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Chapter 1
I nearly tripped over my own feet as I walked the length of the side walk. A guy called out profanities just as I caught my footing and bumped into him. I apologized before walking away in a hurried pace, not even bothering to look back.
I stood in front of a quaint little coffee shop. It's sign was colorfully decorated with a blue coffee mug logo. Outside a few tables and chairs stood wet from the rain that morning.
It was nearing lunch time, but the sky was still heavy with rain clouds as I headed into the coffee shop. Upon entering the first thing I realized was the warmth. My attention turned to a lovely fire in the far right corner surrounded by lovely leathered couches and chairs. I would have loved to get coffee and sit one one of the chairs next to the fire, but I had more important matters to attend to.
“Excuse me.” My voice came out meek, a trait I was trying to get out of. “You wouldn't mind getting Mr. Lions for me, would you?”
The girl in front of the counter looked like a nice enough girl. She looked like she probably played a lot of sports, maybe a member of a animals rights club. Her dark hair was carelessly tied back and her face a bit pale, but her green eyes stood out stunningly, canceling out her homily look.
She smiled before nodding and turning to the back. Instantly she returned with her manager.
“Elizabeth! There you are!” He came toward me with outstretched arms which instantly brought me into his burly chest. “So you decided to come to college here then. What made you change your mind?”
My uncle. He was always so talkative. There was never a dull moment with him.
“Umm...I guess I just wanted to be closer to home.” I wasn't entirely the truth, but he didn't need to know that.
“Well I'm glad your here now. I got Leo working in the back with stock. You mind saying hi to him before we get started? I'm sure he'll be glad to see you.” It had seemed like a question to me, but before I could answer my uncle was already pushing me to the back of the shop.
“Hey Leo!” My uncles voice reverberated off the walls of the small, packed stock room. I couldn't see Leo, but I heard him as he put a box on a shelf at the other end of a stack of boxes. “Guess who's here!”
Leo peered around the boxes and I saw his face instantly light up. “Hey they Eliza, what are you doing here?”
“Aw ya know. Just passing by.” I told him modestly.
“Actually she's going to be working here with us.” My uncle piped up. Instantly an innocent grin formed on my face. “And she's going to be going to the college here as well.”
“Wow, really?! That's awesome. If you need anyone to show you around later I'd be happy to.” Leo offered with a smile.
I nodded. “Sure, that would be great.”
“Shall we get to the interview than?” My uncles voice was louder than ever.
“Sure.” I said with a smile before we left the stock room.
“Alright, I have your resume, and I've called everywhere you've previously worked. I think your ready to work, but I must ask you one question.” My uncles face was serious, the lines on his forehead clearly visible. He leaned in closer to me and my heart began to pound with suspense. What was he going to ask me? “Do you know how to make coffee?”
I leaned back with a sigh of relief. That was it? “Yeah, of course.”
“Good!” He leaned back in his chair as well. “You'll start as soon as possible then.”
“When's “as soon as possible”?”
“I'll give you a call. I wont have the actual schedule up till next week.” He leaned back toward his desk where my papers lay in a stack. He carefully put them in a folder in drawer. He spoke, not even looking up from his task. “The schedule is posted in the stock room so you'll need to check it at the beginning of the week or you can call me.”
“Sounds like a plan.” I muttered softly.
“You better your bottom dollars it's a plan. I'll have you an apron by the end of this week. Till now just stick to something casual like jeans and a nice shirt. Much like what your wearing today.”
I peered down at my clothes. I was wearing a pink long sleeve button-up shirt with a white cami underneath. My jeans looked like any other pair of jeans. They were light and worn, but nothing else really stuck out about them.
“I think that's about it. Your free to go.” He finished with a smile.
I headed out the door with a “thank you”. It really did pay to have an uncle who was the manager of a coffee shop at the college I was going to.
