A Simple Mistake--Chapter Three

For those that have not read the unedited version as of yet, I suggest you read Chapter Two before embarking on chapter three lol. I thought about eiditing it, tried to edit it, but I think I shall leave that for later...

Onto the story!

The next day I awoke to the feeling of my cell phone vibrating in my pocket, it doubled as my alarm clock. I turned the offensive buzzing off and yawned, checking the time. I stretched lazily on the couch, running my fingers through my hair and grudgingly rolling to my feet. I trudge my way to the bathroom and picked up my tooth brush and started to go to town on my rank morning breath. After a minute or so of vigorous brushing, I stopped and stared into the mirror, my own eyes looking back at me.

Routine… even my own stopped me dead in my tracks. I stood stock still, shocked and bewildered at myself. Even I had gotten caught up in the practice, and I hadn’t even noticed it. I do the same things day in and day out, without stopping to think about what I am even doing.

I pushed the thoughts back for a moment, turning on the shower, hearing the familiar buzzing noise that my water head made. I shrugged out of my clothes, and stepped under the calming cool spray. My hands wove their way through my long chestnut hair, combing through it a few times before lathering it up with shampoo. I repeated the same attentions with conditioner, washed myself off.

It was interesting, every step just happened, most mornings I did it with my eyes closed, reaching for the familiar bottles blind. Often times humming old folk songs I remembered from my years in choir. I stepped from the shower and reached for the towel I kept on the shelf above my toilet, and proceeded to dry myself off. I pulled my work clothes on, blow dried my hair, and put on a touch of make up before heading out the door.

Part of me giggled at my own daily chores. My eyes scanned the lot for my car, and I jiggled the keys in my hand, debating on if I wanted to drive that day or if I wanted to walk. A warm spring breeze pressed upon my cheek, and I slipped the keys back into my shoulder bag. Walking sounded fantastic. The wind picked up slightly about half way there, bringing with it the faint smell of spring flowers and pine. The morning air felt lovely, not to hot, but cool and soothing upon my skin.

My smile widened as the bell chimed above me and I entered into the diner. Several of the morning crowd gave a slight wave to me as I walked by, then something quite unfamiliar caught my eye.

“Benjamin! You’re here awfully early, has anyone served you yet?” I asked pleasantly.

He was drumming his fingers on the table top, a mask of nerves over taking where his normal playful smile should have been. His brow was creased together, and a fine line of sweat shone against the florescent diner lights. “I have been here since it opened this morning.” He said, his eyes not leaving the table where his fingers still drummed nervously.

“Is everything ok—“ I began.

“Vanessa would you—“ he interrupted, finally looking up from the table and meeting my gaze. “Would you like to get coffee with me sometime? That new place opened up just down the street and I heard you talking to Kelly and saying that you quite liked it.” He said it all so fast I could barely hear him, and I couldn’t help the smile and the blush that crossed my cheeks.

“I would really enjoy that Benjamin—wait, you don’t drink coffee?”

He chewed the inside of his cheek. “That’s correct, I don’t drink coffee, but I do drink hot coco, and I am sure they might have some…” his eyes cast downward.

This time the smile lit up my whole face. “I’d love to get coffee with you. I’ll be off work at about three’ o’clock today. Maybe pick me up here?”

He grinned, boyish and manly all at once. “That sounds splendid, I will see you then.”

He turned and walked out the door, I looked down to find my fingers trembling and my heart beat thudding in my ears.

Well there went my whole routine.