March 20, 1997 - the first day of spring
I woke up when I heard my alarm going off. I stood up and quickly went to shower. I wasn't really in the mood to go to work that day, but I had to. When I finished showering, I grabbed a piece of bread and drove to the library. I greeted my colleagues then proceeded to do my job, stacking books. After an hour of stacking and putting books on the right shelf, I noticed a girl reading quietly by the window. She had long black hair. Her skin was as pale as paper and her lips were as red as blood. I've had never seen her before and she didn't really look like she was from my town. I could see she was really invested in her book, as she was smiling and laughing.
I guess it's a good book.
"What are you staring at?" my friend Luke asked.
"Nothing." I replied. "Want to get some coffee with me later?"
"Man, are you asking me out on a date? I'm sorry, but I have a girlfriend."
"Funny."
"Uhm, excuse me?" a female voice said.
I turned around and saw that it was the girl who was sitting by the window.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you guys, but I was wondering if any of you know where I could get some good coffee? I just moved here so I don't really know a lot of places." she asked.
"Oh, well my good friend right here was just about to go grab some coffee as well." Lucas said, putting his arm around my shoulders. "You should go with him. And you don't have to worry about him making moves, he's harmless."
"What the hell are you doing?" I whispered while removing his arm around me.
"It's about time you get a girlfriend."
"Do you seriously think she will just go get coffee with a random stranger? There's no-"
"Sure, I'll just go with you then." she answered before I could even finish my sentence.
"You were saying?" he said to me with a smirk. I rolled my eyes at him.
"You really don't have to go with me. I can just bring you there." I told her.
"It's fine, really. I actually don't like drinking coffee alone and you seem like a cool guy." she said to me with a smile.
"He's not." Lucas said under his breath. I elbowed him in his tummy and smiled at her. We both left the library and started walking towards the café.
"So, is Chris short for Christopher?" she asked.
"How did you know my name?"
Have I met her before? I don't think I have, and even if I did, I would have never forgotten her.
She chuckled and pointed at my chess. "Nametag." she answered.
Oh, right.
"It's short for Christopher."
"Cool, my name's Agatha." she said, holding out her hand. I shook it and asked her why she moved.
"I just wanted to, no specific reason."
We arrived at the café called Tiffany's Corner and ordered something. Agatha went ahead to find us seats while I waited for our orders. I received our drinks a couple of minutes later and went and looked for Agatha.
"Hey, here's your drink." I said while sitting down.
"Thanks. So, what do people do around here for fun?"
"Not much. People mostly stay indoors, and if the weather is sunny, like today, they go for a walk in the mountains."
"That sounds fun. Let's do that."
What?
"You want to go for a walk in the mountains? With me?" I asked, not sure if she was being serious or not.
"Yeah, why not? The weather is nice and I like hanging out with you."
We just met a couple of hours ago. How are you already comfortable with me?
"I- Uh..."
"You can say no if you want to." she said with a smile.
How can someone say no to that smile?
"Okay, let's go." I finally answered.
After finishing our coffee, we went ahead and started walking towards the mountains. The more time I spent with her, the more I got to know her. She talked about her parents and how they passed away when she was 7. She also said she doesn't really like going out because she doesn't like talking to people.
"It doesn't look like you're having any trouble talking to me though." I jokingly said.
"It's because I like you!"
When we arrived at the top of the mountain, the sun was already setting. I looked at her and noticed that she had freckles right above the bridge of her nose and that her eyes were hazel.
"A picture will last longer." she said out of nowhere.
"What?" I asked, confused.
"You can just take a picture of me instead of staring. A picture will last longer."
Good job, idiot.
"I- sorry."
"For what?" she laughed. "Can you give me your phone?"
"Why?"
"Just give me it." she said, holding out her hand. I gave her a confused look.
"Pleaaase." she said, giving me her widest smile.
There's that damn smile again.
How can someone look this pretty?
I gave her my phone. She then asked me to stand next to her and told me to smile, then she took a picture.
"There you go." she said while handing me back my phone. "Will you send me that when you get home? I want to frame it."
I nod and we continued to watch the sunset. When the sun had completely disappeared, we decided to head back down.
"Let's go here every first day of spring." she said.
"Why?"
"Why not? C'mon, it'll be our thing."
"So, this isn't just a one-time thing then."
"Of course not! Why? Do you not like me?" she asked pouting.
She's ridiculously cute.
"Of course I do." I said, patting her head.
"Good. We're gonna stay friends until you fall in love with me and ask me to marry you." she said confidently.
"You're really something, huh?"
She winks at me. This girl just winked at me. She just winked at me!
"Race you down. The loser needs to buy the winner food!" she said while running down the mountain.
This is going to be a wild ride.
