The Timekeeper

Chapter Fifteen

"Are you sure you want to go back in there?" He asked me as we stood in front of the café.
"I mean, the last time we were here together we kind of made a scene."

I turned to look at him, his hair blowing in the strong wind. The day had been perfect earlier at school, and when I had decided on wearing one of the skirts Claire had bought for me. It was a pastel mint kind of colour that I believe Claire had called a 'skater skirt'. I wasn't particularly sure why you'd chose to skate in a skirt, but I wasn't about to say that to Claire.

The weather had dropped dramatically from the time I had left the house to arriving at the cafe, leaving me freezing my butt off while I waited for Jase to show. I didn't care if the skirt was cute, or even if I looked cute, at that moment I just wanted to slip into a pair of jeans and a big woollen jumper. I was relieved when Jace finally came around the corner, my bare legs and arms covered in goose bumps. He gave me a small smile, and quickly glanced at my outfit. At least he noticed it, so the mild hypothermia I had no doubt acquired by now was somewhat worth it.

"Aren't you cold?" He had said as he reached me, pulling his dark grey jacket around himself tighter.

"Freezing actually," I grinned through chattering teeth. "Can we please get inside now?" He chuckled, his whole face lighting up the way it always did when he smiled or laughed. It made my stomach tighten, my heartbeat quicken.

He was staring at me now, still waiting for my answer. 
"Yes," I finally said. "I'm sure."

Once we walked in, we made our way through the scattered tables finding one right in the back, closest to all the books. I hadn't come here on my own for what felt like forever ago. The last few times I visited I had been with someone else, the very last time being with Ryan. The thought of Ryan sent butterflies through my stomach. I tried to ignore them, like I always did, but knew they shouldn't have even been there in the first place.

I looked up at Jase, who was studying the menu intently. His eyes were almost a dark green as he gazed down, though when he looked up over his menu they changed back to their usual colour. It was strange how hard it was to describe them; I could never find the right words or anything similar to compare them too. I always thought they were like a rare gem; an emerald, that had blue flecks through it, somehow making the gem more beautiful.

"Hey Candice, what can I get you today?" Ruby said as she arrived at our table. She took a quick glance towards Jase, before raising her eyebrow towards me. She clearly still hadn't forgotten about our very public fight that I constantly try to push to the back of my mind. Now though, I could hardly believe that the Jase that sat in front of me now, was the same person that I had first met.

"I'll have a chocolate chip muffin and a hot chocolate, please." She gave me a nod as she mentally noted my order down, before turning to Jase.

"And you?" Her tone was sharp, and I knew she wasn't pleased to see him here again, especially not with me.

"Um, I'll just have a hot chocolate, thanks," he smiled, but Ruby had already began to turn away from him.

"I don't think she likes me very much," Jase mumbled, his gaze following Ruby all the way back to the front counter.

I laughed, "Yeah well you didn't really leave a good first impression last time, did you?"

"Yeah, I know. I've never been very good with first impressions. But you already knew that." He sighed, running his hand through his hair.

I wasn't sure how to reply, or if I was even supposed to. But thankfully, Jase continued talking.

"So," he began. "How was school?"