It hadn't been the first time Jonas had seen Emilia's dark curls and honey-colored eyes in the shop. She would show up at the cafe to study sometimes. Other times she would stop by with a friend or two for a snack. Though it was creepy to say, he did watch her a lot. Not in a stalker way, but more observantly. He studied her. He studied the way she sometimes played with her hair when looking over her notes, he noticed that she almost always ordered the same thing at the counter. He'd seen her on campus too, laughing with her loud and outgoing friends, and reading alone in the library. Sometimes whenever he'd be close enough, he could catch a sliver of her silvery voice in a conversation.
He never had enough interest to go up to her himself, that would take a prepared reason for talking to her, and an undeniable number of rehearsals in his head before gaining that said courage. It wasn't like she knew anything of his existence anyway. Approaching her would only be awkward and pointless. Besides, he couldn't see himself starting a conversation with such a pretty girl on his own, unless it was taking an order at the register. But even that, Jonas would never do. His manager and co-workers always kept him far from the register.
Sad to say, he was terrible with people, only speaking to others when absolutely necessary. The first time he was put behind the register and forced to take the order of an older woman, he had malfunctioned so badly, he ended up throwing up in the bathroom right afterward, his nerves giving in on him. Approaching Emilia and having all of her attention on him, would be a complete disaster.
However, he was at his best talent when manning the coffee bar. Maybe, it was the fact that he wasn't trusted anywhere near the customers, or because he simply had a knack for the machines. Whatever the reason, he was always praised on his drinks, and the skill he had for making them taste 'heavenly' as one customer had said. Amazingly, Jonas didn't even lke coffee as much as one would think. It was always too bitter and dry for him. It made his lungs feel like they were gasping for air.
So now, seeing Emilia entering the cafe with a bright look in her eyes and her feet making her way to the front, Jonas feels his heart speed up. As she smiles at the cashier, he forces his gaze away, and to the filling cup in front of him underneath the coffee maker instead. He takes a breath when she starts to speak.
"Can I have a grande chai tea latte, please?"
Her voice sounded like singing angels.
Jonas wouldn't say he had a crush on Emilia. For some reason, he just had an unexplainable fascination with everything she did. The way she walked, reminded him of ballet: graceful and light. The way she spoke gave him a feeling similar to drinking a cup of tea at the brisk of the morning while time seemed to pause, and the sun was just coming up. Everything he noticed about her, he seemed to compare with something of natural and effortless beauty.
But, no.
It was nothing like a crush.
Jonas just always seemed to develop an infatuation with all beautiful things.
He lidded the beverage in his hands, and instead of calling out the name written on the cup, he carefully placed it on the pick-up counter. He didn't want to risk getting the name wrong and embarrassing himself. He began to get started on Emilia's order, being noticeably more careful than usual. He was putting the lid on when he felt staring at the back of his head.
Oh, that terrible feeling of someone watching you, just waiting for you to slip up. He hated that the most in the world.
When he spared a wary glance over his shoulder, he met the brunette's big brown eyes instead of a judging old man who was in a rush like he was expecting.
He blinks at her, being completely unprepared for the eye contact.
Then she does the worst thing she could possibly do in that moment.
She smiled.
His breathing halts and throat dries.
"Excuse me?"
Oh she's talking to me now.
"Um, is that mine?"
Jonas scrunches his eyebrows in confusion and then looks at her pointing finger, at the drink in his hands.
"Oh yes! Uh, sorry." He internally slaps himself for sounding so nervous .
He holds his breath while handing it to her. Her eyes scrunch when she grins widely.
"It's okay, don't worry about it. Thank you!"
She nods her head with her smile not faltering in the least, and walks away, opening the door and leaving.
He only stares after her, face hot, and palms sweaty.
But his heart beat has sped up, as he ponders over the interaction before growing confused.
She smiled at me.
But, why did I see a rushing storm of emotion in her eyes?
A/N : This is a recently started book, and one of the few that I'm actually working on right now. It was started on a random whim of inspiration.
I hope you enjoyed the prologue!
