Finding Space

chapter two.

Auden's POV
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Casey and I are sitting at a small cafe table at a restaurant called The Brew, which is just a swanky coffeehouse with hipsters, fashionistas and amazing food.

The high ceilings and glass bottle light fixtures along with the rustic wooden tables strewn about the place make me feel cozy and warm inside.

Casey and I both order the tomato soup and are laughing as she relays another story about her boyfriend Stephen who seems like a really nice guy.

"So, so we're trying to find protection, because, well, it's our first time," Casey relays between fits of laughter, "and we literally cannot find anything. We were so stuck." She breathes.

I'm sitting with a mortified expression on my face, I would not know what to do if I had been in the same situation as Casey. I would probably run.

"Oh my gosh, what did you do?" I end up asking.

"Well, we just didn't end up having sex," she finishes. "It wasn't that big of a deal anyway, we just hooked up in his car the next week." She adds nonchalantly.

After hearing her story, Casey seems like a completely different person than the one I met back in the dorms: all perky and uptight. But, here now before me she seems like a really relaxed girl with the same spirit I do.

That's what you get for judging a book by it's cover, my subconscious nags at me.

"I've never had sex," I blurt without thinking.

Casey looks around precariously to see if anyone heard me. I do the same and blush thanking the heavens no one did.

Leaning across the table and raising her eyebrows she says, "Really? Why not?"

I redden further unsure how to answer ready to muster up an excuse about how I've never been in love when she cuts me off with,

"Never mind, that was too personal to ask, I'm sorry."

"Um, no it's fine, I want to be as open as possible," I shrug.

"I honestly thought you weren't a virgin anymore because you are, insanely gorgeous. You could turn me, even," she laughs when seeing my shocked expression.

"Too bad I'm already taken, though," she finishes in a sing song voice.

"Well, thanks anyway," I scoff and giggle at her.

"I'm gonna go get a coffee do you want one?" I offer to Casey.

"Nah I don't drink coffee, but a green tea would be nice," she smiles at me before reaching into her bag.

"Hey, don't worry about the cost, I got this one,"

"Really? Thanks, Auden." She says sweetly.

"No problem, but you got me next time, cool?" I say with a wiggle of my eyebrows.

"Aye, aye captain," she fake salutes me before laughing.

I walk up to the counter and awkwardly wait in front of the register since no one's there.

Leaning across the counter I say, "Hello?"

A tan head pops out from beneath the counter and dark brown eyes meet mine. The guy stands with a box in his hands and sets it on the side counter behind one of the many coffee brewers.

"Can I help you with something?" He asks in a deep English accent.

He's tall and is wearing a black V-neck covered by a brown apron that says "The Brew" on the front. His arms are covered in dark ink that forms swirls and patterns while his hair is a silver color pushed up into a messy hairstyle.