The bell to the coffee shop chimed as I walked through the door. I breathed in the familiar scent of coffee beans and vanilla as I made my way over to my usual spot by the window. I made it a point to make sure I come here at least once a week and read a few chapters of my books. Its always so relaxing and therapeutic, I very much enjoy it to clear my mind most days. It was just a small coffee shop right around the block from my apartment. Most days I walked down here, others I drove. Today however was an exceptionally lovely day to take a walk.

I set my things down at the table and walk up to the counter to order a coffee. "Just one venti iced vanilla please." I say to the cashier who is kindly making sure she takes care of her guest. As I'm waiting for my coffee I let my eyes wonder around the shop, observing the people around. It sure is slow around here, I thought to myself. Usually on a Monday afternoon it is busier than this.

My coffee was handed to me and I muttered a small thank you and a smile to the lady working as I made my way back to my seat. I settled down and took my book out placing it on the table as well as my coffee and made sure all of my things were in place. I took my glasses out of their case and put them on, blinking slightly to adjust my eyes to them so I could actually read my book. Call me cliché but the romance novel in my hand was actually Pride and Prejudice. I was honestly a sucker for romances. I giggled to myself as I caught myself in my thoughts. I open my book to where my bookmark was laid and started where I had left off.

One ear happily boasting an air pod while the other was listening to the shift in conversations from the sidewalk to the coffee shop, I let my feet take my to the counter with a little extra bounce today. "Marianne, my usual please!" I announced in a sing-song tone, a grin on my lips. "Girl needs her coffee and you make the best in town." I complimented and we shared a small laugh. Checking over my shoulder to be sure I wasn't going to be in anyone's personal space, I leaned forward on the ordering counter and began to strike up a conversation, feeling very at ease in the familiar store. On occasion our chit-chat exhibited loud laughter and I had to shush Marianne down so customers wouldn't continue looking in our direction due to annoyance.

As I continue to float through my favorite book, I glanced around the coffee shop periodically just to stay aware of her surroundings. A little while after I started my book, I heard the door to the shop open and a brunette haired woman walking in. As I observed her through the top of my glasses, trying to stay discrete as I noticed her and the barista conversing about nothing special. Her body was turned around towards the counter so I wasn't able to get a full look.

I shook my head slightly, smiling to myself as I pushed my glasses back up on my face and turned my attention back to my book. I took another drink of my half empty coffee as I hummed quietly. Although my attention had been focused back on my book, I couldn't help but steal more glances right over my book at the woman at the counter. It wasn't the conversation or the volume of her voice that was distracting, it was simply the curiosity of never noticing this girl before. She seems very friendly with the worker and even knew her name!

I kept talking to Marianne for a few more minutes until a customer walked in and I glanced over my shoulder, apologizing quickly for taking up their time and giving Marianne a quick playful wink. "Time to go!" I chuckled and moved myself down to the other end of the counter where I was to wait for my drink. I began to focus again on the music playing in my ear and glanced around the coffee shop, my eyes landing on an unfamiliar face. I gave a small smile and a wave as I caught her eye over her book- my eyes then shifting slightly to the title. A classic? And by a good author too- at least this stranger had literary taste.

When I saw the girl turn around my heart did a little jump. The woman on the other side of the coffee shop that had peaked my interest was breathtaking. The freckles that showered her face lightly contrasted with her skin. Just as I went to steal my next glance, I noticed her smiling at me and waving in my direction. I froze and a blush crept up on my face. Luckily I have decided to shove my face in this book she wouldn't be able to see, I thought to myself as I had just been caught staring.

I slightly turned in my seat to see if there was someone behind me by chance and to my surprise, there was not. I looked back ahead of me and locked eyes with the woman. As if I couldn't be any more awkward, I pointed at myself and mouthed me to the girl then waved back kindheartedly with a smile.

I nodded in response, glancing quickly as my drink arrived and sliding my hand around it with a smile towards the barista. "Thanks honey," I said softly and walked my way over towards this mystery girl that happened to catch my eye. "Glad to see that someone else thinks that classic literature isn't out of style yet." I noted, my own voice in the back of my mind commending myself on a smooth introduction like that.

