Gretchen & Django
Fifteen-year-old Gretchen was perched upon a tall chair at one of the small bistro tables near the window, her right foot tucked behind her left leg and hooked around the leg of the chair. She had her cardigan over the back of the chair and her almost forgotten caramel latte in front of her as she read her book.
Django walked into the coffee shop and placed his order. He looked around for a seat, but all the tables were taken. He spied Gretchen, someone he recognized.
Nervous, Django accepted his drink and made his way over to the tall table where Gretchen was reading. He coughed into his fist. Gretchen continued reading.
"Uh, hey. It's been a while." He tried as he stood off to the side, feeling like an idiot. He waited a moment and when she didn't acknowledge him he spoke again. "Gretchen?"
This time she placed her finger in her book to mark her space as she turned slightly and offered a polite smile. "Django? Is that really you?" He grinned and nodded. "Yeah. I've not seen you in a couple of years. Did you transfer schools?"
Gretchen nodded, "I decided to study overseas."
Django stood uncomfortably, "Uh, do you think we could get together for coffee at some point?" Gretchen giggled. Django's eyes widened, "What's so funny?" Gretchen stifled another giggle, "We're in a coffee shop. Do you want to sit? We could catch up."
Relieved, Django took the seat across from her. Gretchen took a sip of her lukewarm coffee. "How's everything going? Do you still paint?" Django nodded as he took a sip of his own coffee. "I've got a couple of shows coming up, would you like to go?"
Gretchen looked off to the side, "I'm only in town for a couple of days. My next semester starts Tuesday."