I was standing in my kitchen, next to the open window. I was relaxed a sweet scent followed the soft breeze. I only had one light illuminating my surroundings. The tea kettle slowly started to steam; the whistle was broken, so I wasn’t exactly sure when it was done.
The music from my neighbors crashed into my ears and the house began to shake from the constant bass. Cheers from their guests then sounded. I turned off the heat, just listening to them. I felt an urge to be there so I slipped on my shoes. Walking into the hallway. I was standing in front of my neighbor’s door. Ugh! What am I doing? This isn’t me!
“Hi!” I turned to see a group of three behind me.
“Yes?” I asked shoving my hands into my pockets. They looked around my age.
“Aren’t you going in?” The girl asked; her hair was a fading blue tucked into a messy bun.
“Uh, yeah,” I smiled weakly and stepped through the threshold with them not far behind.
“By the way I’m Alana, what’s your name?” I looked around at her.
“Oh, I’m Peyton,” I replied soon losing that group. I was overwhelmed by the crowded apartment. The music made it hard to hear, but it was a good feeling with that bass going through my body. It accelerated my heart. They all seemed like they felt the same way nothing but positive energy radiating from all of them.
That's when my hazel eyes locked on a pair of striking green ones, they were boring into me. He was so magnetic. He just sat there watching me inch forward weaving through people. He stood up, he was a lot taller. He seemed misplaced, and I didn't understand why. I looked up at him and he pressed two fingers against my forehead.
“Don’t be a afraid,” he whispered and that’s when I blacked out.
I groaned turning over tangled in my blankets. I slowly placed my hands on my pounding head. I sat up and realized something; “How did I get here?” I rubbed my temples. “What the hell happened last night?” I looked over at my phone. My eyes widened and I jumped up. “I’m so late! Damn it!” I rushed toward the bathroom, but a vision of dog food shot into my mind. I doubled over holding my head in my hands. “Ow!” I peered over at my dog wagging his tail, with his big brown eyes staring at his empty bowl. “Hi, Finn!” I grinned happily at him.
Food. Food. Food.
I just stared at him and he at me. “Um.” I raised an eyebrow and filled his bowl. I looked at my phone. “Nope I don’t have time to figure this out.”
I rushed out of my apartment trying to make up time; it wasn’t working. I grabbed my bike and stopped in my tracks. “Was I there last night?” I gave my neighbor’s door a sideways glance wracking my thoughts for anything, but a white flash burned in my mind. I hissed in pain trying to remember. What happened? “That can’t be good,” I uttered while sprinting to the exit.
The early summer sun warmed my city, it felt good on my skin. I mounted my bike and started down the street. The cool wind whipping my hair behind me.
Something about today wasn’t right.
I felt like people were watching me, I didn’t feel so comfortable. My paranoia rose I looked around and no one seemed the wiser, they were all going about their day, drinking their coffee or on the go trying to get to their destination. I sighed and pushed it all out of my head. I looked forward and noticed a car coming up fast. I turned my bike sharp and in the process of saving my ass I went down skidding along the sidewalk, where people avoided my demise. I looked up at the bright blue sky just laying there feeling my heart race.
What’s her problem?
Idiot
I hope she’s okay.
She should really pay more attention.
My head erupted in pain, I cringed and curled into a ball hiding my face. I wanted to sink into the ground. I scrambled to my feet and collected my bike continuing to work. I swung open the glass door to the coffee shop, getting a wave of coffee bean scent. I stood face to face, well chest really, not exactly the tallest person, but, whatever. That’s when I realized, my dog was telling me he was hungry this morning via telepathy.
She looks terrible, what the hell happened.
I narrowed my eyes slightly and tried to get past him.
“Are you okay?” He finally spoke, eyeing me with his solid brown eyes.
“I’m fine thanks,” I grumbled.
“Well you’re bleeding pretty bad,” he pointed my arm. I looked down and noticed my work shirt was destroyed and stained red.
“Damn it,” I groaned grabbing my arm. I shoved passed him and into the back room. I took a new shirt that is being sold to the public I run into the bathroom with the first aid kit and take care of it from there.
I appeared behind the counter, it was a small coffee shop filled with earthy colors, the ambiance was very relaxing with the acoustic indie music playing.
“You’re late, Peyton,” my Manager grumbled.
“I know I’m sorry!” I apologized tying an apron around my waist.
“Just get to work,” she snipped tucking her light hair behind her ear.
“Hi, welcome, what can I get you?” I mustered a fake smile making eye contact.
“I’d like a large regular coffee,” They replied tiredly.
