"I'm so sorry!"
The words were squeaked out and rushed by the girl who stood in front of me, frantically pulling napkins from her bag. She held them in her hand for a moment before desperately looking at me for help, not knowing where to start to wipe off. I couldn't help be simply stand there, the coffee soaking into my clothes slowly burning the living hell out of me.
This is how my Monday morning started.
"I am such a clutz. I can't believe I did this." She said miserably as she finally gave up on trying to help and simply shoved the napkins into my hand.
I tried to catch them before they fell, but two flew away. Watching them with a sigh, I turned back to the girl and attempted to calm her down, "Ah, listen, it's all right. I should have dodged you but you were moving with such speed."
"It's because I'm late!" She replied, picking up the spilled coffee cups from the sidewalk, "I am supposed to catch the 8:30 train for work and bring in coffee, but I completely slept in and now this!"
I chuckled, wiping my shirt before giving up completely and finally making eye contact with the girl. Her blue eyes where as crisp as the morning air around us, and as they frantically glanced down to check the time, I couldn't help but notice how her hair almost seemed platinum instead of blond. She was simply gorgeous, too pretty to be stressed by such a simple matter.
With a sudden charm in my voice, I suggested, "Well I've got a car," I turned and pointed to the rust bucket that sat at the corner of the sidewalk, "Are you already late for work?"
The question forced a blink of surprise. Then, with a hopeful look at me, she tried not to look too excited as her tone turned more horrified and modest, "I couldn't…"
"I would hate to be the reason you are truly late this morning," I insisted, giving her a small smile, "Let me at least take you to work."
She bit her lip, and I with an amused look, I watched her mentally fight with herself. She knew she shouldn't take handouts so easily, but I knew she had to be desperate. With a final nod, she quickly rushed to the coffee shop door, "Ok! I'll be out in a second; I just need to grab some more coffee!"
"Sure," I called, but she had already disappeared within. Looking down at my coffee stained clothes, I sighed again with a smile. Jeeze. Things like this only ever happened to me. Shaking my head with a chuckle, I rattled my keys in my hand and moved to the door to unlock it.
The windows on my car seemed abnormally foggy from dust and old this morning. And with a grimace, I had realized that I had left some left over fast food lying around. Swinging the passenger door open quickly, I snatched the empty bag and tossed in the nearby trash. I walked back over to my car and leaned down, glancing around with dissatisfaction. I could have sworn it was a bit cleaner than this.
"Did you lose your keys?" A worried voice came from behind.
Jumping as I straightened up, I turned around and stumbled, "No no, I was just, uh… well nothing. Hop in."
I moved out of the way and around to the driver's side. Sliding in, I felt self-conscious and exposed. I hadn't realized suggesting my car for a ride would leave me so open to criticism and dirty glances- which is what I was expecting the girl to do. She must have thought I was a complete slob with all the napkins and papers lying around. Maybe it was a mistake to try to do her a favor.
"For someone I just spilled coffee all over, you are being extremely nice." The girl commented as she happily slipped on her seat belt.
I blinked in surprise, then gave her a smile as I cranked on my car, "Yeah well, it would seem your week started off with a bit of luck."
"And what about yours?" She asked curiously. A smile slipped her lips as she glanced at me, and for a moment, I could do nothing but stare. Forcing my gaze away from her flawless features, I replied with a shrug and pulled off the curve, "Well, I can say this hasn't been the worse Monday I've lived through."
A musical giggle filled the car, and without even thinking, I grinned at the sound.
"My name is Ino."
"Lovely name," I replied with a glance, "Mine's Sakura."
"It's nice to meet you, random stranger," she poked fun as I drove. With a chuckle, I agreed, "Like wise."