Good job self, that was smooth. You didn't trip on your words... She's cute. BREATHE! Don't forget to breathe omg! I thought and smiled a little bit. "Hi, I'm Cat. Catherine, but who goes by government names anymore. The universe calls me Cat." I laughed a little at myself, taking a sip of my drink to act casual.

Panic raced through my mind as I saw her gliding over to where I sat. As she was walking over I found my mind in hyper-mode, trying to scan every detail of her face. Only last second did I realize that she had finally made it over to my seat and was talking directly at me. "O- Oh..! Yes I suppose Jane Austen just has a way with her words." I keep it simple so I don't go into a huge rant as to why this is my favorite book at the moment. That would probably just be boring anyway, I think to myself. I shake my head slightly and realize yet again that she introduced herself to me, and I was lost in her gaze.

"Well if we are going by what the universe calls us, I'm Alex. Just Alex," I hesitate and giggle at myself. "It's really nice to meet you. Have you just moved around here recently..? I haven't saw you around." I try and strike up a conversation. Please don't think I'm weird.

"Alex, I like it, suits you!" I grinned and nodded as I listened to her comments, chuckling behind the rim of my cup. "I was born and raised here, but I've traveled a bit, had some life experiences that took me away for a few years but I'm back!" She explained, nodding her head to herself and racking her brain to make sure that she had remembered it all correctly.

"And girl, Jane Austen is up there for me with like- Shakespeare! Her words honestly inspire and ignite something in my soul that few authors can execute." She excitedly rambled and sat herself down at the table, not even realizing that she was suddenly invading her space for a few moments. "Oh my god, can I sit here I just realized I did- without asking I am so sorry!"

"No no, It's completely fine don't worry! I really don't mind! I usually sit here by myself, it's nice to be able to talk to someone!" I rambled on. A smile had spread its way onto my face as I watched her get flushed about sitting down. I set the book down and grabbed my coffee that had almost empty and started sipping the rest of it down. "Do you like to read as well..?" I questioned as I tuck a strand of hair behind me ear.

As I sat there throughout our conversation, her voice flowed into my ears like I was listening to light music. I try and hold my strong posture to make is seem like I'm more open and confident with my words as this beautiful woman sat across from me. The bell to the coffee shop is faint in the background as people come and go but I couldn't be less focused on that than I am now. My main focus was right in front of me.

"I was a reading machine as a kid. I would go through about three to four books a month. My poor parents had an interesting time keeping up with it." I chuckled at myself, turning my music down as I chatted with Alex. "And let me tell you, Barnes and Nobles loved us." I burst out laughing this time, remembering how the manager knew my name by 11, and would recommend me a book a month in high school...

"I lost it a few years ago, but I had a bit of a life changing event that gave me a lot of free time tog et back into it! So here we are, back to reading but way slower- like a book a month." I told her, rolling my eyes at myself.

I feel myself instantly smiling as I hear her laugh float through my ears. A little thing I have recently noticed was the slight gap between her teeth when she smiled. I turned blush pink as I think about how beautiful and quirky this girl is in front of me. As I mess with my lip rings as I listened to her stories, I tuned out everything else around us.

"I'm sorry for the things you have been through. I'm sure it must have been tuff. I mean, it never really is easy." I replied softly. I thought back to when I had things go south in my life and what I have done differently because of these actions. "But it is really exciting to slowly getting back into the swing of things, yeah?" I said suddenly realizing that it might not be and now I've made a fool of myself to just assume her situation.

"I'm sorry I mean if it is getting better, I don't know if it is because obviously I'm not in your shoes- but I promise I wasn't just assuming I mean- " I started stuttering over my words. Crap! Here it goes! I blew it. Why can't I just learn to keep my mouth shut.. I thought to myself as I mentally prepared for the worst.

