Another Day
It was Tuesday afternoon as I walked outside of the college building. I had just finished sociology class and was ready to be at the coffee shop with Dean. As memories from class flashed through my mind, I could still feel the embarrassment. A few minutes before we would be released, I drifted into a daydream. Not realizing the professor had asked me a question, she cleared her throat to get my attention. It caused everyone’s eyes to fall on me, and I hated that since avoiding unwanted attention was something I strived for. Yet, I failed miserably this time.
So, I’m ready for Dean to cheer me up. His antics usually made me smile. But he always could since we have been friends since our childhood years. Sighing, I walked under the arched trees that lined the sidewalk. Enjoying the cool breeze on my skin as I went towards the coffee shop. It was located on the corner of campus. The building was made out of brick and had an urban vibe. Which is strange, considering we live in a small town. After a few minutes, I walked up the steps to the entrance. As I reach for the metal door, somebody steps by me, grabbing it and holding it open.
“Here, let me get that for you,” he says gruffly.
My brows raise in surprise before I look at the man. His striking topaz eyes caught me off guard. As if knocking the wind from my lungs, I’m in awe of the handsome man before me. He grins, amused by my reaction.
Though motioning for me to go in, I snap out of the trance and murmur, “Thank you.”
Quickly stepping inside and down the brief hallway, I find Dean behind the brick counter. Smiling, I wave and get his attention. His hazel eyes light up from seeing me. Walking towards the register, he unlatches the gate allowing me to come behind the counter.
“Hey, Arowin, how was class today?” The warmth of his voice wrapped around me like a hug.
It caused me to relax from the startled state I was in from that man outside. But setting my bag down, I glance at Dean. “Well, I managed to embarrass myself today. I was caught daydreaming.”
He chuckles before turning to make me a drink. “Ahh, I’m sure it wasn’t as bad as you think, Arowin.”
Dean’s attempt at reassurance didn’t help. Yet he couldn’t help but try that before resorting to other methods. Sighing, I sit on one of the stools behind the counter. As I slightly spun on it, my eyes spotted the man who held the door open for me. He had taken a seat in the corner of the room. Inhaling a sharp breath, I’m fascinated by how his vibrant eyes captivate me. In the next moment, I’m following the motion of his finger moving along that full bottom lip.
It caused my breathing to pick up a little. He seemed to notice as a smirk formed on his lips. While some black curls fall across his onyx brows, I feel like the air thickened and crackled.
“Arowin,” Dean suddenly says while snapping his fingers before me.
Blinking, I shake my head and look at Dean. He seemed amused by my behaviour while handing me the drink. Clearing my throat, heat floods my cheeks before I take a sip. The temptation was daring me to look back at the mysterious man. But I tried to resist it. Worry started rising from what that man just did to me by simple gestures he committed. So, forcing myself to take steady breaths, I glance at Dean. He’s busy making another drink for a customer that had walked up. Watching him, I wondered if we were still set to hang out tomorrow morning.
It was the only time I could hang out with him since he had the day off, and I had a class in the afternoon. Unable to stay out late because of my father’s strict rules, I had to use my morning time for it. Granted, I only had a few free mornings since I was wrapped up in being a full-time student. Desperate to get my degree done and out of this town far from my father, it had me in overdrive. As I chose to take as many classes as I could.
“Dean,” I say his name to get his attention.
When he looks at me after handing the customer their drink, I ask, “Are we still meeting up tomorrow morning?”
He smiles and wipes his hands against the apron wrapped around those thick hips. “Of course, I wouldn’t miss spending time with my best friend, Arowin.”
Lightly laughing, I roll my eyes at his comment. Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted when that familiar deep voice caught my attention. “Dean, could I have you make me a latte?”
Immediately, the stranger’s striking topaz eyes fixate on me. Despite the fact he was speaking to Dean, his gaze never left mine. Biting my lip, I could feel every muscle tense in my body. As the heart in my chest beat wildly, a ghost of a smile appeared on his face.
“Sure, did you want any flavour in that?” Dean asks, curious.
Glancing at my friend, I didn’t miss the tension in his shoulders. He seemed aware of what was happening between me and this man. But he was holding back from commenting on it for now.
“Surprise me,” his deep voice answered.
Goosebumps broke out on my skin as I tried to understand what was happening. Though, the sounds of Dean making the latte broke me from my trance. Glancing at Dean, I try to force myself to keep my eyes on him. After a minute, I’m shifting in the seat nervously. As the feeling of that man’s gaze burns into me. Eventually, Dean hands him his drink, and I chance a glimpse at him. Those electric topaz eyes were still fixated on me. With that, my heart skipped a beat. Then he gave me a dark, mischievous smile, and I almost died.
