Possess | hood

07. a coffee

he convinced her to skip class and leave with him right away

'i have you all to myself now.' he smiled as they pulled away in his car, 

the girl could only agree. 

he drove her to a secluded cafe 

tables and chairs crowded together like gossiping women 

the smell of burnt sugar and cigarettes heavy in the air 

like a comforting hand laid on a cheek. 

the steam and whistle from the coffee machines reminded her of trains in a station 

laden with promises of adventures and unexplored places and people. 

he ordered them coffee that came in tiny chipped cups

and she couldn't help but think it was the exact shade of his eyes. 

she told him so and his face broke into a smile 

a smile that compelled, 

that drew her in, 

that possessed her. 

and she found herself leaning closer

 when all her life she had hung back. 

the usually dreaded question 

'so tell me about yourself' 

suddenly seemed an invitation unlike any she had received before 

for the boy seemed to listen, 

really listen. 

she could see it in the tilt of his head as he pondered her questions 

the glint in his eyes as she regaled him with stories 

the lightness in his laugh as she told him a joke. 

the day wore on and their coffee was drunk down to the dregs 

but it was replenished as easily as their conversation. 

she saw the sky change and harden its blue 

and she knew it was time to go.