| Letting his hand fall from his head, and unto the table, he looked around the coffee house, trying to find something to write about. All week he had sat at the same spot at the same time, trying to find the will to put his feelings into words. Inside a battle was raging, he wasn't sure he wanted his heart to be on public display. "Do you need help?" A woman slid into the table next to him, finally deciding to offer her help. All week she had seen him sitting there, fighting his pen to put the words on paper. Thinking he was also a student at the local college, and that he was having problems with an essay, she felt confident she could assist him. "Yes, and I'm sure you couldn't do it." His hateful tone took her by surprise, causing the hairs on her arm to stand on end. It had been the last thing she had expected, and the last thing she would settle for. "Are you always this hateful to people who offer their help? Or is there just something about me that brings out the jerk in you?" She stood, tossing her bag over her shoulder, then made her way to the counter. "Hey Bri, what'll it be today?" She stared at her red headed room mate, her head still swimming from the previous conversation. "The usual, to go." Closing her eyes to make the evil conversation from before disappear, she rubbed her forehead in frustration. "To go? Bad day?" "You could say that." She refused to go into detail, knowing the man could hear them from his place at the table. "Well, it'll be over soon." She chimed, certain the problems were school related. "It sure will." She replied, counting down the seconds until she could exit the coffee shop and return to her dorm room. "Here you go, on the house." She handed over the chilled drink, giving her a knowing wink. "Thanks see you tonight." She called walking toward the door, thankful her room would be empty for the next few hours, giving her time to study. "Hey can I talk to you for a minute?" The man, who had refused to give her a name, grabbed her arm, turning her around. "I'm afraid I am busy." She pulled her arm from his grasp, making her way closer to the door. "Look, we got off on the wrong foot, I'm sorry I was so.." "Hateful?" She offered taking a sip of her drink. "Yeah, hateful. My name is Josh." He held out his hand to her, while she looked over it. "My name is Brianne." She took his hand briefly, then continued. "Nice to meet you. I have to study." She excused herself, hopeful he would leave well enough alone. "I was thinking you could join me. I could use some help." He held an arm toward his table, tryin to entice her into sitting. "I'll take this table." She returned to the table she had been at before, opening her bag to gather her books. "I need the room." "Fine with me." He took a seat, looking down at the still empty paper. "What are you writing?" When she leaned over to look at his paper, his nose caught her scent, causing him to breathe deeply in hopes of another wiff. "A song, I need something to write about though." "Music your major?" "No, I'm not in college." His tone harsh, he ran a hand through his hair in thought. "Well, I am. And as much fun as it would be to stay here, it's hard to help someone who can't even carry on a polite conversation." She began gathering her things, shoving them into her bag. "Thank you for wasting my time." She spatt as she pulled the zipper closed. "It was nice to meet you, too. Go back to your meaningless studies." He stood, taking the notebook and pen in hand, then walked to the door, leaving her to compose herself. "Aren't we troubled?" She mumbled as she hit the button to unlock the door to her car, only a few feet away from the safety of it's confines. "It's not healthy to talk to yourself." Josh called from his place between the two cars she had just passed. "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind." She called, keeping her pace steady. |
| Chapter One |