In the next second, he’s walking back to the table. Leaving me to tear my eyes away from his broad back and find Dean glaring at me. Embarrassed, I shrug.
“What?”
Dean narrows his eyes and crosses his arms over his chest. “Arowin, we talked about taking a break from seeking out a man for a while, especially after your recent ex.”
Sighing, I take another sip from my drink. Not liking that he was right, I stayed quiet. “I’m serious, Arowin. It’s only been a few months since you exited a relationship. And this last one, you barely escaped it alive. I might add.”
Groaning, I didn’t like him bringing up the actions of that bastard. It always caused my skin to crawl from the countless memories. So, I briefly checked my phone and noticed the time. Going home wasn’t ideal, but this conversation seemed worse.
As I get up, I say, “Dean, I gotta go before I’m late and get in trouble with Dad. But don’t worry.”
Stepping close, I place a brief kiss on his cheek. Then I grab my bag and head towards the door. While I do, I try my best to avoid eye contact with the stranger. Knowing the unpredictability of meeting his gaze would put me in who knows what kind of position. Eventually, I push the metal door open, stepping out into the cool late afternoon air. Taking in a deep breath and letting it out, I make my way home. Grateful that it was only a ten-minute walk from campus, I knew I would be on time. When my Dad agreed to let me stay home during college, he imposed strict rules. One of those being I had to be home before four in the afternoon. It was his way of keeping track of me and making sure I wasn’t out doing anything he wouldn’t want.
The man is a control freak. And don’t get me started on the unhinged temper he has. I groan internally from the thought. The memories alone caused the hairs on my body to stand up from the fear. Sighing, I stop at the beginning of the broken cement walkway leading to the front door. Observing the tiny two-level home, I noticed the faded blue door’s paint chipping. While the front porch held an old wooden bench swing, it appeared quaint. Despite the old comforting vibe of the exterior, what awaited me in the house spiked my anxiety.
“It’s fine, Arowin,” I mumble to myself.
Knowing I couldn’t put it off any longer, I approached the front door and opened it. Stepping inside, I’m greeted by my father’s booming voice from down the hallway off the kitchen. He had a habit of playing video games in the evening. Personally, I wished he wouldn’t. The thing only encouraged his anger to flare. But glancing around the living room, the tan couches complimented the turquoise carpet. As my eyes spotted the china cabinet, it held a mirror that pointed towards the dining room. Where my mother sat doing a puzzle, a hobby she had recently picked up.
“Hey, how was your class,” her light feathery voice asked.
“It was alright,” I replied while turning to kick off my converse by the door.
“Oh? What are you learning this week?”
She’s clearly not interested, as her gaze is still fixated on the puzzle. Sighing, I was used to this. Mom always either had her attention on schooling for her bachelor’s in nursing or the endless jigsaw puzzles she seemed to do. A short while after she started, she did them more as a stress reliever. Suddenly, I hear Dad throwing his controller into the wall. This was my cue to head upstairs before he came out.
“Um, I’m a little tired, Mom. So, I’ll chat with you later,” I say quickly.
She nods, not caring much. As I head upstairs, I’m soon in the welcoming silence of my bedroom. Shutting my door behind me, I toss my bag onto the full-size bed. Looking around, I take in the familiar sight of my small room. Only big enough to fit a bed and a dresser. Some people may find this claustrophobic. But I didn’t care because my main concern was the two windows facing the street. They allowed me to see the sun setting and rising each day. A beautiful scene that gave me peace despite my current circumstances.
Sighing, I mutter, “Another day in the books.”
Collapsing onto my bed momentarily, I watched as the sun set for the day. Its darkened orange enchanting to look at. Nibbling my bottom lip, I knew I needed to get started on my homework. But as I gaze at the sky around the burning ball of fire. The fading of the blue caused me to think of that man. His entrancing topaz eyes and black curly hair flashed through my mind. Remembering what he did to me in the coffee shop had my heart beating quickly.
It was magnetic the way he drew me in. Sucking in a breath, I shake my head. Knowing how my thoughts were going, nothing pure would come of it. So, I focused on digging out my textbook and getting this homework out of the way. Then I could get some sleep. At least, that’s what I hoped. Since I usually find myself sleep-deprived more than anything these days. Yet, taking one last look through the windows. A part of me hoped that I would see that stranger again. Even if I did have a slight nagging feeling, it may be dangerous.
