Sunshower

Chapter 4: Americano

Cassia opened her eyes and Hoseok's face was only inches from hers. She involuntarily looked him straight in the eyes and followed his nose down to his lips. As she realized what she was doing, she became embarrassed, which made her extremely upset. Emotion was a sign of weakness. Unfortunately for her, Hoseok was not oblivious at all. His arm tightened around her waist and she felt the anger slipping away. She was aware of the strength of his arm wrapped around her and for a moment she felt like she would never fall as long as his arm was around her. But then, two seconds later, her mind short wired and she panicked. She found her feet very quickly, scrambled out of his arms, and excused herself, leaving her toothbrush and toothpaste on the floor where it fell.

"Cass, wai—," Hoseok tried to get her attention, but she was already hidden behind her door. He picked up her toothbrush and paste and took it back to his room to give to her later.

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The next morning was extremely awkward for Cassia. As she lay in bed, she felt overwhelmed with contrasting feelings running through her head. She got up extra early and fixed the boys' breakfast before they woke up. Then she headed out to the Westberlin coffee shop. She sat at the same blue table in the corner sipping on her iced americano. She had been surfing on her computer for over an hour, trying to find somewhere else to stay, when she saw him walk in.

Hoseok walked to the counter and ordered a coffee. He turned away from the counter to take a seat and noticed Cassia in the corner. He stopped for a moment and Cassia felt herself sink down behind her computer, trying to hide from his gaze. She knew he had already seen her though. However, he didn't come over to her. He found a table several feet away from her and sat down. He took off his jacket and spread out. He grabbed a notebook out of his bag and,with his phone in his hand and earphones in his ears, he began writing.

Cassia sat up straighter when she realized he wasn't paying attention to her. She caught herself sneaking glances at him again, just like that day on the train tracks. Before long, she found herself just watching him silently work. He was definitely working hard. She could tell by the intensity in his eyes, the furrow on his brow, and the way his mouth contorted when something didn't turn out the way he wanted. But there was something about his presence, something about him when he wasn't "challenging" her that brought a sense of peace to her. She found a calmness wash over her body that she wasn't use to and it was, at the same time, blissful and terrifying.

He turned his head toward her as he felt her eyes on him. She jumped when their eyes locked and ducked her head down immediately. She didn't see him, but he chuckled softly. He gathered his things and walked over to her table.

"Is anyone sitting here?" Hoseok asked. Cassia shook her head and he sat down across from her. "What are you over here working on so intently?" Hoseok spoke in a lower than normal tone so he didn't scare her away again. At his question, she looked up at him with confusion in her eyes. She found his voice did not invoke an insane fear like it had done just a few days before.

"Trying to plan the next leg of my journey," she said softly. Hoseok leaned closer because he couldn't hear and Cassia automatically backed away.

"Sorry, sorry," Hoseok held up his hand and sat back. "I didn't mean to frighten you. I just couldn't hear you."

"Oh," Cassia said. "I apologize. It's just habit. I said I was trying to plan the next part of my journey." A look of concern crossed Hoseok's face, which confused Cassia even more. It reminded her of the day her dad left.

"Are you leaving?" Hoseok questioned her. "Where are you going?" His voice almost sounded pleading. But that wasn't possible. He had just met her. Cassia sat up and looked at him, trying to control her emotions.