Distractions

Chapter 2

Dance practice was over when Sharlene and her group has successfully made a run of their dance. She wouldn't waste any more time and went directly to the café nearby. She has exams coming up and she won't let anything distract her.

She wore a sweater, jeans, and glasses after freshing up at the studio.

Her long hair was swaying in the wind as she was walking towards the near café.

"It is very windy these days." She muttered to herself.

"Seems like it."

She turned around, surprised to see George walking behind her.

"Gosh, you scared me! Anyway, where are you off to?" Sharlene asked.

"To the café. I wanted to try the coffee there since I'm new in town." George replied.

"Oh! I was heading there. You wanna accompany me there? I know their special!" She exclaimed.

"Great!" He said.

Sharlene excitedly, grabbed George's wrists and ran together.

What a windy day it was.

...

They arrived at the café panting and needing air, because Sharlene decided to run with George.

"My goodness, how are you still breathing?" Sharlene asked.

"What are you talking about? I'm breathless here!" George replied.

"Hello~ Welcome to The Caffeiné! What would you like today?" The cashier asked.

Sharlene looked at George and asked "You want the best drink here?"

"By all means, please do." He replied.

"So the usual then?" The cashier asked.

"Yes. Get two of them for me and my buddy here." Sharlene replied.

"Alright!" The cashier replied.

"You order the same coffee here everyday?" He asked.

"Yeah. It has always been my favorite. Hey, you're paying yours ah?" She said.

"Why wouldn't I?" He asked.

Sharlene thought "Right. Why wouldn't he?"

"Two usuals coming up!" The cashier said.

"Is it really called usual?" George asked.

"Nope. This is my mix and it's hard to pronounce it. That's why they call it usual." Sharlene answered.

"What do you call it then?" George asked?

"Frapiciluxe." Sharlene said.

"That's not hard to pronounce!" He exclaimed, laughing.

"It has meaning. And I like it that way." Sharlene said.

"Something tells me that's a story for another time." George replied.

"Yep. You been through these kinds of situations?" Sharlene asked.

"Obviously." He replied.

Silence filled the area for awhile as they were the only two in the café. They weren't looking at each other as if they are both shy to show themselves to each other.

"So...where do you study?" George broke the silence.

"State University. Theater." She replied.

"Ah. You want to become an artist from the start?" He asked.

"Dancing is my passion. I don't want to let it go to waste so easily." She replied.

"What about you? Where do you study?" She added.

"Also State University. Programming." He replied.

"But I thought you just moved in recently?" Sharlene wondered.

"Yeah I did. Got transferred a week ago." He said.

"Where were you (studying) before?" She asked.

"UConn." He said.

"Oh I see. Must be great there." She asked.

"Not really? Based on my experiences I mean." George replied with a frown.

"Something happen?" Sharlene asked.

"Just a year ago. Basketball tryouts for UConn to play at NCAA. I wanted that spot. It was my... say... passion..." He started.

Sharlene just stared right in his eyes. Not caring whether George thinks she is listening or not. She is just mesmerized by how cute he is and how she just continued to smile while he told his story in UConn.

She was deep inside the infatuation. And she just smiled to herself not knowing what could come next.

"...and I reaggravated my injury, transferred here so I would save my knee from failing me..." George continued.

Sharlene was snapped back to reality when she heard knee injury from him.

"Wait a minute. You hurt your knee?" She interrupted.

"Yeah. Haven't you been listening?" He asked.

"I've been listening but I had my mind on something." She said

"Well, yeah. It ruined my career before it started. Took a path in programming, got good at it, then transferred here." He said.

"Well, life can only take you so far. You'll eventually land on somewhere you belong." Sharlene said.

"I know. Been living like this, never believed in miracles. Maybe one day, but not now." George said.

Miracles? What could it mean?