A Cup of Coffee

c h a p t e r 1 5

Adam

Friday (15 days left)

"Adam, I know you're here to be with me before school starts. But at the same time, we can't keep pretending that you haven't met your soul mate." Phoebe said as we were wiping down all the tables in the coffee shop. It was Friday, a week had passed and Elizabeth never showed up once the entire week. This bothered Phoebe because she bakes an apple pie especially for Elizabeth every Saturday and she didn't show up last week.

"Well I kinda fuc- messed it up," I wanted to give myself a punch after almost cursing in front of Phoebe, she shot me a glare before speaking.

"You only have two weeks left. I think you should use it wisely."

"That's why I'd rather spend it with you," I wanted to drop the subject and just carry on with how things were, I was content. In two weeks, I was returning to school and things will be back to normal. I planned to keep in contact with Phoebe of course and visit whenever I can.

"I'm not dying Adam, this is your break. I don't want you spending it, cleaning after students' mess and doing the dishes. Take some time for yourself, figure it out with her," she said sternly. When she said she wasn't dying, I kind of wanted to cry and just hold her. She was obviously suffering and everyday, she was in constant pain.

"Gramm,"

"No Adam. I may not be dying now. But I will eventually and I can't have you losing your chance with her just because you decided to spend it with me. Remember, most soul mates don't cross paths again. If you miss this opportunity, you may never find her in the future. She may be the one you will spend your whole life with. Now get that through your thick head boy that not all women leave."

I flinched. Her last statement reminded me of the mean Phoebe back when I was young. She always reprimanded me with a condescending tone.

"You don't know that,"

"Adam, I've known Elizabeth for a long time now and she's been through a lot. The last thing she will do to people, is leave them behind because she's always the one left behind too."

"I'll think about it,"

"No you will not. Give it a shot while you still got some time. At least in the end, you know you tried." The timer of the oven in the kitchen rang, "See? Just in time, the apple pie is done."

"Gramm-,"

"Adam,"

"At least let the pie cool down,"

"Alright dearie, why not go home with me and have a shower too?" She pinched her nose, smiling as she headed to kitchen. I laughed and proceeded cleaning up the coffee shop.

It's been over three hours since my talk with Phoebe, I've showered and got ready after driving Phoebe home. I got dressed in this blue V-neck shirt and my usual black pants. I was outside Elizabeth's dorm, carrying Phoebe's apple pie in my hands. I've been thinking over and over again, what I wanted to say to her. It struck me that as much as I didn't want to give it a try, I was scared to miss this opportunity. A little part of me wanted her roommate Katie to be away so that I have an excuse to leave but the other part of me wanted her to be alone so I can spill everything to her.

After hesitating for the nth time, I finally knocked on the door. As time passed, the pain in my wrist was barely noticeable, I glanced at the faded zero resting on my wrist. It's just like a reminder that says 'Hey, soul mate alert!' But it doesn't hurt anymore. It's just there.

She opened the door, and greeted me half surprised and half pissed. Her hair was in a messy bun and she was in her pajamas and socks. She sighed as she take one long look at me.

"What are you doing here? It's almost midnight."

"I know, I have an idea that I would like you to tell you... That's all,"

"Pfft, I thought you had a lot on your plate. Don't waste my time," she closed the door but my suddenly brave ass blocked the door with my foot.

"Please, Elizabeth, give me a chance,"

"I did,"

"Another chance, please? I have an apple pie?" I offered the tray to her as I gave her the most convincing look I can come up with.

"This is the last chance, you better thank yourself that you brought apple pie with you," she pulled the door open wider allowing me to enter. I took off my shoes and closed the door behind me.

"Thank you for letting me in,"

"I honestly wanted to just talk to you through the door but you won't give me the apple pie."

"I'll give it to you. Just hear me out."

"This seems serious, let me eat while we talk," she said and then headed to the small kitchen. She set the apple pie on the counter and got out a couple forks and plates. She gestured for me to sit and we sat across each other at the small dining table. We ate the apple pie in silence and after what seems like forever, I decided to speak up.

"I have two weeks left before I head back home," I start to explain, I seem to get her attention because she stopped fiddling with her apple pie and looked at me.

"Gramm - Phoebe - she's sick. I visited her after all these years because she's sick. I didn't want to, but I needed answers. She explained things to me and now I understand why she did those things when I was young. She's different now and I wanted to focus on spending time with her because I don't know when I will find the time to do so again." Tears were forming in her eyes and I didn't know why.

"I didn't mean what I said to you in the coffee shop. I mean I did but I wasn't intending to hurt you. But I did anyway. And I'm sorry. I'm just trying to protect myself and protect you from me. I just want to know if you're willing to spend these two weeks with me before I leave. I don't know why, but Gramm was right. I'm totally missing out on being with you and giving it a try if I just shut you out immediately."

"What happens when you leave?"

"We can figure it out when the time comes,"

"What if we end up hating each other?"

"Then we'll find out at the end,"

"Okay, two weeks."

"Thank you," We talked for hours, trying to break the ice. It was easy talking to her after a while, she was shy at first but after a while, the stories kept on coming. We talked about school and our interests. I told her about work and going back to school for my second degree. She told me how passionate she was about cooking, about her classes and how she's been best friends with Katie for years almost a decade now. By the time we finished the apple pie, it was already three in the morning. I stood up to leave as we finished clearing the table.

"Thanks for giving me another chance," I said shoving my hands in my pockets as we stood at the kitchen entrance, I looked at her green eyes staring back at me.

"Thank you for giving it a try," she walked me to the door and opened it as I slip my converse back on. I turned to look at her to give her a parting smile but I had this sudden urge to hold her and never let go.

So I did.