The Runaway

1

I pulled my sleeves down over my hands, trying to keep warm and from freezing. I couldn't stop my lips from trembling as the night air whipped against my face. The hood of my jacket fell back from covering my hair.

Is it always this cold in New York? 

I pushed ahead, blinking away the salty tears that kept coming to my eyes, "Jesus Christ." I whimpered as the rain began to hammer down. Grumbling to myself,  I set off into a jog through the small crowd that was gathered on the sidewalk. I had to push and bump a few shoulders with one or two different people.

A small coffee shop at the end of the street caught my eye. I jogged a little faster until I reached the door. The light from inside was illuminating a small patch of the pavement I was standing on. 

I nosed a look through the windows, when a small sign, "Job space going" caught my attention. I smiled in triumph, after looking around all day for somewhere to hire me, maybe this was my opportunity. I had been turned away more times than I could count today, and this seemed to be my last option. Gathering all my courage, I wasted no time pushing the door open and taking a few steps inside. I let the door close behind my shaking form, a ringing bell above the door alerting the servers of my arrival, shocking me momentarily.

I was immediately engulfed in warmth. I let go of my sweater sleeves and they retreated back under my jacket. I sighed in satisfaction from the warmth, the change in temperature sending shivers up my spine.

I quickly unzipped my jacket and shrugged it off before walking over to the glass counter where an older woman with red hair stood. She smiled kindly at me as she pulled a small notepad up from under the counter and placed it on top instead she then pulled a pen from atop her ear and placed it against the pad ready to take my order.

"Hello dear, what can I get you?" She asked smiling at me over the counter. I smiled, feeling my nerves getting the better of me- so instead of asking about the job opportunity, I looked inside the glass case that held all of the delicious delicacies pretending like I was here for the food.

 A small sugar doughnut with the best unicorn sprinkles ever caught my eye, "Could I please have the sugar doughnut with unicorn sprinkles and a black coffee, please?" I asked softly, the lady smiled nodding her head, and wrote my small order down.

"Sure dear, is that sit-in or takeaway?"

"Sit in. It's too cold not to. As soon as I step a foot out that door my coffee will probably be frozen and my doughnut as well." I laughed lightly before momentarily shifting my attention to my purse. 

"Good choice dear. That will be $5.57 is that all?" She asked as she punched a few buttons in on the small till. I actually had to think for a second then shook my head.

"Yeh, that's all." With that, I handed over a ten-dollar note, "Is it okay for me just to take a seat?" I asked not sure whether or not I would have to wait for my order at the counter or if it would be brought over to me.

The lady smiled chuckling a little, "Of course dear no need to ask me. I'll bring over your order in just a few moments." With that she turned away from me but stopped abruptly, turning back to me, "Sorry, your change!" She gave me a slanted smile as she laughed lightly.

"Oh, yeh I totally forgot!." I chuckled taking the change she was holding out to me, "Thank you." I said putting it into my purse then turning my back and choosing a small booth to sit in at the corner of the shop.

The lady took around five minutes to bring me my stuff, I thanked her and then dug in savoring the hot liquid as it warmed up my insides.

I closed my eyes enjoying the warm sensation I got from being in this place- it just makes me happy. I sipped on my coffee for around ten minutes before I stood from my seat gathered my things and walked back over to the counter.