white crayon • jerrie thirlwards

prologue

I take a deep breath and watch the cars drive by outside the half-frozen window. Winter is always the best time of the year, with all the drinking hot chocolate and playing in the snow. I always go to the little coffee shop down the road to get some tea or hot chocolate during these cold days and sit beside to window to watch all the busy people. Today I brought my laptop so I can search things on Tumblr and finish writing my story.

My fingers wrapped around my hot chocolate tightly, I glance at the front entrance as someone opens the door. A blonde girl walks in with a red coat that has fur at the hood. She rubs her hands together and looks around at the place, lips curved into a wide smile.

I've already taken an interest in the girl. Her wide smile as she sees the coffee shop lightens up the room, not only because of her white teeth. She walks over to the counter and orders something, probably a tea. She seems like a tea girl.

I quickly look away as she glances over in my direction. I stare at my computer screen and try to seem like I'm intrigued to whatever is on it. She seems to not notice me at all anyways and just walks over to a table in front of me.

I look over at her and smile as I see her look out the window, still smiling widely. She seems so happy. I keep looking at her, until she turns around, probably feeling my stare. I quickly look back at my computer screen, never looking back even when she looks directly at me. No words come from her, just a short shrug.

Her drink comes quicker than mine ever do. A Chai Tea. I knew she was a tea girl. She tells the waitress a small thank you with a giant smile. The waitress doesn't smile back, though, just a nod of the head and then she walks away. No one is ever happy in this town.

Except this girl.

I don't dare say a word to her the entire time she's here. I hesitate to say a small hello once in a while but say nothing, not wanting to make a fool out of myself. She gets up and waves at the people at the counter, saying a happy thank you before leaving. I watch her walk out of the small coffee shop and put on her furry hood. She looks down at the ground and that happy smile leaves those beautiful lips.

She keeps walking but she doesn't look happy anymore.

✖️

[a week later]

I take my normal seat again. Near the half-frozen window in the back of the small coffee shop. I give the waitress a half-smile as she gives me my hot chocolate. I open up my laptop and begin writing about the blonde girl who was actually never happy.

As I begin to write, she walks in. Same red jacket with a fur hood, same fake, happy smile. She orders the same thing as before, a Chai Tea. She walks over to her spot in front of me and sighs this time instead of smiling out the window.

I get the courage to tap her on her shoulder. When she turns to me, I give her a sympathetic smile. "I'm Jade."

She doesn't smile back, only nodding. "I'm Perrie."

I sigh as she quickly turns away from me. Her tea comes over and she pulls that fake smile again as she takes it from the same waitress.

"I know you're not happy."

She freezes, almost like the window beside us. She decides not to respond, just taking a large sip of the tea and staring out the window. Her blonde hair looks shorter today. Maybe she cut it. I don't know why she would, though. Her hair looked beautiful long.

"Please talk to me."

She ignores me again. This time, she shuffles in her seat uncomfortably. I decide to stop my attempts to get her to speak to me and look back at my laptop, continuing to write about her.

Before I realize it, she took off, walking out of the coffee shop faster than Flash. She stood outside of the shop and looks over at me before walking off into the distance.

✖️

okay, so this is how it's going to be laid out. coffee shop couple! not the high school scene like sweet surrender. but, lol, yeah, prologue kind of.

more after sweet surrender ;)