Dea Shattered

⎈Chapter 9: Great awakenings

The Great Awakening's Cafe was a small little building located in the corner of town, it was a brick building with ivy and flowers crawling up the sides. It had large windows that showed the inside of the cozy cafe, an abundance of plants inside as well. Hanging from the walls and on every countertop.

Entering the cafe I glanced around at the few patrons that sat inside, that's when I saw him. Kodhe sat at a small table with two seats, three succulent plants in the middle. He glanced up and his eyes met mine. Kodhe visibility brightened and stood up awkwardly.

"Sorry I'm a few minutes late," I laughed lightly and pushed my hair over my shoulder. Kodhe stared at me, taking in my white sundress.

"N-no no-no, don't worry." He fidgeted around for a second and I just stood there dumbly staring, "sorry if I'm gonna be honest I don't go on dates often."

I gave him a meek smile and we sat down at the table, "I haven't been on a date for like twenty years." I froze realizing that saying that was very stupid. "That's an exaggeration of course though!" I said in rushed words a soft blush blooming over my cheeks.

Kodhe merely laughed, his smile showing off the dimples in his cheeks. "Oh good for a second I thought I might be on a date with middle-aged women," he teased. I giggled softly.

Technically he was... but then again I haven't aged even a tiny bit. I was still the same 19-year-old going to college on the outside.

"So did you always live in California? Or did you move here?" Kodhe asked a grin was still spread across his face.

"I actually have lived here my whole life, in California I mean. I've moved around going to different towns and stuff, but honestly, this one has been my favorite." It was a half-truth, my favorite town would always be my home town. But I had never been able to return there once I left, mostly in fear of being recognized in some way. After all to everyone in the town that remembered me I had most likely been killed.

"Ah my family lives in Florida, but I came here for college." He leaned back in his chair, his full attention still on me. I don't know why I found him so mesmerizing, it might have been something in my drink last night but I can't help but feel like we had a connection. I also found it amusing how he went from an awkward shy boy to someone charming and playful.

"You must miss them, its hard being from family for a long time." I lowered my eyes for a second and he went quiet, observing me.

"You have experience in that I presume," he said with a small hint of curiosity in his tone. I gave a small nod feeling my cheeks darken again, why did I have to make the mood somber. "My mom constantly tells me I have more than one family though. She always rambles on about how my true friends are as much of a family to me as my real one is. And since I moved here, I have to admit, I sorta have taken that to heart." He blinks as if realizing he is rambling and his cheeks flush.

"Your mom is a very smart person then," I said quietly my full attention on Kodhe. He meets my gaze and his eyes shimmer in the sunlight pouring through the windows.

"What about your family, I just realized I have been talking most of the time."

"No worries, I like it when you talk." I pause wincing as I realize how forward that sounded, "er- anyways. I lived with my mom, grandpa, and brother. It's a few cities over but only a two-hour drive from here." I force a smile but I feel a pang in my heart, I always avoid thinking about them. I hated the horrid ideas that popped into my head when I think about what they must have felt when I left.

He reached forward and placed his hand on mine, clearly seeing through my smile. "I always get somber when I think about my family too, even though the distance between mine is larger... a distance is still a distance."

His hand was warm overtop mine, and I couldn't help but stare at him with wide eyes. I never had the opportunity to talk about more... personal matters with Sab or Nene. Nene always got hostile and Sab just went quiet and nonresponsive.

Kodhe blinked again and sat back into his seat, removing his hand quickly. "How did you even end up at a party like that, you don't really seem like the type."

I messed around with a strand of my hair, "well it was my friend that brought me. I probably wouldn't go to many parties if it wasn't for her."

"Wait was she that scary chick that chugged about every drink she got her hands on?" His eyes widened in surprise.

"Yep, that basically sums her up."

"You two are a very odd pair, I don't mean to be rude or anything. She was just very... forward and out there. Yet you," he bit his lip for a second. "You sorta were a maverick."

I blinked, and it took me a second to reply. "If I'm being completely honest, I do feel like that one girl that just follows her friend everywhere at a party."

"If it makes you feel better, you were one of the prettiest girls there." He flushes again, "sorry... that was forward of me."

I felt my cheeks flush up again but I couldn't help the giggle that escaped me. "And if I'm being completely honest, I'm happy it was you who I had to kiss at the party."

He grinned at me, "I'm pretty happy that it was you who kissed me also."

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Published: April 12, 2020, 3:30 PM

Words: 1005