Page 50 of Fall I Want
He laughs at the beginning. “Better get used to it. You’ve got two weeks to prepare.”
I slide on a pair of comfy jeans and a T-shirt, then head to work. One thing I love about working at Cozy Coffee is we’re not required to wear a uniform.
My feet hit the sidewalk and I have a pep to my step as I move to the beat of “Here Comes the Sun.” Ironically, that ball of fire hasn’t risen yet and won’t for an hour and a half.
Mornings aren’t my favorite, but I’ve learned to appreciate them. There’s something beautiful about experiencing the stillness before the flowers bloom and birds start chirping. It’s proof of new beginnings. After what I’ve been through, a restart on life is something I can get on board with.
Then I remember Sebastian is back in town and panic. As soonas I see Blaire and Julie this morning, I will need an emergency girl meeting to fill them in on last night.
I unlock my phone and send Zane a text message.
Autumn
What am I supposed to tell my friends? They’ll ask questions.
Zane
Share whatever you’d like. If you trust them, I do.
As I cross the street, the crisp autumn breeze kisses my cheeks and I shiver. I wrap my arms around my body and enjoy it because I’ve been waiting for summer to end since before it started. I’m tempted to dance in the streets, alone, in the glow of the lamps that are programmed to cut off when the sun rises. But I keep my excitement to myself.
Right now, it’s in the lower forties. This weekend, at night, it’s supposed to get down into the thirties. I’m looking forward to it.
The upbeat music blares through my earbuds, and the Beatles are what I need to help wake me up.
Less than ten minutes later, I approach the wall of tall windows at the front of the coffee shop. Similar storefronts stretch the entire length of Main Street.
All week, I’ve daydreamed as I’ve watched couples and families on vacation enjoy my hometown. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to experience it as an outsider during these months. I’ve heard it’s more magical than Salem, but I’ll never be able to fully compare it.
After I unlock the door, I slip inside and remember to turn the deadbolt this time.
“Locked,” I whisper, continuing to the office so I can start my morning duties.
The layout of the room hasn’t changed since it opened eighty years ago. I’m convinced I could navigate the space with my eyes closed. Might have to test that theory soon.
As I walk through the small kitchen where we bake our pastries, the bell above the door rings.
“Great job!” Julie hollers, and she’s humming something. As I count down the registers, she joins me in the office.
“Well?”
“Well, what?” I ask, moving to the front with the money drawers in tow.
She follows behind me. “How’d dinner go with Alex?”
“It was fun. Did you know Sebastian is back?”
Julie is usually on top of the town gossip, even though most of it doesn’t include anyone our age.
“No. Ugh. Right when everything is going great!Sebastardis like a cockroach. Just when you think they’ve been eradicated, they come back stronger.”
“He said he wants to talk to me about us.”
She flicks on the machines then glares at me. Her annoyance level rises anytime we discuss him.
“I told him no. He also believes me and Alex are dating.”
Her brow pops up. She’s intrigued. “Really?”
