From Autumn to Winter: A Winterwidow College AU

Come for the Coffee and Stay for the Anxiety

James

I still had to suppress a smile every time I thought about the interaction outside my apartment. Had that really only been this three days ago? It felt like it had been weeks since she stepped out onto the crowded street and drove away from my apartment. The more I thought about her, better I wanted to know her. The most random questions about her kept popping into my head at the most random times.

What was her favorite color? Who was her favorite band? Does she like tea or coffee? Is she a morning person? What kind of movies does she like? Was she organized or messy? What was the natural texture of her hair? Did she have an everyday perfume? What would be her ideal date? How did she kiss? Does she have a boyfriend...

These questions came before I could stop them. Each one more personal than the last. They had been coming at random points throughout the week, but a surge of them engulfed my brain as I walked down the crowded New York streets to the hole in the wall coffee shop where I was supposed to meet Natasha. I took in all of the places I'd visited so many times before, yet hadn't seen in almost a year. It was nice to relive old memories and see flashbacks while I surveyed all of the old bricks and peeling signs in the morning light while the sounds of the city swirled around me.

As the early October wind rushed over me, Calvin and Barrington's came into view. It was a tiny coffee shop in the East Village area. It was one of my favorite places to visit in High School. I've met up with friends and crammed for finals there. They have THE BEST egg sandwiches.

I saw the old dry cleaning place and the apartment building that the cafe was sandwiched between. Seeing the buildings next to it really accentuated how small the place was. However, I think that it makes the place give off a cozy and welcoming vibe. I walked past the bench where two women were sitting while their dog drank from the bowl of water the coffee shop had put out. That was another thing I liked about this place. I was a very welcoming environment. The people here seemed to care about their customers. One of the women nodded and waved at me. I did a kind of awkward wave back, but hey, at least I acknowledged her.

I could smell the coffee beans from outside. The glass door had a little white logo on it. When I went in, I heard a quiet bell chime. "Welcome to Calvin and Barrington's." yelled a barista over the machine she was using to hastily make a latte. She looks just a few years younger than me. She has dark skin and shiny chocolate brown hair that was pulled into a half-up-half-down messy bun. She had a red flannel on with ripped jeans and a Minnesota Vikings shirt. Wow. She does the edgy look well.

As I walked toward the counter, I surveyed my surroundings. Most things were exactly as they were a year ago. The archaic coffee machine. The record player and large record collection in the corner. Even the pictures of various spots around New York that hung in frames on the wall. I suppose it had only been a year. It just felt like so... long.

It was early enough that there wasn't a line at the counter. There was sure to be one in a couple minutes though. Sure, Calvin and Barrington's wasn't hugely popular, but there was still bound to be a breakfast rush.

The woman behind the counter finished making the latte and handed it to a tired looking man who walked away without a thank you. She sighed and then quickly turned to me.

"Hey." she said in a monotone as she brushed her hair off her face. She had the most beautiful accent I've ever heard. English, but not quite. More old fashioned. Nordic maybe? Her eyes darted toward my feet and then back up at my face. Her face made an expression that let me know she was trying to place me or remember where she'd seen me. "You new around here?"

"New to you. I'm James."

"Val."

Val seemed to have a permanent look of accusation across her face. It felt more intimidating than it should've been. She started to smile. "We can keep staring at each other, or you can give me your drink order. Both are fine ideas, but I think I prefer the order one. I felt my cheeks go slightly red. My eyes darted across the chalkboard with the menu written in beautiful cursive on it. "I'll have a...medium cold brew coffee please." Val raised an eyebrow. God, how do people do the one raised eyebrow thing. "I haven't received a please in a while. What's next a thank you?"

She faked a gasp. It made me chortle. "Or maybe even," I slipped a ten dollar bill from my wallet. "A TIP!" Val smiled for a brief moment, but then she returned to making my coffee while I put the bill in the tip jar and wandered over to the white marble counter where drinks were handed out. When Val was done, she placed my coffee on the counter top with her ring-strewn hand said "Hope I see you around here, James."

"I will definitely be coming back." I said. Then the door opened and Val went back to the counter. "Welcome to Calvin and Barrington's."

I walked to the back room where the seating was. There were a couple couches, but it was mostly small tables with a couple chairs at each one. I didn't sit immediately. Insead I walked to the back where the record player was. I fished around through the many records on the shelf until I came to what I was looking for. Maroon 5: Songs About Jane. Their best album was their first. Try and change my mind (you won't). When the album started playing, Val craned her head around the corner of the wall that separated the two rooms. She nodded at me as if to applaud my music taste. It feels good to be recognized.

"Welcome to Calvin and Barrin-- Nat? Oh my God! Hi!" I jerked my head up, and there she was. She was hugging Val while she took off her sunglasses. She was dressed in shiny black ankle boots, tight, black, distressed jeans, a white David Bowie t-shirt and...my jacket. It looked so natural and stylish on her that I hadn't even noticed it was mine. Her hair wasn't curled anymore. It was fairly straight with a little wave at the tips where it turned blonde. She looked so effortlessly beautiful and polished.

She talked to Val while her eyes darted around the room. Then, those gorgeous eyes found me. She showed the slightest hint of a smile. Val followed where she was looking and smirked. Val said something and then Natasha started walking over to me. How did I get to have the privilege of seeing that walk toward me?