***JADE***
All this time I've never noticed this small shop and I walk this same street everyday on my way to my classes. Maybe I'm always late and never really took in my surroundings or didn't stop to take in what's around me. Call me lame but the only place I do go is home and school. But since I have more than an hour until my next class, I decided to take my moms advice and take some time to relax.
I opened the door to the coffee shop and the scent of freshly brewed coffee hits me immediately. The kind lady greets me as I approach the register.
"I don't believe I've seen you around here before," the old lady says. "You must be touring."
"No I'm just one of the weird ones that stay in the house all day," I said and she laughs hysterically. "But it do feel good to be out the house and getting some fresh air. School has really been kicking my ass lately."
"Oh you're in school!" She wipes her hands on her apron and smiles brightly. "You must go to that academy near the bridge. Only the smartest get in." I smile and nod my head. "Your parents must be very proud of you."
"Yeah I guess you can say that." I place my order and she hands me a ticket. Looking around, I take a seat in the far end next to the window. As older people begin to stroll in, I get a warm, comforting feeling as I watch the lady greet other customers. Rarely any trouble happens In this town and it's nice to see that people can breathe easily with no worries. I glance out the window and my heart drops as I lock eyes with someone across the street. He pauses for a second and smiles slamming his car door shut. Taking large steps, he makes it across the street and I break eye contact.
The waitress approaches my table and places my coffee in front of me with a slice of lemon cake. "Is there anything else you need?"
"No that'll be all," I said. "Thank you." She smiles and quickly heads over to another table. As the time goes by, more and more people start to fill up tables. Officers come in for the usual and kids cry out for ice cream. With my coffee nearly gone, I check my phone for a text from my Mom.
Nothing
She probably think I'm studying or something. I drink the rest of my coffee and leave a tip under the salt shaker.
"Wow! Ten dollars in tip? You must really liked your service."
I look up and see the same guy that I probably led on by staring at him for too long. He holds the same smile on his face and I attempt to smile back. "Well... Waitresses makes most of their money off of tips. You never know if they really in need of it."
"Oh please," he said laughing. "These waitresses make more money than the actual owners. They may look needy, but they're more than they appear." We both look over at the waitress that served me my coffee and she frowns at him. He waves back and we make eye contact again. "I'm Drew by the way."
"Jade," I said. He holds out his hands and I shake it. "It's nice to meet you Drew-"
"HEY LADY! HOW ABOUT WE GET SOME COFFEE OVER HERE!" The power of his voice hits me and I flinch. The shop gets quiet and he takes a seat at the table. Looking up at me, he smiles. "Come. Sit."
"Oh I... I already had my coffee"
"Don't you want another?"
"Well..."
"Its on me"
I fidget with my purse and chew my bottom lip nervously. His light blue eyes are so beautiful. Why is he still smiling????
I slide into the seat in front of him. "Just one more."
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"I CANT BREATHE!"
I laugh harder and he falls out the chair with laughter.
"I'm really going to pee on myself," I shout, holding my stomach. Everyone around us join in on the laughter and he laughs even louder. I wipe tears from my eyes and take a sip of my coffee. Climbing back into his seat, he wipes the tears from his eyes and looks at me. "Your face is red."
He laughs again and I can't help but laugh. "You are so funny. Has anyone ever told you that?"
"Well I don't really have friends since I've moved here," I said. "But my mom laughs at me all the time. And I barely say anything to her. I think she makes inside jokes about me." He laughs and I can feel my face turning hot with embarrassment. "I guess embarrassing myself is the only way people like me."
"I never said I liked you," He says and laughs. "But you're not that bad, Jane."
"Jade..." I correct him.
"Same thing." He takes a long sip of his coffee and I look out the window. "You should come to my party I'm throwing this weekend. You seem cool enough."
"A party?" I ask. "I don't really do parties. The last party I went to I ended up in a police station with nothing but a bra on."
He laughs. "That must have been lit then." I shrug my shoulders. "But this party is more... formal. Just a bunch of good friends and drinks." I raise my eyebrow questioningly. "Just a way to start off a good school year."
I stare at him for a second. The gray sweat jacket, messy hair, strong jawline.... Nothing about him says formal.
He could be lying. I look down at my cup. It could be a trap to get you to sleep with him.
But that's crazy...
"Where is it going to be at?" I ask.
"My place of course," he answers with a smirk.
Hell no! "I'll think about it," I said, returning an awkward smile. He slides a piece of paper towards me and stands up. "Wait. You didn't pay."
"I run this place."
As he is walking out, I stand up and join him. "You're not leaving me with that."
He laughs. "I think I'm starting to like you."
