Allure

2 Ryon

Work at the coffee shop flew by exceptionally fast. Noon to 8 wasn’t a bad shift, though normally a lot busier. Near closing there are a few people in the shop, some just for a sit in for late night reads from the book store we partner with next door, others waiting for the bus stop right out front getting out of the rain and the cold that it brought with it.

“Excuse me, miss?” A man with a thick accent took my attention from wiping down the counter, one which I couldn’t quite place with his few words. Looking up at him he was gorgeous. Young.

“Hi, how may I help you.” I put on my best smile. The longer you looked at him the more handsome he was, he had even stubble growing back where he’s shaved recently, it looked dark against slightly tanned skin.

“Could I have a Fruit smoothie? And what bagel do you recommend?” his short thick, jet black hair clung to his forehead rebelliously and his hazel eyes were bright,

“Small, Medium, large or extra-large for the smoothie?” I try my best not to stare. “Our cinnamon raisin is my favorite.”

“Yeah? I’ll give it a fair go, double it please.” He smiled and handed me cash. “and a large.”

“$12.14. Can I have a name for the order?

“Richard.” He smiled broadly while handing me a twenty.  His white shirt was unbuttoned half way and untucked from his black pants on one side. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up to his elbows. The rain cause the shirt to stick to his arms and chest he was muscular and it fit his tall frame excellently.

“Australia?” I asked as I handed him back his change.  

“Sydney.”

“It’s beautiful.”

“You’ve been, yeah?” He asked, fascinated.

“Ha, No I wish, but I’ve always wanted to go.” I handed him his bagels and smoothie.

“Well, Ryon” he stopped to look at my name tag. “…if your bagel is as good as you plea, we could arrange something.” He said with a smile, he was always smiling. Walking backwards and lifting his cup in the air, he left the shop without actually saying goodbye.

“Well, I really hope you like cinnamon.” I smiled slightly to myself.

I drove home in the silence, I leaned to the left to punch in the code to allow myself access. This school went out of its way for security, each student had their own code that opened the gates, got them into their own dorm departments, should something happen to a student on or off campus the code would be put on a temporary red alert. If it’s used Campus security uses cameras to confirm the safety of the student. We had no curfew and no strict rules against visitation, Only Girls room with girls, Guys with Guys, and at least two staff members of the same sex roomed in each housing unit.

Students were urged to use student entry at night which took you straight to the housing units, you couldn’t get passed the gates without showing your School ID twice at two different stops.  If you had another in the car, they must show their ID as well, If not a student, they were taken down as a guest and were allowed a 8 hour stay during the week days if they weren’t on the official visitation list. With leaving you show your ID as well. Basically, The school always knows who is on campus.

The parking lot was brightly lit and the reflection of the lights danced on the black top with the rain. 

“Hello?” I called out to Tristen.

“Hey.” She called from the bathroom. “Welcome back.” She was preparing for bed.  She’s changed again. Barefoot, loose cotton Pajama shorts, spaghetti strap, no bra you can see the slight outline of her nipple piercings she Had a tattoo going up her calf on her right leg, 5 footprints. Her thick thighs brushed against each other slightly. Tooth brush in hand she asked. “How was work?”  

“It was uh, it was good.” I stumbled over my words and shifted my weight to one leg, I let my bag fall.  “How were things here?”

“Pretty Quiet. Last Roomie’s gone AWOL.” She retreated back to the bathroom. Her back dimples were pierced, with silver caps.

“What does your tattoo mean?”

“Mmm.” She uttered from the bathroom. I hear her spit and the water run. She walks out and turns off the light. “Everyone remembers the Hard times, the heartbreaks, the loss, and anything that’s truly brought them to their knees. But no one remembers that inevitable point where you find the ground beneath your feet think to yourself. ‘Hey I’m alright, I will get through this, and I will be fine.’ And then you are, you're fine.  Each footstep is me, getting through it, moving forward.” She takes my jacket from my hand and goes to the front closet to hang it up. “Tell me you like pizza.”

“Love it.” I said emotionlessly. This girl had me curious, and a small part of me was attracted to her, I was always one to succumb to my emotions and this one was new.

“Good.” She smiled and ran to the kitchen returning with two boxes.