How Do I Love Thee?

Secrets Begin

Before Ian left he asked for my number, which by my surprise I gladly handed over. He said he wanted to meet me for coffee the next morning, I agreed. When I got back to my dorm I fell asleep quickly and couldn't wait to get out the door the next morning.

I quickly got dressed, jeans and a t-shirt as always. I grabbed my bag and flip flops and left before my roommate awoke.

I half ran on my way to the cafe. Half because I couldn't wait to see this strange man that I barely knew again and half because I was late as usual. As I walked in he looked up from the table, smiled, and waved me over. I smiled slightly and walked over. I sat across from him and there was already a vanilla latè sitting there.

"Do you like those? I wasn't sure." He said.

"Yes, they're my favorite. I order these every time I come here." I took a sip to fill the silence that fell between us. I looked up to see that he had nothing in front of him. "Your not drinking anything?"

He chuckled. "No, I'm not a coffee person."

I laughed. "They have more than just coffee. They have smoothies and milkshakes. A complete array of stuff."

He got a very serious look on his face, but kept his voice light. "Enough about me. Lets talk about you. Where do you come from?"

I smiled. Two could play the run around game. "Why are you so quick to assume that I'm not from the good old Cali?"

He truly laughed, a laugh I had yet to hear from him. "Because anyone from around here wouldn't say that."

"Okay, okay. Fine. I'm from Ohio. Where are you from?" I watched him as he secretly contemplated something.

"I'm originally born in Peru, but when I was only a baby, my mother brought me here." I heard his voice slightly crack at the mention of his mother.

"Tell me about her?" I wrapped my hands around my cup and looked at the table.

"You have to go to class. You'll be late." I looked down at my phone and realize he was right.

"Shit! I'm sorry. We'll do this again sometime?" I saw him nod his head as I turned to run off to class.