STOLEN

the cashier held on to the coffee cup until i had my money ready. Kenny his name badge said, strange how i can remember that. "We dont take that money", kenny said after he'd wathed me count them out. "Dont you have thailandmoney?" "No" Kenny shook his head and pulled the coffee back towards him. what a twat. Then i felt someone move up behind me. I turned. " Let me buy it", you said. Your voice was low and soft, like it was meant only for me and your accent was strange. The short-sleeved shirt you were wearing smelt like ciggarets and coffee. There was a small scar on the edge of your cheek. Your eyes were too intense to stare into for long. Your nose are so pointy and your tiny teeth are so adorable. You had already the money. You smiled at me. I dont think i said thatnk you. Sorry about that. You took the drink from kenny. The paper coffee cup bent a little as you grabbed it. "Sugar? one?" I nodded, too flustered by you being there, talking to me, to do anything else. "Dont worry, I'll do it. You sit down." You gestured to where you'd been sitting, at table between the fake palm tree over by the window.
I hesitated but you'd anticipated i would. You touched me gently on the shoulder, you hand warm through my top. "Hey, its okay, i wont bite" you said softly. "Theres no other seats anyway not unless you wnt to sit with the Addams family over there." I followed your gaze to the empty chairs next to a large family. Two of the smaller kids were crawling over the table, the parents arguing across them. I wonder now what would have happened if i sat next to them? We could have talked about kid's holidays and strawberry milkshakes. Then i would have returned to my parents. I looked up at your face with the smile creases around your mouth. The deep hazel eyes had secrets. I wanted them.
" I only just escaped my family" i said. " i dont want another yet"
"Nice work" you said and winked. YOU FUCKING WINKED AND THAT MADE ME MELT ALREADY. i thought. You guided me towards where you'd been sitting. Other customers were sitting near your small table, making me feel more confident to approach it. It took me ten steps to get there. I walked in a kind of daze and sat in the chair facing the window. I wtched you take the drink to the stand and lift the lid off. I saw you pour the sugar in, hair falling over your eyes as you bent your head. You smiled as you noticed me looking. I wonder if that was when it happened. Were you smiling as you did it?

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