Short Stories + Contest Entries

Due Date

"The usual, right Brady?" Todd calls over to me in a friendly manner, and I slow my stride. Such a nice guy, but such a shame that in ten years he's going to pass away due to a robbery at the cafe. He'll do anything for this place.

I clench my jaw before speaking, keeping my voice steady and calm. "Yeah Todd, you always know how to treat a tense man. Make it a chocolate muffin today too. " Answering my request with a nod and smile, I head over to my usual booth.

With my head so lost in thought, and trying not pay attention to anyone, I don't realize I'm saving someone from falling until her wondrous eyes meet mine.

The sound of a cup cracking quickly makes us the center of attention, and with her in my arms it doesn't make it less of a scene, but rather more inviting to watch.

The woman has flowing brown hair, and hazel eyes filled with shock. Her rosy cheeks, and red colored lips are full and kissable, but the one thing that grabs my attention is I get nothing.

My mind doesn't soak up the two most vital information any person has. Her birthday and her death day. Now my eyes pop out.

Catching my breath again, I assist her to a stand, and her eyes dart around at the floor to where coffee is splattered and the mug pieces lay.

This is awkward.

"Umm," Her light voice softly rings in my ears. A waiter with the name Emmett on his name tag comes over to us in disappointment.

"I'll... go get a mop, and broom. You can take your seats now." The waiter's voice was dry, and unfriendly, and I don't blame him for acting this way.

Emmett Gabriel Leon; Birthday October 3rd 1993. Death date; April 23rd 2066 from a heart attack.

I change the angle of my face, quickly regretting the eye contact. Guilt spreads all over my body, and my heart sinks. Today's his birthday, and we just gave him extra work to do. Well, this is his job, but I don't want to make things more stressful for the guy. At least he'll live a nice long life.

The woman must feel guilt as well, and plops down at the next empty booth, my spot. Her face is propped on her hand, and her eyes are closed.

More awkward vibes center around me, and I decide to take a seat across from the lady. After all, this is my booth. My focus is fastened on the lady, who still hasn't opened her eyes yet.

Maybe if I focus enough, I'll finally be able to read her.

As I keep staring, I trick my mind into thinking that's the reason I can't take my eyes off of her. Really, it's because I'm dazzled, and can't get enough of her. I can't read her like everyone else, and this automatically makes her unique. She makes me feel like an actual human! Even with that being so, she is like nothing I've ever seen before.

After Todd brings my espresso, and chocolate chip muffin without a word about the incident or why a girl is with me, I don't focus anything else. I'm not sure how much time passes before she opens her eyes again, but when she does her expression indicates that she is startled to see me right in front of her.

"If you're waiting for a thank you, you're not going to get one." The woman's tone is straight sassy  and my heart skips a beat, not caring that she may actually hate me for some reason that's anonymous. Women are strange sometimes.

"Actually, this is my usual spot, so I was waiting for you to notice that you aren't alone." I tell her matter-of factly. She crosses her arms and leans back into the booth.

"I'm... I'm sorry. I'm not in the best mood today, as you may have noticed. I'm such a idiot." She mumbles, and covers her face with her hands. I lean forward, and hope that my words don't fail me. I'm not used to talking, and looking someone in the face at the same time, and it's a bonus that her face is rather stunning. With this being said, I don't want to say something stupid.

"Hey, hey. It's okay, truly. I'm just really glad I was there to catch you. That would have been quite a spill." I tell her, reaching out from across the marble table.

She shakes her head."No, no, no. It's not okay. I.. know things. Things someone like me isn't supposed to know. And you just ruined everything for me. I didn't even see you coming, but there you were." The woman rambles on, and I try to cut in.

"Ma'am, listen. Things happen for a reason. Just be glad that you didn't get hurt. Heck, not even a drop of coffee spilled on you or me. That's pretty lucky." I peer into those copper eyes, and warmth spreads all over my body. What is she doing to me?

In a blink of an eye, she stands, and rushes off, straight for the exit. I briskly follow behind, passing the now clean area that was covered with coffee, and broken glass before. Emmett did a good job.

I wonder why she didn't get a refund for that coffee? I drug the thought off, it being to irrelevant to care much about.

Restraining myself from looking at anyone, I find her opening the door, and squeeze past it to stop her. Todd calls from behind me but I ignore, not wanting her to leave my sight. Right now, she's my main priority. I get in her way, and she glares at me in annoyance with a mixture of something else. It resembles a distraught emotion, but I can't be too sure.

"Please, don't walk away. I didn't mean to make you upset, and I'm very sorry, Miss." I tell her honestly, praying that my facial expression shows that I'm genuine. I seriously can't lose this woman.

"Don't call me that. My name is Tamora. And don't apologize, you're right. Right about everything you said. It's just.." Tamora doesn't make eye contact with me, and it seems as though she is trying to find the right words.

"Just what?" I ask, being a little persistent, and her body is now pressed against mine, smells strongly of mint. Her face just reaches my shoulder, and her whisper is clean, and crisp.

"I was supposed to die in the cafe. Slip, fall and hit my head. Go into a coma, and never wake up. To then finally just die altogether. You don't have to believe me, but I have been preparing for all this." Tamora's story leaves me motionless, and she moves back to give me more personal space.

I lick my lips with no response in mind. She continues.

"I even." Tamora stutters "I broke up with my fiancé so it would be easier for him. Told him a bunch of lies. I just.... You wiped away all that planning, and saved me." Tamora points a finger at me and just when I think she's going to yell at me for some odd reason, she is suddenly hugging me.

"Thank you. I don't know how I'll fix this mess, but I know with a little hope, my love will come back to me again." Her tone was confident, and grateful. I couldn't help but be happy for her, even if my emotions have been crushed.

She has a lover. Of course she does.

"Oh God." Tamora pushes away in horror, and I my mind goes straight to the reasoning. She's engaged, and hugging me, a stranger. Not a good combo. But her face says otherwise.

"What's the matter?" I coax, and she pushes past me to rush away.

I look back, puzzled.

Tamora turns around to then say something that makes my head spin.

"You have only twenty four hours left." And then runs off, leaving me in awe.