Not Your Usual Love Story

Chapter One

There she is, sitting in the back of the coffee house; like she does every day since I began working. I see her every afternoon I'm tending.

It's around five, and she's nose deep in a classic, her tight black curls bouncing every time she moves to turn the page. Her rich brown skin is a beautiful contrast to her white sweater. I barely notice the next customer standing in line. I take his order, glancing up at the girl every few seconds, hoping that she doesn't leave. She senses me staring and looks straight at me. I turn my head, blushing, although I know she caught me.

Ashley jumps in behind the counter fifteen minutes before my shift ends.

"You should just talk to her, Leah. You can't get a girlfriend just by the power of your mind," Ashley sighs. She's very vocal about how tired she is of my inability to talk to people.

"What if she's not into girls? She'll think I'm weird and then-," Ashley shakes her head at me. I frown.

Ashley sat with me in biology a year ago, helping me along. She was the one who told me there was an opening at Happy Bean Coffee after I told her how my parents hated me staying at home. Once I had my license, I took on the job full time.

"God, you worry too much." Ashley says, getting ready to take the next customer's order.

I look back to the girl and she's gone. Of course she's gone. I clock out at six and drive home.

•••••

A buzzing sound goes off and on, so loud it feels like my head is going to explode. Tiredly, I reach out my hand and grab my phone, the source of the irritating noise. The date says Friday and I relax slightly in my bed, knowing I'll have to get up in less than five.

I throw on old clothes, no longer caring what I look like for school, and rush down the stairs. My mom greets me with a short good morning before handing me a brown paper bag.

"I made your lunch, sunshine," she gleams.

"Mom, I'm not six. You don't have to pack my lunch anymore." I laugh.

She comes around the table in the small kitchen and hugs me around the waist.

"You're getting so big."

My mom is a short woman, short as in I tower over her. I know that she tries her best for me and my brother, but she really doesn't have to.

"Okay mom, I have to get going," I kiss her on the forehead. I grab my keys off the refrigerator and rush out the door, not wanting to be late for school again.

•••••

Ashley saves a spot next to me in the cafeteria during lunch. As always, she looks excited to see me.

Ashley is the most beautiful mixed girl I have ever seen. She has deep skin similar to that of an Indian and wavy brown hair. Her brown eyes have a touch of green that is so captivating, I can never help staring deep into her dirty emeralds. Not to mention, every time she sees me, she has this big toothy smile that shows off her jagged tooth.

The cafeteria is loud but I can still make out what she says.

"Are you excited for winter break, Leah?" Ashley asks.

"Of course I am. Miss Maisley absolutely ruins English. I am tired of essays," I laugh and jokingly put my head down on the off-white table.

"So I was wondering if you'd like to go camping with me on Sunday. Zee and I have started packing, but we can always make room for another," Ashley has always loved the outdoors. I will forever remember her as the only girl in middle school who had horses.

"I'd love to go. Are you sure you want me to come with? I mean it's basically a tradition for you two," I hear my voice go high, as it does when I start to get nervous.

"Why wouldn't I want you to go with us? You need to get out of the house and join mother nature," she laughs.

"How many days should I pack for?"

"Just two or three days. Remember to pack shorts even though it will be forty degrees where we're going," She gives me a warning look, which I decipher as I know who you are, don't over pack.

I laugh and unpack my paper bag, carefully unfolding the little note my mom added on top.

•••••

Sitting in my car, I tie my apron around my waist and out my hair into a tight bun. I add an extra layer of my new favorite mauve lipstick, hoping to hell it impresses the girl.

Slowly, I open my car door and walk into the coffee shop. I set myself up at the cash register, taking over for my other coworker, Stephanie. I take the orders of two customers before she is standing right in front of me. I have never stood at the register to take her name and order, but now here she is.

"C-can I take your order?" I say, but my thoughts are racing. Her eyes are so much prettier up close.

"Um a caramel latte please." Her voice is smooth with a small accent that I cannot pinpoint.

"Yeah, can I get a name for your order?" Time feels like it has slowed, her thick lips moving slower as she says her name.

"Aurora,"

Time goes back to normal.

"Like the princess?" I chuckle, putting her order into the register.

"Yeah, I get that a lot," she laughs too, dimples on her cheeks appearing out of nowhere.

As she gets on her phone, I grab a cup. I write out her name, taking my time to make it look nice. I add a little smiley face before handing it to Stephanie for her to make the drink.

Although I have a line of customers, I can't help my mind focusing on Aurora, a beautiful name to match a beautiful girl.