The Story Behind Her

From the moment I saw her, I knew she was the one. Where we live, everyone knows everyone, yet no one knew a thing about her. She would walk around town, her hair glimmering in the sunlight, her arms crossed and her head down. She always had some kind of messenger bag that looked packed. It wasn't until I walked into the coffee shop one day in late August I really met the real Amber.

"Do you mind if I sit with you?"

Thats the first full sentence I had ever said to her. She looked at me, from head to toe before speaking.

"Sure. I guess."

"Cool, I'm Cole, by the way."

"Amber, nice to meet you Cole."

"And you."

We went back and forth for a while asking each other about our life. We didn't walk much other than a few words here and there. I got her number. I texted her later that night, but as soon as I did, she called me.

"Hi," she said quietly.

"Hi."

"What's up?"

"Nothin' other than the obvious," I said smiling.

"I can hear your smile through the phone. Goddamn, Cole, you sound happy."

"Is that a good or bad thing?"

"I dunno. I think good because you're happy to be talking to me."

"I am. You're beautiful."

"I'm blushing."

"You, blushing?"

"Stop it."

I guess you could say we were close after a day of talking.

"When can I see you again."

She wanted to see me again.

"Okay now I'm blushing."

"You, blushing?"

I laughed.

"Oh my god I can still hear you smiling."

"Are you smiling, since you know I am?"

"Yeah. Because of you.."

"Lunch tomorrow than?"

"Just tell me where and when."

"How bout the coffee shop again."

And thats where we always went. To the coffee shop. Everyday. We met there everyday. We always sat in the same place and talked about the same thing, until one day when she walked in crying. I walked over to her and wrapped her in my arms.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

She couldn't stop apologizing. I ordered us our normal drinks and just held her in my arms as we sat in our booth.

"Talk to me, Amber, please."

She said sorry again and placed her wrist in my hand. I rolled up her sleeve to see a few fresh cuts. I would've never thought she was depressed. That was her secret, I mean I knew she would have one but I didn't think it would be this.

"You've showed me your secret, its time that I show you mine. Later though, at my house. Okay?"

"Okay."

I wanted to tell her I love her but I didn't know if now was the time to. We had only been 'going out' for a few weeks.

"Amber?"

"Yes, Cole?"

"I, I love you."

Amber looked at me and smiled.

"I love you too."