Just A Boy With Tattoos

The Coffee Shop

I glanced around again, bouncing my leg nervously. I was supposed to be meeting my friend Zo at the cafe around the corner from her place and she was running late. This wasn't unusual for her, she tended to run on Zophia-time, as I called it. I just hated being in public places by myself; I knew I should've just met her at her place, but I was in serious need of my coffee so I went alone anyway. I also happened to be there at one of the busiest times of the day on a weekend. People shuffled around, anxious to get their caffeine fix and leave so they could enjoy the rest of their morning. I checked my phone to see if she was on her way and saw she had just said she would be another 20 minutes at least. I sighed, deciding to just walk over there once I got my drink when I suddenly heard my name being called.

"Felicity!" the barista called out to the lobby. I bounced up to the counter excitedly, but when I turned back around I bumped into a very solid mass and my coffee went everywhere. "Ah shit!" I exclaimed in frustration and embarrassment. I looked up at whoever I had just run into and was met with eyes that looked like pools of caramel underneath thick eyebrows that was currently knitted in a small frown. I was frozen, searching for something to say, literally anything, but nothing came out. As if breaking a spell, he finally broke eye contact and leaned around me to grab a rag, I could feel my face flush red as I reached for a bunch of napkins, finally speaking by apologizing repeatedly.

"You don't have to be sorry, it was partly my fault." his voice was silky smooth, like melted chocolate and my heart fluttered. His gaze was intense and dark curls fell in wild tangles just past a strong, square jawline. "I'm Roland, by the way, Roland Garcia Jr, but most people call me RJ. Is it alright if I pay for a new coffee for you?"  his lips curved into a crooked grin and I could see a slight chip in the corner of his front tooth. It was still difficult for me to form any words so I just nodded and we moved to stand in line again. I couldn't help but think how much more I liked Roland over RJ.

"I'm sorry, but I don't think I caught your name earlier?" Roland said, standing with his hands half tucked in his jean pockets, the grey T-shirt he was wearing was stretched by his broad shoulders and muscular arms.

"Felicity Wood. My friends like to call me Cici though." I replied quietly, still flushed and embarrassed from my total clumsiness. His smile widened.

"That's a pretty name." he said thoughtfully. "I think I prefer Felicity though." he said decidedly.

"Well I like Roland better than RJ." I hadn't realized I said this aloud until he busted out laughing. I was sure that my face had flushed to a horrifying shade of red that probably matched my copper hair. I fell silent and tried to avoid eye contact as we moved up the line. Roland however could not keep himself from chuckling every few seconds until we finally reached the counter. I quietly ordered my drink, which he did pay for against my feeble protests.

I checked my phone as we sat down to wait for my drink again since Zo should have been here by now and I saw that she was still fixing her hair and was going to be another 10 or 15 minutes. I sighed and rolled my eyes before sending a short reply and throwing my phone onto the table in annoyance.

Roland raised an eyebrow at me, but thankfully didn't ask about it. Instead he said, "So, I haven't lived here very long, I just moved to the university about a month ago. I haven't seen you around the campus though, so are you not in school?" he took a sip of his coffee and his eyes were alight with true interest. It had been a long time since I had felt this kind of attention and I wasn't sure how to act. I squirmed in my chair as my heart fluttered in my chest.

"No, I had to drop out a couple years ago for...personal reasons." I hesitated, not wanting to give too many details and he nodded in understanding. "Right now I'm just working at a little secondhand book shop tucked away downtown." His eyes lit up more at the mention of books.

"My uncle used to run a book shop when I was growing up and I would help out sometimes, stocking shelves and such. But when he didn't need my help, there was a widow in the attic with a seat looking out at the trees behind the shop. I would read there for hours." Roland's voice trailed off, his eyes suddenly looking far away. I recognized that look of nostalgia, as if remembering a better, simpler time.

We were snapped out of it by the barista suddenly calling my name again. Being more careful to handle it this time, I sat back down and took a sip of the scalding coffee, looking over the rim of my cup at him. He was currently distracted by his phone, so it gave me a chance to really look at him. His jaw was tense and his brows were knitted in concentration. His cheeks looked soft and even when he wasn't smiling, he had dimples. My eyes moved down his shoulders and arms and I noticed the edges of a couple tattoos peeking out from his sleeve and under his collar. I bit my lip just slightly; I loved tattoos and immediately wanted to ask to see them. Just as I was about to say something about them, Roland stood suddenly.

"I'm sorry, but I have to go; something important just came up. It was nice meeting you." his voice was suddenly flat and cold, there was no trace of his crooked smile on his lips. And with that he spun on his heel and left out the side door that led to the alleyway. I sat stunned for a moment before following after him, but by the time I got out to the alley and by the road, he was gone. What the fuck? Standing on the sidewalk feeling more than a little confused, I shook my head before heading in the direction of Zo's place; I didn't really feel like being in a public place anymore.

Why did you even try to follow him? I thought to myself. Getting involved with another person was the last thing I needed right now. Yet I still couldn't help, but daydream about caramel colored eyes and wanting to have those tattooed arms wrapping tightly around my waist.

***

Author's Notes:

I hope you guys like this story! It's been a while since I've written anything like this, but I'm enjoying writing it as much as I hope you enjoy reading it! I'm always open to constructive criticism, don't just be mean because you're an asshole. Anyway, this is basically how I imagined Felicity to look, I have a serious thing for redhead chicks and I managed to find this photo that was almost exactly how I pictured her.