Chapter 2.
It was not long before Laura was back with a big glass of water. She handed it to me and left. I drunk it all in one drink. I was still thirsty. I looked at my phone again, 10:40. I glanced at my food, and suddenly my appetite was back. I ate everything, even had an extra blueberry and lemon muffin. My stomach seemed to thank me.
Just as I was about to get up and leave, I remembered Megan was supposed to come back. I kept on peeking inside the cafeteria to see if she was coming or if I should reschedule with her. After about five minutes, I took out my notebook again. I looked around, when I saw John clearing tables. Again, my heart skipped a beat. Unconsciously, I began drawing him. His broad shoulders, his long arms, his angular hands and jaw, his eyebrows, his deep brown eyes, his black and curly hair, his lips, his eyelashes, his ears, his back, his neck, everything - absolutely everything - about him seemed perfect to me.
I was almost done, when I saw Megan heading out to the terrace, walking towards me with some scones and what seemed like a chocolate custard. I closed my notebook and shoved it in my bag, blushing. I hope she did not see me. She placed the tray with the scones on the table, pulled a chair closer to me, sat and stared intently at me as she smiled.
''What?'' I ask, giggling.
''Nothing.'' She backed off a bit. ''So, how are you doing? How's work?''
''Well, I'm fine. Nabyi's grown quite a bit. Work's nice, although I did not picture myself writing and illustrating kid's books when I came here.'' I sighed, but then smiled a bit. ''Still, I love fan mail.'' My smile broadened as I recalled all the letters I got from the children who liked my stories, how I laughed when I read them and how they included their own versions of my drawings.
I looked at the scones Megan brought. ''What's with those?'' I asked.
''Oh,'' she smiled mischievously. ''They're ... a little experiment.''
''An experiment?'' I was curious.
''Yep. Try this,'' she said after she took one, cut it in half and smeared some of that custard, and handed it to me.
I looked at her uncertainly, but reached for the scone anyway. I closed my eyes as I took a bite of the fluffy bread. Megan looked at me expectantly.
''Chocolate and ... raspberry?'' I looked up at her and smiled. ''It is raspberry, isn't it?'' I took another bite. At that instant, my eyes opened widely. ''Cinnamon! There's cinnamon in this as well!'' I said eagerly.
Megan laughed. ''Yes. In fact, there is raspberry and cinnamon in the chocolate custard. It's my newest invention. Do you like it?''
''I love it!'' I said as I reached for another scone and smeared even more custard than Megan had. She looked pleased. ''But, tell me about you. How's Pennsylvania? Did you like it? Did people treat you well? Did you learn a lot? How ... ''
''Woah, woah. Calm down. One question at a time. Let me see ... Well, Pennsylvania's nice. I visited Philadelphia. Go Philles!'' She laughed. ''I've kinda become a baseball fan. What else ... Everyone was really nice. People at the restaurant were so patient. They helped me with everything I needed. Oh, actually, that's where I met John. He was my roommate back there and also a waiter. He came back with me. He's a really nice guy. Very nice.''
''Yeah, he seems that way.'' I took another scone.
''Anyways, wanna go out tonight?'' She asked as she grabbed a scone herself.
''Sure, that sounds ... Oh, sorry. I just remembered I had plans. I'm having dinner with this guy ... Remember Robert?'' I asked quizzically.
''Your neighbor?'' She clapped her hands and smiled. She asked enthusiastically, ''Are you finally together?''
Just when she said that, John approached the table and grabbed a scone.
''Mind if I seat here? Business a bit low.'' His voice resonated in my ears.
''Not at all, go ahead.'' Megan said, signaling a chair next to her. Then she turned back to me. ''So, you and this Robert guy ...'' She smirked at me. ''My little girl's grown up!''
I blushed. ''That's not it. We're just friends. That's it.'' I kept on glancing at John. He wasn't looking at me. Again, he stared at the bird that posed near us. I turned to Megan. She was looking at John, too. ''Are you two ...'' I thoughtlessly began asking. I stopped when I realized what I was doing. Luckily, they didn't seem to hear me. Thank god for my low voice. ''Anyways, it's getting late. I have to go home.''
They turned to look at me when I said that. I left the money in the table, plus Laura's tip. I grabbed my coat and put it on. The flowers I bought almost fell. It was John who grabbed them before they did.
''Oh,'' I said. ''Those are yours, Megan. Your welcome back present.''
