The peaceful sound of wind chimes suddenly rang through the air, as my phone alarm played the whimsical tune to let me know that it was time to wake up. I suppressed the urge to throw it violently across the room in frustration. Falling back asleep last night had been an unsuccessful miserable chore. No matter how hard I had tried, I just couldn’t stop thinking about that wild dream. I sighed, dreading that I’d have to start the day in my exhausted state, and slowly got out of bed.
The sleepy kitties stretched out their cute little jellybean toes as I gently petted them while changing into a plain grey dress. I walked downstairs to the bathroom and was horrified when I saw my hideous reflection in the mirror. Bold dark circles hung under my sleepy green eyes and stood out terribly against my pale complexion, making it look like death had come and sucked the life from me in the dark of night. I tried my best to cover what I could with concealer and added some mascara to my lashes, but I still looked like crap.
“Good enough.” I whispered to myself in defeat.
I then pulled my dark hair out of my messy bedhead bun, letting its long length unravel down to my butt. I quickly brushed it out and combed down my shaggy bangs, so that it wouldn’t look like a bird had nested on my head, and threw it up into a ponytail.
I went into the kitchen and desperately rummaged around for some sort of caffeine. The coffee pot was broken and the tea boxes were all left empty. I wanted to scream in frustration, but I mentally calmed myself down a bit and tried to think of a solution.
“Doesn’t matter, I’ll just go to the cafe.” I told myself through gritted teeth.
I put on my favorite black denim jacket, which was decorated with band patches and my trusty black combat-style ankle boots. I then grabbed an umbrella and quickly headed off to the cafe.
The sweet smells of roasted coffee and freshly baked pastries filled my nose, as stared blankly at the cute handwritten menu board. My body was there but my eyes were empty. I must have looked like some magic seer trapped in a vision induced trance as I tried to decide between getting a London fog or a chai latte. Luckily, it didn’t matter if I took my time ordering because the place was almost empty except for a few people having breakfast.
“Uh, are you ready to order?” The young man behind the counter asked with a concerned look on his face.
“Yeah, I think I’ll have a large London fog and a fruit cup, please.” I gave him a small sleepy half-smile.
“Sounds good.” He winked flirtatiously at me and left to go get my stuff.
I began patiently waiting for my order and looked around the room. It was a very quaint country-style mom&pop type of place, with small potted flowering plants on the tables and pictures of chickens on the walls. My eyes drifted over to a dark shadowed room in the back, and that sinister feeling I had gotten last night began to creep over me again. It felt like something sinister was hidden there in the darkness and inquisitively staring right back at me with malevolent eyes.
“Excuse me, Miss?” I heard a male voice say, ripping me out of my trance-like state.
A tall slender-built man in his mid 40′s was suddenly standing next to me, with a coffee in his hand. A wide smile stretched across his long thin face as he gazed at me with genuine-looking warmth in his large buggy hazel eyes. His neat black clothing and white-collar instantly gave away that he was a priest.
“Yes, can I help you?” I replied with a fake smile.
I tried to sound polite, but I secretly wanted to ask him to leave me alone. My lack of sleep had me feeling rather grouchy, and I was not in the mood to converse with new people.
“Forgive me, this may seem like a rather odd question, but are you by chance the niece of Elowynn Gallagher?” He asked as he ran his slender hand through his short dirty blond hair.
“Yes, I am, actually.” Another polite smile forced its way onto my face. I had already gotten that question from a few different members of the school faculty, and I was becoming a little annoyed at the constant reminders that she was dead.
His smile grew a bit wider. “Ah-ha, I thought so! You bear a striking resemblance to her. My name is Father Adelstein. I offer you my condolences, I was a dear friend of your Aunt. We did lots of research and things together. When I had heard that her niece would be coming to school here in Sycamore Valley, I got quite excited.” His eyes mirrored the excitement that he spoke of.
“London fog and fruit bowl.” The guy behind the counter playfully announced while holding my stuff up.
“I have to go pay. I’ll be just a moment, please.” I held up a finger and turned to go retrieve my order.
A peaceful sounding alarm suddenly began to play from Father Adelstein’s phone in his pocket. “I’m terribly sorry, but I’m actually running a bit late this morning and must be going. It was a pleasure meeting you Ms. Gallagher. I’d love to chat at some point. Stop by the church anytime!” His smile was now apologetic but still very kind.
