Sparks

A Strange Encounter

Ethan->

I wake up the next morning at four o'clock, wishing once again that my job at the local coffee shop didn't start at the break of dawn. And when I say the break of dawn, I'm not kidding. After throwing on my bright green Espresso Express shirt over my skinny jeans I grab a banana from the kitchen and head out of the house, walking the ten minutes to the bus stop. When I get on the bus is almost empty, the only occupant an old lady sitting in the back. 

I sit down near the front, and after a few minutes turn to see that the lady has moved up, and is now sitting beside me.

"What are you doing on a bus all by yourelf this early in the morning?" she asks. I shift uncomfortably.

"I'm going to work", I respond, staring out the window of the bus.

"May I read your palm?" I look at her, confused.

"May I read your palm?" she repeats. Oh, she's a fortune teller. How lucky of me to run into a fortune teller at four thirty in the morning.

"Come on, it won't take too long." I sigh and hold out my hand, it can't hurt, right? She studies my palm for a minute before speaking.

"This", she says, pointing to a crease on my hand, "is your love line. It starts very late in your hand, and in your life." Well that's fairly true; I have only had a couple boyfriends, and none of them serious ones.

"Ah, this is interesing", she continues, "your love line seems to split, marking a decision needing to be made." I frown. What decision? It's not like I have guys begging at my feet or anything, the thought that I might have two guys to choose over in the near future seems pretty unlikely. Then the woman looks up from my hand and stares nto mt eyes, leaving me with no choice but to stare back. Her eyes are silver and they seem to penetrate my very core, leaving me feeling exposed, and strange.

"Choose wisely", she says. I shudder and look away.

"All passenger leaving on the Markham Street stop, meaning Ember, should exit the bus now", says the bus driver, a friendly lady who has driven this same bus at this same time for the whole summer.

"I have to go", I tell the woman, pulling my hand away. The bus screeches to a stop and  I stand up, grabbing my bag and slinging it over my shoulder. Halfway to the door I look back and see the fortune teller staring at me. I quickly get out of the bus, her silver eyes transfixed in my mind.

Later that day, after the morning rush of early risers and business people already late for work, I am flipping through the pages of the fashion magazine that the doughnut delivery lady left yesterday when the bell on the door rings. I look up, pushing the magazine under the counter.

"Hi, welcome to Espresso Expresso, what can I get for you?" I ask as chirpily as I can considering that I got less than five hours of sleep last night.

"Hey Ember, I didn't know you worked her."

"Oh hey", I answer. It's just Kyle, decked out in his usual black t-shirt and jeans, "I've been working here all year." Kyle looks embarrassed.

"Oh", he responds, "I guess I haven't been here in a while then." I laugh.

"So, so you want something?", I ask after a moment of awkward silence.

"Oh yeah, a caramel Frappuccino." I turn around and grab a cup and head towards the machine to make the Frappuccino, which also happens to be my favourite latte.

A minute later I set the coffee on the counter and take the crisp five dollar bill from Kyle. after handing him his change and wishing him a good day I realize he's still standing there.

"Do you, want something else?" I ask. He puts his hands in his pocket like he's uncomfortable.

"Ember", he says, "do you want to see a movie with me tommorow might?" I have to stop my mouth from dropping open. My brother's best friend, quiet, spacy, Kyle, wants to go on a date with me?

"Sure", I answer, "but it has to be after band practice, I work until five."

"How about I pick you up at seven?" he asks.

"That sounds good", I answer.

"Okat then", he says, "I'll see you tommorow, bye."

"Bye", I respond. He smiles and walks out the door, Frappucino in hand. I take out the fashion magazine and flip to the romance section. 10 tips for a first date is on the third page. Perfect. If I'm going to go on a date with a guy I barely know, an older guy, I'm going to need some help.