Chapter 2: Introductions (Alex's POV) I sat down with a huff, waiting for class to begin. Carter came in and took his usual seat behind me while Ms. Rodriguez walked in and began teaching. I've been learning Spanish for almost four years now and I still know nothing. Why is it that when a student studies a language, it becomes ten times harder to learn? Some mysteries shall remain just that… mysteries. "Si?" she asked looking in my direction. I didn't say anything? "Can I go to the bathroom?" "En español por favor," she shook her head. It is so annoying when teachers do that. Like why? He huffed, and rolled his eyes, leaning forward. "How do you say that in Spanish?" he whispered. I take it he's asking me because nobody else is sitting in front of him right now unless there's a magic wall separating us. "¿Puedo ir al baño?" I answered without turning around. "Si, señora Lockhart," she nodded at me. "Lo Siento," I apologized. He then asked her what I had told him and she reluctantly gave him permission. Bitch. Does she wanna hear that in Spanish too? The bell finally rang after ages and I was out of there. I hate that woman. ◆:*:◇:*:◆:*:◇:*:◆ The day was finally over and I was on my way home. I got to my porch and already heard yelling inside. My dad was supposed to work from home today because he has a flight out tomorrow to meet a client. She didn't even let him work? I sighed, contemplating going inside or just going somewhere else. I'll take the latter. I opened the door and left my backpack by the door before turning around and heading out, specifically, to the cafe. I walked in and ordered an iced tea because hot tea isn't an afternoon drink, at least for me. I sat down and took out my laptop which I did bring with me. I started on some of the homework I had, it just made sense to get it out of the way, and then my name was called. "Alex!" I went up, got my drink, and sat back down. "Hi, can I take your order?" I looked up in confusion and saw a guy in the uniform from the cafe. He seemed new because I'd never seen him before. "I already got it, thanks," I smiled. "I know," he nodded, "I was just hoping I could talk to you, I'm Asher," he grinned, sticking his hand out for me to shake. "Hi, Alex," I introduced myself, shaking his hand back, "Are you new here?" I asked. "Yeah, just got in today actually," he nodded. "Job on your first day?" I questioned. "Julie is my aunt. I'm staying with her anyway, she just offered me the job. I must say, I'm glad I took it," he said. "Why is that?" I asked while he took a seat in front of me. "Well, you're lovely. That's why," he shrugged. "Thank you," I said awkwardly. I don't know how to take compliments. "So, are you in high school?" I asked. "Just graduated actually, I'm taking a gap year," he said while I nodded in response. "Asher! Stop flirting with her and get off your ass!" Julie's voice echoed through the cafe. He gave me a sheepish smile before getting back to work. "See you around," he said. "See you," I nodded. The bell chimed and before I could turn back in my seat, my gaze landed on Carter who was walking in. He glanced around the place so I quickly swiveled back in my seat and faced my laptop, continuing my work from this morning. He went and sat down rather than ordering and took out a notepad. He ordered the same drink as this morning, which is a lot of caffeine for a person in one day but oh well, his choice. I just don't drink caffeine. It doesn't sit well with me. An hour or so later, I was done writing and had to stop for the day so I closed my laptop and just sipped my iced tea, looking out of the window, watching the traffic fly by. The sun had started setting, the buildings had started glowing as they did every night. New York at night is something completely different. New York at night is when I can truly be a New Yorker and not hate it. There's something freeing about nights in New York. Something so chaotic but calm. I let out a sigh and looked around the cafe. It was almost empty. My eyes landed on Carter and I watched as he kept his eyes trained on the notebook in front of him where he aimlessly drew spirals and coils that surrounded each other, trapped each other, and suffocated each other. My eyes traced the movement of his pen, following each line he drew onto the paper. "Your tea." I snapped out of my trance and looked up, thanking Katy for my second cup which I ordered moments ago before she went back to the counter. I turned back and caught him looking at me. I expected him to look away and continue acting like I don't exist. Like he's always done and so have I. We come to this same cafe every day and completely ignore each other's existence, but of course we know of each other, it's not like we've never locked eyes before, we just never did anything about it. What I didn't expect though was for him to walk right over and sit with me. "Hi, I'm Carter." I stared in shock while he rested his arms on the table and leaned forward, seeming friendlier than everyone says he was. "Hello?" he chuckled. "Alex," I stammered. "Alex… short for?" he asked. "Alexandria," I answered numbly. "Alexandria," he nodded, "Thanks for the help," he said. What help? I take it my confusion was pretty evident since he explained. "In Spanish today." Oh. "It's no problem," I shrugged while putting the screen of my laptop down. "Are you always so… I don't know, stunned?" he questioned. No, it's just you. "I should go," I said. "Why?" he asked calmly. "I don't wanna be late," I said the first thing that came to mind. "Late for what?" he questioned. Someone is awfully curious. "Dinner," I blurted out. "This early?" It's only nearly six. "If you don't want to talk to me, just say so. Better than being a liar," he shrugged, beginning to stand up. "Wait!" I said quickly, "I didn't say that." "No, you were just dying to run away," he smirked while sitting back down. "I'm sorry, it's just that I don't know you," I explained. "You know me. We go to the same school and share quite a few classes," he responded. "Yeah, but I don't know you. Know what I mean?" I asked. "We're strangers. You're right. We don't have to be," he shrugged. "Excuse me?" I blinked. "We've both been coming to this cafe for the past few years, we've seen each other every day, but we've never spoken. Just thought I'd come say hello," he paused, "And ask for my drawing back." I could feel the blood rushing to my cheeks with heat, causing them to turn shades of crimson and pink. "Drawing?" I mumbled. "The one you took in your pocket this morning." "You left it on my table," I huffed while taking it out of my pocket and laying it out. "I dropped it on your table," he shrugged. "Dropped it and it was just sitting there, folded to perfection?" I blurted out. I zipped my mouth after that once I saw the amusement painting his face and swirling in his eyes. "Okay, maybe I left it there. But it wasn't for you," he smirked. "Who was it for? Because that is a sketch of my laptop," I stated. "It was for the cafe," he retorted. "Then you could have given it to Katy. Or Julie. Or any employee here," I said. Someone help me shut my motormouth. "That could be anybody's laptop," he said, his fingers dancing on the piece of fabric. "That sticker is only on mine," I pointed to the tiny coca-cola sticker he drew in the corner. "I've left plenty of drawings here. You've never taken them before," he shrugged. "I don't usually come running back to take something I forgot," I mumbled. "I leave drawings for a lot of people here. For strangers. Anyone who comes back finds it, otherwise, it goes to the cafe," he explained. "I found it. Now what?" I asked while staring at the ink on the tissue. "Now it's yours to keep," he smirked before standing up. "Nice to finally meet you, Alexandria," he winked before grabbing his things and strolling out of the cafe. He looked left then right, then walked away. I stared at the drawing before snapping back to reality, gathering my things, and starting my walk home. I always wondered what he would be like, but never did I imagine him to be like that. Cocky, sarcastic, and somewhat arrogant. Weird guy. . . . .