One Look
Autumn in North Carolina, need I say more?
The sheer beauty of the morning was enough to throw even the laziest out of the comfort of their beds and to their windows to gaze at the promise of a magnificent new day. The sun shone in a flawless blue sky, its rays caressing the hills and kissing every red leaf leaving them blazing. Sunlight flooded the small town, flowing unto every building until the entire town looked like it had been touched by Midas himself; it crept into every house searching for a way in, maybe through a half closed window, a hole in the curtain, a gap on the roof or a crack in the door. It moved through the house and filled every living soul's heart with warmth. So when you close your eyes, take a breath of the chilly air and sip your steaming cup of tea, you can't help the smile that creeps into your countenance and admit that there is something magical about this place.
Everything in this town seemed to move in its own leisurely pace, time here was never of the essence. The figure down the road, hustling his way down the street panting, was definitely something that didn't quite fit in. With flustered cheeks and his bright blue hair perfectly styled, he was the only person who looked like he had a destination in mind and he was clearly out of breath. Everything about him screamed of 'success' from the DSLR camera that was slung on his shoulder to the 'better than you' look on his face.
The town was making him feel claustrophobic and stiflingly uncomfortable. Warmth, love and kindness were things that 23 year old Tyler had long forgotten and lost in the five years he had spent in a city that didn't care. The city had shown him the way to success: stepping over everyone he had ever considered a friend, it was a lonely road but one that he had no problem choosing. It was this town that was making him rethink his every decision. He shook his head desperately trying to push the thoughts away. There were too many memories impinging his senses with every step he took. It was like everything in this town had a memory attached to it. The clock tower stared ominously at him, the weight of the emotions and thoughts he believed to have left behind bore him down like a physical burden. He should have declined the wedding invitation. But then it was Zoe and Alfie, how could he possibly have said no to them? He shook his head again in irritation, wishing more than anything for the thoughts to go away. He needed to get some caffeine in his system. Fast. He pushed the glass door open and walked into the coffee shop. Not knowing what was in store for him inside.
21 year old Troye stared into his laptop screen and the blank page stared back. The cursor blinked constantly, mocking his efforts to make it move. He sighed deeply, the type of sigh that can only come out of a heart that has loved and lost. He looked up as he ran his fingers through his messy hair. The café was almost fully wooden with only one wall in the front which was just a large pane of glass through which the outside looked in but Troye looked at himself in his ghostly reflection. He looked like hell; there was a time that he could have even been considered good looking, cute even. He missed those days. He sadly shook his head, those days were gone and the cursor kept blinking; reminding him of the reality that he so desperately wanted to escape.
A bell chimed scattering his thoughts like dust in a wind. The door to the café opened and a figure walked in – he was wearing black leather moccasins, dark blue denim pants that fit him so well and a blue jacket coat that went so well with the color of his hair.
Tyler entered the café. Before he could get to the counter, a figure in the corner caught his attention. He was slumped forward, resting his elbows on his knees and his chin on his hands. He was wearing worn sneakers, faded blue jeans and a dark denim jacket over a body-hugging black t-shirt.
And then their eyes met – one haunted by the past and one haunted by the present. Little did they know that that one look would change their lives forever.