Absence || Ashton Irwin

Absence

I took a long drag from the cigarette that rested between my lips. It's getting cold out. I like the cold and the grey skies. It's going to snow soon. I don't mind though, the weather somewhat reflects the way I feel, cold and harsh.

I took one last drag from the nicotene stick and smashed it into the cement of the small deck outside my apartment. I pulled the sliding door to the side and walked back in to the warmth. I need some coffee now. I grabbed my keys and walked back outside. That's one perk of living on the first floor. I can just walk off my deck, onto the grass, and then to the sidewalk.

As I walked down the rather small sidewalk towards the coffee shop, I thought about the people I passed. A business man, probably on his lunch break. A woman and a little girl, maybe trying to find a warm place to stay. A teenage boy riding a skateboard down the opposite sidewalk as me. I could see my breath in the crisp air. I hugged my leather jacket closer to my body, attempting to warm up a little. When I reached the small coffee shop, I pulled the door open and heard the jingle of the bells, letting the employees know someone has entered or exited. I could smell the fresh brewed coffee, one of my all time favorite smells. I sat down in a booth towards the back corner and pulled out my phone. I had just started reading a book when an attractive waiter came over to get my order.

"What can I get for you today?" He looked at me with piercing blue eyes. They didn't really take me for surprise though. I had almost expected it.

"Black coffee and a toasted cinnamon bagel with cream cheese?" I said almost questioningly even though I knew i could get it. It's what I always ordered. I liked the feel of small, local coffee shops better than those chain places like Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts. They reminded me of the small, humble town I came from.

"Alright, I'll be right back with that." He smiled, looking at me for a little too long. I nodded and looked back down at my phone.

As I started eating my bagel and sipping on my coffee, I worked on some writing. Writing was a relief for me. It helped me get my mind off of the world around me. Not long after I had finished my bagel the waiter came back over to my booth. I had assumed he was just going to take the plate that I had finished using, but instead he sat down on the bench opposite me. I looked up at him questioningly.

"I umm, I've seen you come in here a lot. I just, I've always noticed you more than anyone. And, I was wondering if maybe I could take you out sometime." He awkwardly asked.

"I don't date." I simply replied. I realized it sounded harsh and decided to clarify. "It's not that you aren't attractive or anything, I just don't date."

He nodded. "I understand." he laughed awkwardly. He slid out of the booth and walked away. I felt somewhat sorry that I had so clearly shot this guy down, but I didn't let it affect me.

I stood up from my spot in the small shop, leaving the usual amount of money to pay for my meal and a small tip.

-

As I walked back down the street to my apartment I noticed a very attractive guy walking down the sidewalk, going the opposite way as me. I had never seen him around here before. Yeah, it's a big city but I've usually seen the people that live around here. He had light brown curly hair, that i suddenly found the urge to run my fingers through. He was wearing dark skinny jeans and a denim jacket with a hood. He had his head down and his hands in his pockets. He looked kind of rough on the outside but sincere and kind on the inside. I don't know why but I found myself stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and watching him walk by.  

I snapped out of my daze as I watched him walk away. I don't know what it was about him but I wanted to know him. The little things like what he eats for breakfast. If he likes his shower steaming hot. Does he prefer tea or coffee? Something just made me want to be friends with him.

xxxxx

Author's Note: First of all thank you if you are reading this!! I'm sorry the first chapter is so short but i promise the next chapters will be longer! Let me know in the comments if you liked it or not! And I'm completely open to any tips and guidance! :) - Christa xc