Paper Planes

Chapter One | Coffee

Treading through the puddles concealing the soaked pavement, I headed down 5th towards the little coffee shop glowing on the corner, weaving my way through an ocean of people. As I reached the door, I retracted my grey umbrella that mirrored the sky and embraced the warmth of the shop. I found a vacant table by one of the vast windows that peered into the outside world and threw myself down. I pulled my laptop and earphones out of my bag - drenched by the relentless rain - and took off my coat.

Warming my hands with my coffee mug, I walked over to the counter glistening with pastries and cakes. While mulling over which one to pick, I was abruptly flung to the floor - yelping as I fell - spilling hot coffee all over myself. My shrieks were responded by a deep, soothing voice and an outstretched hand. Gingerly opening my eyes, they were met with the owner of the voice; a guy about my height with a mop of black hair and stubble outlining his face. I was immediately enchanted by his eyes, little twinkling galaxies with streaks of various blues and greens that provide a glimpse into one's heart and soul - the kind of eyes you could write songs about. I must have been in a daze because he started gently shaking me, repeatedly saying "Are you alright?", his words tinged with worry. Forcefully drawn back into reality, I blurted out:

"Y-y-yeah, I'm good."
"You sure? You really flew head-over-heels." he replied.

You have no idea.

His hand, still reaching out, beckoned mine and despite temptation I rose without his help. "Well, could I at least buy you another coffee? It's the least I could do to make it up to you." His voice, my goodness his voice..it made me wish I could conceal myself behind my glasses so I could hide my very visible blushing. "No it's-"
"I insist," he interjected, pulling out his leather wallet from his black windbreaker. Turning towards the counter, he ordered up two Cappucinos. "Could I get the name of the girl I'm buying coffee for?"
"Stephanie. Stephanie Ferris."
A smile emerged from his lips. "Well then Stephanie Ferris, it's a pleasure to meet you." Extending his arm once more, he continued, "Keith Richards." Still slightly shaken, I stretched out my hand to shake his. The warmth of his hands ricocheted throughout my being. He turned away for a brief moment, shoving his wallet back in his pocket and grabbing the Cappucinos. "Shall we?" he said, ushering me towards my table. He set down the two coffees in the middle of the table before pulling out a chair for me. My cheeks turned deep red for a brief moment at his gesture and before I could recompose myself, he sat himself down on the opposite end of the table.

We didn't say much for the first couple of minutes, we just flashed each other little smiles and sipped our coffee. What was I supposed to say? Thanks? Why'd you topple me over like a Jenga tower? I racked my brain for the words but none came to be. Eventually he said, putting down his half-finished coffee, "So. Who are you?"
"Wha-?"
"Who are you? Yeah I know your name, but tell me about yourself. Who is Stephanie Ferris?"
Strangely enough I felt significantly more relaxed, now that everything had settled down. "Well, I was born here in 199-"
"That's not what I meant. Come on, what makes you you? What goes on inside your head? What you love, despise, dream of and cherish is the paint of your masterpiece. So I'll ask again; who are you? I couldn't fight the tremendous smile forcing its way onto my face. I burst out laughing. Keith followed suit. "I'm serious!" he exclaimed between bursts of laughter. "After saying something so metaphorical surely I must deserve to know a little more about you?"
"Alright, alright." I replied, still smiling. "Here," I said, tilting my laptop towards him, handing him an earphone and pressing play. "This is who I am."
"Music?"
His eyes lit up with every passing note, rising and falling with the pitch and showing off every spark of emotion my song transferred to him. It was like I was in a dream, watching him sit there feeling the melody throughout his body and displaying his emotions like an open book. As the vocals came in, his eyes flicked up at me briefly and his jaw became slightly ajar. I was ridden with happiness yet embarrassment. I'd just met Keith and wasn't thinking straight. I mean, my heart had exceeded a speed that I was convinced wasn't possible. What if he hated it? What if he found it weird and by extension, me? After the song finished despite my fretting, he handed me back the earphone and let out a sigh that seemed to release the torrent of feelings welling up inside of him. "Stunning. Absolutely heart-tugging," he uttered under his breath, looking up at me. "You wrote and sung this?" I nodded in reply, pushing my glasses back onto the bridge of my nose.
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Hello ^_^ Penn here. I'm just here to let you know that I'm planning on getting the bulk of this book done this Winter and the coming Spring. Favourites and comments are appreciated as usual c:

~Penn