One Last Look

11

He remembered it perfectly.

Her long brown hair swinging in it's braids as she practically flew into the shop.
The yellow of her raglan T-shirt contrasting in a strange harmony with her faded, ripped, blue jeans.

Ben was stunned for a minute.

Then, remembering that he had a job to do, he called out

"Hi, what can I do for you?"

She turned and grinned at him, smile shining brighter than the sun.

She opened her mouth to speak...
...and tripped over the untied shoelaces of her beat up converse.
Her legs flew up over her head, along with the numerous things in her arms.

"Oh GiNgErSnapS!"

She sprawled out on the floor, and burst into uncontrollable laughter.

"Well this is certainly a great first impression" she giggled, wiping the tears from her eyes.

Her adorable laugh and the ridiculousness of the scene before him had Ben laughing too.

"Hey it's no problem—" he bent down and began picking up her scattered things
"—it happens to everyone." He said, trying to get his laughing under control.
El's papers, pencils, books, and now cracked pair of glasses were now gathered in his arms.
"Here I think you need these," he said, handing her the glasses.
She took them with a smile.

"Yes I do, thank you."

She put them on.
The sun came in at that moment and highlighting her already beautiful eyes.

Ben caught his breath.

Then, with a little shake of his head, he said,
"I'm Ben, by the way."
He offered his hand to help her up.

She grinned and took it.
"El Woods, nice to meet you, and thanks for helping me."

"Do you need coffee or anything else?"

"Oh yes, whenever I come here I always order one Venti Embarrassment with a mocha latte on the side."
She giggled goofily at her joke.

Ben couldn't help but join in.

"Well since you had the embarrassment already, one Mocha Latte will be coming right up." He winked, grinning.

She returned his grin and walked to her table, now with a little spring in her step.

He'd had a feeling that he'd remember that moment for the rest of his life.

He was right.