So I found this in my drafts; it's an alternate of one of my one-shots. But this looks OK on its own, kinda. So I'll put this and the next 3 chapters here and then maybe I'll keep writing it.
She was reading a book, and sometimes would take a sip from her tea. Gray, dull eyes would never look up, giving him the chance to watch her in peace. She would always wear her chestnut hair down, letting it frame her face like a mane. Her face was always stern, but in 'an angry little kid' way. Serious face gestures didn't fit her.
At least, that's what Atem thought. He liked to imagine her smiling, laughing; wishing she would at least not always frown.
"You're staring again..." the blond alerted and tapped his forehead, reaching an arm. He knew it the moment his obsessed friend started to respond with short answers, and daze off often. "You creep."
"I'm not a-"
"Nuh uh- you don't get to say you're not." Joey wagged a finger at him. "I'm surprised she hasn't noticed yet. I know she has not, because anyone in her place would've already thrown her drink at your stupid stalker face."
"Stalker?" Atem furrowed his eyebrows. "I wouldn't go that far." The second he saw Joey's mouth open he cut him off. "And don't you dare say 'Yet'."
"Wasn't gonna." A sly smirk formed on his face. "We're already there man."
"What?"
"Atem... You're trying to make it seem like a coincidence, but whenever we come here she's here too. I'm pretty sure you memorized her entire schedule at this point."
Atem scoffed and leaned back on his chair. "That's not true. You're over exaggerating."
"Am I though?" Slurping his drink, Joey rolled his eyes. "Think about it. We went from staying up all night, college bars and drinking 'till we don't remember what happened in the last 24 hours to; waking up early, stylish coffee places and..." he took a second to observe the cup he was drinking from, "...fancy drinks with confusing names and over the top prices."
Atem had to laugh at that. Yes, maybe his life was different from what it had been a year ago, but it wasn't a change for the bad. "If it's any consolation, you look healthier now that you don't go to sleep at dawn. And I'm not the one telling you to drink that sugar induced drink, so don't blame me for that." He pointed at his coffee and smiled.
The blond rubbed the bridge off his nose and threw his head back. "That's not the... Look buddy, I'm awake at 10 A.M. and I'm not happy about it. We should give the girl a rest."
"No one is forcing you to come here Joey." he said and continued watching the girl sitting behind his annoyed friend.
"But if I don't you'll do something stupid, or get caught stalking and then I'll have to bail you out of jail for getting into a fight and all..." he trailed off.
"We're at a coffee place, in the morning, surrounded by sober people. That should be the least of your concerns." Atem said not meeting his eyes.
"And there we go again..." said Joey and snapped his fingers repeatedly next to his own face. "My eyes are right here!"
"You know what, I'm not bringing you here again. Have your sleep and wake up feeling bad because you wasted a whole day, I don't care." Atem took a sip from his coffee. He knew Joey would eventually give in and come here with him.
While his friend worked his mouth about things Atem was not listening to, his eyes found the girl again.
He was not obsessed. Yes, maybe he had memorized the days she came here. Maybe the exact hours too. That wasn't such a big deal. And he sometimes recognized some of her clothing items from seeing them so much; but that was normal. He also knew she liked to drink herbal tea, but she always ordered them, so anyone would know that. When she came she would either read a book, or draw in a small black notebook. She played with her hair while she read; tapped her foot while she drew. If possible, she always sat at one of the tables set next to the big windows. She often wore oversize t-shirts tucked in her skinny jeans. She dazed off a lot while staring at the sky, lost in her own thoughts.
It was not an obsession. Atem was an observant guy, he couldn't help it. Especially when it was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