John looked at me. I nodded. He turned to Megan and handed her the flowers. She was thrilled. She kept on thanking me, saying how thoughtful I was and that they were her favorite flowers. I just smiled and waved as I left the cafeteria. I looked up to the terrace and saw John smiling and waving. I blushed and smiled back.
It was after twelve thirty when I arrived home. Nabyi greeted me with his usual high-pitched meow. ''Did you enjoy yourself while I was gone?'' Another meow. I laughed. I started putting away the groceries. ''Guess what? ... I met this guy today. He was ... he was really cute.'' I smiled to myself. I tended to to that, talk to my kitten. When I was done, I headed to my studio. Well, I call it a studio but it is actually the living room. Half of it. The other half has couches and coffee tables and stuff like that, though they are completely covered with canvases, paint tubes, and brushes.
Making children books was nice, but what I really wanted was to have my own art gallery. So, every chance I had, I spent it there, painting and sculpting. I remembered when I first moved to Charlotte. It was miles away from everything I knew, and I was only nineteen. Just a girl, well not quite, but being on my own so far away from my family was scary. Now that I think about it, it was Robert who helped me get by the first year. I would've been lost without him helping me.
I decided to paint today's sketches on canvases. So, I took out my notebook and opened it, looking for the drawing of the bird. Instead, I stumbled upon the drawing of John. I looked at it for what seemed like ages. I was mesmerized by it. He really is handsome, I thought as the tips of my hand stroked the drawing. This is it. I picked a big canvas and rested it on the wall. I styled my hair into a ponytail and rolled up my sleeves. Then, I began painting him. Again, every single feature about him seemed perfect. I was so at ease doing it, that time flew by real quick. When I realized, it was already 7:50 pm. Gosh, I've been hours here. And I'm not nearly done. I looked at the time again. 7:50 ... 7:50! Robert! All of a sudden I remembered that I had to go to Robert's for dinner. I've gotta change, I thought as I run frantically around my home.
When I was ready, it was 8:05. I left my house. ''I'll be back in an hour,'' I told my kitten. I could hear him meow outside the door. I turned left and walked three steps, before I reached Robert's apartment. I knocked. He opened immediately.
''Hey,'' he said trying to look cool. He leaned on the door and almost fell.
''Hello.'' I laughed. ''What are you doing?''
''Nothing, nothing.'' He fixed his shirt. He sure had dressed formally.
'' ... Are you gonna invite me in?'' I asked, peeking inside.
''Oh, yeah. Sorry. Come on in.''
He seemed flustered. He always did. Once inside, he guided me to the dinner table and helped me arrange my seat. He was always very courteous and polite with me. He offered me wine, which I declined.
''I don't really like wine. I'd rather have ...''
''Cinnamon tea,'' he interrupted and smiled. ''I know. Which is why I prepared some.''
''Really?'' I smiled. How thoughtful of him.
Dinner was very nice. He made lasagna and a simple salad. Delicious. We spoke all throughout dinner. About my work, the weather, our families, just about anything. When we were done I leaned over and began looking for something in a paper bag I brought. He seemed curious as to what was there.
''I said I was bringing the dessert, remember? Nothing too fancy or complicated though. I'll borrow your kitchen,'' I said as I stood up and headed towards it.
I already knew my way around his house. I had been over some many times the past years. Whenever I was alone, he'd invite me over. I returned and he smiled when he saw what I was carrying - a tray of plates with sponge cake, whipped cream, strawberries and a bit of chocolate.
''My specialty, deconstructed strawberry shortcake.'' I said happily.
He smiled at me and helped me place the tray in the table. I had just sat down when he stood up.
''Now, my present.'' He demanded that I covered my eyes. ''I know it's a bit early but ... Happy Birthday, Anna. Open up.'' When I opened my eyes, a small music box lay before me. I opened it and the sweetest melody begun playing.
''Robert this is ... this is perfect.'' I was speechless. Every single detail in it was exquisite. ''Thank you. Really.'' I looked up and catched a glimpse of the clock on the wall. It was almost midnight. I stood up and turned at him. ''It's late. I'll go back.''
''I'll walk you,'' he said quickly.
''It's three steps away,'' I laughed.
''Then I'll walk you three steps.''
When we arrived at my door, I opened it and turned. ''I had a lovely time. And that present was perfect. Thank you, really. I'd like to repay you.''
''So did I. And don't worry about it, you don't have to.'' He looked down. ''Well ...''
''Yes?'' I asked eagerly.
''There's one thing ...'' He took my hand and looked at my eyes. ''Please go out with me.''
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