"Oh no it's getting better!" I happily said back, my smile growing for a few moments. "I am still alive, that is what counts right? Another day to terrorize the planet with terrible music and out of place movie quotes." I laughed to myself, leaning back comfortably as I studied her face.

She was cute, shy but cute. I liked her piercings, that much I knew. I had always liked people that knew just how to express themselves, even before the accident. But Alex- she was very genuine, to the point that it was a little bit attractive! She was tripping on her words, and hiding behind her book and displaying just enough of her personality that I wanted to get to know her better.

Okay breath Alex, you haven't blown it yet! I let out a sigh of relief when she laughed. "Yes that definitely counts." I said glancing outside then back to Cat. "I hope I'm not keeping you from other things? I would hate to be a burden." I said hesitantly. Surely this beautiful woman had other things to talk to silly ole me in a coffee shop? The last thing I want is to be making her feel like she has to sit here and talk to me.

I couldn't help but wonder more and more about her and the secrets that lay beneath the surface. I was determined to get to know her more. I had to. Would she let me? What if she wasn't even into girls! I mentally sighed. I could only hope she does.

"Me? Hell no, I haven't fully adhered to a schedule in like two years." I burst out laughing, shaking my head at my own response. She thought I had somewhere to be? Am I boring today...? I thought to myself and displayed a calm smile afterwards, crossing my legs before placing my cup on the table and lasing my fingers together. "So, have you lived here all your life? Or are you a transplant like a good population of the town?" I asked, the corner of my mouth turning up in slight amusement as I waited for her answer.

"Lived here my whole entire life. I actually had plans to move from here once school was done, but unfortunately I can't seem to pick myself up and leave this little old town." I smiled slightly reminiscing on all memories I had in this town. Mostly good, a lot of bad though. "After my parents split up my mom moved away, it's just been my dad and I. I still go see her from time to time though." I watched her get comfortable at the table and it was like a permanent smile had formed on my face. "What about you? I heard you had said your from here? That must be crazy that we haven't bumped into each other somehow." I thought long and hard as to if I had saw this woman before around town and honestly I couldn't pin point any moment that I had.

“I know right?” I agreed with a jovial tone before thinking back to what I had looked like in high school. “You might’ve seen me around then, I just look different now. I had multicolored hair and it was short, like chin length with an undercut.” I explained with an eye roll at myself.

“I was trying to be edgy but now I jus took back at my senior pictures and want to burn them.” I laughed, studying her as it died down to see if I could remember her face anywhere. Some memories were a little hazy before my accident but most of them were still there.

I couldn't quite pin point if I had saw her or not. My instincts are telling me no because I would have remembered such a face. "Well I guess what matters is here and now right?" I explain to her. I go for a shot in the dark and add a small wink at the end and study her face. I look out the window again and I'm slightly surprised to see the sun setting slightly and the sky turning an orangish yellow. Not that I minded. I didn't have any particular place to go. I usually spend my evenings here or at my fathers house, helping him.

"What kinds of things do you do now? After graduation, I know lots of people head to college or find jobs. Not that you need to be doing one of those things, just thought maybe you have hobbies that you like to do when your free?" I tried to gather information Cat. She's so different than all of the others that went to my school. It seems as though she hasn't even noticed the things I am so often bullied for. Maybe we are the same; her and I. Perhaps we are a lot more alike than we think. But also maybe we are completely different. Either way, I wanted to continue to know her.

"Girl you are so right." I agreed, smiling a little at the wink that she threw my way. Cheeky- I liked cheeky. She was fun! But I listened, chuckling here and there at her words, nodding along before following my eyes out the window and noticing that the sun had begun to set already. Wow, how time flies when you are getting to know someone new.

"Oh I did the whole college thing, graduated, got into grad school and then life had some other plans. So here I am now, living life to the fullest. Maybe I will go back, maybe I won't." I shrugged, lifting my coffee one more time to my lips. "Honestly right now, I'm enjoying just feeling the sun on my face almost every day and feeling comfortable in my skin." I honestly replied, finishing off my coffee before putting it back down on the table and sliding it away from me before checking the time.