“It was nice meeting you as well, Father. Have a wonderful morning.” I smiled and waved goodbye before completing my transaction. I honestly had no intention of “chatting” with him, especially not a priest. Thankfully I didn’t have to interact too much with him, because he left as quickly as he came.
I sat down in a small cushioned booth, next to a window that overlooked a large duck pond outside. Bead-like droplets of water streamed down the foggy glass and slightly distorted my view like a flowing kaleidoscope.
I gazed out at the little feathered bodies paddling around as raindrops gently fell across the silvery water, causing hundreds of little ripples and splashes to dance across its surface. Usually, I’d prefer to be sitting on a bench outside, but the weather today obviously wasn’t going to allow that. I smiled to myself as I watched their fast flipper feet flap around in the muddy puddles while happily shaking their cute little curved tails... At least someone was enjoying the rain.
My duck watching was suddenly interrupted when I saw, out of the corner of my eye, a large dark figure quickly slip into the booth across from me. I glanced over in confusion to see who had just barged in at my table uninvited.
“Good morning, Buttercup.” A sly smirk stretched across his face.
...Oh fuck no...again? There he was, Mr. Insanely handsome with no sense of social boundaries.
As if I hadn’t already had a hard enough time interacting with him yesterday, how could I possibly face him now after having that creepy erotic dream about him last night? My cheeks started to burn up at the mere thought of it.
“My name isn’t Buttercup.” I regretted my words the moment they left my lips. My tone was unexpectedly bitchy, causing me to suddenly feel embarrassed.
“Alright, sorry ...Gwendolyn.” He mockingly put his hands up in a defensive way. “I’m happy to see you again, I was hoping that I would.” The most flirty smile danced across his full lips.
My heart flipped at the sight. Why was I so attracted to this guy? Maybe it was because he had such a different personality about him? I couldn’t tell if he was just overly confident or whacked out of his mind, but I’d guess the latter.
“I’m sorry, I’m tired and didn’t mean to sound like that. It’s good to see you too.” I shyly smiled at him, trying to redeem myself.
Something I couldn’t quite place twinkled in his golden eyes. “Rough night, I’m guessing?” He chuckled with a perfect grin.
“I guess you could say that.” I tried not to blush... I definitely blushed.
He looked rather pleased, as if he’d accomplished something, and gave me a wicked-looking smile. “I have something that I want to give you.” He tucked a strand of long hair behind his ear and reached into his jacket, pulling out a small dark green book. He then slid it across the wooden table towards me in one swift fluid motion.
“Oh wow, thank you. What is this?” I was a bit surprised that he had a gift for me, especially since we didn’t actually know each other... at all.
“It’s some lady’s old journal. Seems boring, I know, but in it she writes extensively about a book that was bound in human skin. I thought it might be helpful for your essay.” He raised an eyebrow. It looked like he was trying to analyze my reaction to it.
“Well, again thank you. I’ll have to give it a read and see if there’s anything I can use.” I thought it was kind of weird that he cared about my essay enough to give me a book, but I couldn’t hold back my smile as I reached for it. I was just about to open it when I heard a loud female voice call my name...
“Gwenny!” I suddenly saw a head full of brightly colored unicorn hair bouncing my way.
Oh, good grief... It was Cassandra, this annoying loquacious girl from my art class. I’d often secretly fantasize about using a large cork to clog up the non-stop rambling hole in her face. Before I could even respond to her, she began to spew her bitchy self-centered nonsense at me.
“Hey, it’s so funny running into you here! Eww, are you drinking tea? Pumpkin spice lattes are back in season, you know!? Have you started your still life project yet? I have. Mine’s going to be really good, probably the best out of the entire class. Mrs. Chuong seems to really like me. You look tired... Hey, I didn’t know that you listened to Kiss!” She pointed to a patch on my jacket with Pelle Ohlin on it. “That dress you’re wearing doesn’t really flatter you, in fact, it’s quite ugly. You should look into better fashion choices. I have great style, maybe I should help you... (Blah Blah Blah, for about three minutes)”
As she uttered on oblivious to the fact that I had begun ignoring her, I looked across the table to see the guy resting his chin on his clasped hands. He was clearly amused by my torment and trying not to laugh.
