, studying my outfit choice. His eyes paused at my lips then floated back up to my eyes.