Coffee Shop

Joyless Euphoria

Chapter 3

He sat there for a good hour, mentally going over the glorious thing that had just happened. The magnificent occurrence. The wondrous happening that had just taken place in his life. His life. His boring, lazy, single life. He couldn't just forget this and move on. No, no. He had to figure out just who this gorgeous… no, beautiful girl was. He smiled a bit, remembering the adorable blush that had crept up her cheeks as he tried to wipe away the lingering coffee on her small and delicate hands. He groaned out loud and brought his hand to his face. New goal, Darien Shields. He thought to himself. Run into her again. Soon. …Hopefully without a dangerous beverage next time.

"Hey man, you want another cappuccino?" Snapping out of his thoughts, he looked over at his friend with a blank expression. "Huh?" was all he managed to gracefully spit out.

The laughter that suddenly erupted from his friend was what brought him back to his senses. "Oh jeez. You have it bad…Here. Take the cappuccino, it's on the house"

Darien looked down at the heavenly brown liquid, and grinned at his mug. A long sigh escaped his lips and he looked over at his friend who was cleaning the counter of the small coffee shop. "She was something, wasn't she?" he asked the blond haired man.

Andrew looked over at his starry eyed friend and smiled. It was nice to see Darien in a good mood for a change. Not that his dark haired friend was a bitter person or anything, he was just a bit too serious for someone his age and a tad bit reserved. He needed something, or in this case someone, to bring a tiny spark into his life. "Yeah, she was pretty cute. Too bad you didn't catch her name… I wonder if she's new in town? I've never seen her here before." Just as he finished his sentence, a roar of thunder was heard outside and the rain began to fall heavier. The night sky seemed to get darker, and the cold was suddenly fiercer. Both men looked out the window, silently wishing the blond beauty had some sort of transportation.

Cold cold cold cold cold cold cold… Damn I need a car. Was all she kept thinking. She pulled the blue pea coat closer to her body and tried to bury her head deeper into the hood attached to her coat. I'm going to freeze. I'm going to freeze, and then I'll die. They'll find my body on the corner of this street. A Serenacube. Or Serenicle? They'll name me something. I'm gonna freeze to death. I can feel it. Great. And the last memory they'll have of me in this town is going to be running into some stranger and depriving him of his coffee. I probably won't even make it on the news. I'll be on those ridiculous magazines you see at the grocery store, next to the story about the sighting of Jesus over at a casino in Vegas. I wonder if he intended to create gambling? A shiver ran down her spine as the sound of thunder invaded all of her thoughts. She automatically squeezed her eyes shut and stood there for a moment, attempting to regain her courage and keep walking. The rain began to fall heavier as if to ridicule her. I love Mother Nature. Really. You're a doll. She kept walking along in the rain and began to see her apartment building in the shadows of the night. Almost there… Self pep-talks were the only thing that kept her sane and motivated in times like these. She quickened her pace, eager to get to her cozy apartment. Thanks to the dark brought on by the rain, she didn't see the massive puddle the size of the Pacific Ocean in front of her. Once she stepped in it, she was doomed. The water splashed up, surprising her, and soaked her jeans to the knee. Letting out a small shriek, she looked down and saw the damage. Could this day get any better? Tears of frustration started to form in her eyes, but she shut her eyes yet again and fought them off with the tiniest bit of strength she had within left herself. Come on, Serena. You can do this. Opening her eyes, she kept walking.
About an hour later, Serena emerged from her bathroom, wrapped in a light pink towel. She had seen it at a department store somewhere in town, and she just had to have it. The towel was thick and fuzzy, providing the exact warm and plushyness needed when one has finished bathing. That shower was exactly what I needed… She walked through the hall in her apartment and opened the door to her bedroom, shutting it behind her. She made her way to her bed, and let herself fall on it. Her blond hair that went on for miles, lay wet beneath her. My blanket is going to get wet… But she didn't care. She was home, warm, and away from anyone or anything that would cause further embarrassment. How am I ever going to go back to that coffee shop? I mean, I know the incident wasn't even that big of a deal… but what do I do next time I see this 'Dare' person? Argh. WHAT is that short for?! She closed her eyes for a bit. Dare…ell? Darryl? No. That's ridiculous. Daren? Maybe. Sighing, she got up from her bed and retrieved the light pink satin pajamas that were hidden within the depths of her pillows. Finding them, she set them aside on her bed and removed the towel from her body and tossed it over to the chair in her room. Goosebumps covered her flesh as she hurriedly tried to change. Running over to her dresser, she found a pair of panties and a matching bra and quickly put them on. She sat on her bed and slid the pajama pants through her left leg, and then the right. The cool material send shivers through her again. Why is it so cold? Ugh. Just as she was putting on her pajama shirt, a long yawn escaped her lips. Sleepy time for me. I can worry about my pathetic self later. Getting up from her bed again, she pulled back the covers and arranged her pillows to her liking at the top of the bed. Walking over to the light switched, she flicked it off and retreated back to the bed that promised her sleep, warm, and no ridicule whatsoever.