Catch Me

Chapter Fifteen: Coffee

Chapter Fifteen: Coffee 

The rest of the weekend seemed to drag on slowly. Haleigh and Zander texted casually as Haleigh continued to peck away at her homework. She was glad they were at least texting for now, and hoped that when they came face to face again that the encounter wouldn't be too awkward.

When Sunday morning came Haleigh was exhausted. She had stayed up late Saturday evening trying to finish the rest of her homework. She hadn't made it to bed until around two o'clock in the morning. Haleigh could feel that her eyes were heavy, and she knew that she probably looked like a zombie. She quickly rushed to take a shower and returned to her dorm to pick out some clothes for the day. She threw on some dark grey leggings and an oversized black sweater that stopped around mid-thigh. Quickly she blended some concealer under her eyes to hide her dark circles, and put on a coat of mascara. She slipped on her converse, grabbed her purse and laptop bag, and headed out the door, not bothering to tell Sam where she was going.

Haleigh and Sam hadn't talked much since Saturday afternoon when Sam had basically told Haleigh that she was in the wrong for being mad at Zander. It wasn't that Haleigh was mad at Sam, she was a little mad, but had gotten over it after about an hour of texting with Zander. It had more to do with the fact that she had waited too long to say something to Sam after the confrontation, and now didn't know what the heck to say to her.

Haleigh stepped out into the fresh air, letting the door to the dorm building slam shut behind her. The Vermont breeze was refreshing against her skin and the sun's warmth was exactly what Haleigh needed. She had been cooped up in her dorm for more than twenty-four hours and was going a little stir crazy. Haleigh was also in desperate need of a coffee. The cafe wasn't open this early on Sunday mornings, and the only other place within walking distance to grab a coffee was Burlington Bagel Factory where Zander worked. She hesitated briefly, but then decided to go for it. What were the odds that Zander would be working this morning anyways? He had to have some days off for rest, right? Although they had been texting casually for the last twelve hours, and she really wanted to see him, Haleigh was almost positive their first encounter was going to be super uncomfortable. Pushing this thought aside, Haleigh began to walk in the direction of the bagel shop.

It was a beautiful morning, the sun was shining brightly in the blue sky, there was not a cloud in sight. The remaining birds who had yet to fly south for the winter chirped high in the trees, and the chipmunks' chattering echoed through the still campus. There were only a few people out and about, as it was only around seven o'clock. Haleigh suspected that most of the campus was still asleep in their beds.

Haleigh's heart thumped loudly in her chest as the bagel shop came into view, she contemplated turning around, but decided against it and continued walking. She finally made it to the front door of the bagel shop, her heart was beating in her chest as she prepared herself to see Zander. She pulled the door opened and stepped inside. She was surprised to feel disappointment when she was greeted by a long haired red head who she recognized from her English Lit class. The entire restaurant was empty besides this girl.

"Welcome to Burlington Bagel Factory how can I help you?" Her voice was overly perky for seven o'clock in the morning. She was wearing a white t-shirt with the same black apron Haleigh had seen Zander wearing just last week. The girl's name tag read 'Alyssa'.

"Can I just get a coffee please?" Haleigh smiled politely at the girl and waited for her beverage.

"Cream and sugar?" Alyssa asked, Haleigh nodded and the girl plunked a sugar cube in the coffee as well as a splash of cream before handing it over to Haleigh. Haleigh gave the girl a five dollar bill and told her to keep the change. Alyssa seemed to be pleasantly happy with this tip.

Haleigh made her way over to the same table that she and Sam had sat at last week and pulled her laptop out of its case. She was going to take advantage of the free WiFi that was offered here. She pulled up the school website as she took a sip of her coffee. She was about to login and check her grades when someone burst through the front door of the bagel shop.

Haleigh's heart seemed to skip a beat as Zander came into the building. He had on his leather jacket. His cheek had started to turn the same color Haleigh's wrist had, a deep purple, and his hand didn't look any better than his eye. Haleigh quickly averted her eyes, pretending like she hadn't noticed Zander's entrance. She scrolled randomly through her school's website, and took another drink of her coffee as she tried not to look up at Zander.

"Thanks for covering for me Lyss." Zander sauntered outback, not even noticing Haleigh.

"You live upstairs. How are you always late?" Alyssa laughed at her coworker. Haleigh imagined Zander stumbling around the back, racing to punch his time card and put on his apron. She pushed that thought from her mind just as Zander came into view again and Haleigh quickly focused her attention back on her computer. It was only until after Zander had finished tying his apron that he looked up and noticed Haleigh sitting by herself at a table, drinking a cup of coffee. His expression went blank.

"Gimme a minute will yah?" Zander asked Alyssa who had been waiting all morning for Zander to get there so that she could take a break.

"Zander, I've given you thirty minutes." She groaned, but Zander didn't seem to care. Haleigh's heart rate quickened as Zander took a step toward her. She looked up from her laptop and the two locked eyes. Haleigh couldn't control the flush that spread across her cheeks.

"Morning." Zander smiled at Haleigh as he swung a chair around from another table. He sat backwards in it so that his forearms were rested comfortably on the back of the chair.

"Morning." Haleigh replied awkwardly and closed her laptop. She felt the sides of her lips curl into a shy smile, and she let her gaze fall to the top of the table, not wanting to make eye contact with Zander.

"Thanks for finally texting back yesterday." Zander teased. Haleigh was thankful for the light hearted humor Zander was using. She probably would have run away and hid forever if Zander had mentioned the fight from Friday night. "Listen, The Wailing Donkeyz have another gig this weekend, and I was hoping you could come." Haleigh's heart dropped at Zander's invite.

"I can't. I already promised my dad I would go home to visit him this weekend." Haleigh explained. She hated that she had to turn down Zander's invitation but was kind of happy at the same time. There was no way she was going to be seen at another party for a very long time.

"Oh, I understand." Zander's voice fell as he began to stand up from the chair he was sitting in. Haleigh placed her hand on his arm, stopping him from getting up.

"But I'm free after five o'clock all week if you want to do something?" Haleigh couldn't believe the words as they came out of her mouth. The confidence that she was feeling in Zander's presence was bizarre.

"Sounds great." Zander's smile returned to his face. He got up and pushed his chair back into it's spot at the table beside Haleigh's. "I have to get to work, but I'll text you later." Haleigh's face felt warm as she quickly finished the rest of her coffee and gathered her belongings before walking out the door.