“Yes of course,” I get to it making their drink.
Ugh, just hurry up, Ooh nice ass.
“Hey!” I turned around and he was staring at my Manager bending over to get the creamer in the cooler. He looked at me giving me an odd stare. “Sorry.” I handed him his coffee and smiled weakly.
“Yeah thanks,” he raised his coffee slightly and walked away giving me a sidled confused glance.
“Can I help you?” It felt like hours went by, and it seemed like nothing of real importance was being said in their minds, it really wasn’t worth hearing any of it, just causing my head to hurt more.
“Hello? Hello?!” A customer was waving their hand in my face.
“Sorry! How can I help you?” I jumped out of my skin looking at this woman in front of me.
“I need a medium almond latte, thanks,” She replied looking through her phone.
She has such a bloated face, just hurry up with my coffee already.
I rolled my eyes and made her coffee as she requested. I gave her a disingenuous smile and handed it to her.
"I don’t like this gift," I whispered looking at my reflection in my phone.
“Peyton, put your phone away!”
“Sorry, Mia!” I tucked it into my pocket and stepped toward the counter.
You’re going to be sorry, I’m going to make you clean everything then, I’ll fire you.
I just stared at her, I was shocked, it just wasn’t a good day.
“What?” She spat. I rolled my eyes at her and untied my apron. “What are you doing?” She eyed me. I threw the apron at her and smiled.
“I quit, Coffee sucks here anyway,” I left, almost feeling like I made a mistake. I don’t know if I can trust this gift, oh well I guess it’s too late now.
I let out a long drawn out sigh resting my head in my hands. I watched the lazy city from the park looking over it.
I wonder if she’s OK.
I peer up at a man standing there. “Hi,” I replied with a frustrated tone.
“Hi,” he replied. He took a seat looking ahead at the same spectacle.
“It looks nice from up here doesn’t it?” He asked.
That was stupid, she probably thinks I’m a creep anyway.
I grin a little feeling my cheeks warm up, I looked closer and noticed it was the man from earlier. “It is nice,” I agreed. “I needed nice at the moment.”
“By the way, I’m, Adam,” he said quickly. “Is your arm any better?”
“I’m Peyton, it’s nice to meet you,” I smiled at him. I lifted my arm, “I’ll live.”
I like her smile.
I smiled more feeling my cheeks flush.
“So why did you need niceness?” He asked.
“Sometimes niceness is needed,” I explained.
“Am I bothering you, should I go?” He asked looking at me.
“No,” I smiled at him. I liked his beanie covering his messy blond hair
Good.
“Adam?” I asked not peering up from my hands.
“Yeah?” I felt his eyes on me.
“I never take chances, I feel like life is just skating by and I can’t seem to jump in and enjoy it, this is why niceness is needed,” I gave him a sideways glance. “By the way I like your company.” I see him grin a little. I watched the city light up as the sun started to fade out.
I’ve ever just sat with someone I just met and enjoyed a sunset.
“I’ve never done this either,” I replied. I felt eyes burning into me I turn to see his shocked expression
“How’d you do that?” He asked.
Did she just? No that’s impossible.
“Do what?” I just stared at him. There was no explaining this, I just couldn’t make up a story at that moment. I stood up and grabbed my bike.
“Wait!” I hear him, but I just can’t look back. I raced down the hill.
"That look, I hate that look," I squinted my eyes as I sped through the roads to my apartment building. I stepped inside not bothering to lock up my bike. As I trudged up those stairs. I noticed someone standing in front of my door. He looked familiar, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.
“What’s up?” I ask wary of him.
“How’d you like your gift?” He asked. I raised an eyebrow and a whole mess of memories flashed at once causing an immense pain. I collapsed to the ground grabbing my head.
“Stop it!” I yelp. Wait? “You! Who are you?”
“I just wanted to help you,” he replied in monotone
“How? You just gave me a bunch of headaches, literally” I growled.
“You took a chance,” he explained helping me to my feet. “You weren’t so afraid.”
“You’re right, I wasn’t,” I stared at the ground. “But who are you?”
“That doesn’t matter,” he touched my forehead again.
I found myself walking to my former place of work to pick up the rest of my useless belongings I left in my locker. I noticed Adam, he was sitting outside. He spotted me and jumped up.
“Hey, Peyton,” he replied. “I was hoping you’d show up here.
“Hi, Adam,” I waved, then I noticed, I could no longer hear anyones thoughts, I smiled even bigger.
“Would you like to enjoy nice things together?” He asked.
“I think I would,” I grinned up at him.
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