Her fingers drummed on the dusty counter before her. A light taping echoed through the room each time her fingernails made contact with the polished wood. She let out a soft sigh and gazed out of the glass doors, staring at the misty haze roiling along the asphalt. Judging by the darkly colored clouds and the occasional thunder burst, she'd figured that rain was on it's way.
The emptiness was almost haunting to her. The coffee house, usually filled with collage students and the often broke, struggling 'artists', was now still and quit. She blinked and let out a small coo when the smell of coffee filled her nostrils. Her stomach turned and growled with hunger. The blond glanced around before reaching under the counter, snatching up one of the cinnamon buns the rested inside it. Once retrieved, she held it up to her pink lips, taking in it's intoxicating aroma before nibbling on the confection. A sweet, tingling sensation filled her mouth and she reluctantly swallowed.
Just as she did so, the bell that hung on the door rang out, making the girl jump back into reality. She glanced up to see a familiar figure enter the cafe with a coat covering his head. Upon receiving the shelter, the coat slid off his damp, bald head. A grin foamed on his face once he caught sight of her. She responded by grinning sheepishly as well, waving her hand as a greeting.
"Stealing the pastries again, I see." He proclaimed, his thick British accent heavy on his lips.
"It's not my fault they don't give me a lunch break." She hissed back, playful. The Brit made his way up to the counter.
"I cant ague with you there." He confessed, pulling out a small box. "This job sucks. You should really think of changing."
She glared at the small, rectangular box laying on the counter before responding.
"And you should really stop smoking, Nigel, but you don't see that happening, do you?" She mocked.
Nigel coaxed his eyebrow as he lighted a cigarette and inhaled the nicotine. She cringed as he blew it out, thankfully not in her direction. She took a bite of her bun and chewed it slowly.
"Isn't very busy today, huh Rachel? Weird for a Saturday..."
"I guess. Do you have any plans for today?"
Nigel took another puff of smoke.
"Meeting Lizzie in a few hours. Something about a friends baby shower..."
Lizzie. Rachel shuttered. The girl Nigel had been involved with for the past what was it now? Almost thirteen years? Ever since they were nine, anyway. They were practically married. And apparently Nigel noticed that, seeing as he'd proposed to her about three month prior to that moment. They also seemed to be very interested in publicly displayed make out sessions. She was also the reason Nigel smoked. Rachel knew it. Lizzie had started smoking to loose the extra weight she had. However, Rachel wouldn't blame her after reading the last few issues of teen vogue. Recently, after walking in on Nigel changing, she'd also learned that he had a tattoo on his top right shoulder blade that read "Lizzie is Divine" which, ironically, was Lizzie's last name.
"Ah." Rachel said back, simply. Nigel glared over at her.
"You okay, Rach?"
"Uh...yeah, I'm fine Nigel..."
How the 21 year old was so oblivious to the obvious.
"Well...alright."
He replied, not completely listening as he put out his drug.
"I wish you would stop smoking."
Rachel murmured just loud enough so that he could barley hear it.
"I wish I would to."
He gave a sigh. Rachel looked down at her hands and entwined her own fingers.
"Rachel..." Nigel whispered quietly.
"Hum?"
"Have you ever wanted to go back in time a re due something that you've done?" Rachel blinked.
"Sure, all the time...why?"
"Lizzie sent out the invitations today. We finally set a date and booked the church..."
He said weekly. The girl only blinked and nodded, not sure of what to say next. Nigel turned around to Rachel, looking her right in the eye. Rachel felt naked under his gaze. She was vulnerable it seemed. He had a way of doing that to her. Suddenly he cleared his throat and moved away.
"Rachel..."
"Nigel...?"
"I want to kiss you."
A silence fell on them both. Rachel stud there for a moment, scared to speak to do anything. Fortunately for her, she didn't have to. Nigel reached around, taking the back of her head, and pulling her into a soft kiss. And something about the fact that she was kissing the same person who gave her, her first kiss made it all the more enjoyable.
(flashback)
"Truth, or dare!" The Asian girl declared, pointing at the small blond.
"Erm...dare?" She responded, more a question then a statement.
"Um..I dare you to..."
Eight year old Kuki's tongue pursed slightly through her lips.
"...give Nigel Uno a kiss..on the lips!"
Rachel jumped and looked across the circle of graduating cadets to the short, blushing red, Nigel. His prescription glasses sliding down to the tip of his noes.
"Go ahead you two." She urged. Giggles filled the room as they both stud and approached each other.
Then without warning, Nigel leaned in quickly, planting a feather like kiss on her lips, before pulling away. Both looked away, awkwordly as the other children roared with laughter.
(End flashback)
Nigel leaned back slowly, looking into Rachel's dreamy eyes.
"I'll always love you..."
He said into her ear and pulled away, pulled his coat back over his head, and rushed out of the doors as fast as he could.
Rachel stared at door way for a moment before turning back to the haft eaten cinnamon bun. She then reached into her pocket, pulling out a five dollar bill and opened the cash register.