“Hey Eliza, you mind if I key your number into my phone?” Leo sprang up from his work, phone in hand, ready to input my number. It was funny how my mom's side of the family acted. They would ask you if you wanted to do something and then practically force you to do it anyway. It didn't really matter that much to me. I was just happy I didn't have to make that many decisions. It was nice to get away from all the stress for a while, and a college near home was just what I needed.
“Okay, it's 236-4476.” I spoke as clearly as I could. Leo retorted the numbers back to me. “Yeah, that's correct.”
“Great, I'll see when I can get off work and I'll give you a call or text you. You do have texting, right?” He seemed a little worried for a second there.
“Of course.” My words instantly put him at ease.
“Cool. I guess I'll see you later then.” He smiled and then waved good bye.
“See ya!” I yelled before I headed out of the back room.
In front of the store the homily green eyed girl still stood staring, dazed and bored, into space. I looked up at the menu that was placed a little over her head and decided I'd buy a drink to keep me warm outside.
“Excuse me.” I tried to get the girls attention. At first she continued to stare off into space, but then regain consciousness when I waved a hand in front of her. “Could I have a caramel espresso?”
In less than five minutes she had whipped up a lovely espresso topped with whipped cream and caramel sauce. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a few ones to pay for the drink.
“Come again,” she said in a monotone. I looked back at her and smiled before heading for the door. But for some reason the fireplace caught my eye again. I figured I had at least a few minutes before I needed to look for my dorm, so I sat down on a leather chair I found to be extremely comfortable.
I smiled to myself as I gazed into the fire. I was glad I had taken the time to sit down. I had been walking all day and just now realized how sore and tired I was.
I sipped my espresso. It was absolutely delicious. I wasn't even sure if my coffees could compare to this.
The coffee store flew open, but I was too comfortable to turn around and see who it was. So I allowed my ears to eavesdrop.
“It's been a while since you've come here.” I heard the homily girl speak in a sweet voice.
“It's been a busy week. It's always nice to come in here for a cup of coffee though.” A semi-deep voice came from the counter. It was most definitely a guy. And judging by his voice, probably a college guy. “Your looking lovely by the way.”
I nearly turned around in surprise. Had he just called her...lovely? But she looked so homily. Wow, I should really stop judging people like that. That was kind of a bad habit of mine.
I continued to gaze at the fire, not even bothering to look up. More than likely the two were a couple, which would explain why he complimented her like that. I sighed. Couples always made me sad. They made me wish I was as happy as they were. In a relationship and not single. In love, instead of heartbroken. Oh, oops. That wasn't suppose to slip out. Oh well, it's not like anyone heard me. They'll never know the reason why I really came to this college.
“I'll take a biscotti with my coffee as well.” His voice interrupted my thought. It sounded so relaxed and quite seductive. I was about to look up at who he was before I heard him speak again. His words nearly stopped my heart. “Who's the new girl over there?”
“Heh, your the only one who would notice a new girl around here. Your so flirtatious with every girl. It's a wonder you don't have a girlfriend yet.” The girl said with a laugh.
After hearing this I nearly choked on my drink. So he was that kind of guy. This guy was starting to remind me of him.
I got up from where I sat.
“Why don't you go ask her what her name is?” The girl challenged. When I heard this I quickly made my way out of the shop, not even bothering to look at the guy to see if he was coming to ask me.
Outside it was quite chilly and damp. Spring wasn't at all beautiful in March. Always wet and cold.
My feet carried my down the walkway where I searched for my dorm hall. It was starting to get a bit frustrating. Everything began to look the same, and even though I came across countless dorm halls I couldn't seem to find mine.
“Excuse me,” A deep voice came from in front of me. I looked up from the ground and saw two guys standing a few hundred feet in front of me. They quickly closed the space between us and were instantly feet away from me. They grinned, and it scared me a little.“You look a little lost.”
I was, in fact, lost. But I wasn't about to ask them for help. Just by looking at them I could tell they weren't trustworthy people. I know I'm quick to judge, but it's better to be safe then sorry.
“Why don't you come with us.” The other said in a higher pitched voice. His eyes looked like a crazy dog's. I knew there were a lot of weird and scary people in college, but I didn't expect to meet any of them.
