The Opposite Of Negation | Editing Slowly

6 | ≠ resent

I drive to The Bakery as fast as I could. When I enter, I see several people waiting in a queue to place an order at the counter. Upon looking around the counter, I see the girl from yesterday at the cash register. She's busy taking orders and conversing with the customers. As I stare at her, I notice a lot of things, things which I stupidly hadn't even bothered to, last night. Among the facts that she is quite a conversation holder and determined to leave everyone with a smile, the most prominent thing I notice is,

She is drop-dead gorgeous.

She has a wheatish complexion, with dark hair falling down till her lower back in natural waves. Her eyes are a majestic shade of chocolate and she has a breathtaking smile on her face. Everyone who converses with her seems to be in awe of her, constantly laughing with her as she spoke naturally with everyone as she took their orders. A few guys are attempting to flirt with her, but she hardly gives them any reaction. She is the same sweet girl with them as she is with everyone and it makes me smile.

I mentally beat myself up. How I failed to notice her before the last few days is beyond me. She is in some of my classes and I had seen her around on campus as well. With Eli and without. Goes to say, my observation skills aren't quite subpar.

Too busy checking her out, I fail to notice that I am next in the queue.

"Welcome to The Bakery. What would be your order for-" she pauses as she looks up and recognises me. Almost immediately, her expression changes to one of forced enthusiasm as she continues, "-today."

"Hey, I would like 2 boxes of your chocolatiest cupcakes and for you to accept my apology. I'm sorry about yesterday. Forgive me?" I say, faking confidence. This girl is making me nervous without even trying and I find that to be very different. A good different.

She looks at me and frowns.

"Two boxes of chocolate cupcakes coming right up. As for your other request sir, I don't think I care enough," she says in the sweetest tone she can muster. "Now, if you'll excuse me, there are more people behind you in the queue who I would like to tend to."

I move away in a bit of shock as well as admiration. I certainly did not expect this reaction. Now I'm curious as well. Where was this attitude of hers yesterday? Why did she not tell me off yesterday? I decide to stick around in the shop till she would get free and apologise again, and maybe ask for her name. And her number.

I take a seat in the far corner of the shop and sit down. I pull my laptop out and start doing my work, stealing glances whenever I can without coming off as creepy. Finally, when the rush hour is over, I hear someone pull the chair opposite to me and sit down. Looking up, there she is, staring at me.

"What is it? What do you want? Why are you staring at me?" she questions.

"Patience grasshopper, one question at a time. All I want is for you to accept my apology. I genuinely feel bad about the way I acted yesterday."

"Why do you even care? You don't even know me. You can get on with your merry life without giving a damn," she says with a frown on her face.

"I'm not that bad. Yes, I was an asshole, but I really deserve a second chance. And as for going on with my merry life, I don't think I can do that without my mom shredding me off to pieces if you refuse to forgive me," I joke, hoping she'll find it funny and forgive me.

I watch her as the corners of her mouth turned up as she recalls something.

"Ah, yes, Debbie is an absolute sweetheart. Your whole family actually."

"Debbie huh? I'm glad you and my mom and my entire family have become best friends when I don't even know your name," I say.

She laughs and extends her hand, "Aliana Palmer. Can't say it was nice meeting you the first time."

I smile and shake her extended hand, "Nathan Wright at your service. Does this mean I'm forgiven?"

"Only because I don't want your mom to shred you in pieces. You're fine."

I smile an actual genuine smile at her and say, "This feels like the start of something beautiful and new, doesn't it?"

"Did you just quote High School Musical?" her eyes widen in amusement and something like recognition. Has someone said something similar to her?

"Maybe I did, maybe I didn't. I'll see you around?" I ask her.

Please say yes.

"You bet," Aliana says, throwing a wide smile my way as I walk out of The Bakery.

It truly does feel like the start of something beautiful.

HI! Not gonna lie, I almost forgot I had to upload today. It's been a crazy week. Anywho, how's everyone? I do notice that this and the previous chapters are a bit tiny and short and I could've just merged them together. Sorry about that. We're all learning. Bit by bit.

Onto our question of the week!

Q. What do you do to make yourself stop procrastinating? (I could actually benefit from your answers haha)

On a different note, I hope everyone's staying safe. The pandemic is still raging on. The past week I've had news of close ones catch the rona and I can only pray for their recovery. Take care, wear a fucking mask and be safe. Everything will be okay. Stay strong. 

So, I'll see y'all next time! Vote, comment or do anything you'd like to do if you're enjoying the book so far. 

Love,

Anushka <3