His large hand stealthily slipped up next to the side of his head where she couldn’t see it, and he started making talking motions with it, perfectly matching her word for word. I couldn’t help but let out a small giggle at the amusing sight.
My attention was suddenly ripped from him and back onto her as she asked “-Wait a minute, are you two on a date?” She pointed back and forth between us.
“Yes, as a matter of fact, we are.” The man slyly replied while looking at me with a devilish smirk.
I abruptly choked on my tea. “I don’t even know your name!” I said to him in a ‘what the hell’ kind of way.
“Well alright, I’ll leave you two love birds alone then. You sure are cute together... even though you’d be much cuter if you both got hair cuts...” She judgmentally glanced up and down at the man’s very long hair and clearly hadn’t absorbed what I’d just said to him. “See you at class!” She winked and skipped away.
“I hope all your friends aren’t like that.” He pointed at her from behind with his thumb. “If they are, please remember that there are dozens of suicide hotlines posted at the library. I could even get you one if you’d like?” I wanted to slap the mischievous grin right off of his handsome face.
“She’s not my friend. And what the heck? Why did you tell her that we were on a date? I don’t even know you!” I gestured frustratingly at him with my hands.
“I thought it would be kind of funny.” He answered while shrugging his shoulders. “Besides, who knows, maybe this could be a date?” Amusement twinkled in his golden eyes.
“Well, it wasn’t funny! It was embarrassing! And how could this be a date? Like I said I don’t even know you or your name. Slipping into someone’s booth uninvited is not a date! This is not a date!” I snapped at him. My sleep-deprived grouchiness was suddenly coming out in full force.
“And you’re certain of this?” He asked in a low pseudo serious voice.
“Yes, of course I am! Don’t be ridiculous! This is 100% not a date!” I harshly stated while jabbing the table with my finger. Why was I getting so worked up about this?
Amused laughter rumbled from his chest as he slowly stood up.
Good god is he tall...
He seemed almost predatory as he mischievously eyed me while circling around to my side of the table. His large body sat down way too closely next to me. I could smell his masculine fiery spicy scent and feel the heat radiating off of him.
Butterflies suddenly fluttered around in my stomach. I wasn’t sure if I wanted him to go away or smother me with his sexy frame. He brushed my long side bangs behind my ear and leaned in close enough for me to feel his hot breath on my face. The place on my temple where he had touched felt electrified and a shiver ran up my spine.
“Well, I’m a bit saddened that this isn’t a date, but you’ve made your point perfectly clear... Don’t worry, to save you from any further embarrassment, I’ll make sure that no one else here has the wrong idea.” His deep voice rumbled in my ear, causing my eyes to grow wide and shift around.
He abruptly stood up. “Everyone, may I have your attention please!” His loud voice suddenly boomed through the cafe. All 7 people having breakfast turned and looked at him in confusion.
My mouth dropped open. He can’t be serious.
“I would like to inform everyone here today that myself and this beautiful young lady..“He gestured towards me. “Are, in fact, not on a date. I repeat, we are not on a date. Now I know it may upset some of you to hear this saddening news, but, she is quite certain about it. So, I hope that clears up any confusion that any of you may have had. Thank you.”
I was mortified and now hiding my bright red face in my hands as I shrunk down into the booth. He was softly snickering as he sat back down. I couldn’t even look at him. His warm muscular arm slithered around my body and squeezed me in a playful sort of side hug, causing me to blush even more. I could hear the whispering murmurs of people talking about how odd that was.
“Oh, and by the way” I felt his lips graze my ear as he spoke. “My name is Ashton.” Cold air suddenly replaced his warm body as I felt him let go of me and stand.
“I’ll see you again soon, Buttercup.”
I peeked up at him through my hands and saw him blow me a kiss with the biggest most mischievous smirk plastered on his perfect face. He then walked out of the cafe.
What the fuck just happened?
Once the crippling embarrassment wore off, I opened up the book that he had given me. My eyes quickly widened and I let out a little gasp... There written on the first page, in familiar cursive handwriting was... “Property of Elowynn Gallagher”
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