Growing Up

2. The Baristia

I saw him. All I could do was stare at him. I couldn't remember how to breathe. What even was breathing?

And he saw me. Staring - like an idiot. 

He was different to anyone I had ever seen before. His eyes were a pale blue, but still had so much depth and meaning to them. His hair an ash brown, swept up on the side, not like Justin Bieber, but sophisticated. Even from a few metres away, I could see that he was taller than me.

I was amazed at the beauty before me - star stuck even. I didn't even realise I was at the counter while I stared. "Excuse me Miss, can I help you?" His voice was even more perfect than I would have ever imagined. This was cliché; like some sort of cheesy romance novel.

"Miss?" It was like I couldn't even hear him. His words just droned through my head.

"Oh, um." I was frozen. Get it together, Rosie. It's just the Barista, play it cool. This isn't The XFactor. Just order your coffee. "Just a Dirty Chai please."

"Sure. Just $3.60." This boy was different. I handed him the money for my coffee and my eyes caught his once again. I took more of his features in. I'd never seen this boy before. In a small town you are meant to know everyone - but I just didn't know who this guy was. I read his name tag.

"Dylan?" I said uncertainly.

"Uh, yeah? That's me." He replied. I'd said it out aloud without realisation of the works coming out of my mouth.

"Oh..I'm Rosie. You must be new here." Could I have been any more of a freaking idiot? His lips formed into a smirk. The most adorable smirk I have seen, and probably will ever see in my life.

"It's my first day." He said with confidence, and a slight cockiness to his tone. First day? He poured my coffee with so much ease, like it was a second nature. I was mesmerised.

"Rose..Rose! Earth to Rosie?" I snapped out of it. "Hey Rosie, how about to stop drooling over the poor Barista and let him do his job?" It was Cameron. Dylan soon handed me my coffee with a playful smile. 

"Enjoy, Rosie." He said as he turned away to get back to work. 

"Come on lover girl, we have a disco to plan?" Cameron led me back to my seat. I was so out of it. It took Cameron snapping his fingers in front of my face regain my attention. "Okay, so entertainment. We have a few bands that I've contacted, and they are happy to play. Some DJ guy who is local and will do it for free hot dogs, but we still have two more spots to fill."

Cameron and I were part of a local community youth group. Alex always referred to it as a 'cult' of sorts as we invested so much time and energy into it. Although, sometimes I had to agree with the guy – it kinda was. Only interested in making money. Not actually interested in giving back to the community.

"So what do you suggest we do?" I asked. Cameron had a mischievous gleam in his eyes. I knew exactly what he was thinking. "Cam, no. You know I can't do that. I'm petrified of crowds." All he did was roll his eyes.

"Come on Rose. You've had that fear since Kindergarten. We are graduating this year. Don't you think it's time? I know you've got an amazing voice, you have to let the world hear it. Come on Rose, do this for me." Cameron was right. I had been petrified of performing ever since I was in Kindergarten. I lacked the sufficient confidence and I was under the impression that I was going to lack it for the rest of my life. Nothing had ever, nor would ever change.

"No."

"Rose, please. Then there is only one space to fill."

"No!"

"What isn't Rosie going to do?" I froze. That velvet soft voice sent shivers down my spine. I didn't even have to look to know that he had that adorable smirk on his face. Cameron adopted the same smirk.

"Rosie here is refusing to sing at a Halloween Disco we are having even though we need performers and it will save my ass!" Cameron was getting slightly annoyed that I was refusing.

"You know I can't do it! I'm too-" I didn't get to finish my sentence before Dylan had jumped in.

"You need performers? I might be able to help you out. I'm a guitar player." Could he get any hotter?, I thought. Guys like this only existed in two places – movies, and my dreams.

"Dude – that would be sick! Oh, Cameron by the way." Cameron reached his hand out to Dylan.

"Dylan, nice to meet you. Tell you what – if I can convince Miss Rosie to do it, I'll do it too." That smirk.

"Good luck. Rosie here is as shy as can be. She won't." Cameron crosses his arms. Dylan turns to me.

"Hey Rosie, do you want to come to a party tonight?" Dylan asked, smirking.

"A party?" I have to clarify. Is the dreamy barista really asking me out. "Um, sure?"

"Great. I'll pick you up at 8." Dylan turns about to leave. I can feel my cheeks glowing red. My heart was pounding. I was going to a party. With the hot barista.

"Wait, you don't even know where I live!" I called out shakily.

"It's okay - it's a small town. I'm sure it's not too hard to find your house." He winked as he walked back behind the counter. I felt my cheeks flush.

"Ooooooh, Rosie has a date!" Cameron plays. I ignored him. I stared out the window at the tree in the park. And for the first time in over two months, Alex was the furthest thing from my mind. 

All I could think of was the Barista. 

Dylan.