Short Stories

Such Is Fate.

Her.
She walked slowly to the cafe.  She had been here many times, so much that when she walks in, the barista immediately knows to prepare a large black coffee with a large amount of whipped cream.  Today she took longer, she looked around musing about her current predicament.  This would be the first time in 5 years that she would have to sit alone.  She didn't necessarily want to, but there was nothing she could do.  She could've gone to another cafe, or even to the small diner her ex had always wanted to visit, but no she decided to go to the small cafe that held so many memories for her.
She finally arrived at the cafe.  She looked at the table that had served as meeting point for many years.  She walked inside and the barista gave a knowing smile and immediately started her order.  Knowing that the barista would bring her order to her in just a few minutes she walked outside and sat in her chair.  She stared at the lonely chair in front of her, memories taking over and forcing her into a flashback.
It was late October.  The person in front of her was smiling and trying to explain their political views.  She was completely uninterested, but too polite to tell them so.  The person realizing she didn't really care stopped and just stared at her.
"What?" She asked believing they were angry.
"I looked in your eyes and saw everything I needed, and all of what I wanted. Even when you're completely bored your eyes still sparkle." They said.
She just smiled and stared lovingly into their eyes.
She was suddenly launched into another memory.  This one was not quite as pleasant.  In fact it was far from it.  The person wasn't smiling.  It was early January.  She wasn't smiling and the love in her eyes was gone.
"You've changed.  You don't tell me things, why can't you just tell me what's happening?!" She said angrily.
The person stood.
"I can't be with you.  I love someone else, and this has grown old.  We aren't going anywhere, after five years we're in the same place.  Except now, the sparkle in your eyes has left.  I see more than I need and none of what I want.  We've both changed, and I need to move on.  I'm sorry."  The person quickly left.  She cried, sobbed even knowing five years of devotion had just ended.  She didn't know what to do.  She didn't know what to say so she cried.
Now back to the present she wondered what was going to happen next.  She still hadn't found someone.  Though she did enjoy being single.  She thought more of herself, of what she needed.  She made herself happy instead of trying to make everyone else happy.  She sat in her chair and contemplated the past, the present, and with a small amount of hope the future.

Also She.
She walked to the place written on the paper.  She tried to get there fast the sky had a threatening look to it, and she really just wanted some coffee so she could get back to her pity party.  Yeah she had only been with the last guy for a few months, but she was still hurting.  He even dumped her over the phone.  She shook her head.  What a coward he had been.  That didn't change the fact that she had spent the weekend listening to empowering songs and eating mass amounts of ice cream. Ice cream she instantly regretted eating.  She sighed and a tear fell.  No she was wasn't quite over him.  She had hoped the guy would want something long term but, she had been wrong.  It wasn't the first time, and it probably wouldn't be the last.  She finally found the small cafe her google maps had suggested.  Five stars according to the reviews. There weren't many people there, but that just meant less waiting time.  She walked in and saw a beautiful mural of the Eiffel tower on the wall.  She stared at in amazement, and then looked at the corner seeking the name of the highly talented artist that had created this work of art.  She sadly couldn't find a name.  She shrugged and ordered her coffee.  She walked outside to look for somewhere to sit.  She was instantly reminded of the her high school years, the awkward standing while desperately searching for a seat.  Most times she sat outside, alone.  Eventually she preferred this, it gave her time to think about things.  She saw a girl sitting alone at a table, the girl had a zoned out looked that matched her own.  She sat in front of the girl and politely said hello.

"Oh um, Hello." The girl said.

"I'm Miranda. Do you come here a lot?" She asked curiously.

"I'm Bella, and I've been coming here for a long time." Bella replied.

"Oh! That's perfect, do you know who painted the mural inside?" Miranda asked with enthusiasm.

"Yes, it was me actually!" Bella said excitedly.

"Really?! It's amazing I stopped for a good five minutes to admire it!" Miranda said animatedly.

"It took me three months, but I get free coffee so it was totally worth it." Bella said with a small smile.

"It's beautiful, just like the artist." Miranda said quietly.

Bella blushed and looked away.  The barista arrived with their drinks.  Two large black coffees with a large amount of whipped cream.  They looked at each other and then at their coffee.  Suddenly it began to rain and they both ran to a small enclave.  There was only inches between them, they looked at each other.  It was early February, they both had a single thought.  "Maybe I won't be alone on Valentines Day."  The storm raged on, but they didn't really care somehow the sky didn't look so threatening anymore.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Helloooo wonderful people! if you have any suggestions leave em the comments please!