“N-no thank you.” I forced the words out with a gulp. They took note of this, like wolfs searching for the weak deer in the herd. Suddenly one grabbed my arm and yanked me too him.
The dog eyed guy laughed as the other tightened his gripped when I tried to break free.
“I think your lost. Here, let us show you around.” He pulled me along the path. I was going to let out a cry when suddenly the hand released me. I looked to my side to find the two boys down on the ground.
“That will teach you to miss with my girlfriend!” I heard the angry voice come from behind me. I turned to see a tall guy with beautiful blond hair and the most gorgeous blue eyes.
“What the hell?!” The dog eyed guy stood up rubbing his back. “Why'd you kick us!”
“Weren't you listening?!” His voice was harsh yet seductive in a way. The voice of a dominant, tough male. “You touch my girlfriend again and you'll receive more than just a little side kick.”
“Ow, my back!” The other tried his best to get up from the ground. It took him a while before he could properly stand up. “Whatever man, you can have the bitch! Let's get out of here Shawn.”
But before he and his friend could walk away the other guy had planted another kick into his back. This time I could here the pain in his shot and was worried, for a moment, that he had killed the guy.
“What..The...Hell, man!” The guy's voice was muffled as he spoke through concrete. It took him forever to even get to his knees.
“Don't ever disrespect a lady like that.” The guy huffed. “If I ever hear you or your friend call a lady that ever again I'll make sure your makes will be out for at least a month! Got that!!”
“Whatever, man. We're sorry!” The crazy dog eye apologized in a worried tone. Then they both ran away as fast as they could, for people with hurt backs anways.
“I'm sorry you had to see that. Normally I'm not so violent.” He turned to me with a sweet smile that made melt.
“No problem.”
“How about I take you out to eat for lunch.” His eyes never leaving mine.
“Sure,” I said, forgetting entirely that I was looking for my dorm hall.
“I'll take the pepperoni pizza,” he told the waiter before look back at me. “I always get the pepperoni pizza. It's the best on campus.”
“Is that so.” I smiled cheerfully before turning to the waiter. “I'll have what he's having.”
“Excellent choice. I'll bring your drinks out shortly.” The waiter announced before headed back into the kitchen.
“So what made you come here?” His words came out smooth. I turned my attention to him, but could seem to smile. The thought of why I had come now filled my mind, and it wasn't, at all, a pleasant thought.
“Just trying to get away from someone.” I said, trying to hide my emotion. I was really trying to hide it. The sadness and hurt still felt. I wasn't about to cry in front of this stranger.
“Someone stalking you?” He seemed interested.
“No, just someone I couldn't stand to be around anymore.” I diverted my eyes from his after I said this, hoping he wouldn't ask anymore questions. To my surprise he got the hint and didn't pursue the issue.
“Are you working anywhere yet?” He asked casually. I smiled. Now that was a question I felt comfortable answering.
“Yeah, the coffee shop a little ways from here.” I spoke up.
“Oh really? Is that why you were there?” He asked with a grin.
Huh? How did he know I was there today? Had he been in the shop I had not realized it? No, the only people I remembered being there was my family and the homily girl, oh and that guy that walked in who I couldn't stand listening to.
Suddenly I realized why he knew. He was the guy at the shop. He was that arrogant, conceited guy who flirted with all the girls! What a jerk! And I was sitting right in front of him!
“Excuse me, I have to go.” I said harshly, getting up quickly from my chair. The guys eyes followed my form before he, too, stood up.
“Where are you going?” He asked as I pulled money out of my wallet to pay for the meal I wasn't even going to eat.
“I just remembered I had something important to get to.” I muttered without looking up at him. I began to head out when I realized he was following me.
“What's wrong?” He questioned. “Did I say something wrong?”
I didn't even turn to look at him as he continued to call after me. I wasn't about to get played by this guy. I was through with that.
As I exited the building I heard him calling in my direction. “But I don't even know your name.”
