The Way He Looks At Her

Him

Procrastination. I had officially became the King of Procrastination. University was stressing me out and giving me the shits. Sitting at the University Café, I tried to complete my unfinished work as I sip on my third double shot espresso.

Beep beep. I felt the vibration on my phone through my jean pocket. Giving up on my essay I pull out the device to see I had a missed call from my mother and a text from my best mate, Jacob, telling me, 'Ethan, get your ass down the soccer fields now bro... study can wait. We're all waiting for you CO-CAPTAIN'. Deciding to not reply to the message as I had my first exam for the semester tomorrow and making a mental note to return my mother's phone call, I pick up my now lukewarm coffee. Taking a large gulp, I return to reading my tedious notes on law and society.

Law and Society. Law and stupid society. Lame law and stupid society. It wasn't even my first choice. My father owns a law firm and expects me to take over the family business. I was honoured when he chose me over my step brother but what I didn't expect was the work load and the amount of pressure he put onto my shoulders. It was as if the number of hours held in a day were fighting against my impending law degree and Jacob's constant nagging to get back out on the field instead of studying.

Just as I was about to put in my headphones, finally finding the motivation to do the assigned work, the chime of the café door rang and caught my attention. Then in walked a girl... A girl I had never seen before and was undeniably beautiful. The only words to describe her was breathtakingly beautiful.

She entered the café with her long auburn hair over her shoulders acting like a curtain to shield her from the outside world and a brown leather satchel hanging over her shoulder. She continued to keep her head down as she walked quickly up to the counter.

I observed her as she gave the waiter a charming but unassertive smile as she uttered her order to the lucky guy. Her small, sincere smile made my heart beat faster as she collected her change and walked to a secluded table near the back.

I watched as the same waiter dropped off a mug and what looked like a bagel. She took a sip of whatever liquid was in her mug and winced slightly at what must have been the scorching temperature of the substance.

Slowly standing, I gather up some courage to walk up and introduce myself to the enthralling girl. Leaving my work sheets spread out across the wood stained table and tucking my phone into my pocket, I hesitantly made my way over to her. Walking along the tiled floor I put one foot in front of the other. Another foot in front of the other. Last foot in front. Fuck. Ethan, dude, say something! Choking on my own words, I played it off coolly by coughing and scratching the back of my blonde rooted head.

"Uh, hey?" I stammer.

She looked up but replied by opening up her satchel and taking out a book. As she took her book I noticed she was wearing an antique watch on her left wrist. Looking back up to meet her gaze, she raised an elegant brow as I stood there like a complete fool. The girl then opened her book which was held captive in her grip and started to read.

Clearing my throat, I asked, "May I sit?"

Getting no response in return, I decided to sit anyway.

"I like your watch, is it an antique?" I questioned, referring to the watch I noticed as I sat.

She peered over the top of her book, showing no emotion on her face. Her blank face started to make me rethink the whole situation. After realising I had zoned out for a moment, I shook my head and introduced myself.

"I'm Ethan, by the way... Uh, what's yours?" I stuttered.

To my surprise, her lips twitched into a hesitant smile and replied in an angelic but monotone voice, "Why do you need to know?"