Always

nineteen

L U N A

I tapped my nails against the table as I stared out of the fogged window, watching the previously crowded streets turn completely empty within a matter of seconds. I sighed and finally peeled my eyes away from the window and took a look around the café. My eyes fell on a girl who looked about the same age as me but apart from her, the diner was deserted.

I turned my eyes away from her and looked at the coffee stained table in front of me which held nothing but a steaming cup of hot chocolate and the old and battered copy of 'Wuthering Heights' I had issued from the public library just this morning.

The quiet and empty café gave off a comforting feeling and I basked in the warmth and peace of my surrounding, giving myself the space I really needed.

But even that serenity did not last long.

I looked up from the table when I heard a bell on the door chime as someone walked inside the café and eyes fell on a boy. He silently made his way to the barista and mumbled his order. While his back was turned towards me, I took a minute to eye him carefully, taking in his relaxed posture as he leaned against the counter and the way he constantly ran his fingers through his hair.

I turned my gaze away from him and flipped open my book to a random page. It was useless to try and read what was written on those pages because I knew that in a matter of seconds all these letters, words, sentences and paragraphs would melt into nothing more than nonsense.

I looked back at the guy and saw him already staring at me. A small smile grew on his lips and he began making his way towards me. I smiled too and sat up straighter as Tobias walked over to my table, which was in the far corner of the café.

"It's a small world isn't it?" He grinned. "I wasn't expecting to see you here."

"Me neither. What are you doing here at this hour?" I questioned as he took a seat in the chair opposite to me. I tried to hide my discomfort as I flashed him a small smile.

It's not like I didn't want to speak to him. I didn't want to speak to anyone at all. And no matter how much I tried to push down this weird feeling in my gut, I couldn't help but feel my breath get caught in my throat.

"I just got back from the football match and I wanted a hot drink, considering it is freezing outside." He said.

I nodded. "How was the match?" I asked, bringing my untouched cup up to my lips and taking a sip of the now cold drink.

"It was so intense! I really thought that the other team would win this one but then at the last moment our team scored and won the match." A huge grin was on his face and I smiled slightly.

"You must really like football. Have you ever tried for the school team?" I asked, wrapping my fingers around my fingers which were growing numb.

I liked to think that the numbness and tingling feeling on my skin was due to the freezing weather outside but deep down I knew it had nothing to do with the cold.

I saw his cheeks redden slightly as he looked down at his hands which were placed on the table. "I do like football, a lot actually. But playing in the field and watching from the stands are both two different experiences and I think I prefer watching over playing."