Coffee Shop

Chapter 4

Joyless Euphoria

Waking up had never been harder, but she managed to face the slumber-monster in battle and came out victorious. Sitting up-right in her bed with her blankets bunched up at her feet, she looked out her window to the city below. This is your life now Serena she told herself. You can't let silly things like what happened yesterday get to you. So what if you moved away? You can make new friends here too. You can do this. With her chin held high, she faced her bedroom mirror and smiled at herself.Getting up from her bed, with her new-found courage, she made her way towards the bathroom to get herself ready for whatever the afternoon brought her.

On another side of town, in a different apartment complex and a separate bathroom all together, Darien Shields faced the reflection in his bathroom mirror. Looking at his sleepy face, he stared himself straight in the eye. "Saturday morning." He said to himself. "What are you going to do today?" Running a hand through his silky black locks, he noticed the texture was a bit too silky, and decided to take a quick shower before doing anything else.

Ten minutes later or so, he walked out of his steamy bathroom and into his spacious bedroom wearing nothing but a black towel around his small waist. Walking in front of his closet, he opened up the wooden doors and stared at his small wardrobe. Picking out a black turtle neck and grey slacks, he began to change. Once he was fully clothed, he walked over to his dresser and picked out a pair of black socks. I need to pick a new favorite color. Walking to the spot where he had left his shoes, he quickly slipped them off and grabbed his keys and wallet from his nightstand. But I like black. He looked at his reflection once more. It makes me look classy. Taking another look at himself in the mirror, he sighed and looked away with one last thought.

I'm such a moron.

Choosing a short brown skirt, thick black leggings, a pair of brown boots and a warm off-white sweater, she was ready to face her day. Grabbing her purse and walking towards the door, reality suddenly hit her in the face and she stopped dead in her tracks. Where am I going? It hadn't occurred to her that she didn't any plans. I'm not in the mood for coffee… She blushed at the memory of the day before. Although I wouldn't mind running into that guy again. She had finally admitted to herself that she found the stranger attractive. Sighing and staring at the door in front of her, she finally forced her hand to the doorknob and made herself twist it. Walking outside, and locking the door behind her, she decided to go to the cute little bookstore she had spotted a few days before.

Stray Shopping Carts? I wonder what it's about. Grabbing the small book, he began to flip through its crisp white pages. Deciding it was a dud, he placed it back on the shelf. Picking out another hardback and whipping the dust off the cover, he read the title. Absurdistan? Sounds absurd. Hurr hurr… Getting up from his crouched position, he made his way to the other isle of books. That's where he saw her.

At the end of the isle was a small table. The most magnificent small table he had ever seen. She sat there, legs crossed, and her mile long golden hair lay straight behind her small figure, nearly touching the floor behind the chair she was sitting on. Her elbow resting on the table, and her chin placed lightly in the palm of her hand. Her other hand was holding on to a small paperback book that, according to her focused facial expression, was apparently very interesting. Book, you jerk. I envy you. Realizing he was staring, he quickly hid behind a shelf of books. He began to think up of a way to approach her. Taking a deep breath, he came up with the simplest way possible to say hello to the beautiful girl sitting only a few feet away from him.

Although the book in her hand was ridiculously interesting, and probably the cutest romance novel she had read in quite some time, and despite the fact that she was getting completely sucked into the story, she couldn't help but feel like someone was staring at her. Oh get a grip, Serena. Dismissing her previous thoughts, she continued reading her novel. Just as Tommy and Jessica were about to share their precious first kiss, filled with love and passion, she saw someone in the corner of her eye approach her table. Looking up from the paperback, she stared into the strangers eyes and lightly gasped, a bit shocked to see someone staring right back at her.

"Is this seat taken?" He gave her a charming smile, and she couldn't help but smile back. "Not at all." Putting her book down, she gave him her full attention. "Sorry to be so forward, but I couldn't help but notice how unbelievably gorgeous you are." He said with a cocky grin.

"What?" She was shocked. No one had ever been this forward with her before. Before she couldn't even think, he was starting to speak again. "I was wondering…" he began. "If you're not doing anything, you could maybe accompany me to my place? I'm sure we could have a smashing time." Her eyes widened, and she reached up to place a long strand of her hair behind her ear. "Ummm…" She didn't know what to do. She was stuck in her seat with a complete stranger asking her to go to his apartment. What the crap??

She saw him get and walk next to her attempting to reach for her arm. Jerking it away, she looked up at his face again. "Come on, darling. There's no time like the present." Grabbing her arm, he began to pull her away. Panic soared through her as she was getting pulled out of he seat. This cannot be happening. I'm inside a book store for crying out loud!! Is it the skirt? Do I look like a hooker? Oh jeez. Finally finding her voice, she looked at him in the eyes and began to yell at him.

"I am NOT going anywhere with you! Let go! I don't even know you!" She began to glare at him, despite the fact that she was scared. She tried to jerk her arm away from his hand, but his grip was too hard. I wish I were the one with the scalding hot coffee right now. I'd splash it in his face.

"This way darling. Let's get going."

"NO!"

AN: Review? You know you want to!

I'll come for you in your sleep if you don't.

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