He caught her stare far too long ago. It seems like years or decades, but it has only been a few short months. He was gussied up in a suit and tie in the line of the local coffee shop. The gentleman had a gaggle of girls within arms reach, yet he looked uninterested. Writing material in hand, she wasn’t sure if he were real. For she had only seen characters like him on the silver screen, or in drawn-up scenarios in her dreams. Yes, he was a dream. He had to be.
She had to talk to him. This boy. This man. This guy whom had appeared out of no where. She had frequented that shop so many times prior and had never seen his face. Was he new to town? Was he here on business? Or was he in fact a dream -- a figment of her overly-analyzing imagination.
Yes, he was tall, mysterious, yet so full of life; with vibrant eyes and a charming smile. With books in hand, she knew he was about to set in on a literary journey, conquer the world, or casually write the next Shakespearean play. Who knows. He was a man of adventure and lust as she could see it. With his hair slicked back, grey pieces mixed to create a suit. This man was polished. He was poised. He was dare we say it... perfect.
She, an innocent girl standing in line to order a chai tea (most likely), and him, a handsome boy dressed to the nines. She stood there in shock and utter embarrassment. She could feel her mouth gaping and her heart stopping. He had caught her stare. Not for a moment, but for what felt like an eternity. He was just the kind of person she’d been praying to stumble upon in one of these romantic-comedy-like scenarios. And here it was, happening right then and there.
To her. Of all people.
She doubted the encounter meant anything to him. But she also knew this was her chance. She was sure he got that all the time, but she had to talk to him. This guy.
So, as he finished his order, she tapped his shoulder.
...There it was, the first touch...
He turned to look at her. Time stood still.
She complemented his style... how she was able to utter words is still amazing. He, in turn, complemented her outfit. Telling her he appreciated anyone who didn’t dress like everyone else.
She was smitten.
He had noticed her.
They exchanged names. And that was that.
He was impossibly charming and she was taken back. Never had she met someone who intimidated, yet mystified her in such a manner as he. She had only hoped their paths would cross again.
...
Months went by. She hadn’t seen him for quite some time. She was sure he had moved. He'd probably met the exotic love of his life and was sailing around the world at that very moment. She could tell he had history about him. He had some stories to tell, and she wanted to hear all of them. She wanted to listen to old vinyl with him, drink coffee and discuss the dilemmas of the world. She wanted to spend time with him and just sit in silence. Taking on the world with one 80s film after another. But that would never happen.
Not for her.
Months passed, and she kept that moment of their first encounter in her mind. She longed for a day when he’d want to sit down with her and talk. About everything and nothing. One of those kind of moments. They'd drink tea in a crowded coffee shop and exchange stories of their travels and dreams.
Until their paths cross again, she’ll hold onto that memory of the moment that he caught her stare in that coffee shop on that warm, summer day.
