Second Choice

Morning Madness

The morning light glistens through the windows, reminding me it is the beginning of a new day. I stretch my arms, back, and legs, right down to my toes. There is so much I need to do with making this new place more like home and getting myself settled at the campus. It will take time to put up a few of the pictures of my family photos and Laura and me and organize my angel knick-knacks across the shelves, especially when I am used to having more space at home. I have to get used to this new place. I must.

The alarm buzzes thirty minutes later after I stare at my ceiling for too long, continuing to ponder over my full list and more so the gifts Dusty sent me. Dusty has never been so generous before, even when we were best friends. This woman I helped was not his biological mom. It makes me wonder what makes her so special, or what happened to him the last three years we quit talking. 

"Three years, Dusty... what happened to you?" 

Shaking my head, I pull myself up out of bed and go to the closet, where I have a few clothes already neatly hanging. I look at each shirt several times before realizing no matter what I wear, it will not be good enough for them. Half of the students are a few years younger than me, and I will probably stick out like a sore thumb. 

"Maybe I should wear something dressy like this black sleeveless dress." I hold it up to my body and stare in the mirror above my antique dresser.

"No, that will stick out too much. Hmm, possibly... comfy." I think holding up my denim button-up shirt. "I should wear this and be comfortable so that I can focus on my schoolwork and nothing else." I huff. 

"Dammit! I haven't had to worry about this s**t since high school, and even then, I sucked at it!" I slam all the clothes on the floor.

Someone knocks on the door. "What the f**k is it now!"

I look up at the clock and see that I have forty-five minutes left until it is time to go. "Whoever it is, better make it quick!"

Down the hallway and past the living room, my bare feet stomp across the grey carpet floor. The person knocks again. My lips curls in frustration because I am running out of time to get ready for school. Not thinking twice, I unlock the door and wrap my fingers around the cold metal knob. I swing the door open to see who could be here this time of the morning.

The same baby blue eyes and wavy dirty blonde hair is gazing at me with two cups of coffee in his hand.

"I hope you are a coffee drinker. I just came from across the street, and they accidentally gave me two cups instead of one, so I thought you made need one." A tiny smirk slides across his lips.

"Is that so?" I laugh, knowing he is lying.

"Yes, thank God they screwed up. Something tells me you needed it today, anyway." He reaches out to give me the cup when we do his fingers graze mine. My cheeks become warm. I look down, trying my best to hide how I feel. When my eyes reach my thighs, I realize I am still in my short, red t-shirt from the night before.

"f**k!" I lash out. 

With one hand, I clumsily grasp the warm coffee, and the other tug my shirt past my ass with all my might. "I-I'm so sorry... f**k!" The man steps back, smirking while giving me space.

"No need to apologize. You haven't had coffee yet... and for the record," the man pauses and looks me up and down, soaking in every detail. "you look perfect." I stop and swallow hard, not knowing what to say or do. 

"I have to get to work now. Have a good day, and enjoy your coffee." The man, my new mysterious neighbor, says and closes my door.

Peeking out the window, I watch as he walks towards his home. He takes his time as if he has no care in the world. Only once does he glance at the chrome watch on his wrist before lifting the cup and resting his thin lips on the top and taking a long, savory sip. Smelling the fresh coffee, I take a tiny sip, allowing the warmth, sweetness, and bitterness to slide down my throat. 

I stare, wondering who is he is. "Twice we met, and I still don't know his name. I better ask him if he will keep popping up in the mornings," I look down at my legs. "and remember to wear pants...maybe."

With thirty minutes to spare, I shower and find a white off the shoulder blouse tucked away in my suitcase. After putting on a pair of laced leggings and brown leather boots, I make my way to the school and register for classes. Several times the lady kept trying to direct me to the senior line. I told her I was a late bloomer. She shook her head and stamped my papers. "Good luck."

After my first two classes, it was time to make my way to English class. I walk in and look around the room. The walls have images of Romeo and Juliet, Bram Stroke, and an overhead projector, half the size of the wall. Several younger students laugh in sync when then walk past me with their books. Two guys look me up and down and mumble something under their breath. Instantly, I feel out of place.

They take most of the seats. Several times I walk to one, and someone sits down with their friends. Tucking my hair behind my ear, I soon realize they all like the back seats. The further, the better. The only two that are left are one right next to the teacher's desk and the other in the front where I am sure they will call me on a million times. "Maybe this was all a colossal mistake," I whisper to myself and turn towards the door. 

The bell rings, and my shoulders slump. All the kids are settling in. "Fine." I give this one semester, or I quit,"  I mumble and place my books on the desk next to the teachers. 

" Good to hear you are giving it a chance." A familiar voice says, causing me to drop my books. 

"f**k!"