PureLove

Chapter One: May I?

I briefly scan the cafe before taking a sip of my frappachino and returning to my laptop. I am doing collage research. I come here a lot. The cafe is crowded, and there is a few other people who are also on their laptops.

The bell above the door rings and in walks a boy. He is alone. He is around my age, maybe a little older, probably about 19 or 20. His light brown hair is cut short and his eyes are so dark they almost look black. He has to duck through the door because he is so tall. I give him a small smile when his eyes sweep over the scene in front of him but I don't think he saw.

After he orders a large hot tea and a muffin he looks around in search of an empty seat. The only place in the whole cafe that is free is the seat across from me. He walks over and gestures to the empty seat, "May I?," he asks politely. I nod yes and remove my computer bag from that side of the table.

He plops himself down and takes a sip of his beverage. Lets just say, he isn't the worst looking boy in the world.

He looks at me for a second before raising his eyebrows. "Uh hi," I say uncertainly. "Hey" is all he says in reply, still looking at me. "I'm Raina" I say, watching him. "Hmm" he says. "Well you're social," I say returning to my computer. He is silent. After a few seconds I look up. He is trying not to laugh. "What?" I ask. What's this guys problem? He grins. "I'm Cal. And you have chocolate? on your face." After saying that he looks at his lap and gets up and leaves. I am embarrassed, so embarrassed. I speed walk into the bathroom to clean my face and look into the mirror. There is chocolate all over my lips.

*******

I walk with my heavy computer bag slung over my shoulder and my beanie pulled over my ears. The fierce cold is everywhere. When I get to the cafe I am blasted with yummy smelling heat. I order a frappachino and a slice if banana nut bread. I head over to my table while simultaneously rummaging in my bag for a napkin. I sit down at my usual table and finally find the napkin.

"Well hi there Raina!" Someone says. Cal is sitting across from me, once again. He is wearing a navy knit sweater and blue jeans. "Oh my God I did NOT see you there. Why the heck are you here?" I ask, blushing. He held up his hands, "Jeez, it's a public cafe, you do know that, right?" I look at my hands and mumble "Uh sorry, just thought you were here to like, mock me about yesterday." His face fell. "What? No way! I would never do that!" I give him a grateful smile and sip some of my drink. "And sorry about yesterday, I had an appointment that I had forgotten about so I had to rush." "That's okay, that was so embarrassing though!" I say. He laughs, "Yeah... Sorry bout that." I laugh too, "You don't have to be sorry, it's not you're fault that I'm a total klutz." We smile at each other.

We talk for an hour. He seems like a very polite guy and he's very funny, so I discreetly write my phone number on a napkin-I know, so classic-and leave it on the table as I get up to leave. "Wait," Cal says, as I reach the door, "Will I see you again?" how cute, I smile widely. "It depends on if you're observant enough to look at what's in front if you" I grin mischievously and exit the cafe, crossing my fingers that he will find the special napkin.