Was I Dreaming or Just Blind?

Chapter 4 - Coffee and Secrets

We walked about a block and a half until we finally reached the coffee shop, Starbucks was packed which was unusual for a Wednesday morning. It is well past busy hours, we walked in two feet and that is how far we got before we stood in line.

"So," I started trying to spark a new conversation, "still happy you walked over here just to stand in line?" I asked a little sarcastically. "It could be worse," he replied blankly. That was not the answer I expected, so I shot back, "How so?" He looked calm when he replied, "Oh, just staying at home would be extremely boring." Well could've been a worse response right>

We finally got to the cashier and ordered iced coffees and pastries, I grabbed my wallet and reached for my debit card when Hayes already had the receipt in his hand ready to walk away. "You didn't have to pay for me, ya know." He smiled, "I know but what's good for a good first date if I don't pay? Plus I offered to, remember?" I blushed at the word date, "This is not a date, I didn't even agree to go on a date with you." he smirked again, "Ah ah you did when I asked to come to Starbucks and I paid, plus am I that bad to deny a date?" My face was flush red at this point, "No... just wish I had known so I could've put on makeup, or something to look somewhat approachable."

The cashier called our names, and he quickly got up and said, "I'll get it," I won't lie it is nice having someone to drink coffee in the morning with, and he has been the perfect gentleman since the fall, I could try a little bit harder. He walked back all smiley with his bright blue eyes and strong arms... chill out, I thought, "And you look great, I may haven't seen you in makeup, but I'm sure it's just as good as the natural look." I blushed again at the comment.

I can not believe how incredibly nice he is, disregarding what had happened earlier this morning, everything that comes out of his mouth is genuine. I don't know why I was so courageous enough to open my apartment to him or to open up my life with him, but I want it to be more, I don't know how to do it yet.  "Thank you, I do appreciate it, so where are you originally from?" "I'm from Mooresville," he spoke in a kind of nervous tone when I didn't reply he continued, "I know it sounds out of the ordinary, but it's in North Carolina." "That's far don't you think?" He looked at me but this time his eyes were a different shade of blue, icy and had a hint of secrets that he did not want to share, but he continued anyway.

"Personally, I don't think it's far enough, I just have had a lot of family issues that have been going on, so I decided to find a place far enough away that they won't want to talk to me." "Well that's upsetting," I said out loud but it was supposed to stay in my head, shoot. "It's ok, I plan on going back during the holidays, but for right now probably best to stay away." I didn't like where this conversation going, because there was only one way it was going and it was downhill. I checked my phone and I had 30 minutes before my shift started. 

"Well this has been a lot of fun, but I better get going if I want to catch the bus to work, don't want to be late." We exchanged hugs which were not as bad as I thought it was going to be and parted ways. On the ride to work, I listened to love songs which was a bad idea considering, that listening to relationships starts the process of thinking about one. I started thinking about his family as well,  I wondered why he left, I always complained about my family and stuff, but never enough to get up and actually leave.

~ Hayes Grier, you are a world full of secrets, but I will find out what they are. ~