Downpour

An incomplete piece... An ideas on how I should finish it?

Downpour

I vaguely remember what date it was… I only remember the nonstop droplets from the sky. It had been a demanding day, running from one place to another. Tired and soaked to the bone I started looking for the best shelter one that didn’t smell of tobacco, alcohol or sweat.

I found a small café, cozy and warm; after what seemed like forever.  It was crowded it seemed somewhat familiar (though it was my first time coming here).  “Ma’am how I can assist you?” asked an older man who appeared to be in his late 40’s and early 50’s the owner I suppose. I responded in a steady yet trembling voice “I was wondering if I could stay here until the rain would scatter a little…”.“ I’m afraid I can’t let you stay unless you buy from us, this is after all for clients only”.  Did it catch me off guard? Somewhat but I had no other choice. “Do you have hot beverages?”  “The best ones in town” he boasted proudly.

“Alright sir” my eyes roamed the menu “I’ll have a blueberry muffin and a cup vanilla cinnamon tea”.

As I sat down, I noticed two tables behind mine were 3 young men.  Early 20’s I thought, two of them winked at me, while third one was too busy watching the rain outside his window he didn’t seemed to be happy about being here . I proceeded to take my things out of my back pack “ S**t” I muttered to myself, everything was wet, my books, my wallet, my jacket. Great I shall freeze to death. I glared at all my soaked stuff “Miss your tea and blueberry muffin” said the waitress. “Thanks”, I responded in fake cheerfulness, obviously she could tell I was busy hating my things and the rain, but the woman was wise enough to keep quiet and went back to her own things.

 

While I enjoyed the luscious scent of vanilla and cinnamon and savored the blueberries, I tried my best to ignore the dialogue between the 3 guys. “This is ridiculous, it’s been a month and you still refuse to realize she was never into you?” “I Agree with Geoff, move on Nathan… sulking won’t get you anywhere”… “I still don’t understand what I am doing here at this café nor why you idiots are grinning like that, is it killing my nerves though”.  “Markus and I are going to play matchmaker for you”, I heard this Nathan guy cursing under his breath… I feel a homicide is bound to happen. “Awww come on Nate it won’t be that bad” said Markus in a cheerful voice.

 

I feel horrible for eaves  dropping I do seriously and I need to do something about my hair; I’ve been here for 25 minutes and it’s still wet, maybe I should check in the restroom if they have a hand dryer, yes Brilliant idea Claire best thinking so far. I passed by the guys table only to be winked once again by the “Matchmakers” and glanced by “Window moody Nathan”. He obviously was irked, his expression was annoyed; I’d be too if my idiotic friends tried to hook me up with unknown people. 

As I entered the WC, I was disappointed, very utterly disappointed. “Paper towels?!? What in the… That won’t even get my arms or hands properly dry!” I groaned and cursed at these people for not modernizing or bothering to catch up with the century; I’d rather much die of pneumonia before killing a bunch of trees (technically they are dead already, I mean they are already turned to paper yet knowing this won’t do my karma any good).  I sulked on my way back to the table “Excuse me miss, could I have another cup of tea?” “Same tea?” “Yes please”.

“Dude that girl must be freezing, look at her all soaked up” “Yeah Nate, you should do something about it”… Oh boy I felt a whole heap sorrier than I did 20 minutes before and also I felt sorry for his mood , it went from ‘Leave me the hell alone’ to ‘ I hate this world and forever will until the end of my existence’.

“If you guys are so f*****g worried about her, why don’t you do something about it, instead of going on my nerves?” “Well you’re the one who has to move on with his life” said Geoff in careless way… yep homicide is on the way. “You can do it, you can do it, Give me a N” I doubt that’s Markus’s cheering will improve the prevention of homicide. “If I do something about it will you idiots cut it out?” “We might need some thinking bro… Can’t promise much” “Geoff” “Ok we will leave you alone afterwards now go before she gets hypothermia”. “Oh and don’t come back until you get her phone number; seriously”.

I heard his footsteps, I could smell his cologne; not too sweet and not too heavy just balanced. Suddenly, he stood before my table, hateful and awkward… geesh how attractive. But he was actually fair looking, Dark Brown shoulder length hair, green eyes, a nose, two ears, mouth and lips that weren’t neither too thin nor too full;  just perfect. “Hi” “Hi” I said as I kept drinking my tea… nothing was happening, oh man wonderful. “Can I help you?” I said in hopes of getting some response other than a bad mood.

“I was wondering”… he turned back glaring at his table where his “Buddies” were cheering on “If you’d like to use my jacket, you know to stop you from catching a cold” he said in a shy voice. “It’s ok I’m drinking tea but thanks” “No you don’t understand” Well this is so typical of a matchmaking victim; I thought as I rolled my eyes, I sighed patiently “What is the matter?”

He stared at me for a long time, very long time “Did… Did you just roll your eyes at me?!?” he said in quite disbelieve, I could tell this was going to be amusing; “No, I just looked up at the ceiling… it’s pretty isn’t it?” I said in a sarcastic yet playful tone. He smiled, completely caught off guard “Yeah I think it’s the prettiest and dullest shade of orange I have ever seen. “ 

Yes I made it, I made him smile, and in my mind I pictured a stick figurine doing a victory dance. I extended my hand “My name is Claire” “Nathan” he said holding out his hand. Was it just me or did i just hear a High Five coming from his table? Gosh what are those two 10 year old brats?

“So what do you do for a living Claire?" "I work as a waitress at my brother in law's restaurant and I help translate websites that are directed to English, German or Spanish speaking people" "Sounds neat" "Meh it's ok, it gets boring after a while and..." "Dude ask her out on a date" Seriously what the hell "Please ignore them i know they can be a pain" "Yeah friends tend to do that".

Once the awkwardness was gone we talked about music, art, food, places we'd like to visit and people we'd love to meet, by the time I had my 16th cup of tea I realized how late I was for the family dinner, Mom will murder me for sure now " Holy moo! I have to run my family is expecting me for dinner and I was supposed to be there 39 minutes ago, crrrrapppp!" I proceeded to pay " Where do you live maybe I can drop you off, I honestly don't think you'll find a bus at 8:45pm" Damn! It's already that late.

 Suddenly my cell phone rang, Mom's number flashed on the screen Oh F-U-C-K! "Hi mommy I was just going to ring you and “Bullshit, where are you?" Yes she sounded murderous alright "I'm at a cafe but I'm my way, do you think James can pick me up?" “He is walking the dog" Ugh dogs and their stupid walks, “What about Margie?" “Everyone is busy right now honey" she sounded impatient... Ok Claire you can think of something you're a big girl “Ok mom I'll try to be there as soon as possible love you bye".

I refuse to let Nathan take me home, last time some stranger took me home dad got a hissy fit... but i have no option i sighed and cursed " You know my offer still stands" he said with a charming grin "Ugh i hate your grin" " In other words you accept?" “Unwillingly" he flashed me a huge stupid smile "Stop it" I said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

Suggestions are more than welcome :)