It has become almost like a routine for me now. Every Sunday, after my morning workout, I go sit in mine favorite cafe, order a hot tea, and try to do my homework.

I’ve been following this routine for about a month. However, the further into the semester I go, the harder the homework has been becoming. Making me stay in the coffee shop for dangerously large spans of time.

Luckily, the cafe staff doesn’t seem to care. My work outs aren’t too early in the morning. So, by the time I arrive to the café, the really early bird crowd has usually already visited, leaving plenty of seats for me.

My favorite seat is the one in the corner. I like to sit with my back to the wall and with my body facing the door.

I’ve currently been in the café for longer than i’ve ever been. I can tell because i can no longer recognize the faces of the people stopping in to grab a coffee as the “morning” regulars.  

I glance to the corner of my computer to see the time displayed.

It’s nearing noon. That must be why the faces are no longer familiar.

I catch myself staring off towards the door, lost in thought.

The air feels different. This must be what afternoons feel like here. Not necessarily busy, but definitely quick paced. Im not sure if I can work in this atmosphere. I prefer the morning vibe.

I snap to reality when the door chimes.

In glides a handsome, tall young man.

I quickly drop my head back to my computer in attempt to not let him distract me. But, i can’t help it. Soon I am glancing up at him.

As he walks up to the counter, he does a quick look around the café.

Our eyes meet.

Only for a moment. But it was enough, nonetheless. I inhale sharply, feeling my heart race.

I watch him order with mine peripherals, not wanting him to know that I am staring.

After he orders, he starts walking to the side of the bar to wait for his drink. The movement makes me glance up again. My eyes lock on his immediately.

I throw my face into my book, embarrassed. I don’t know why I am embarrassed, i don’t even know him. But I am liking this feeling he is giving me.

I let a few minutes pass before I try looking up at him again.

He’s now taken a seat with his drink. Scrolling through something on his phone.

I hear my own phone buzz. Pulling my eyes off of him, i check mine notifications.

“Shawns iphone” is requesting to airdrop: 1 photo.

I glance down, momentarily confused. I decide to accept it.

A screenshot of an iphone note is looking back at me

“Hey! This is a message for the girl sitting in the corner:

I hope this isn’t weird. You seem busy and I don’t want to bother you, but I saw you looking at me. And I was wondering if I could come say hi…. Because I was looking too.”

I pause for a moment, looking at mine phone.

Oh my God! Is this real?!

Honestly, I was flattered. He is gorgeous, wearing tight skinny jeans and a sweatshirt that reads YOUTH across the front. His brown curls are resting messily on top of his head, but some-how, he makes it look good. 

Glancing up one last time, mine eyes meet his again. He looks cautious, afraid his note scared me.

I smile and give a little wave. 

Suddenly very subconscious, i quickly tidy up mine area. 

"Hey"

His voice cracks a little, showing just how nervous he is. I see him wipe his hands on his jeans. It made me smile thinking that his palms are sweating at just the thought of talking to me.

-

The conversation was a little awkward at first, but after a few minutes, he really hit it off with me. I had ended up staying in the café for two more hours, just talking with him. I was a little stressed out the entire time. Rambling and talking more than i should’ve. But he didn’t seem to mind. He just sat there, listening.

The conversation ended when he realized he was late for a meeting. He was careful not to tell me what he does. I noticed how he danced around the subject, only giving brief descriptions of his “industry”.

As he got up to leave he had turned around quickly,

“Oh hey, can I get your number, maybe?”

His cheeks blushed. I giggled as I  put mine contact into his phone.

Almost a week passed, and Shawn and I  had been casually texting everyday. It has been a one message here, one there type of deal. Clearly us both were pretty busy people. I made a mental note of it.

Me: Hey! Just wanted to let you know that I was planning on going to the café again tomorrow. Are you going to be there? :)

What I didn’t know was that Shawn had been back to the café every day since your meeting. He was hoping to see me again. He was actually about to lose hope, he hadn’t been able to stumble upon me all week. Then he received mine text.

Shawn: Of course! Can’t wait to see you again! Same time? ;)

Mine heart almost burst when I  heard mine phone buzz. I suddenly felt subconscious again, but replied:

You: Yeah, see ya then! 

-

I had followed mine normal routine, only this time, i took extra care in picking out mine outfit for the morning.

I decided there’s nothing better than a good casual look. I was wearing mine favorite leggings and a college sweatshirt.  

It was earlier this time when I saw him walk in. He looked kind of scared, but his eyes lit up when he saw me in the corner.

I smiled and motioned for him to come over.

This time he talked a lot. He was rambling and blushing, and i couldn’t help but giggle. I was even able to figure out that he is a musician. But I  didn’t recognize his face, so I didn’t think much of it.

After a few hours, us both decided that it was probably time to leave the café. He stood up and followed close to me as us both made our way to the door.

“Oh shit! It’s raining” He mumbled.

“I walked here” I said turning to him.

"Same here..."

“Oh! I have an umbrella in my bookbag… it’s kind of small, but it’ll have to do” I say looking up at him with apologetic eyes.

He looked down at me,

“That’s fine. I don’t mind getting close” he said winking.  

His comment made my face blush a bright red.

-

He walked with me in the rain, the couple blocks to mine apartment. When i got to the door of mine building, I glanced up at him.

“You should come inside, stay out of the rain..”

I looked up and caught him staring into my eyes.

“Ya know... because I’d give you my umbrella to borrow, but I don’t know if it’s going to rain again, and I might need my umbrella before next Sunday if it rains--”

He cut me off by putting his hand on mine cheek.

“Who says I’m not going to see you again until next Sunday?”

I feel myself blushing again.

He continues, “I’m not usually like this, but I like what you’re doing to me.”

And then he leans in.

I feel my heart pounding as i tilt mine head up and meet his lips against my own ones.

Kissing in the rain. I wad never one for big romantic clichés, but in this moment, i wouldn’t have it any other way.