Short Story / The Crush, or the Denial Thereof pt.2
It was only a week or so later that our paths had finally crossed again. He had quit working at the restaurant a couple days after our startling exchange of looks. But he’d come back, this time not working, but looking at the menu. Since he quit, and there was no one to come in and replace him, I’d been demoted. But I didn’t mind, I guess, as long as I was getting a check at the end of every week.
He looked smug yet sort of morose, staring at the menu like he didn’t know what was on it already. But his perfectly wavy hair and soft featured face erased the look on it without a trace. I was suddenly at a loss, not for words, but for thoughts, for breath. It was him, who I’d seriously denied having a crush on. He was the guy that I’d made myself believe was only a guy, when in fact he was not.
I stood at the counter contently, waiting to see who’d take his order, but to my dismay, everyone else was busy, and my boss stood staring at me disapprovingly, like there was something I ought to have done – and quick.
I sighed and pushed myself off of the counter, nearing the guy my mind cotinuously rested upon. Now, a typical romance would say that this was where the future began…but no, this wasn’t your everyday romance…not at all. He kept his eyes on the menu as I stood to his left, waiting patiently for nothing in particular.
He looked up at me, leaving my heart struck with passion. I was hopelessly engulfed in his shimmering azure eyes. He seemed overwhelmed also, yet who was I to give myself credit for that? He probably didn’t even remember who I was.
At this thought, I felt my insides compress and I knew that I had to take his order quick, before the tears swelling beneath my eyes had won a battle.
It was the first time I’d spoken to him. You could imagine that typical romance, where the girl couldn’t speak and would melt at that instant…well, instead of denying this fact too, I must admit that I did just that.
“Hi, um…welcome to…” Once again, the loss of words had overcome me. I thought of the paperback. As I have tried (and hopefully succeeded) to convince you, my friend, I had to convince myself that it wasn’t that story. I wasn’t a part of a romance. I was part of a life, and he wasn’t gong to be in it. I only had a silly crush on him – I’d admitted that before, but it wasn’t anything else. Simply, a crush. With this new thought, though it may have been untrue, I could continue. “Welcome to Goody’s. I’m -“
“Brooke,” he finished my sentence. “I know. I’m Luke. I used to work with you, remember?”
You could imagine my shock of his complete admittance that he did in fact remember me when I thought otherwise. I felt my cheeks warm up, and I knew all at once that he’d seen me blushing. It was a completely hopeless moment. I was hopeless.
“Yes, I remember.” I said, looking down at the small notepad I held in my hand, and fiddling with it. I realized, though, that I looked like a silly little girl, and cleared my throat to finish the rest of the practiced greeting. “Um, I will be your server today.” I hurriedly bowed my head in respect, gasping for air in the process. “Would you like anything to drink? An appetizer, maybe?”
He laughed, his smile opening to reveal his mild, deep voice. I managed a sort-of smile, though I didn’t feel my mouth move. I had hoped he didn’t find my lack of grinning an insult to his humor.
His lauging stopped soon enough, and I could no longer enjoying his charming chuckle. He shook his head slightly and smiled even more. “You don’t ask for the appetizer until after you bring the drink.”
My cheeks flushed again. “You…don’t?”
“No. You bring the drink, and then you offer the appetizer, which means suggesting some of them, like the infamous salads, or some all-famous breadsticks, or chicken…something like that.”
“Oh,” was all I said, or all I could manage to say. I was simply losing it. It was highly abnormal for me to fall apart like that. Then again, the paperback struck my mind again – but this wasn’t your everyay romance. It was simply…a crush.
Later, after doing what he suggested, seemingly training instead of actually serving him, he had gotten his food and began to eat. I began going over what we’d talked about in my head as I stared at them (my boss had joined him between when I served the appetizer and when I served the dinner) blankly again.
The mention of his name, Luke, was all I could bring myself to. Just the memory of his name leaves me breathless. I sighed and buried my chin in my hand. Time had escaped my mind and sooner than later – Luke – was calling my name.
I rushed to his table (my boss wasn’t even there anymore…when had he left?) and handed him his bill. “I am so sorry.” Then I composed myself again. “Did you enjoy your meal?” I asked, remembering what I used to hear him say to his customers.
“Yes, very much,” he said. “But I do have one thing to ask,”
My heart jumped and I blinked twice, trying to hide my nervousness. It was silly, he was only going to ask me a question, so I had yet to regain the compusure that I’d lost again. “Yes?” I continued.
“Would you like to go out with me sometime?”
Maybe this was where the future began.
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i could definitely see a lot of passion in this and a lot of longing but i dont know if you really made this your own the passion felt…written not bled, or desired as much as i think you can while you used good descriptions you missed key things like (a romantic one) the description of the romantic idea would have brought or keyed more into the actual story more.
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Wow, I can relate to this so much I don’t even not where to begin. The character in this story in like me in so many ways. You really have a vivid style that is really easy to understand. I love that! It makes me think of the person who I have feelings for and how I don’t know how to talk to them. Day after day I looked forward to seeing them but never dared to talk to them. I don’t really know why I didn’t but if I looked far into my soul I knew exactly why.
As of your style it some what reminds me a touch of Sylvia Plath. How you explain the character at the park reminding me of the scene where Esther Greenwood in Sylvia Plath’s, “The Bell Jar” takes a trip to the beach. I’m taking a shot at this but I think I vaguely remember her feeding seagulls. Hm, I don’t know if that is a somewhat relation but that is just what it reminded me of. Keep it up! You and I have a lot in common.
Wow {sobs} that was an amazing story that anyone who has found that special someone can relate to. The detail, the WOWness factor left me breathless. an amazing feat in all aspects of the word. There is definate promise in your career as a writer! I cannot wait to read more of your work, keep me posted on everything and EVERYTHING you write!
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