And I Can't Change

I Met Her at a Coffee Shop, or Something

It took me several minutes until I finnaly got out of bed. After I tossed and turned in my blankets, and covered my eyes from the light streaming in from my bedroom window, I thew off the soft blankets and sat up. I grasped for my phone on the nightstand and shut off my morning alarm.

Today was Monday. So I stood up stretched for a bit, and walked to the bathroom to shower like I did everyday. As the water warmed up I took off my clothes and listened to the dripping in the background.

I stepped in and begun my daily routine, mundane thoughts flowing in and out my head. My dream was intresting. Sometimes I just have a dreamless sleep, and other times strange events happen. This time it was about an intresting girl with the power of healing.

I was careful not to fall as I got out of the shower and closed the glass door. I wiped off the fogged mirror and saw my reflection. I had a slim body that was slightly curvy. My medium blue hair was fading into my natural black hair, which meant I would have to dye it agian. My face was fine, I guess, apart from the freckles dotted on my cheeks, which I promptly frowned at.

I sighed and changed into a sweater and jeans for the day. After grabbing my bag of books, I exit my dorm and made my way to the first class I had. Throughout the day I took notes, participated, and asked questions as such. College wasn't easy, but I have my dreams set high.

Ever since I was little, I wanted to be an astronaut. I developed skills in mathematics, biology, physics, and computing in high school. Now in my last year of college, I plan on pursuing my dream and getting a bachelor's degree in all four subjects. I spent my life on nothing else and don't have much time for fun or relationships.

I'm so close to reaching all I've ever wanted. And after I finish my studies and fulfill all the requirements, I'm applying to work at NASA. Someday I'll get to see the twinkle of the stars clearer than ever. Someday I'll be able to reach up to the galaxy above me. I'll be there.

The rest of the day passed by quickly. I finished up my classes and headed to the gym on campus like I always did. I changed in the locker room and exercised on the treadmill, calmly listening to piano drifting in my head.

As I was walking back to my apartment, I suddenly got a notification on my phone. It was from the dorm manager of B7, in the groupchat where everyone from my dorm was informed of everything. The text read: "B7 is under construction from hours 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm due to an issue with the water pipes and electric system."

I sighed in great annoyance. I would have to find a quieter place to study for today, since construction was always noisey. "I bet I could fix everything faster then them," I muttered under my breath as I walked to the coffee shop off campus, which was admittedly the next best option.

I pulled the glass door open and took a seat at one of the many tables in the room. The area smelled of cinnamon and I heard coffee beans being ground in the background. Potted plants were placed about the room and the wide windows let light in to the wooden floor and tan walls.

I grabbed my laptop out of my bag and opened it whilst I also untangled my earbuds. Pressing the mathematics book on the table, I clicked on a calm study playlist I found. After I flipped my book open and opened the program on my computer, my mind set in gear to start studying.

However, before I could look at my work, I saw her. She had long slender legs and pretty blonde hair in a bun. She was wearing the coffes shop's uniform and serving people. I caught a glimpse of her smiling face as she handed a student coffee.

I felt my face heat up and turned back to my laptop, only to hear steps toward me. I glanced over and, oh my god, it was her. She carried a small notebook and pen and finnaly stopped walking and stood right next to my table. Forgetting I had earbuds in I turned to her while she said something. I quickly tore them out and tried to hide my embarrassment. She only did a sweet little giggle which almost broke my heart in two.

"Anyways what do you want to drink," she asked me with a smile. She had sparkling green eyes and curved brown eyebrows. And her rosy red lips... I noticed I was starimg and was willing to bet my face was pink.

"Um, I'll have a c-carmel frappuccino," I said to her and mentally smacked my head. She scribbled something on her notepad and smiled, then gracefully walked away with her pretty long legs. I sighed in relief knowing I made an absolute fool of myself.

Minutes passed and I "tried" to study, mainly looking at her. I didn't even know her name, what was wrong with me? She eventually came back holding my order coffee. She held it out for me and while I grasped it my hand brushed hers. Her smile was reassuring as I set the cup down on the table. I took a deep breath.

"Do you-," I began as she look at me curiously. "I mean, do you wanna go out sometime?" She stared at me for a moment. What was I thinking? Any girl as pretty as her would already have a boyfriend. She's probably not interested in girls. She won't like me, I'm too ugly.

"Sure." My heart stopped. She tore out a piece of paper and started writing on it. She handed it to me. It took a moment to process everything, but I eventually took the paper after looking like an idiot. While I was looking at the paper she had walked away. She left her number in loopy handwriting and a heart to the side of it.

*****

"And how did you meet her agian?" Stacy asked through the phone as I was curled up in my bed. Stacy was one of my only friends. We met at this college and she is studying to be a botanist. She was one of those kinds of friends that you could say anything to and rely on. I guess that's why I confide in her so much.

"I met her at a coffee shop, or something..." I said back into the phone.

"Well is she pretty?" I could practically imagine the curious smile she was doing.

"Yeah. Really pretty." The note shifted in my hand and I flopped on my back. I couldn't stop seeing her sweet smile and the way her fingertips brushed against mine. Her soft expression as I asked her out was in my dream that night.