Naomi's POV
As I rolled out of bed my phone buzzed. "What could Nasim want now I think to myself?" I bend over to see the notification, which read:
From Unknown Sender,
Hey stranger, 1 pm coffee sounds good. My treat! See you there, I'll be wearing a white shirt.
Mysterious Mena
Immediately my stomach tingles. I smile to myself and go get ready. Paint my nails, grab a grey shirt and a mini skirt with my favorite black boots and of course my black leather jacket; curl my hair, spritz on some perfume and head out. As soon as I'm out the door the cold October breeze hits my face.
In just a few minutes I arrive at the coffee shop, early of course, but he knew I'd do that. I sit down and pull out a book. The hunger games, the world around me disappears; all focus is on the pages in front of me and for a minute I actually forget what I was there to do. I read and read till suddenly something startles me.
"Sorry." said the stranger that accidentally bumped into my chair.
"It's fine don't worry." I respond with a small smile.
Who am I kidding...was I stupid to think a stranger would show up to meet me? More like crazy. I gather my things and get up when suddenly I feel someone tap my shoulder.
A raspy yet soft voice lets out a "Hey". My eyes widen and I get goosebumps all over my body. I slowly turn around.
"Hi–i, you must be Mena, I'm Naomi, but you knew that." Of course, he does you dummy.
"Yes, that would be me. It's incredible to finally meet you...shall we sit?"
"Likewise and sure...so, how long have you lived here in London?" I asked since he obviously lacked the accent.
"I'm from Toronto, I mean Egypt but raised in Toronto. I actually moved here a few months ago."
"Cool..."
An awkward silence takes over as we sip our coffees, however he breaks it with a stutter.
"Um, may I just say you're like way more beautiful in person...sorry if that's weird I just can't believe I'm sitting here with you. I'm not really great with words..., I like writing as you can probably tell by now." He looks down and smiles, his cheeks get red and his curls move around as he looks up again. "You're very intriguing you know? Can I ask you something?"
"Ah..sure I guess"
"Why'd you cut your hair? I mean not that I don't like it its just you seem different than when I first saw you. And the makeup, why do you barely wear any anymore? Not that you look bad, you're beautiful its just...strange. You're very different."
"Different?"
"Yeah, different...but good different."
"Good different." I repeat in an interrogative tone.
"I'm sorry you probably think this is weird."
"Um it sure is different... but I guess its charmingly different?"
"Charmingly different huh? I'll take it" He responds and lets out a laugh.
That laugh, it was different, genuine. I know he didn't say anything but my cheeks definitely turned red. He was stunning, big brown eyes, and a beautiful smile and that hair. Impossible not to look at.
"I'm sorry I just I don't get how I never noticed you around school before. Do we–"
"No, we don't take class together." He interrupted. "I guess only the people who wanna be seen are the ones who get seen. I'm not really a going out guy. Not like you anyways.Not that thats a bad thing at all I just, I'm not that kind of guy..."
My expression changed. How much did he know about me?
"What do you mean not like me? What exactly do you know about me?"
His face turned white, part of him knew he screwed up. "No I didn't mean it like that I just–"
"I can't believe I was so stupid... is this a joke or something?"
"What? No of course not."
"Then why are you going out with me if you know?"
"Because I don't care, the person you are today is what matters to me not the stupid mistakes of the past. Please, give me a chance."
I felt a knot form in my throat. My eyes slowly watered and my stomach turned.
"I'm sorry, I can't. I have to go." I grabbed my purse and walked away. "I'm sorry."
He sat there, that's all he could do. Its all anyone should do. I was so angry, angry at myself. I was so dumb and naive. In a way, my heart ached for him. I needed someone to hug and part of me wanted to turn around, but nobody deserved to be a part of the mess up I became.
