She's No Angel

Coffee

It seemed pretty strange that I'd met someone I cared about. I've known her for what? 10 hours? And she won't leave my mind. I've never been in love, if that's what this is.
My phone buzzed next to my bed, vibrating through the wood of my bedside table whilst playing that basic iPhone ringtone. God that annoyed me. I squinted and wiped my eyes, reaching my phone from the table. What d'ya know... She texted me. That little minx actually bothered to talk to me.

"Hey. Tobias. It's me Lacey, you know... Cat girl. Just wanted to know if you would fancy meeting me for a coffee today. I have something to tell you. Last night was great by the way."

I smiled like an idiot at my phone. I began to text back.

"Alright Lace? Im happy to meet up, although I can't actually remember much from last night after we hit the vodka, but I must be doing something right if you enjoyed yourself. Meet me at Little Mindies at 2pm. Yeah?"

I got up, my insides burning and crumbling. I felt like death. Hangovers are the worst. The time was 1pm, just enough time for me to catch a shower and have a bash on the guitar before I set off.

I approached the kitchen, Ben was making a brew. I raised my left hand to wave, but gave him no direct eye contact.

"Tea two mate."

"Toby, what time did you get home last night."

He looked pissed off, shit. I shrugged my shoulders and tried to avoid him by walking towards the bathroom.

"If I'm honest with you, I don't know. Please don't shout at me again I've got a bloody headache man."

"Tobias. You owe me over 800 quid, you're taking the piss now and your pain is self inflicted you dumbass."

I put my hands on my head and walked slowly over to the kettle trying to avoid anymore conversation. Whispering to myself, "I'll make my own brew then."

"Listen Ben, I know I owe you... But I haven't got a job yet so there's only so much I can do. Can you just get off my case?"

"Do you have any money left? I leant you £100 last night, surely you have some spare?" Fuck me, this guy is annoying. What happened to my best friend? He's turned into a complete control freak. Just because he's got a girlfriend, a full time job and a nice car.

I leant on the kitchen counter, it was dark marble with slight sparkles that you could only just catch in the daylight. I pulled out some tobacco from my pocket and a small wallet with some crushed cannabis inside and placed it on the counter in front of me. Taking a filter and placing it between my lips and then carefully laying out the weed and tobacco in the rolling paper.

"You're getting high already? You've only just woken up." I sighed and looked at him like he was my annoying house wife. "It's the best time. The only way I can put up with you and your menstrual cycle." I laughed to myself. I find myself funny. I shouldn't be so sarcastic though to be honest, I know I piss Ben off but I can't help myself.

"I'm not even going to answer that. Just... Sort yourself out. Jesus." Finally, he left the room. At least I can have a coffee and a joint in peace now. My head was banging and my throat was dry, kind of husky. I finished rolling my joint and placed it behind my ear and continued to make myself a drink.

Little Mindies was my favourite place to go for coffee. Me and Ben used to go when we were about 19 just before our lectures at university. We grew up together, I've known him for as long as I can remember. My mum and his were like soul mates. We rode to school together on our bikes, played out in the park together, he was there when I committed my first crime. I shoplifted a local garage when I was 17, I stole a 4 pack of Budweisers and got away with it. Thanks to Ben. He's always been there for me, I just don't know what's happened with us.

I walked into Little Mindies, high out my face, red eyes and bags under my eyes. I was a right state. My oversized cardigan didn't do me any favours, neither did my long beard, but seeing Lacey sat down on a two seater table near the window on her phone cheered me up a little. She didn't notice me until I tapped her on the shoulder and sat down across from her.

"Sorry I look so rough. I'm not feeling my best today."

"Don't worry about it, I don't feel to fabulous myself."

I grinned and kissed her forehead. It's best to be polite and a gentleman to her, she looks like she deserved some TLC and I think I need to start being kinder to women anyway.

I went to the coffee counter and ordered. "One vanilla latte please." I laid down my five pound note on the side for my coffee and turned around to face Lacey. She was just sat there looking out of the window, her hair was perfectly curled and stayed in one place. Beyond beautiful in every detail I could dream of. She turned her head slightly and caught me looking at her. She smiled. I love her smile. Her eyes would shine like diamonds, they were divine.

I collected my coffee and left the change. Something I need to get out the habit of. I need the change. I walked back over to her and took a seat.

"So, Lacey. Tell me more about yourself?" I asked. I was genuinely interested in this girl.

"Well, I'm 25 from California. I moved to London about 8 months ago to get away from my problems. I divorced my husband and decided to make a change to my life over here. A new me. I have no family anymore so I decided I'd have to start again somewhere. What else do you want to know? Likes dislikes?" She laughed.

"Why are you a stripper then?" Oops. Shouldn't of said that... I better think of something quick to cover it up that I'm not a complete moron. "I'm only playing. You must have your reasons?"

She laughed at me. At least she wasn't throwing her coffee in my face, i guess it's a start. "Yeah, well, I want to be fashion designer. Have my own clothing line sort of thing? I need a lot of money to start my business and buy materials for the samples. So I thought to myself, what job could I get quick yet high money for something so little? Of course, if I don't know anyone in London no one will judge me for what I do. The old men just remind me to be careful, I usually refuse private booths to people that look dodgy anyway."

I had my head rested on my knuckles and elbow on the table. Fascinated by her face but still listening to what she's saying.

"This might seem a bit forward, but do you fancy coming to mine this afternoon? Get a takeaway, watch a film or just chill out. It's up to you. I'm open for ideas." God I hope she says yes, usually when I ask a girl to come home with me I'm pissed and sexually frustrated. Well, I am sexually frustrated but I'm not pissed, I'm high. It'll be fine, she knows I'm not a freak.

I hope.

"I'd love to. Shall I follow you in my car?"

"Yeah Lace, that's cool. Let's go."