Kite In The Snow by Karla Lopez
“AHH FUCK!” I miss the espresso shot and end up burning my hand. I look up and see many eyes turn toward me, and I apologize profoundly. I’m not known for my vulgar tongue. I don’t curse much around people, it makes me uncomfortable to do so.
“Wyatt, I think the town is going to change your nice guy title with that mouth you’re carrying.”
I roll my eyes at Camila, making her giggle.
“Oh, please. This guy feeds the town even if they don’t have money and would probably donate his kidney to crazy Ed,” James sasses, making me scowl.
“He’s not crazy. Some of us are just not society’s normal and that’s okay.”
“See.” James points at me. “Nice guy.”
I shake my head at him while I start the espresso machine again and make the iced coffee I was trying to prepare. I end up dropping two cups in the meantime. I want to scream my frustrations, but I don’t want to alert the town.
James comes up and leans against the counter while he stares me down. I arch my eyebrow at him in question.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing, why?” He squints his eyes at me.
“Because you’re all over the place and that’s unlike you.”
I turn toward the window that shows the whole town, especially the bench right outside the shop, where a pretty, blue-eyed girl sits again. I frown just looking at her. She’s been out there all week—not all day, but still, she shouldn’t be out there.
She’s not from around here and it makes me question why she’s here and why no one’s really noticed her.
“Ahh. I see what’s caught your eye,” James says from over my shoulder. I grow stiff not wanting his eyes on her. I feel territorial, something I’ve never felt over another human, especially someone I’ve never met.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He arches his eyebrow, calling me out on my bullshit.
“I’m just worried. She sits out there for quite a while several times a day.”
“Yeah, I know. The whole town has been talking about her. She’s been staying at Grey’s Motel down the street, and she eats once every day at the diner.”
“How the fuck do you know all that about her?” I whisper shout.
He gives me a devious smirk, and it makes me want to punch him really hard. The thought surprises me because I wouldn’t actually ever hurt anyone or anything. I don’t have it in me.
“I’ve been having late nights with Samantha that works over at the diner. You know that gossip makes its way around town.” I let out a breath of relief.
I don’t know why, but the thought of James pursuing her makes me angry. An emotion I don’t ever feel too often. I don’t like feeling this way.
I look over at her again and see that she’s watching everyone who walks in and out with longing. Maybe she’s hungry or thirsty. She must be freezing.
The thought of her being cold and hungry makes me feel uneasy, and before I can stop myself, I start making a hot chocolate in our large cup.
James watches me with confusion, and when I start walking toward the door, I hear him shout my name, but I ignore him. I just want to help her.
When I walk outside, I wince from the freezing air that hits my face. I shiver because I’m not wearing my winter coat, just a simple sweatshirt that says our coffee shop’s name on it.
Her eyes move away from me, and I can visibly see her tense as I slowly approach her. I see that she’s wearing the same jacket as before, and I see that one earphone is in while the other is tucked inside her jacket.
It makes me want to ask her about what she’s listening to. I’m obsessed with music and knowing other people’s taste tells you a lot about them.
I can only pray that she cares about lyrics and the feelings they bring other than just catchy, hit music. There’s nothing wrong with that music, but I love people who understand deep, meaningful lyrics. It’s so beautiful to see.
“Uh, hey. I’m the owner of Poetry and saw you sitting out here. I thought I’d bring you something warm considering it’s freezing out.”
She hesitates before the most vivid blue eyes hit me at full force. I feel as if I’m falling off a cliff and everything around me is moving so fast, but I’m in slow motion watching everything happen.
I cling to her eyes because they’re so beautiful, yet so sad that I want to give her the happiness I crave to see in them. Her angelic, soft voice hits my ears, and it’s the most beautiful sound I have ever heard. And I hear a lot of great voices from my vinyl’s, but hers doesn’t compare.
“Hi, uh, thanks, but no thanks.” She shakes her head as she speaks.
“It’s free. You can even come in if you want? You don’t have to buy anything.”
Fear runs through her eyes, and I’m taken aback by the emotion.
“No, thank you. I don’t want to owe anyone anything.” I’m confused by what she means by that, but don’t question it any further. I don’t want to make her more uncomfortable.
I sit the cup of hot chocolate that probably isn’t hot anymore next to her.
“If you change your mind.” I gesture towards the cup. “And you’re always welcome in my shop without owing me anything.”
Her beautiful brows push against each other in confusion, but she doesn’t say anything else. I make my way inside and around the counter.
Camila is busy with a customer, and I stand hidden behind the coffee machines, watching the girl outside my shop. James’s hand lands on my shoulder, breaking my stare. I turn toward him, and he gives me a knowing look.
“It’s cold outside,” I say simply.
“No. It’s you being too good. Leave her alone, man. She doesn’t make conversation with anyone.”
“So, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make her feel welcome. She’s not from here and our town is known for its kind, family atmosphere.”
He chuckles and shakes his head. “You’re something else, man. You really are too good. Who cares? Just leave her alone before you’re the one to get hurt.”
I roll my eyes at him. “And why would I get hurt?” I question.
“Because you want to help everyone, and some people take advantage.”
I turn toward the window and watch her sip the hot chocolate I left her, feeling like a winner because she accepted it. “No, she’s a little scared, but she’s not misleading.”
“You got all of that from the small conversation you had?”
I shake my head, lost in her.
“No, I got it from her sad eyes.”